The Andalusian Horse: The Royal Horse of Europe
If you have an interest in horses, chances are you have fantasized about the Andalusian. Whether you have seen the magnificent white (grey) stallion with long flowing mane and tail rescuing a damsel in distress in a movie, posing with a movie star (several movie stars own Andalusians), or in a King’s portrait gracing the walls of the world’s most famous museums, the romantic looking animal has likely captured your heart—even if you had no idea what type of horse you were looking at.
If you belong with this group of afflicted people, you are not alone. Many people dream about the Andalusian. Eventually, they take the plunge to enjoy the horse that has captured the imaginations and hearts of people for centuries.
ORIGIN
As one of the ancient breeds in the world, the Andalusian Horse originated in the Iberian Peninsula. The name, like a fine wine, comes from the region in Spain referred to as Andalucia. Documented throughout European history, the Andalusian horse was praised as the finest horse of war by the Romans and Greeks in ancient times. The earliest documentation of the Andalusian horse is shown in cave paintings believed to be 20,000 years old.
In the Middle Ages, Andalusians were bred principally by the Carthusian Monks at the monasteries in Jerez, Seville, and Cazallo. The monks were superb horse breeders and miners, and kept the blood of their horses quite pure. Later they became the treasured mount of European nobles.
The Andalusian’s purity was threatened in the 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded Spain and stole many of the horses. One small herd of Andalusians was hidden and used to renew the breed. Then in 1832, an epidemic devastated Spain’s horse population. Only a small herd of Andalusians at the Monastery of Cartuja survived. Thus, Andalusians were not exported from Spain until 1962.
THE NAME
In modern times the name Andalusian means different things to different people. In the United States, all registered purebred Andalusian horses can be traced directly to the Stud Books of what is now Spain or Portugal. In Spain, the horses are known as the Pura Raza Espanola- PRE (Pure Spanish Horse); in Portugal, they are known as Lusitanos (Portuguese). In this country we use the oldest definition “Andalusian” which encompasses the breed that originated in the area, including both Spain and Portugal, since at the earliest documented times of the breed’s origin and use of that name, neither Spain nor Portugal existed as they do today.
A RARE TREASURE
The Andalusian is one of the rarest breeds in the United States and, as a result, many Americans have never seen an Andalusian!
The Andalusian’s physical appearance and flashy action make it one of the world’s most desirable riding horses. The Andalusian is strongly built, yet extremely elegant. The typical Andalusian stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands. His head is of medium length, rectangular and lean. The head profile is slightly convex or straight with a broad forehead and well placed ears. The eyes are alive, oval, and placed within the orbital arch. The neck is reasonably long, broad, yet elegant and well crested in stallions. The mane is thick and abundant. Well defined withers precede a short back; the quarters are broad and strong. The croup is rounded and of medium length. The tail is abundant, set low, and lies tightly against the body. About 75% of all Andalusians are grey, 15% are bay, and 10% are black, chestnut, palomino, or dun.
The Andalusian horse has been esteemed for its quality and appearance since Roman times. In the Middle Ages it carried knights into battle and later became the treasured mount of European nobles. Horseman soon realized that the same qualities that made the Andalusian a versatile war horse could serve in times of peace as well. The horse soon became the favorite of the grand riding academies of Europe because of its impulsion, collection, forward motion, and agility. In these academies, dressage and high school riding began—and flourished.
THE ANDALUSIAN TODAY
Today, the Andalusian horse displays an amazing versatility that has, in fact, been present for centuries. In the United States, Andalusians compete in dressage, jumping, driving, western pleasure, hunt seat, show hack, Doma Vaquera (Spanish reining), native costume, halter, and saddle seat divisions. Additionally, the Andalusian makes a parade and exhibition horse without peer! Furthermore, with their love for people, the Andalusian makes an absolutely wonderful family horse!
To this day, in Spain and Portugal, Andalusians display the ultimate in courage, agility, collection and cunning as they face the fierce Iberian bull—both inside and outside of the bullfighting arena. In fact, it was while visiting a bull fight in Spain in the early 1960’s that first drew American foundation breeder, Greg Garrison, to these beautiful, yet kind and courageous animals.
As one of the world’s first purebred horses, the Andalusian crosses well with all modern breeds. Here in the United States,. popular crosses are commonly seen with (but not limited to) Arabians, American Saddlebreds, and Quarter Horses (also known as Aztecas). Half-Andalusians offer their owners the best of both worlds, and while they are as versatile as their purebred relatives, they are often highly sought after as Dressage horses.
Today’s show arena showcases both purebred and half Andalusian horses featuring a full line up of performance and halter classes. Whether you enjoy competition or simply want a best friend in the form of a horse, the Andalusian is a horse you need to meet. Once you experience this truly amazing animal, the Andalusian will captivate your heart and imagination. Come and join us—experience the Andalusian!
“… He is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest trot and the best action on his trot, the loftiest gallop and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph…” The Duke of Newcastle in 1667
The Andalusian Horse: The Royal Horse of Europe
If you have an interest in horses, chances are you have fantasized about the Andalusian. Whether you have seen the magnificent white (grey) stallion with long flowing mane and tail rescuing a damsel in distress in a movie, posing with a movie star (several movie stars own Andalusians), or in a King’s portrait gracing the walls of the world’s most famous museums, the romantic looking animal has likely captured your heart—even if you had no idea what type of horse you were looking at.
If you belong with this group of afflicted people, you are not alone. Many people dream about the Andalusian. Eventually, they take the plunge to enjoy the horse that has captured the imaginations and hearts of people for centuries.
ORIGIN
As one of the ancient breeds in the world, the Andalusian Horse originated in the Iberian Peninsula. The name, like a fine wine, comes from the region in Spain referred to as Andalucia. Documented throughout European history, the Andalusian horse was praised as the finest horse of war by the Romans and Greeks in ancient times. The earliest documentation of the Andalusian horse is shown in cave paintings believed to be 20,000 years old.
In the Middle Ages, Andalusians were bred principally by the Carthusian Monks at the monasteries in Jerez, Seville, and Cazallo. The monks were superb horse breeders and miners, and kept the blood of their horses quite pure. Later they became the treasured mount of European nobles.
The Andalusian’s purity was threatened in the 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded Spain and stole many of the horses. One small herd of Andalusians was hidden and used to renew the breed. Then in 1832, an epidemic devastated Spain’s horse population. Only a small herd of Andalusians at the Monastery of Cartuja survived. Thus, Andalusians were not exported from Spain until 1962.
THE NAME
In modern times the name Andalusian means different things to different people. In the United States, all registered purebred Andalusian horses can be traced directly to the Stud Books of what is now Spain or Portugal. In Spain, the horses are known as the Pura Raza Espanola- PRE (Pure Spanish Horse); in Portugal, they are known as Lusitanos (Portuguese). In this country we use the oldest definition “Andalusian” which encompasses the breed that originated in the area, including both Spain and Portugal, since at the earliest documented times of the breed’s origin and use of that name, neither Spain nor Portugal existed as they do today.
A RARE TREASURE
The Andalusian is one of the rarest breeds in the United States and, as a result, many Americans have never seen an Andalusian!
The Andalusian’s physical appearance and flashy action make it one of the world’s most desirable riding horses. The Andalusian is strongly built, yet extremely elegant. The typical Andalusian stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands. His head is of medium length, rectangular and lean. The head profile is slightly convex or straight with a broad forehead and well placed ears. The eyes are alive, oval, and placed within the orbital arch. The neck is reasonably long, broad, yet elegant and well crested in stallions. The mane is thick and abundant. Well defined withers precede a short back; the quarters are broad and strong. The croup is rounded and of medium length. The tail is abundant, set low, and lies tightly against the body. About 75% of all Andalusians are grey, 15% are bay, and 10% are black, chestnut, palomino, or dun.
The Andalusian horse has been esteemed for its quality and appearance since Roman times. In the Middle Ages it carried knights into battle and later became the treasured mount of European nobles. Horseman soon realized that the same qualities that made the Andalusian a versatile war horse could serve in times of peace as well. The horse soon became the favorite of the grand riding academies of Europe because of its impulsion, collection, forward motion, and agility. In these academies, dressage and high school riding began—and flourished.
THE ANDALUSIAN TODAY
Today, the Andalusian horse displays an amazing versatility that has, in fact, been present for centuries. In the United States, Andalusians compete in dressage, jumping, driving, western pleasure, hunt seat, show hack, Doma Vaquera (Spanish reining), native costume, halter, and saddle seat divisions. Additionally, the Andalusian makes a parade and exhibition horse without peer! Furthermore, with their love for people, the Andalusian makes an absolutely wonderful family horse!
To this day, in Spain and Portugal, Andalusians display the ultimate in courage, agility, collection and cunning as they face the fierce Iberian bull—both inside and outside of the bullfighting arena. In fact, it was while visiting a bull fight in Spain in the early 1960’s that first drew American foundation breeder, Greg Garrison, to these beautiful, yet kind and courageous animals.
As one of the world’s first purebred horses, the Andalusian crosses well with all modern breeds. Here in the United States,. popular crosses are commonly seen with (but not limited to) Arabians, American Saddlebreds, and Quarter Horses (also known as Aztecas). Half-Andalusians offer their owners the best of both worlds, and while they are as versatile as their purebred relatives, they are often highly sought after as Dressage horses.
Today’s show arena showcases both purebred and half Andalusian horses featuring a full line up of performance and halter classes. Whether you enjoy competition or simply want a best friend in the form of a horse, the Andalusian is a horse you need to meet. Once you experience this truly amazing animal, the Andalusian will captivate your heart and imagination. Come and join us—experience the Andalusian!
“… He is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest trot and the best action on his trot, the loftiest gallop and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph…” The Duke of Newcastle in 1667