Andalusian breed
History of the breed
Andalusian horses come from the Spanish province of Andalusia, which is how they got their name. Their ancestors were the Iberian horses of Spain and Portugal.
On the Iberian Peninsula in southern Spain, images of horses on the walls of caves dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BC were discovered. These prehistoric horses became the basis for breeding the Andalusians. For centuries, the breed was influenced by horses brought to the Iberian Peninsula by various peoples such as French Celts, North African Arabs, Romans, various Germanic tribes. In the 15th century, the Andalusian breed itself began to influence the rest of the horse breeds of that time. Some of the finest horses at the time, the ancestors of today’s Andalusians served the world’s greatest warriors. Homer mentions the Iberian horses in the Iliad, the famous ancient Greek cavalryman Xenophon praised their role in the victory of the Spartans over the Athenians in 450 BC, Hanniball defeated the Romans several times using the Iberian cavalry. At the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror used an Iberian horse. Andalusian horses owe their origin to the Carthusian monks who created this breed at the end of the 15th century. Soon the Iberian horse became the “royal horse of Europe”, available in every royal court.
Andalusian horse is beautiful! She is the most famous of the Spanish breeds. The Andalusian breed was considered the best for both battles and parades. These Spanish horses stood in all noble stables. Their predisposition to the higher school of riding made them especially valuable in battle, because responsiveness, dexterity, soft movements gave a great advantage to the rider in battles. Also, it was thanks to the Andalusian breed of horses that a number of Spanish breeds were formed, which today have come to be called “baroque breeds”.
Exterior Features
The Andalusian is a beautiful, elegant horse. The long head ends in a rounded snore, the eyes are large and expressive. In general, this is a medium-sized, compact horse, with a very rounded shape. The head is of medium size, slightly hook-nosed, the neck is set high and slightly arched with a developed crest, which gives the horse a special elegance and majesty. Andalusian has a broad chest with rounded ribs. The back is straight, the croup is rounded. Legs of medium length, dry but strong. Small ears, muscular shoulders and back. The “attraction” of the breed is their lush and thick mane with a tail that sometimes curls.
The movements of these horses themselves are very graceful, they have a natural high move, rhythm in all gaits, energy. The suits are mostly light, there are also bay, and even black ones. Often there are nightingales, buckskins, there are even red ones.
Applications and achievements
The Andalusian is a riding horse that can be successfully used for dressage. Individuals ennobled with the blood of English Thoroughbreds or Anglo-Arabs are excellent jumpers. Widely used as circus horses.
Since these horses are well suited for the hobby class, they are also suitable for children. The disposition and temperament of these horses are very good-natured, balanced and calm.
