History of the Andalusian Horse

[Ferran]

History of the Andalusian Horse
By Sue Wolk

The world's most aristocratic equine population owes its fame to the Andalusian horse, along with the Arab and, much later, the Thoroughbred.

Its history goes back long before the birth of Christ - to 200 BC, at the time of the Roman Conquests in and around Spain. Roman writers praised the native Spanish horses' qualities, which were recognised by Spain's Moorish conquerors, who naturally cross-bred them with their own Arab and Berber breeds.

After the Moors were driven from Spain in the 15th Century, these noble Spanish creatures enjoyed a period of great popularity, influencing almost all other American and European horse breeds.

Not only were they taken by the Spanish conquistadors to the New World in the Americas, but they laid the foundation of the Frederiksborg, the royal horse of Denmark; the Neapolitan horse, when Naples was under Spanish rule from 1504 to 1713; the Austrian Kladruber, and some of the British breeds, notably the Cleveland Bay, the Hackney, the Connemara pony of Ireland and possibly the Welsh Cob.

Direct descendants of the Andalusian horse are the Lippizaners of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, established in 1572 as an adjunct to the Court in order to educate their nobility in the equitational arts. It was called the Spanish Riding School because right fromits formation only Spanish stallions were used there.

The Lippizaners take their name from the stud at Lippiza, near Trieste, then part of the Austrian empire. It was founded by Archduke Charles 11, in 1580, who had 9 stallions and 24 mares brought there from Spain.

This is the horse that became "The very cornerstone of classical riding." The features that made this caballo de pura raza española - horse of pure Spanish breed - so highly sought after, are its balletic elegance, high head carriage, short arched neck, silky flowing mane compact body and wonderful proportions.

The manes of mares are usually clipped in Spain; only the stallions are allowed to display the full splendour of theirs. About 50 per cent of Andalusians are usually grey or white, the rest being bay or black. Chestnuts or piebalds are excluded from the stud book.

These attributes are combined with a fiery intelligence, strangely at odds with it's affectionate and docile temperament. It is considered to be the ideal haute école parade and carriage horse. It is perhaps somewhat surprising, therefore, that its presence outside Spain is not more widespread today.

"It can only be the whims of changing fashion that, for the moment, deny him his place in competitive dressage - that and perhaps the extraordinarily extravagant and high action of his forelegs," suggests Elwyn Hartley Edwards in his engaging book, Horses, their Role in the History of Man. The Andalusian does, in fact, "dish" - throw his forelegs in an outward arc before putting his feet to the ground. In Spain, the action is highly esteemed but in countries like England, it is not appreciated at all.

Displays

The Royal School of Equestrian Art, a magnificent display of Andalucian horses, is at Jerez de la Frontera. The equestrian centre is built around the Recreo de las Cadenas Palace, itself an amazing 19th century baroque-style building designed by Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris Opera House.

The shows are held in the 1600 seat arena. After a disco style burst with laser lights, the distinctive tones of flamenco guitar take over and some ten riders dressed in 18th century country costume make their entrance. Then the impressive equestrian ballet begins.

These choreographed dances are based on both classical, doma clasica, and country dressage, doma vaquera, as well as other specialised riding techniques. For example the horses gallop around the ring making sudden changes of rhythm and spin tightly pivotting on a circle around their hind legs, all apparently in time with the music. This is the canter pirouette.

The most spectacular part is the execution of high leaps with legs kicking out, known as a capriole. At times the horses resemble dancers, especially with the technique called piaffe, where the horse trots on the spot and picks its legs up in diagonal pairs.

While the Andalucian horse is absolutely first class for various types of sport, such as show jumping and dressage, it is not the ideal horse for rodeo riding or horse racing.

Source: http://www.andalucia.com/rural/horseriding/history.htm

[Vitor]

Lusitano and andalusian connections:

Also Known As: Lusitanian, Betico-lusitano, National, Peninsular, Portuguese
The Lusitano is found in Portugal. These horses are very similar in conformation to the Andalusian horses of Spain. The two breed are thought to have originated from a common source but selection in the Lusitano has resulted in a more convex profile reminiscent of the old Andalusian or Iberian horse whereas the Andalusian as developed a more Oriental head shape.

It was never selected because of good looks, those that work well (fearless horse good for WAR and bullfight) would be choosen, so this must be the reason why the lusitano preserved the ancient Iberian looks.