The horses of the Iberian
Peninsula are perhaps the oldest breed of saddle horse in
the world. They were prized as war horses even in
Roman times and continued to be in demand through the
Middle Ages and the Renaissance, when the elite of Europe
rode these noble horses.
Hawk (Lusitano) performing a
capriole
During the period of
history when the influence of the Spanish and Portuguese
empires was most widespread, the Iberian horses were
spread throughout Western Europe and the New World - for
these were the horses of the Conquistadors.
Not only did these Spanish
horses influence most of the early American horse breeds
- Mustang, Appaloosa, Quarterhorse, and others - but back
in Europe they were widely used as foundation stock for
many of the modern sporthorse breeds, including but not
limited to Swedish warmbloods, Holsteiners, Hannovarians,
Gelderlands, as well as Connemaras, Cleveland Bays, Welsh
Cobs, Irish Draughts, Friesians, of course the Lippizans,
and even Thoroughbreds.
Today, Andalusians and
Lusitanos are once again gaining popularity as riders
worldwide delight in discovering the incredible catlike
agility and intelligence and balanced ride that these
horses are born with. Although relatively few in
number, the horses of the Iberian Peninsula are making
their mark as pleasure and ranch horses, in various
activities such as reining and cattle penning, and they
are excelling in top international competition in
driving, jumping and dressage.
Spain
and Portugal together comprise the Iberian Peninsula, and
the Iberian horses long bred there share the same genetic
past and bloodlines. Horses bred in the Province of
Andalusia in Spain have most often been called
Andalusians, although their correct designation is Pura
Raza Espanola or PRE. Horses bred in the province
of Lusitania in Portugal have most often been called
Lusitanos and this remains today their correct
designation.
Normando (Lusitano)
Almirante (Andalusian)
Olé Dan (Lusitano)
"What is
the difference between Andalusians and
Lusitanos?"
Essentially, the Lusitano (Portuguese) and the
Andalusian (Spanish) are genetically one and the
same. The ultimate war horse, the grand and noble
"horse of kings" whose athletic skill and noble
qualities of heart and mind were honed and preserved
largely through training for war, which resulted in their
participation in bull fighting. Bull fighting
became a noble heritage to enable men and horses to be
fit for war or defense of country at a moment's
notice.
When the Spanish royal family changed in the 16th
century, and banned bullfighting in Spain, the functional
requirements of the horses in each country became
different, and so different qualities and even
appearances were sought by breeders in each
country. These differences in use, function and
breeder preference have produced what differences there
might be in the two horse-types today. The genetic
pool and bloodlines were identical, but the changing
breeding programs of the two countries dictated the
gradually changing types emerging from the same horse.
1. The
Andalusian - developed a straighter profile of
head and carriage leaning towards elegance, beauty and
refinement, with gracious floating strides.
Don Juan De Marco (Andalusian)
2. The
Lusitano - is still bred primarily for
functionality in the bullring and is rounder of head and
body, shorter coupled, and with lightning quickness and
athleticism.
Rival d'Amor (Lusitano)
CARPE DIEM FARM has established the largest,
traditionally preserved herd of classical Lusitano horses
in the United States. This herd is of the finest
old bloodlines in the world to ensure an unaltered
preservation of their unique heritage. Similarly,
the Andalusians being bred and raised at Carpe Diem Farm
are of classical, Cartujano lines chosen from the finest
black and bay stock.
Please
click on one of the underlined links below to view more
pages.
