|
The Andalusian Horse, from Oklahoma State University web site, www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian:
The Andalusian horse has been highly regarded since the Middle Ages. Spanish horses have been esteemed for their quality and appearance since Roman times. The Moors invaded Spain in the Seventh Century and brought Barb horses with them. These oriental horses were crossed with the quality native Spanish stock, and the result was the Andalusian. In the Middle Ages, the Andalusian was the favored mount for European nobles. The Andalusian was a major influence on the Lipizzaner breed in the 1500's. More recently, it was used as a cavalry mount. Its numbers at one time diminshed, but today the Andalusian's physical appearance and flashy action make it one of the world's most desirable riding horses.
Physical Description: The Andalusian has a distinguished appearance, usually appearing in the colors white and light gray, and occasionally bay. It is a compact horse with excellent proportions and usually stands at 15.2 to 16.2 hands. The mane and tail are abundant. It has a flat or slightly convex nose, small ears, and its head is set on a substantial neck. The chest is is quite massive and the quarters are lean. The legs are clean and the action is quite energetic. The Andalusian is renowned for its ablilty to learn and its superb temperament.
Origin: The Andalusian originated in, and gained its name from, the Spanish Province of Andalusia. Its ancestors are the Iberian (Spanish) horse and the Barb horse which was brought to Spain by the invading Moors. It was bred principally by Carthusian Monks in the late Middle Ages. The famed William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, wrote "... the Spanish horse is the noblest animal in the world..." Cortez brought Andalusians to America for his conquests. In 1832, an epidemic devastated Spain's horse population. No Andalusians were permitted to be exported until 1962, hence the rarity of the breed outside of the Iberian peninsula.
|
|
