History and Origin of the Breed

The roots of the Andalusian reach back to prehistoric times. Cave paintings of horses have been discovered on the Iberian Peninsula in southern Spain dating to 20,000 to 30,000 BC. These prehistoric horses are considered the foundation of the Andalusian. Most experts agree that the breed was sculpted over the centuries by the various people and cultures who occupied Spain throughout its long history. Throughout the centuries, the Iberian horse has been influenced by the horses brought to the Iberian Peninsula by various groups like the Celts of France, the Carthaginians from North Africa, the Romans, various Germanic tribes and the Moors. By the 15^th century, the Andalusian itself began to influence various other breeds. Renowned as one of the world's premier war horses, the ancestors of today's Andalusian played prominent roles in the service of some of history's greatest warriors.

Some researchers believe that the Iberian horse was being ridden perhaps as early as 4,000 - 3,000 BC. When the Phoenicians arrived in Iberia in 2,000 BC and the Greeks in 1,000 BC, the Iberian cavalry was already a formidable foe, and the Iberian horse was regarded as the war horse without equal. Homer mentions the Iberian horses in the Iliad, written about 1,100 BC. The famous Greek cavalry officer, Xenophon, highly praised the "gifted Iberian horses" and their role in helping Sparta defeat the Athenians around 450 BC. Hannibal, in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), defeated the invading Romans several times through the use of the Iberian cavalry. This military use of the Iberian horse continued unabated with William the Conqueror ultimately riding an Iberian horse in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. While hailed as "the premier war horse," the Iberian horse was also well known for its trusting and kind disposition.

When heavily armored knights began to constitute the majority of the armed forces of Europe the Andalusian was briefly displaced as the most popular war horse. However, after the introduction of firearms, the Iberian horse once again became the mount of choice for royalty and cavalry officers. New means of riding were introduced, often drawn from the writings of Xenophon. The Iberian horse was the favorite horse of the new, rapid and agile mounted armies.

Soon thereafter, the Iberian horse became the "royal horse of Europe" present at every royal court. Grand riding academies were formed in countries all across Europe including Austria, France, Italy and Germany. It was in these academies where dressage and high school riding began and flourished. The Iberian horse was the favored mount of these academies because of its impulsion, forward motion and catlike agility. The Duke of Newcastle, in 1667, wrote of the Andalusian, "it 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 in his trot, the loftiest gallop, and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph." It was the Andalusian that served as the foundation for the Lipizzaner of the famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna. It also played a role in the development of most of the German warm bloods, Ireland's Connemara and England's Cleveland Bay, as well as many breeds developed in the New World like the American Quarter Horse and Peruvian Paso.

Today, the Andalusian horse displays an amazing versatility that has, in fact, been present for centuries. The Andalusian's age old attributes of strength, athleticism, impulsion and kind temperament are still the fundamental characteristics of the breed. In the United States, the Andalusian horse competes in dressage, jumping, driving - both pleasure and competitive, trail, western pleasure and English pleasure. In addition, it is a parade and exhibition horse without peer. Of course, we cannot forget that the Andalusian, with its love of people, is an absolutely wonderful family horse. In Spain and Portugal, the Iberian horse displays the ultimate courage, agility, collection and cunning as it faces the fierce Iberian bull, both in and out of the bull-fighting arena. But wherever the Andalusian is found and whatever the Andalusian does, it displays the proud, docile temperament for which it has been prized for millennia.

Breed Characteristics

The Andalusian is strongly built, yet extremely elegant. The typical Andalusian stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands. Its head is of medium length, rectangular and lean, and in profile, is slightly convex or straight with a broad forehead and well-placed ears. The eyes are large and kind, alive, oval and placed within an 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 usually abundant, long, set low and lies tightly against the body. Approximately 80% of Andalusians are white or some shades of gray, 15% are bay and less than 5% are black, dun or palomino. In the early history of the breed all colors were found including spotted.

The Andalusian possesses a proud but docile temperament. The Andalusian is sensitive and particularly intelligent, responsive and cooperative, learning quickly and easily when treated with respect and care.
 

Breed Organizations

The International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association brings together owners and breeders with the interested public who wish to know more about the breed and where an Andalusian can be seen and purchased. IALHA is the largest Andalusian member organization in the world with over 850 members. IALHA is dedicated to education, promotion and preservation of the Andalusian breed. In addition to sponsoring clinics and sanctioned shows, IALHA publishes a bi-monthly magazine, the Andalusian, and an annual Directory and Handbook.

For More Information, Contact:

International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association
101 Carnoustie N. #200
Shoal Creek, AL 35242
 

Tel: (205) 995-8900
Fax: (205) 995-8966
Email: IALHAF@aol.com