 |
The
Andalusian is one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world
today. It is also known as the Purebred Spanish Horse or PRE
(Pura Raza Española; in English, Pure Spanish-bred). It is one
of the two sub-breeds of the Iberian horses, and extremely
similar to the closely related Lusitano breed.
Andalusians have been used for all manner of riding horses, and
were the preferred mount of kings over many centuries. They
excel in high school dressage and are used in cattle work and
bullfighting in their native Spain. They are highly intelligent
and learn very quickly.
Partbred Andalusians are popular as sport horses in many
countries. They also excel at classical dressage and are used
for show jumping and other equestrian activities. An Andalusian
currently serves as the mascot of the University of Southern
California.
Archaeological evidence in the Iberian Peninsula, modern day
Spain and Portugal, indicates that the origins of the Iberian
Horse date back to at least 25,000 B.C. in the form of its
primitive ancestor, the Sorraia. Cave paintings in the Iberian
Peninsula dated from around 20,000 BC depict portraits of horses
and activities related to a horse culture.
The Sorraia horse remained isolated for several millennia in the
southern part of Iberia, the Alentejo and Andalusian regions of
modern Portugal and Spain. Portuguese historian Ruy d'Andrade
suggested that by the Neolithic period (4000 B.C.) the native
tribes of the area may have used horses in war.
They were soon to be followed by Phoenician traders and Celts
from northern and eastern Europe, who were largely responsible
for a two-way exchange of horses which brought an influx of
oriental breeds from Libya, Egypt and Syria to the Iberian
peninsula. By the time of the first trading expeditions of the
Greeks, around 900 B.C., a mixed Celtiberian culture dominated
all of Spain apart from the south coast, which remained Iberian.
According to Lady Sylvia Loch, "It was the horses of the
Celtiberian that were to become famous throughout the civilized
world."
The Spanish horses were known for their use as cavalry mounts by
the Ancient Greeks and Romans.
From this period onward, we find many references to the Iberian
or Celtiberian horses and riders of the peninsula by Greek and
Roman chroniclers. Homer refers to them in the Iliad around
1,100 B.C. and the celebrated Greek cavalry officer Xenophon had
nothing but praise for the gifted Iberian horses and horsemen.
Xenophon, in one of his books written about 370 B.C., admiringly
describes the equestrian war techniques of Iberian mercenaries
who were influential in the victory of Sparta against Athens in
the Peloponnesian wars. This type of warfare consisted of
individual horse charges with fast starts, stops and pirouettes
followed by retreats and renewed attacks. A form of riding that
was made possible by the use of incredibly agile horses and curb
bits.
Fine Spanish horses were brought into Britain after the Norman
Conquest, however. In 1188 the chronicler Giraldus Cambrensis
noted in Powys
"most excellent studs put apart for breeding, and deriving their
origin from some fine Spanish horses, which Robert de Belesme,
earl of Shrewsbury, brought into this country: on which account
the horses sent from hence are remarkable for their majestic
proportion and astonishing fleetness."
The Andalusian is gaining in popularity as a dressage horse
During the Renaissance, the great Classical Riding Academies
took an interest in the breed. Because of the Andalusian's
agility and natural balance, it excelled in the High School
Dressage performed in many courts of the day. The Andalusian
went on to develop many other breeds suitable for High School
Dressage, including the Lipizzan, Alter Real, Lusitano,
Kladruber, and many European warmbloods of today.
During the 19th century, the use of the Andalusian declined.
However, Carthusian monks continued to breed the horse, and
preserved the purity. Today, the Spanish government promotes the
Andalusian, and the breed is gaining in popularity for High
School Dressage demonstrations. They are also popular for
bullfighting, and have recently been used for dressage, show
jumping, driving and endurance, although Thoroughbred blood is
often added to give the breed more scope.
Breed Characteristics
Andalusians are strongly-built, compact horses, generally
standing 15.2-16.2 hands. They move with a high, elegant action,
which makes them particularly suitable for Haute École (or High
School) Dressage. They usually have a lean, medium-length head
with a convex profile and large eyes, a long but broad and
sometimes cresty neck (particularly in stallions), a long,
sloping shoulder, clean legs with good bone, short, strong
cannons, and a thick, long, flowing mane and tail. The
Andalusian has a reputation for a proud but cooperative
temperament, sensitive and intelligent, able to learn quickly
and easily when treated with respect and care. Andalusian horses
today are found in a number of colours although the most common
colour, seen in about 80% of all Andalusians, is grey. There are
also purebreds who are bay, black, and chestnut. Other colours,
such as palomino, buckskin, pearl, and cremello, are rare, but
are recognized as allowed colours by the International
Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association.
-
Source:-
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusian_(horse)
|
