Information about the famous Andalusian
horses of southern Spain.
| About the Spanish Horse (Andalusian) The name Andalusian is confusing as today we relate to the area in southern Spain, including the provinces of Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada as Andalusia. But for many centuries the name Andalus has referred to almost the whole peninsula, and in many other countries the name Andulcian is still used. However, in 1912 the Spanish Breeders Association stopped using the name Andalusian and replaced it with Pura Raza Espanola- meaning "Pure Bred Spanish". The name Andalusian is still popular outside of the horse culture. Andalusia still remains the center of Spanish breeding with the Carthusian monastry of Jerez de la frontera, founded in 1476. The monastry was responsible for preserving the purest strain of Andalusian. Today the Yequada Militar, a ministry organisation and a branch of the Spanish Government operated by the minisrty of war, administers activities for all breeds of horses in Spain, including breeding, the stallion stations, and the stud books. it owns seven station depots throughout Spain. The Andalucian stands at about 1.57 m (15.2hh), but has a commanding presence with lofty and spectactular paces. The face is convex and eyes almond shapeed. the croup is slightly sloped. the hind legs are capable of a high degree of flexion resulting in a natural state of collection. They are extremly athletic and skillful with noble qualities of the heart and mind preserved largely through training for war. Despite being highly courageous and spirited they are uniformly gentle and docile. Their participation in bullfighting is percieved as a noble heritage, enabling man and horse to be fit for war or the defense of the country at a moments notice. They are also suited to Haute Ecole (advanced dressage movements) but because of their high rounded action they are not appreciated in modern competitive dressage. Pictures of the Andalusian    |
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