Andalusian Other names: also spelled Andalucian, also known as Spanish Horse

History: • Hails from Andalusia region of southern Spain around 8th century AD

• Most famous and sought after breed in Europe

• Origins unclear. May be purebred native horse or developed through crosses with Barb and Arab

• Andalusian type ideal calvary horse because of its ability to perform high school work (like Lippizzan)

• Used to found other breeds Lipizzaner, Kladruber, Alter Real, Lusitano

• Demand for this horse as breeding stock was so high export was banned on pain of death

• Early 19th century breed survival in jeopardy

• Philip III of Spain crossed it to make it heaver. The crossing wasn't successful

• During Peninsular War (1808-14) Napoleon's marshals took the best of the stock. Many other stains were wiped out

• The breed survived thanks to the Carthusian monks in monasteries in Jerez, Seville and Castello who had been breeding the Andalusian since the 15th centruy with great attention to the purity of the breed

• These horses weren't crossbred and escaped the Napoleonic wars

• A new stud was founded. The breed began to flourish

• Many Andalusians went to the New World with Spanish conquistadors

• In the US the Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, Saddlebred and Mustang have Andalusian ancestors. So do the Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino and Criollo

• The Andalusian inborn paso gait has been developed to great affect in the Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino

• Less than 20,000 worldwide

Physique: • Broad forehead

• Large eyes

• Convex profile

• Long arched neck

• Deep short body

• Powerful rounded hindquarters

• Strong legs

• Short cannon bone

• Luxuriant mane and tail

• Inward facing ears

Personality: • Docile

• Calm

• Willing

• Proud

• Agile

• Intelligent

Colors: Usually gray (80%) but also black, bay, chestnut, roan coat with bay palomino, buckskin Height: 15.1 - 17 hands high Popular Uses: High school, dressage, parades, Haute Ecole, bull fighting, jumper