Spanish Horses

Spanish Horses:

The Spanish horse was to conquer the world because of its qualities. It is the symbol of an empire and a culture which was able to achieve what everyone was long awaiting, the perfect horse.

Colonial horses of Spanish origin were are of great historic importance in the New World. They descend from horses introduced from Spain during the age of the conquest of the New World. The Spanish breed are a direct remnant of the horses of the Golden Age of Spain and that type is mostly or wholly extinct now in Spain.

Our Colonial Spanish horses are therefore a treasure chest of genetic wealth from a time long gone.

THE UNUSUAL HISTORY of this spanish horse breed began in North Africa, the home of the Berbers. The long occupation of Spain by these invading warrior horsemen brought about the creation of a superior horse.

The agile desert bred African Barb horse was crossed with existing Spanish stock resulting in a horse that became world famous by the Middle Ages and was much sought after by the Royal Stud farms of Europe.

By the year 1492, the Spanish had regained possession of their country and began their own invasion forces, the Conquistadors.

By royal edict, spanish horses were transported to the New World and breeding farms established. Upon the backs of these horses, Spain determined to widen the scope of their power and wealth.

These horses proved vital to Spain's explorations and settlement of the Americas. Originally transported by the daring Spanish Conquistadores to the islands of the Caribbean, the Spanish Barb was then introduced into what are now the United States, Mexico, and South America.

The Andalusian

The Andalusian, another of the spanish horses, is believed to be the most ancient riding horse in the world. Although the origins of the breed are not clear, Spanish experts adamantly maintain that it is in fact a native of Spain and does not owe one single feature of its makeup to any other breed.

These spanish horses typically have narrow but deep chests, with

the front legs leaving the body fairly close together. It is difficult to describe this aspect of conformation without making it sound defective, when in actuality it is a strong, serviceable conformation.

When viewed from the front, the front legs join the chest in an "A" shape rather than straight across as in most other modern breeds of horses that have wider chests. The chest is deep from the side view, and usually accounts for about half of the height of the horse from the ground to the withers. The shoulder is long and well angulated. The withers are usually sharp instead of low and meaty.
The croup is sloped, and the tail is characteristically set low on the body. The rear quarters vary from fairly massive and heavily muscled to a more slenderly built and less excessively muscled conformation.

From the side there is usually a break in the curve of the hind quarter somewhere in the area of the base of the tail, rather than the full even curve of the Quarter Horse from top of croup to gaskin.

From the rear they are usually "rafter hipped" meaning that there is no distinct crease at the backbone, but rather the muscling of the hip tapers up so the backbone is the highest point.

The muscling is characteristically long and tapering, even in the heavily muscled individuals, rather than the short and bunchy muscling characteristic of bulldog Quarter Horses and draft breeds.

Leg conformation is generally sound, with ample angles in the joints and strong, harmonious relationships between the lengths of the varying parts of the limbs. Hooves are small and upright rather than flat. The chestnuts (especially rear ones) and ergots are small or missing altogether.

The Paso Fino Horse

Physically, the Spanish horse, the Paso is a horse of medium size, usually standing between 14.1 and 15.2 hands tall, with a powerful build. He may be chestnut, black, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun; with the solid colors, grays and dark skin considered most desirable. The mane is abundant with fine, lustrous hair that may be curly or straight. Horses must be shown unshod.

These horses usually have a very long stride, and many of them have gaits other than the usual trot of most breeds. These other gaits can include a running walk, single foot, amble, pace, and the paso gaits of other more southerly Spanish strains (Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino). These gaits refer to the pattern of the footfall, and not to any sideward tendency of the path of the foot. It is important to not confuse the pattern of footfalls with this lateral motion. While both are typical of the spanish horses of the Paso breeds, only the pattern of footfalls is the actual gait.

At first sight the Spanish Andalusian takes your breath way with his sculptural beauty, proud bearing, natural high action and docile loving temperament. He is strongly built, yet extremely elegant with cat like agility and whilst he presents a picture of splendid animation he is at all times amenable to the person riding or handling him. He is a horse of extreme character and his eagerness to please in all he does makes him a truly magnificent mount.

The Paso Fino Horse

Physically, the Paso is a horse of medium size, usually standing between 14.1 and 15.2 hands tall, with a powerful build. He may be chestnut, black, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun; with the solid colors, grays and dark skin considered most desirable. The mane is abundant with fine, lustrous hair that may be curly or straight. Horses must be shown unshod.

The traits that people cherish in the Paso Fino horse today have been a part of its heritage for this spanish horse for over 500 years. Used as foundation stock for remount stations of the

Conquistador, the Paso Fino carried riders for days over mountains, open ranges, and dense jungles, paving the way for exploration and conquest. Over time, Paso Fino horses came to be known as Los Caballos de Paso Fino, “the horse with the fine step.”

The Peruvian Paso Horse

Although these Spanish horses, being a newcomer to North America, the Peruvian Paso had its origins over four centuries ago in South America, where the horses brought to Peru by the conquistadors and subsequent Spanish settlers, these Spanish horses were bred selectively to produce the genetic miracle that became the "National Horse of Peru." The judicious fusion of several Old World breeds provided the foundation for the Peruvian horse.

The Spanish Jennet gave its even temperament and smooth ambling gait, the African Barb contributed great energy, strength and stamina while the Andalusian imparted its excellent conformation, action, proud carriage and beauty to the new breed. Once established, the Peruvian Paso was maintained in its native country as a closed population, isolated by geography and the dedication of its creators from the influence of additional outside blood.

Prior to the seventeenth century, most of the world's horses were naturally gaited. Horses that trotted were the exception, and "Boneshakers" as they were called were considered suitable only as pack animals or mounts for servants. Almost all traveling was done on horseback. Since most people knew very little about riding, a smooth riding horse was a necessity.

Even Knights - who required trotting horses for battle - often kept a naturally gaited horse which he would ride when traveling, leading his trotting horse behind.

Following the seventeenth century, the uses for trotting horses increased. Networks of roads were built, and people began to travel by horse-drawn vehicles rather than on horseback. Since a horse that trots is more suitable than a gaited horse for pulling a wheeled vehicle, the breeding of trotting horses was increased at the expense of gaited horses.

At about the same time, great expanses of land were devoted for the first time to cattle raising, and the horse took on importance as a tool for working the cattle. Here again the trotting horse has a greater advantage over the gaited horse, and even more emphasis was put on the breeding of horses that trotted. Almost simultaneously, worldwide popularity was bestowed upon horse racing, yet another activity where gaited horses do not excel.

As the seventeenth century opened, it was unusual to see a horse that trotted. At the close of the same century, it was unusual to see a horse that did not trot. It was one of the most unusual transformation that horse breeding has ever seen.

The temperament of the Peruvian horse is one of the world's best, thanks to a long standing Peruvian practice of not breeding animals that have an unsuitable disposition.

The Peruvian Paso horse should have an appearance of energy, grace and refinement. Horses should have a well-developed muscular appearance without exaggerations. The head is of medium size with a straight or slightly concave profile; a small muzzle; oblong nostrils which extend easily; dark skin; dark expressive eyes set well apart; moderately marked jowls and medium length ears with fine tips curved slightly inward. The neck is of medium length with a graceful arch to the crest. It is slightly heavier in proportion to the body than with most light saddle breeds. The back is medium to short in length, strong and rounded. Loins broad and well muscled over kidney area. Croup long and wide, fairly muscular with moderate slope and nicely rounded. Tail is set low and viewed from the rear is carried straight, quietly and held close to the buttocks. Chest is wide with abundant muscling. Rib cage well sprung and deep.

The barrel is deep and the underline is nearly level from the last rib to the brisket. Flanks are moderately short, full and deep. Quarters should be strong, of medium roundness and width.

Shoulders long, very well inclined and well muscled, especially at the withers. Bones of the lower limbs should be well aligned and well articulated so that the long bones line up with each other correctly above and below the joints with the skin tight against the bone and strong, prominent tendons. Pasterns of medium length and springy but not showing weakness. Cannon bones are short. Slightly more angle to the hock than other light saddle breeds. Perhaps the most misunderstood of all traits that distinguishes the Peruvian horse is "brio," a quality of spirit that enables this tractable horse to perform with an arrogance and exuberance that can only be described as thrilling. "Brio" and stamina give the Peruvian its willingness and ability to perform tirelessly for many hours and many miles in the service of its rider.

Almost all traveling was done on horseback. Since most people knew very little about riding, a smooth riding horse was a necessity. Even Knights - who required trotting horses for battle - often kept a naturally gaited horse which he would ride when traveling, leading his trotting horse behind.

Following the seventeenth century, the uses for trotting horses increased. Networks of roads were built, and people began to travel by horse-drawn vehicles rather than on horseback. Since a horse that trots is more suitable than a gaited horse for pulling a wheeled vehicle, the breeding of trotting horses was increased at the expense of gaited horses.

At about the same time, great expanses of land were devoted for the first time to cattle raising, and the horse took on importance as a tool for working the cattle. Here again the

trotting horse has a greater advantage over the gaited horse, and even more emphasis was put on the breeding of horses that trotted. Almost simultaneously, worldwide popularity was bestowed upon horse racing, yet another activity where gaited horses do not excel.

Spanish horses like the Peruvian horse, with its versatility and unmatched noble temperament will continue to attract many new aficionados.

The Lusitano

Archaeological evidence in the Iberian Peninsula, modern day Spain and Portugal, indicates that the origins of the spanish horse like the Lusitano horse date back to at least 25,000 B.C. in the form of its primitive ancestor, the Sorraia breed.

Cave paintings in the Iberian Peninsula dated from around 20,000 B.C. depict portraits of horses and activities related to a horse culture. Furthermore, there have been findings of small tools made of bone which were used to make rope from the hair of horses.

The Sorraia is believed to have developed from crosses between native Iberian Proto Draft Horses (Equus Caballus Caballus of Western Europe) and ancient strains of Oriental/North African horses.

In modern Portugal, the performance of the spanish horses in the bullring is perhaps one of the most important factor in the breeding and selection process of the Lusitano horse.

This factor has sustained the preservation of the characteristics of the Spanish horses of the classical Iberian war horse, so esteemed in the world across the ages. In a description by Sylvia Loch, she states: "To look at, they are noble rather than pretty with aristocracy written all over their fine, slightly hawked long faces. They develop a powerful neck and shoulder which makes them look extremely majestic in front.

The quarters are not large, but the loins are wide and strong and the hocks long and wiry, giving them the power to bounce forcefully forwards with masterful impulsion. Deep flexion is obtained from the developed second thigh and the longer than usual cannons and pasterns.

The same characteristics of the spanish horses that are essential for the bullfights, also make the Lusitano extremely efficient for other sport activities, or as a working and pleasure riding horse."

Spanish horses have undoubtedly been an ever positive influence on the horse today and can be spoken with pride on its true stamina and courage thought out the ages.

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