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The Andalusian - P.R.E. Pura Raza
Espanola, The Pure Spanish Horse
Prehistoric Cave Art - Spain |
Cave paintings of horses have been
found on the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Spain which
date from 20,000 to 30,000 BC and in caves of Altamira
and Canforos de Penarubia in North Eastern Spain dating
back to 5,000 BC. These prehistoric horses have long
been considered to be the foundation of the Andalusian.
We now know that these horses from pre history were the
predecessors of the majestic horse we call today, the
Pure Spanish Horse.
The Pure Spanish Horse is called the
Andalusian. Since early history, horses were named after
their place of origin. Any horse which came from
Andalusia, regardless of its breed, was called
Andalusian. However, it is important to know that the
Pura Raza Espanola is the result of one of the greatest
breeding undertakings in history. |
In 1567, King Philip II, a passionate horseman, decided
to cross breeds that existed in Spain at that time in
order to create the best horse possible. The success of
this undertaking was based on a thousand year search for
what was considered the perfect horse, as described in
the writings of early horsemen, Simon of Athens, Xenophon and Columela. The place chosen for this
breeding facility was the Andalusian city of Cordoba.
Stables were built and 1200 mares were bought. The
results were spectacular. The outstanding qualities of
the Spanish horse captivated the world. It symbolized an
empire and a culture that had achieved what the world
had longed for, the perfect horse. The new breed was
officially given the name, Spanish Horse. A stud book,
called the Registro de caballos espanoles, was created
to record the pedigree of all Spanish Horses in order to
preserve the purity of the breed.
The Spanish Horse became the “royal horses of Europe”
and was ever present at every Royal court. Riding
academies were formed in countries across Europe
including Austria, France, Italy and Germany. It was in
these academies where dressage and high school riding
began. This great horse was the favoured mount due to
its impulsion, forward motion, its agility and
intelligence. The Spanish Horse served as the foundation
for the Lipizzaner and contributed to the development of
most of the German warmbloods, Ireland’s Connemara,
England’s Cleveland Bay, and many of the breeds
developed in the New World such as the American Quarter
Horse and the Peruvian Paso. |
Cessa & Toni
Dante
Majesty |
Lucero
Nepenthe M
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Today’s Spanish Horse is as
versatile as it has ever been. Wherever or whatever, the
Spanish Horse is found to display it’s proud, brave,
intelligent and docile temperament, qualities that have
been sought and prized for thousands of years.
The elegant and strongly built Pura Raza Espanola stands
15.2 to 16.2 hands high. They are predominantly white or
various shades of grey. They may also be bay and rarely
black, dun or palomino.
“It is the noblest horse in the world, the most
beautiful that can be. He is 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 the fittest of all for a king in his day
of triumph.” –The Duke of Newcastle, 1667 |
Pegasus |
For further information on
The History of the Pure Spanish
Horse, visit:
El Caballo Español - The Andalusian Horse
by: Jan
Carlos Altamirano
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Remate |
written
by Donna Nearing
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