The Andalusian - Equiworld horse breeds and horse breeding. |
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BODY The withers are very round and ideally the shoulders should be long and sloping. The back is strong and short coupled; the chest is broad and strong; the croup is rounded; the tail is set low, lies close to the body, and is abundant and long; and ideally, the hind quarters are strong and lean. The legs are strong and clean cut. They have straight, flat bones and large joints. The cannons are short; pasterns sloping and of good size, and the hooves are round, compact and sturdy.
TEMPERAMENT These are horses with easy response to command and very sensitive mouths, resulting in a mount that is obedient and of extraordinary comfort. They are temperate and hardy; noble and docile. They learn rapidly and participate intimately with their riders.
The Andalusian is one of the three foundation breeds of modern horses, and eighty percent of all modern breeds trace at least part of their breeding to the Andalusian. His influence is especially noted in the Lipizzan, Friesian, Connemara, Cleveland Bay, Welsh Cob, and most American breeds.
In the 1700's, the Andalusian fell from grace when sleeker horses used for hunting and racing became the fad. A plague, followed by famine, almost wiped out what was left of the breed. Fortunately, the Carthugian Monastery, in a mountainous area of Spain, continued to breed quality horses, and today the most beautiful and pure of the Spanish horses are known as caballos Cartujanos.
For more information, contact the International Andalusian Horse Association. This article was kindly provided by Michelle Staples, Staples Stables Pictures compliments of International Andalusian Horse Brokers of Spain. For more information and pictures, including tips on "How to buy a Horse in Spain", go to www.miriamfrenk.com |
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Updated: October 2005.