Origin of The Andalusian

The Origins Of The Andalusian Horse Breed...

The Andalusian got its name from the Spanish Province of Andalusia. It was bred mainly by Carthusian Monks in the late Middle Ages.

The famed William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, wrote: "...the Spanish horse is the noblest animal in the world..."

The Moors invaded Spain in the Seventh Century and brought Barb horses with them. The Barb horse was cross-bred with quality native Spanish stock, and the result was the Andalusian.

The Andalusian horse has been highly regarded since the Middle Ages and is officially known as the Purebred Spanish Horse. It reigned for several centuries throughout the known world as the embodiment of perfection in horseflesh.

Cortez brought Andalusians to America to aid in his conquest.

The Andalusian has also been known as the Iberian Saddle Horse, Iberian War Horse, Jennet, Ginete, Lusitano, Alter Real, Carthusian, Spanish Horse, Portuguese, Peninsular, Castilian, Extremeno, Villanos, Zapata, and Zamaranos.

Spanish horses have been esteemed for their quality and appearance since Roman times.

In the Middle Ages, the Andalusian was the favored mount for European nobles. The Andalusian was a major influence on the Lipizzaner breed in the 1500's. More recently, it was used as a cavalry mount.

Its numbers at one time diminished, but today the Andalusian's physical appearance and flashy action make it one of the world's most desirable riding horses.