Origins of the Horse of Spain
The Andalusian Horse – Now known as Pura Raza Espanola
The Andalusian horse derives its’ name from the lush delta of the Rio Guadalquivir, in the heartland of Andalucia covering southern Spain.
Thousands of years ago, the pre-glacial land-bridge which linked Spain to North Africa contained wild horses which eventually evolved into two separate breeds. With common ancestry and evolutionary factors, these were to become the Barb and the Spanish horse (Andalusian). Both breeds are strong, close coupled and agile, able to thrive in such varied terrain as high, rough mountain slopes and lowland, marshy belts around the coastal deltas. Both breeds are hot blooded.
The modern purebred Spanish horse is still as fiery and courageous as its ancestor whilst at all times remaining attuned to his rider’s wishes and possessing a high degree of intelligence. His aptitude for high school training has made the Spanish horse constantly desirable as a horse of war for thousands of years. From the Carthaginians of coastal Spain in the 6th century BC, famed for their mercenary cavalry units, to the all-conquering Roman cohorts who drew over one third of their remounts from the province of Hispania, the courage and strength of the Spanish horse was exhorted.
During the 8th Century much of the horse breeding was controlled by the Monks of the Christian Church. Fortunately, invaders saw the necessity of protecting this breeding stock and allowed the Spanish horse to survive.
Little by little many breeding establishments retreated northwards into the unconquered regions of the peninsular, thereby preserving the purity of their horses. One of the most historically famous conquerors from this land was the 11th century El Cid, who is immortalised in numerous statues mounted on his monastery-bred stallion Babieca. After three centuries of Moorish dominion, this animal has the unmistakable stamp of the Spanish Horse.
Throughout Europe during the middle ages and specifically the 16th and 17th centuries, the popularity of the Spanish horse is depicted in numerous historical artefacts. There was an increase in demand for the breed over this period as it was used to upgrade and establish local breeds, the most notable of which is the Lipizzaner. 18th century England saw the development of the modern Thoroughbred horse. This breed was in part being advanced from the Spanish Horse who continued to be a worthy addition to the Royal Studs.
Mounted skills, perfected in combat moved away from the arena of war and into the riding academies of Europe where the ability of the Spanish horse to perform High School manoeuvres remains unsurpassed. Today, this breed has numerous accomplishments within the sphere of equine endeavours to add to his historical status, yet it is his role in history which has made him the true aristocrat of the Equine world. Throughout history no ruler has appeared complete without the company of a Spanish charger and his depiction thereon. Artistic ideals may change yet the same horse is portrayed over and over again, be it in classical treatise on horsemanship, marble friezes, statues or paintings. The Horse of History, the Horse of Spain.
In recent years this horse has seen a worldwide renaissance. The official U.K. governing body,’ The British Association for the Purebred Spanish Horse’ displays a website and is an important, accurate source of information (www.bapsh.co.uk).