History of the Pure Spanish Horse

Beginning back in the Bronze and Iron Ages, in the Iberian Peninsula, horses were depicted in cave paintings with notably convex facial profiles, a characteristic of the Spanish Horse that has been handed down to today's decendents. With the Moorish occupation of Spain, in 710 AD, the Spanish Horse was famed throughout Europe as a superior war horse, with exceptional strength, stamina, bravery and grace. He became the mount of kings and conquerors, and was used to improve upon other breeds. Great leaders such
as William the Conqueror, Napoleon and Wellington were aback Andalusian horses. With the spread of war throughout Europe, and hence the breed, the Spanish horse gained notoriety in the equestrian academies of Europe
for it's agility, balance and strength. The High School movements of today,
seen in the Lippizan horses of the famed Spanish Riding School of Vienna, came about as adjuncts to the evasive and balancing moves used in battle by mounted soldiers. A horse in Piaffe, a trot in place, is the epitomy of
readiness... A horse who launches into the air in a Capriole is both
intimidating and physically dangerous to the enemy.

Using Andalusian blood to improve and develop new breeds, horsemen of the Baroque Era brought us the warmbloods of Germany, Holland and Denmark,
the Cleveland Bay, and the Irish Connemara. Even the English Thoroughbred was adapted from Spanish horses brought to England by the monarchy during the seventeenth century. The Spanish horse was brought to America from
Seville on the second voyage of Christopher Columbus. Breeding farms were set up in the West Indies, and Spanish horses were used later in the Spanish conquests of Mexico, Central and South America. The original native
American breeds were based on Spanish blood: the Quarter Horse, the Appaloosa, the Criollo, the Peruvian Paso, the Paso Fino and the Morgan.

Today the Andalusian is one of the most beautiful, intelligent and athletic
of all horses. He is still the same as he was in the past: time and history
have done little to his bloodlines or his majesty.
He serves without servility.
He has fought without enmity.
There is no horse so powerful, no horse less violent.
There is no horse so quick, no horse so patient.
The Andalusian is a champion and a dream . . . to own and to ride.