Ancient History
The
first evidence of the Iberian Horse’s* (Andalusian and Lusitano) ancestors can
be found in cave paintings dating back to the Paleolithic era. The presence of
the horse in the lives of people during prehistoric times is 
revealed in such
paintings found throughout Europe.
Eventually, changes in global temperatures and the subsequent loss of grazing forced migration to the north of the European continent where grasslands survived. As a result of this migration, the horse was split into two areas: one in Europe, the Tarpan, and the other to Mongolia, the Przewalski. Present day horse breeds are descended directly from one of these species. The descendents of the Tarpan are characterized by their straight lined profile, while in Africa the descendants of the Przewalski have a convex and sub convex profile. It is from the Tarpan that the Iberian Horse has descended.
Early Civilization
While there are historical artifacts that indicate the horse had been used for transportation and in war during early civilizations, the greater influence coincides with the development of large, expanding civilizations. Eventually, it was the use of the Iberian Horse in battle that began to earn the breed great respect Specifically, it was the Iberian horses bravery, endurance and agility that made them invaluable to the Roman army and the expansion of their empire.
Like armies before them, the Romans utilized the Iberian Horse for their cavalry. This importance of the Iberian Horse’s supremacy is documented by written testimonies in the classical writings of Homer, Xenophon, Virgil and Pliny. A significant consequence of this military value is that throughout the rise and fall of empires, and the recognition of the power given to the cavalry astride the Iberian horse, the breed has been generally protected from impure breeding throughout history.
Expansion of Influence
The 16th century brought with it a time of glory for the Spanish Empire. The dominance of the Spanish crown around the globe brought on the first large expansion of the Iberian Horse presence. For instance, the horse was introduced into the Americas and the West Indies under the command of several Conquistadors.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Spanish horse reached its highest levels of popularity and acclaim, being represented in paintings and present in the breeding studs of emperors, kings and nobility throughout the entire world. This spread of the Iberian horse further secured its influence in the development of many breeds which are present even today: Lipizzaner, Kladruber, Orloff, Friesian, Holstein, Oldenburg, Hanoverian, Dutch Warmblood, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, etc.
The Iberian horse is no doubt the breed that is found throughout the history of dressage. In today’s competitive dressage arena this ability and talent is being rediscovered by both the professional and amateur rider with great success. The amateur riders are finding that the Iberian horses not only have the conformation suited to dressage, but also that their willing minds easily absorb the intricacies of training The lightness and responsiveness to aids offered by the Iberian horse are only one result of these qualities. These are important traits for the amateur owner/rider who often has limited time for training and would love to move out of Training level and hopefully beyond Second level!
The conformation of the Iberian horse also has angles in the hindquarters and in the neck that create roundness. Since the natural conformation of the Iberian is round this helps to create a horse that is more attuned to working through the topline and reaching underneath itself from behind. This confirmation enables the breed to more easily accept contact with the bit and to present less resistance when moving off of and working from their hindquarters.
The subtlety of their mental qualities is more difficult to describe as it is a combination of the horse’s unique manner of bonding and trusting their human partners and their inherent intelligence. Most particularly, the Iberian horse has an uncanny ability to problem solve, an excellent memory and a surprising talent for grasping complex requests. All of these mental abilities work to our favor in the ménage!
The Bloodlines
Prior to the 1960's, when Portugal left the Cria to open their own studbook, the two bloodlines of this breed could be found in both Spanish and Portuguese horse pedigrees. There are many well know Lusitano and Spanish bloodlines that can be traced back to the infusion of the other bloodline. In the United States the International Andalusian and Lusitano Association (IALHA) honors this heritage and sensibility by continuing to recognize that this horse is genetically the same breed and any breeding of the two countries bloodlines is considered a purebred Andalusian.
There are numerous and recent scientific studies of mtDNA that reveal insignificant genetic differences between the Lusitano and the P.R.E./Spanish Andalusian. Those articles are from universities in Portugal and Germany.
* The Iberian horse refers to a breed that has had many names but originates from either Spain or Portugal. For example, such names include the Gennett, the Iberian Saddle Horse, the Spanish Thoroughbred, the Andalusian, the Lusitano, the Spanish Portuguese, and the Pure Raza Espanola (PRE). The variance in the names has a long, controversial history and much has been written in explanation by such authors as Sylvia Loch and Juan Llamas.
Authored by Sandra Rooks who is the owner of Namaste Farm in Black Forest, CO.
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