Lusitano

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The Lusitano horse

The Lusitano is an ancient Portuguese breed of horse that until the 1960s shared its registration with the Spanish horse, the Andalusian. Both are sometimes called Iberian horses, as their land of origin is the Iberian peninsula. These Iberian horses were developed for use in war, dressage and bull fighting.

In the 17th century the Spanish ceased fighting bulls from horseback and at that time began to selectively breed horses for saddle and parade use: flashy gaits, strong bones and powerful presence. The Portuguese continue to fight the bull from horseback and have saught to keep the historic characteristics of the Lusitano intact. These characteristics include great bravery, with a tendency to move forward into that which threatens, calmness, with great fire while under saddle. Most importantly, the Lusitano often has a subconvex profile, (Roman nose,) a trait that has been found to be tied genetically with an aptitude for "La Gineta," the ancient equestrian art defined by the necessities of mounted single combat or its contemporary replacements: bull fighting, dressage, jumping.

Lusitanos make excellent riding horses due to their levelheaded temperament and tendency to bond strongly with humans. They are intelligent, sensible, and have great balance.

Lusitano are extremely proficient at the high levels of dressage; including the high-school movements of piaffe, passage, pirouettes, flying lead changes and half pass. The Lusitano is also noted to have very comfortable gaits.

Not unlike the famous Lipizzans, many Lusitanos turn white with age. They come in a striking variety of solid colors and usually stand 15 to 16 hands. The Palomino and Cremello Lusitano are the most rare and most sought after. They are compact, with powerful hindquarters, some with high-stepping action, and a thick mane and tail. They have a Roman nose with a wide forehead. They also have a sloping croup and low-set tail, as well as short backs. They have a low set cresty neck, a broad chest, well-sprung ribs. They are extremely powerful and strong, due to their muscular hindquarters and strong, long legs.

The Lusitano derives its name from lusitania, the name which the ancient Romans gave to the part of the Iberian peninsula that corresponds roughly to modern Portugal and also a part of modern Spain. Lusitanos and Andalusians were registered together under the Spanish Stud Book, but the breeds separated in 1960. At that time Portguese breeders sought to strengthen the breed and re-emphasize the special qualities of the Lusitano: ardent temperament, gentle character and a flexible body. Famous Portuguese families have bred Lusitanos for decades. The leading families, whose name is shared by the lines of horses they produce, are Andrade and Veiga.

In America Lusitanos and Andalusians are registered together under the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA.)