Castilian Horse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (March 2008)

The Castilian Horse is a finely gaited palfrey type horse that originates from the Kingdom of Castile (now known as Spain).

Historical Preface

Before America became a Super Power, and before the English had its Empire, the Kingdom of Castile (Spain) was a dominant country in the World. Whether referred to as the Kingdom of Castile , Crown of Castile and later Spanish Empire this region had a large impact on the rest of the world. Horses played a significant part in Castilian life and its important to understand their importance and value.

To better understand, one should read about Horses in the Middle Ages and realize how perspective differs from today. Horses differed in size, build and breed to the modern horse, and were, on average, considerably smaller. They were also more central to society than their modern counterpart, being essential for war, agriculture, and transport. Consequently, specific types of horses developed, many of which have no modern equivalent. Horses in the Middle Ages were rarely differentiated by breed, but rather by use and the Castilian Horse was developed for its special ambling gait that provided a smooth and comfortable ride for rulers, the nobility and rich merchants who could afford them.

Breed Characteristics

The Castilian Horse is not a large horse, the very best specimen’s stand no more than 14-3 hands with the average being 14 to 14-2 hands. It is the way of moving more than any other characteristic that defines the Castilian Horse. Its signature gait called the “Paso Castellano” or translated “Castilian Walk” is a broken pace that begins with the legs on a side ( LR LF ) moving forward harmoniously at exactly the same moment as if rod-connected like the large wheels of a steam-driven locomotive. Unlike a pure pace, the rear leg finds support before the front with a four-beat cadence varying with speed from an isochronal (1…2…3…4) to near a pace (1.2……3.4). The Castilian Horse has a balanced conformation, the length of the legs approximately equaling the depth of the body measured at the girth. The Castilian Horse is not a color-driven breed; all normal colors common to horses are acceptable and is seen in chestnut, black, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun colors; with solid colors, grays and dark skin considered most desirable. The mane and forelock are lustrous, fine and abundant.

They may be called for geo-political reasons by other names but these unique horses are nonetheless examples of the Mother Breed: “The Castilian Horse” or in Castilian Spanish "Caballo Castellano".

Revealing the Breed