Training , Grooming , and Care Tips
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Once you ’ve see an Andalusian Equus caballus , you wo n’t draw a blank the strain . Their foresightful , flowing head of hair and tail and animated , graceful movement command attention . While the Andalusian is a natural professional in the dressage ring , they conform attractively to other activity as well . You ’ll happen Andalusians on rugged mountain trails , in pleasure year , and even being driven . This breed ’s beauty and seemingly boundless competence have earned them survive popularity through the ages .
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Breed Overview
Weight:900 to 1,100 pound
Height:15.1 hands
organic structure case : Compact and gymnastic
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good For : Jumping , pleasure riding , trail horseback riding , dressage , and much more
life-time Expectancy:25 old age
Andalusian Horse History and Origins
The Andalusian descended fromSpanishand Portuguese Iberian horses in the province of Andalusia , where they gets their name . Also referred to as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE , the Andalusian is close related to the Lusitano , which was named afterPortugal’sancient name of Lusitania .
The Andalusian ’s history spans chiliad of years , originating with the prehistoric horses that populated the Iberian Peninsula in Spain during prehistorical multiplication . The Iberian horse was influence by horse bring to the peninsula by IE , culminating in the Andalusian breed during the 1400s .
The Iberian horse was recognise as a wondrous warhorse , and when the Iberian breed with the native horses , the Andalusian resulted , remain that legacy . United States Army favored the Andalusian for their agility and speed , which is typically 55 mph , and those same trait made the stock a popular horse among European royal line . As riding academy mold and the art of horseback riding became pop , the Andalusian made a pop mount and regulate breeds like the Lipizzaner , the Cleveland Bay , and the Connemara .
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Andalusian Horse Size
Andalusians are strong , compact horse that average out 15.1 mitt eminent . stallion and gelding tend to weigh approximately 1,100 pounds , while mares weigh somewhat less at just about 900 pounds .
The Association of Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders of Spain necessitate mare to be at least 14.3 hands and entire and geldings to be at least 15 hands to be register . For horse cavalry to be okay as elite livestock , mares must be at least 15 ¼ hands and stallion must be at least 15.1 hands .
Andalusian Horse Uses
The Andalusian is a extremely versatile breed , pretend them a suitable riding horse fordressage , jump , trail riding , Western pleasance , English joy , and even driving . They are a popular choice for parades and demonstrations , thanks to their center - catching looking and commanding appearance . This breed is often used as a bullfighting mount in Spain and Portugal .
Colors and Markings
The Andalusian was once receive in many pelage colors , but those colors have been refined over meter . Today , Andalusians are most likely to be gray or alcove , though minimal black , dun , chestnut , and palomino colors do pass off . Andalusians with rare buckskin or cremello colorations can be register .
Unique Characteristics of the Andalusian Horse
The Andalusian is favor because of their of course elevated , elegant motion . The breed ’s summary consistence and slap-up flexion of the leg joints make for an animize , forward - move backing . These horses tend to of course learn collection and because of their intelligence information , they often memorise hard moves easy and cursorily .
Diet and Nutrition
Andalusians are a comparatively low - maintenance breed , but they are prone to developing metabolic egress that are exacerbate by being overweight . A horse ’s dieting will need to be carefully monitored to ensurehealthy weightiness maintenance . Horses will benefit from quality hay and may want supplementation with food grain or with a ration balancer . They may need to be restricted from grazing on too much lucullan grass , particularly if metabolic yield emerge .
Common Health and Behavior Problems
The Andalusian is known for being well - mannered , reasoning , and mostly accordant . However , the breed is spirited , so in the ill-timed hand , these horses can become too much for their rider to handle .
Andalusians are prostrate to sealed wellness issues :
Grooming
Andalusians require significant dressing , mainly because of their thickset , flow manes and bottom . steady detangling , conditioning , and maintenance are necessary to keep this hair goodish . Some owners choose to braid manes daily to help understate tangles , and poop may need to be wed up to keep them off of the terra firma when horses are n’t being present or displayed .
Like any breed , Andalusians will profit from regular preparation , peculiarly currying , which can avail to bring out the rude fossil oil and shine of the buck ’s coat . With so many horses being hoary or white , keeping them clean can be a challenge . Be fain for regular washup or spot - treating if you own a horse with a lighter - discolour coat .
Champion and Celebrity Andalusian Horses
There are many well - known Andalusian horses :
Andalusians have been hard boast in the media , too . Clint Eastwood depend on them in many of his movies , and the strain has appear in hits including " Gladiator , " " question with the lamia , " " Braveheart , " and " The Lord of the Rings " films .
Is the Andalusian Horse Right for You?
The Andalusian is highly intelligent and often conformable , but this stock is also known for their forward movement , so these horses are well suited to intermediate rider and above . They are a natural fit for sports like dressage and stroller driving , and their inspire movement and impinge on appearance command attention in the show band or parades .
extremely various and athletic
Intelligent and easy to train
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Agreeable temperament makes them most pleasant to put to work with
oculus - catch movement
somewhat more expensive than most other breeds
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Forward motion can make this multiply undesirable for beginners
How to Adopt or Buy an Andalusian Horse
Trained , purebred , and registered Andalusians take off around $ 10,000 , though those prices can easily double or treble , with premium horses fetching even higher prices . Because these horse transmit higher price full stop , they may be airy choices for riders working with smaller budget .
There are a few different options when buying an Andalusian :
Andalusians are valuable horses , so they seldom come up for adoption through a rescue . Andalusian cross may add up up for acceptance more often . When take on a Equus caballus , it ’s important to plow the process with the same carefulness you ’d employ when buy a Equus caballus . search the rescue and say reviews by others who have adopted gymnastic horse .
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It ’s a good mind to have a pre - purchase veterinary exam perform on any horse , whether you ’re buying one or sweep up one from a delivery .
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