Lusitano Horses
Ht. 15.1 - 15.3 hh
Color: Typically bay or grey but can be found in any solid color including dun.
The sports car of the Spanish horse, the Lusitano is quick, agile, brave but extremely comfortable to ride, making it a popular breed for many disciplines. The Lusitano is an ancient Portuguese breed that derives its name from Lusitania, the name that the Romans gave to the part of the Iberian peninsula where they are from, roughly modern Portugal and part of modern Spain. They were registered together with Andalusians under the Spanish Stud Book until 1960. At that time Portguese breeders sought to strengthen the breed and re-emphasize the special qualities of the Lusitano: a fiery temperament, gentle character and flexible body.
Both Lusitanos and Andalusians are sometimes called Iberian horses. They were developed for use in war, dressage and bull fighting. When the Spanish stopped fighting bulls from horseback in the 17th century, the Portugese continued the tradition and sought to keep the historic characteristics of bravery and intelligence of the Lusitano intact.
The Lusitano often has a Roman nose, a trait that is believed to be tied genetically with an aptitude for "La Gineta," the ancient equestrian art of mounted single combat. Its contemporary replacements include bull fighting, dressage, and jumping. They particularly excel at the high levels of dressage; including the high-school movements of piaffe, passage, pirouettes, flying lead changes and half pass.
The Lusitano's body is compact with powerful hindquarters, a broad chest and a thick mane and tail. They have a sloping croup, low-set tail and short backs. They have a low set cresty neck, a broad chest. They are extremely powerful and strong, due to their muscular hindquarters and strong, long legs.
Like the famous Lipizzans, many Lusitanos turn gray with age. They come in a striking variety of solid colors and usually stand 15 to 16 hands. The Palomino, buckskin, and Cremello Lusitano are the most rare and most sought after.
In America Lusitanos and Andalusians are registered together under the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA.)
Easily trained and enthusiastic about their jobs, Lusitanos make excellent riding horses and tend to bond strongly with humans. They are a rare combination of courageous spirit, extreme intelligence, and a gentle, docile nature.
