The Ancient Portuguese Bull Fighting Lusitano Horse

The Lusitano is an ancient breed of horse native to Portugal that is filled with tradition. It has historical links to the military, to bullfighting and to the classical training methods of the “Haute Йcole”. It is known by many names such as Lusitanian, Betico-lusitano, National Horse, Peninsular Horse, Pura Raza Espaсola (PRE) and Portuguese Horse and has inspired powerful descriptions such as “a horse for a King in days of victory”, but the official Lusitano breed name comes from the word Lusitania, which was name that the ancient Romans gave to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Lusitano has a natural ability for concentration and learning quickly, with a great disposition for High School work. It is courageous and enthusiastic for what are known as the gineta exercises, which include combat, hunting, bullfighting, and working with cattle.

The Lusitano is very similar in conformation to the Andalusian horses of Spain and the two breeds are thought to have originated from a common source, the rare and nearly extinct Sorraia, which is a smaller horse that is characterized by a dun colored coat with primitive markings. In fact, until 1960, Lusitanos and Andalusians were registered together in the Spanish Stud Book of the Associaзгo Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (APSL), also known as the Portuguese Lusitano Breeders Association. However, selective breeding in the Lusitano resulted in a more convex profile reminiscent of the older Andalusian or Iberian horse whereas the Andalusian has developed a more Oriental head shape. The modern Lusitano is on average a cleaner-moving, braver, and tougher-built horse than the average modern Andalusian. They are now considered to be separate breeds and in the United States they are represented by the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA).

Additionally, the Lusitano’s history is identical to that of the Spanish or Iberian horse. For most of their common history, Portuguese and Spanish horses were bred as if they were one breed. The Iberian horse was called Andalusian, Estremenjo, or Castillian, depending on the region it was bred in, and it was called Lusitanian in Portugal. Today, the breed is known as Lusitano or “Puro Sangue Lusitano” (PSL), meaning pure-blooded Lusitano.

The ancestors of the modern Lusitano were incredible horses. When the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthagians landed on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, which is now Portugal, they came across riders whose horses were of superior speed and whose fighting ability from horseback was incredible. This perfect union, the connection of horse and rider as one entity, led to the myth of the Centaur, and it was thought that this half-human/half-horse creature, stemmed from the delta of the river Tejo. The tale told to explain the fantastic speed of these horses was that “they conceived their foals by the wind.”

In Portugal, the horses were sought after over the centuries as a war horse and were bred in a continuous effort to produce the best war horse or bullfighting horse. When the Iberian horse was no longer needed as a war mount, mounted bullfighting became the horse’s main use. But when mounted bullfighting was prohibited in Spain by a royal decree for several centuries, the sport lived on in Portugal without interruption. The Lusitano continued to be bred for its bullfighting agility, which happens to be identical to their ability and agility for high school dressage.

The Lusitano has all the courage of the Spanish Horse coupled with remarkable agility, quickness and balance, which makes the Lusitano the perfect horse for mounted bullfighting in Portugal. These bullfighting horses are highly trained to swerve instantly, yet still remain calm when a charging bull approaches, and they also need to possess an extreme dose of “bravura”, agility, and obedience. In Portugal, the bull is not killed in the bullring, but calmly exits the arena after the fight escorted by tame steers, so the horse must obediently remain still. However, these days, the Lusitano has become so expensive that many bull fighters cannot afford a pure Lusitano, and if they can, they will not risk injuring their horse while fighting the bull. This means that cruzados, or mongrels, are being ridden in the bullrings instead, but they are often able to excel nearly as well. A cruzado may be a crossbreed, but it could also be a true Lusitano whose pedigree is incomplete or unregistered.

Today, the Lusitano horse is recognized for its ability to perform well in a plethora of equestrian disciplines. In the attempt to become more competitive with the world-wide sport horses, the European Warmbloods, and targeting events like show jumping and modern dressage in which the warmblood excels, the Lusitano is starting to lose its Iberian type.
Traditionally, the Lusitano is a horse of medium size. At the age of six years, the average height is 15.1 hands for mares and 15.3 hands for stallions, although they may be found over 16.0 hands high now, while also looking more like Northern European warmbloods. They weigh approximately 1100 pounds.

There is no discrimination against any solid color. Originally, the Lusitano was grulla or dun, but buckskins, palominos, cremellos, and perlinos can also be found. However, the gray gene has taken over the breed, and most Lusitano horses are various shades of gray, depending on their age. It has become the most appreciated and esteemed color of the breed. Their overall body profile is described in the official breed standard as “sub-convex (with rounded outlines); a silhouette that can be fitted into a square.”

The Lusitano has a well-proportioned noble head of medium length that is narrow and dry, with the cheek inclined to be long. It has a slightly sub-convex profile with a slightly curved forehead narrowing to a finely curved nose. The eyes are elliptical or almond-shaped and are large, alive, expressive and confident. The medium-length ears are fine, narrow and expressive. The neck is of medium length and arched, ending at a narrow junction with the head. The body is short-coupled with powerful shoulders, a deep rib cage and broad powerful loins. The mane and tail are abundant and silky with the tail set rather low on an unobtrusive hip. Even when excited, the tail is not carried very high.

The Lusitano has a trait that is often associated with Iberian horses. It is called “campaneo” in Spain, and it is the action of the front leg that does not show a straight forward movement, but rather swings out laterally to a degree. It appears to be an inherent trait of the Iberian horse. Just as in the Andalusian breed, some Lusitano horses can be found that do a lateral gait.

While the Lusitano was not bred for its gait, but for its agility in the bullring, there are still some individuals that have retained the gait and the action of these Lusitano horses is showy. The cannon bones are comparatively long and lend to the knee action and proud, elevated movements. The hind leg is positioned well underneath the body axis, producing the hock action so suited to collection and impulsion. The movements are agile, sure-footed, elevated forward and uphill, and carry the rider in comfort. It is a gait that there is no clear written description of, and one that must be seen or ridden to be fully appreciated.

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Arabian Horses

The Arab or Arabian horses name is derived from the area from which the Arabian horse originates, the Arabian peninsula in south west Asia.  

Summary

The Arabian horse is a member of the “hot blooded” group of horses.

Hot blooded horses have a more refined body and are of a smaller, lighter build compared to their warm and cold blooded counterparts. Hot blooded horses are exceptionally agile and posses’ great speed, this is due to their lightly muscled body.

Arabian horses are incredibly versatile; they are used for various equestrian pursuits from dressage to the western sport of “cutting”. Arabian horses excel at endurance and dominate the sport at the highest levels. The Arabian horse is renowned for its outstanding good looks and extreme stamina.

Arabian blood lines are evident in many of today’s modern light weight horses; they have been used to refine certain breeds to add speed and agility, intelligence and stamina.

Characteristics

The Arabian horse has particularly distinguishable features, which makes it easily recognisable. The Arabian horse has a defined head with a dished profile; some have a slightly bulging forehead, large eyes and large nostrils and a diminutive muzzle, a well arched neck, and a good sloping shoulder. You can find Arabian Horses for Sale with these characteristics on the Horsewizard website.

Arabian horses generally have compact strong bodies and a short back and a somewhat level croup and a high tail carriage. Arabian horses have short cannons good strong feet and dense bone. Arabian horses are well built tough light weight horses. Arabian horses can be of pony height but are still genetically horses.

Pure bred Arabian horses can only be bay, chestnut, grey, roan and sometimes black, although black Arabian horses are very uncommon.   

History

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world. Rock paintings from as far back as 2500 B.C depict the ancient ancestors of the modern day Arabian horse. The Arabian horse’s origins are from the Middle East.  The Arabian horse was developed in desert environment, where food and water is scarce, thus making the Arabian horse a hardy animal. To view more pictures of Arabian horses and Arabian Horses for Sale click here

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Yardah Domingo WASJA june09

Domingo (AKA The Tail) began his Showjumping career for a bit of fun in March 2009 with a Young Rider. He has since successfully worked his way through the heights to 1.25m where he is now extremely competitive. His temperament is impeccable and he has passed this, as well as his stunning looks, to his progeny. Domingos temperament is such that Marji trusts him to be ridden by her young Grandchildren. He is also used as a school horse by visiting students at Yardah to train in Horsemastership and the Classical Equestrian Arts.Domingo is a PRE (Pura Raza Espanola), or as is more commonly known, the Pure Spanish Andalusian. Pure Spanish horses that are registered in the Studbook in Spain are correctly referred to as PRE, but are commonly referred to as “Andalusian’s.”
Andalusians are famous for their ability in performing Haute Ecole and Airs Above the Ground. That is, they are trained to jump over nothing! Now Domingo is learning how to jump over Something!
Domingo is the son of the famous Royal Champion Dulcero who was Champion Ridden Stallion at the Perth Royal Show beating all comers for 7 consecutive years. Dulcero also had a successful dressage career and was the favoured mount of Mestre Nuno Oliveira when he was teaching in Western Australia. Nuno can be seen riding Dulcero on the following links:

Dulcero is the male progenitor of the Spanish Warmblood breed.
Yardah horses are bred, and prepared for, long term soundness of body and mind. These horses have the advantage or being raised and run as a herd in a natural environment in large paddocks. This gives them the opportunity to develop and maintain their proprioreception. Horses which are born, raised and kept in small unnatural areas never have the chance of confronting their brain with this necessary sensory input.
Yardah horses do not start their training until they are at least 4 years old. They are trained on the flat both ridden and in-hand according to the classical principles, thus ensuring that they are strong, balanced, posturally correct and supple so that they can willingly do the job requested. This then reduces the risk of injury caused by unnecessary physical and mental stress. As they are all natural jumpers, it is then only a matter of them gaining the experience from attending competitions and practice sessions.
Marjis vision was (and still remains) to develop a breed of pleasurable, easily trained, and talented Dressage and jumping horses which are also suitable for riders with a passion for the Classical Equestrian Arts.
These horses are all competing in snaffle bits and Marjis ultimate aim is that a noseband, if any, will only be worn for cosmetic purposes; and that the horses will be trained so correctly that they will not need a martingale. Although in reality. nosebands and martingales may be worn as an insurance policy in important events.
Like all the other Yardah stallions, Domingo is available at stud this season and his progeny can be dual registered in both the Andalusian Horse ociation of Australia studbook and the Spanish Warmblood studbook.
A visit to our web site yardah.com will show more photos and other video links. PLEASE NOTE this site is currently being upgraded and we expect a much better quality product with more information to be completed by early July 09.
Purchase enquiries of horses and semen should be directed to our email yardah@westnet.com.au
Joint venture opportunities also available.

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Technorati Tags: Andalusian, classical dressage, domingo, dulcero., Equestrian, equine, horse, jumping, marji armstrong, nuno oliveira, PRE, Pura Raza Espanol, show jump, showjump, showjumping, the tail, yardah stud

THE HORSES OF JEREZ

THE HORSES OF JEREZ…

The Horses at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

These pure bred Spanish horses put on quite a show inside the arena which last about 2 hours. Filming inside will get your stuff confiscated, but you may film some of the horses outside in the training area before the show.

They are truly magnificent animals of great beauty and strength.

Jerez is where you can also enjoy “Flamenco en Vivo” in the Barrio Santiago, which is considered to be the birthplace of this Berber, Moorish, and Gypsy art form in Europe.

Jerez is also known for it’s Sherry (Uh….the kind you drink), and Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

You can learn more about the School here:

http://www.realescuela.org/ing/home.htm

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Dubai horse show

Baghdad SC 090324 [LinkTV/Mosaic] The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship is a competition for Purebred Arabian horses, showcasing their beauty, agility and heritage. It was run Mch 19-21.

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Technorati Tags: arab, ChoiceJJ, Equestrian, horses, jjvanka

Flashy & Rain

Sadly Flashy was my first equine friend and I must sell him next year in order to get a quarter horse.I”m keeping Rain because she was abused in her earlier life and I don’t have any idea what some stranger would do to her.I’ve had Flashy since he was 6 months old and had to halter train him as a colt, including with his dad being a jerk it was horrible, being trampled,being kicked,being bit, many many more things.I also trained him to lunge,accept the bridle,accept the saddle,to jump,and I …

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Technorati Tags: animals, Champion200411, equine, horses, ponies, riding"

Seychelles Horses

At a location at the Seychelles Island of Mahe, in the Indian Ocean, Barbora Panovski opened the Utegangar Riding Center, for all skill levels of riders. Her pure-bred Arab herd has become renowned in equine circles and is a magnet for world-class equine photographers eager to take advantage of the unique photogenic combination. Visit Utegangar.info web site to view some of those images.

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Technorati Tags: Arab Horses, Barbora Panovski, horse riding holidays, horse-riding, Seychelles, surf, utegangar, white sand

Seychelles Horses

At a location at the Seychelles Island of Mahe, in the Indian Ocean, Barbora Panovski opened the Utegangar Riding Center, for all skill levels of riders. Her pure-bred Arab herd has become renowned in equine circles and is a magnet for world-class equine photographers eager to take advantage of the unique photogenic combination. Visit Utegangar.info web site to view some of those images.

Duration : 0:3:34

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Technorati Tags: Arab Horses, Barbora Panovski, horse riding holidays, horse-riding, Seychelles, surf, utegangar, white sand

Seychelles Horses

At a location at the Seychelles Island of Mahe, in the Indian Ocean, Barbora Panovski opened the Utegangar Riding Center, for all skill levels of riders. Her pure-bred Arab herd has become renowned in equine circles and is a magnet for world-class equine photographers eager to take advantage of the unique photogenic combination. Visit Utegangar.info web site to view some of those images.

Duration : 0:3:34

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Technorati Tags: Arab Horses, Barbora Panovski, horse riding holidays, horse-riding, Seychelles, surf, utegangar, white sand

ML Dakota

2004 Purebred Arabian gelding. Being ridden in this video by owner and trainer, Linda Hitt, of Gambel Oaks Equestrian Center, Elizabeth, CO.

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