and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA), however, the main studbook for the PRE is in Spain, and is managed by the National Association of Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders (ANCCE). To be registered, a foal must have both parents verified in the PRE studbook.
Photo: Carolynn Bunch Photography; Courtesy of Noni Hartvikson.
PRE horses make wonderful dressage mounts. Not only do they have good movement, but their temperament and intelligence makes them easy to train given patience and respect.
This Andalusian (Valioso II) is owned by Spirit Ranch Andalusians.
The vast majority of Andalusians are grey. In the past, grey, bay, and black were the only allowable colours, but today other colours and dilutions are permitted.
Standing 15.2 to 16.2 hands high on average, they should be as long as they are tall. Andalusians are a baroque type horse, with high set, arched necks and well developed, strong bodies. The head should be of medium length, the profile straight or subconvex, and the eyes oblique rather than round. The back should be short to medium length and flat, with a wide chest, deep girth, and strong loins. The legs are sturdy but fine, with upright hooves. The tail is low set, and the mane and tail long and ample. A stallion’s hair is never cut, though traditionally mares are roached for practical reasons.
Mares and stallions tend to have distinctively “feminine” and “masculine” characteristics. Mares are delicate, less muscular, and shorter. Conversely, stallions tend to be very muscular and more typically beautiful. “The emblematic Spanish Horse is a male horse,” said Carlos Lara, President of the Canadian Association of the PRE Horse (CAPREH).
“Their (the PRE horse’s) biggest physical trait is their ability to collect and to bring themselves (under) and transfer their centre of gravity to their hind end,” said Lara, who breeds PRE horses at Cuatro L Andalusian Breeding Centre in Wainwright, Alberta. This ability to shift their weight back makes PRE excel at the collected movements in dressage and Alta Escuela (high school dressage), especially the airs above the ground.
“The terrain in Spain is very rocky, so through evolution, in order to get away from predators, they had to step high over rocks and sandy soil. They developed the ability to have very expressive front end movement,” continued Lara. Due to their wonderful high knee action and uphill balance, Spanish horses do not naturally extend like Warmbloods or Thoroughbreds. It can certainly be taught to them with training, but is not as natural as collection.
Photo courtesy of Carlos Lara
Andalusians excel at high school dressage due to their natural ability to collect. This Andalusian from Cuatro L Andalusian Breeding Centre demonstrates a lavade.
Besides dressage, PRE can be used for a number of different disciplines, both English and Western. “They can be used for any discipline because these horses tend to be so brave,” said Lara. “They do a decent job at most everything.”
“The Andalusian is built with natural balance, collection, impulsion, and agility — an all around athlete,” said Bette-Lyn Eger of the Pacific Association of the Andalusian and Lusitano Horse (PAALH). “They excel in upper level dressage. Andalusians also participate in driving, jumping, eventing, reining, performance, and exhibitions.”
Often referred to as “the original cow horse,” Andalusians are also great for working cows either competitively or on the farm. Spanish vaqueros have used Andalusians since the Middle Ages for cattle ranching. Their technique of training horses to work with cattle, called Doma Vaquera, has now been turned into a competitive sport and art form.
Besides their bravery, there are many other qualities that make the PRE a wonderful partner for almost any equestrian. “Andalusians are people orientated, possessing a proud but kind temperament,” said Eger. “They are sensitive, and particularly intelligent, responsive and cooperative, learning quickly and easily when treated with respect. It is said with the ideal Andalusian temperament, the horse will carry itself with