Origin of the Andalusian Horse, known also as the Spanish Horse (Pura Raza Española - PRE)

The “Eohippus” has been without doubt the origin of the horse we know nowadays . They existed more than 50 million years ago and reached a height of approximately fourteenth inches; weighing around ten pounds. They had polydactyl feet, with four fingers in the back extremities and three in the front; showing an absence of space in-between their incisive teeth and their molars.

Evolution took them to the "equus”", which gave birth to five of the different branches that are actually known. The Type 0, the "Prjewalskii”, was discovered in 1881 and is now under a process of analysis, being of a convex profile and a chromo-somatic number different of the domestic horse. This type existed in Asia and Africa. The Type 1 - the “Atlantic Pony ”, and Type 2 - the Scandinavian from Ewart, extended their habitat to the Euro-Asiatic region. Type 3 occupied the Center of Asia, while Type 4 the West.

Between Types 1 and 2, a hybrid named ”Tarpan” developed and existed up to the 19^th Century. Their roots came from the East of Europe and extended up to the Balkans; reaching the tribes of the Mediterranean through the Hittites; being used by the Celts and even the Assyrians.

The true origin of the horse of "Pura Raza Española or PRE", has generated multiple hypotheses, which have been subjected to many discussions.

One of these hypotheses about the PRE states that they descended from the "Berberisco" and the Arabian horse, both arriving to the Iberian Peninsula during the Arab invasion that lasted several hundred years. The PRE was the result of crossing such horses with the native ones, especially the ponies that lived in the region (711-1492 A. C.)

Other belief states that the PRE descends from the "Equus Ibericus" that were used by the Roman legions of the Emperor Julius Cesar. This variety of horses gave birth to the "Berberisco" which came from North Africa's East Isthmus, known also as the Stretch of Gibraltar.

Based on a different point of view, another hypothesis assumes that the PRE descends from approximately 2,000 nomad mares that were transported through the ocean by the Carthaginian of "Asdrubal".

Among all of these opinions, probably the first one is more reliable and may have taken place.

The Andalusian, considering on their morphology with a sub-convex to straight profile, balanced conformation, visibly harmonious, and great beauty, with a perceptible sexual dimorphism, has a movement that characterizes them with brilliant steps, trot, and gallop, energetic, ideal cadence and elasticity, elevated, impressive capability to retain its movement extension up to the point to offer the Alta Escuela natural airs, like the Passage, the Piaffe, the Spanish Step, etc.

Related to the breed's characteristics and disposition, the PRE has also been treasured because of their unique walking, done with such elegance and in what has been called the correct "paso de andadura", accentuating a rhythm in four temps, emphasizing also in the way they come to a complete stop.

Due to their conformation, disposition, behavior, gorgeous temperament, and natural movements that typify the breed, the PRE has been an ideal horse for multiple purposes as exhibitions, parades, and in any of the following equitation disciplines:

Dressage, "Doma Clásica", or "Alta Escuela"
Bull-Fighting or "Rejoeno"
Carriage or "Enganche"
"Doma Vaquera" or what could be related with ranch training
And many other disciplines. Some that resulted from the cross of these noble breed with others, like the Arabian, the Friesian, etc.

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