Origin
Portugal
History
The Lusitano is the Portuguese variant of the Iberian Horse. Lusitania is the Latin name for Portugal, the home of the Lusitano horse. The Lusitano has been called Portugal´s Andalusian and it is only since 1966 that it is officially called Lusitano.
The breed is based on Andalusian blood. Differences noted between the two breeds today can be attributed to selective breeding, which has brought about some differences in type. The Lusitano breed displays more of the convex profile of the old Andalusian or Iberian type, as Portugal did not use Arab blood in breeding programs. The Lusitano has been the primary riding horse of Portugal for many centuries. Lusitano horses have been popular with the cavalry , for high school work, with farmers, and for pleasure, but the endeavor for which the breed is most famed is work with the bullring.
Description
- Head:
well proportioned, of medium length, narrow, and dry with a pronounced jaw and slightly convex profile; large and lively eyes, almond-shaped; small ears which are curved inward at the tip - Conformation:
-quite thick, of medium length,and arched neck
-broad and deep chest
-sloped and muscular shoulder
-well defined withers
-short and strong back
-rounded and sloped croup
-sturdy but fine legs with broad, dry joints and solid, tough hooves - Average height:
15 to 16 h.h. - Colours:
the predominant colours are grey, bay and chestnut - Temperament:
kind and willing, noble and generous. This breed remains calm and does not panic easily and is noted for its intelligence - Today:
mounted bullfighters, called “rejoneadores”, use this breed to fight the bulls. In Portugal the bull is not killed in the bullring.
Lusitano are extremely proficient at the high levels of dressage; including the high-school movements of piaffe, passage, pirouettes, flying lead changes and half pass. The Lusitano is also noted to have very comfortable gaits.
