Types of horse classifcation, an overview of horse classes including the major groups, types by physical characteristics, and types by training for show horses
Evolution of the horse from Eohippus to the oldest breed of horse, primitive wild horses that including Prezewalski Horse, Forest horse, Tarpan, and Tundra horse
Information about light horse breeds, backgrounds and history of hot-blooded and warmblood light horses with horse class, equestrian discipline, and horse training by body types: stock type, hunter type, saddle type and others.
I just lost my Arab two weeks ago. He was 27 1/2. My best friend for over 26 years. By far the smartest horse I have ever met. Rode him two weeks before I had to put him down due to colic. Miss him so much. At 59 I thought that I may not get another horse but have started looking for another Arabian. I have a 16.3 ottb but want another small go to guy like my old Traveller. kay yeager
i want buy a horse .pls help me at low price Sher khan
Billy Appaloosa gelding for sale £1000 He is a lovely natured 13.1 pony he is 9years old,I have had billy for a year and to be honest it’s a sad sale due to not enough time and my experience not being my strong point.Selling due to lack of time to reach her full potential. I would like billy to go to a loving caring experienced home where he is going to get the work and schooling he needs, he hasn’t been in work much in this last year either. He has a fantastic temperament, personality and bags of potential I have a 3year old and he is amazing around her and other children in my family. Morgan
I am looking to purchase a haflinger gelding for english riding on trails and ocean. Hopefully 15 hands with an age between 6-12. calm disposition of a 1-3 out of ten. janet
Looking for a Bay Gelding to drive with our Black Gelding thank you! Chris
I have a 10yo rigistered Pintabian gelding (99.21% Arabian) for sale. Stunningly beautiful black and white shiny coat with a few spots of grey and bay. Asking $3800 US dollars. He is trained and has been shown lightly in hunt seat. However he could go any direction. Serious inquires only please. Located in central Minnesota, USA. Alix
The Andalusian is a Spanish horse. It is also called the Pure Spanish Horse, Purebred Spanish Horse, or Pura Raza Espanol (PRE) as it is referred to by Spanish breeders. It's ancestors include the primitive Sorraia horse, which around 900 B.C., was mixed with horses from Northern Africa. The Sorraia, perhaps the oldest breed of horse, is depicted in early cave paintings found on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Andalusian is Known for its courageous spirit and magnificent paces. They are used as sport horses in jumping and eventing as well as bull fighting and cattle work in their native Spain. It is a spectacular horse for dressage and Haute Ecole; high level dressage movements where they leap off the ground. These High School jumps are popularly known as the 'airs above the ground'.
Horse Breeds The Andalusian or Spanish Horse is a light horse breed. Light horse breeds generally weigh under 1,500 pounds. They are typically used as riding horses for leisure and trail riding. Being agile and swift, many are also used on the racetrack, in the show ring, and for work on the ranch. Light horses are grouped in a couple of different ways, one being the continent or country where they originated from. They are also grouped according to training, classified as either a stock type, hunter type, saddle type, or 'other'. A body type is generally attributed to each class, with the 'other' classification being a bit of an odd ball. It includes those that are color breeds or those that may fit a body type of one of the training classes, but not be used for that type of training. The 'other' types can also include those that may fit into more than one of the type groups. The horse class the Andalusian fits into is the 'other' type class.
Horse Backgrounds The Andalusian or Spanish horse traces its ancestry back to the primitive Sorraia horse found on the Iberian Peninsula as far back as 20,000 BC, as there are cave paintings of horses dated to this time period. Phoenician traders and Celts brought horses from Northern Africa to the Iberian Peninsula around 900 BC, which mixed with the Sorriaia horse. Spanish horses were used as cavalry mounts by Ancient Greeks and Romans, and from this period onward, there are many references to these horses by historians. The celebrated Greek cavalry officer Xenophon, who is credited with beginning the sport of dressage. He praised the Iberian horses and described their equestrian war techniques that were influential in the victory of Sparta over Athens in the Peloponnesian wars. These horses were trained to perform quick charges, with a quick stop, pirouette, and a quick retreat, which demanded incredible agility. The Moorish invasion of Spain in the 6th Century caused the introduction of the Barb horse from North Africa. This greatly influenced the modern Andalusian, most notably its facial structure. In the Renaissance, Classical Riding Academies took an interest in the breed and these horses began to be used for High Dressage. They performed in the royal courts and began to be bred all over Europe. They led to the development of many other breeds, such as the Lusitano, the Lipizzaner, and many modern warmblood breeds. The center for breeding of these horses remains in Cordoba and Seville, where they are bred for dressage and Haute Ecole, which are high level dressage movements in which the horse leaps off the ground.
Description The Andalusian is a compact and muscular horse known for its showy walk, high-stepping trot, and beautiful rocking canter. It has a distinctive head with a convex profile, which it owes to its Barb ancestry, and a thick, arched neck. Its strong hindquarters with a high degree of articulation allows for the advanced movements of Haute Ecole. The average height of the Andalusian is 15.2 hands high. Eighty percent of the Andalusians have grey coats. Its most distinctive feature is its long, wavy mane and tail.
Horse Care and Feeding The Andalusian tends to be an ‘easy keeper'. This means that they tend to stay at a good weight on fairly low feed. Because of this they can be more prone to laminitis if they are overfed. The Andalusian has a beautiful, thick mane and tail which requires regular trimming and pulling to remain healthy. To keep the tail long and thick, cut the tail straight across at the bottom, ideally at the height of the fetlocks..
Horse Training and Activities Andalusians are beautiful dressage horses due to their strength and active gaits. Their enormously strong hindquarters allow them to be able to perform the Haute Ecole movements popularly known as 'airs above the ground'. They are one of the few breeds, along with the Lusitano and Lipizzaner breeds, that are trained in these High Dressage movements. They are also used as sport horses for show jumping and eventing. But, usually these horses have been crossed with Thoroughbreds to increase their jumping ability. They are also still used for bull fighting and cattle work in their native Spain.
Common Health Problems The Andalusian tends to be prone to laminitis if they are overfed. Since many Andalusians are grey, their lighter skin is more prone to melanomas. Just keep an eye out for bumps on your horse, especially around the muzzle and the tail. Since the hoof and pastern angle is larger in Andalusians than in other breeds, it is important for the farrier to have experience with that so he can trim the hooves to prevent quarter cracks and closed heels.
Availability The Andalusian, the Pure Spanish Horses, are available throughout Europe, North and South America, and Australia. They tend to be fairly expensive.