History of the Lusitano Breed
It is fitting that such a fascinating horse as the Lusitano should have an equally fascinating history. Its heritage goes from far before the current ”AD” era through the great Roman crusades and medieval wars. It has been carrying heroes and kings. History has shaped the Lusitano as we know it today – a horse with a brave and intelligent mind, a willing spirit and a unique ability to collect and perform high school dressage including the dramatic airs above the ground. Let us tell you the story…
The Oldest Saddle Horse in the World?
The breed association APSL claims the Lusitano to be the oldest saddle horse in the world, ridden for over 5000 years. To understand if this is true we have to look back in time even further. The oldest evidence of horses living on the Iberian Peninsula, that today consist of Portugal and Spain, is a skull found in Atapuerca dated to be around 780,000 years old. From this era and forward there are many more findings of bones, engravings and paintings in different archeological sites around the peninsula. From around 20,000 BC those portraits and various tool findings begin to depict activities related to a horse culture.
Genetic Studies on the Lusitano
To understand the modern Lusitano’s relationship with its ancestors’ mitochondrial DNA, modern studies tell us some interesting things. They show not only that the modern Lusitano shares genes with the horses that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula during the late Stone and Bronze Ages, the studies also tell us that half of the haplotypes (genes on one chromosome in a chromosome pair) existing in the Lusitano breed are rare variants. The breed also has nine haplotypes that are completely unique for the Lusitano and horses from the Peninsula.
There is a widespread hypothesis that the Sorraia breed is also an ancestor of the Iberian horses. This is not certain, however, even if do they share some DNA. The Lusitano and the Sorraia share one maternal lineage, but this particular lineage is dated to the Middle Ages which makes it quite recent. Gene clusters are often traced using evolutionary history, as populations from a common ancestor tend to possess the same varieties of gene clusters. The gene clusters of the Sorraia and Iberian breeds are largely separated but the Sorraia has faced what is called a genetic bottleneck, meaning that the breed has undergone a sharp reduction in size, and that has reduced its gene pool variation. Because of this bottleneck it remains uncertain whether the Sorraia is an ancient of the Iberian horse.
There is a widespread hypothesis that the Sorraia breed is also an ancestor of the Iberian horses. This is not certain, however, even if do they share some DNA. The Lusitano and the Sorraia share one maternal lineage, but this particular lineage is dated to the Middle Ages which makes it quite recent. Gene clusters are often traced using evolutionary history, as populations from a common ancestor tend to possess the same varieties of gene clusters. The gene clusters of the Sorraia and Iberian breeds are largely separated but the Sorraia has faced what is called a genetic bottleneck, meaning that the breed has undergone a sharp reduction in size, and that has reduced its gene pool variation. Because of this bottleneck it remains uncertain whether the Sorraia is an ancient of the Iberian horse.
The Iberian War Horse
The land that our favourite breed inhabits, the Iberian peninsula, is named after the Iberian tribes from North Africa that invaded the peninsula around 3000 BC. The North African tribes were followed by Phoenicians and Celts who brought with them oriental breeds from Syria, Libya and Egypt. This is believed to have led to a two way exchange of horses, thereby contributing outside blood to the ancestry of the Iberian horse. The first expeditions of Greeks reached the area in 800 BC and were met by an alliance formed between the Celts and Iberians known as the Celtiberians. It is under the Celtiberians that the Iberian horse was renowned as a war horse.
Ancient Writers About the Lusitano
Xenophon, often referred to as the forefather of classical dressage, praises the Iberian horse and its riders in one of his books written around 400 BC. He says; “On horses such as these even gods and heroes will appear and men who know how to work well with them will look magnificent.” He further admiringly describes the Iberian horses ability to collect and the mounted war techniques of their riders after witnessing their role in Sparta’s victory against Athens in the Peloponnesian war.
Homer writes in the Iliad, chap. 16, referring to the Iberian horses; “Fast as the wind and sons of Podargo, the harpy that was impregnated by the wind Zephyr while grazing at the borders of the River Oceanus”. Maybe he was inspired by, or himself inspired, the legend that tells us the mares on the Iberian Peninsula were sired by the wind. In ancient days the Lusitano were known as the Sons of the Wind, and as Arsenio Raposo Cordeiro says in his book, named Sons of the Wind, it’s also possible that the myth of the Centaur is inspired by the perfect bond between the Iberian horse and its rider as they were as one on the battlefield.
Homer writes in the Iliad, chap. 16, referring to the Iberian horses; “Fast as the wind and sons of Podargo, the harpy that was impregnated by the wind Zephyr while grazing at the borders of the River Oceanus”. Maybe he was inspired by, or himself inspired, the legend that tells us the mares on the Iberian Peninsula were sired by the wind. In ancient days the Lusitano were known as the Sons of the Wind, and as Arsenio Raposo Cordeiro says in his book, named Sons of the Wind, it’s also possible that the myth of the Centaur is inspired by the perfect bond between the Iberian horse and its rider as they were as one on the battlefield.
The Roman Invasion
As the Roman Empire expanded its territory, Iberian land was conquered. The superior Iberian horses and the equestrian style of warfare impressed the Romans with the fast starts, stops, quick retreats and renewed attacks, to the point that they adopted it and set up cavalry stud farms of their own in the area.The Romans also brought the Camargue horse to the Peninsula. The ancient Camargue horse had an interesting characteristic: the foals were born dark, black or bay, and turned white with age, one of the most common colours of the Lusitano today. The Iberian horses were at this time well represented in the popular chariot races of the Greek-Roman world. With the chariot races entering the Olympics as a sport in 680 BC the Lusitano has a long history as an excellent carriage horse, it is not surprising that they made world champions in four-in-hand driving at both the 1996 and 2006 Olympics.
The “Arabian” Invasion AD
In year 711 an Arabian invasion of the Iberian peninsula began. There is a modern conception that this brought an infusion of Arabian blood to the Iberian horses, but this is not strictly true. Even if the invasion was politically Arabian, the invaders were ethnically Moors, and the army was mostly made up of Berbers from Algeria and Morocco. The Moorish domination in the region lasted from 711 to 1492 AD and testimonies tell us that the invaders, just as the Iberians, were a horse loving people. The horses they brought with them were mainly oriental and barb horses, and at this point it is most fair to say that a reintroduction of oriental blood took place in the now quite heavy Iberian horse. If the Iberian horse was greatly admired before the “Arabic” invasion, the refinement of the breed that took place at this time made it even more superior and desirable. With a strong loyalty to its master, a stunning beauty, great agility and strength yet an obedient and docile nature, the Iberian horse possessed a perfect combination of characteristics for every man, army, knight and king.
The Lusitano at Royal Stables and the First Riding Academies
During the Arabic-Moorish occupation, the breeding of the Iberian horses continued to flourish and many horses were exported. During the Middle Ages the Iberian horses were spread throughout Europe and represented in almost every royal stable. They were the first choice not only for European kings but also for famous crusaders and warriors such as William the Conqueror who had two black stallions at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and Richard the Lionheart during his crusades. The art of training these strong and agile horses for war also became the hobby of royalties and nobility, and the art of dressage was born; to dance with a horse became a passion in itself. Grand riding academies were formed around Europe and most of them proclaimed the Iberian horse as the best of all. In 1667 the Duke of Newcastle wrote of the Iberian horse;
“it is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest trot and the best action in his trot, the loftiest gallop, and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph.”
“it is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest trot and the best action in his trot, the loftiest gallop, and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph.”
The Iberian Horse Improved Other Breeds
The Iberian horse was used to a large extent to improve other breeds and some say that around eighty percent of today’sbreeds can at least partly be traced back to Iberian blood. DNA testing shows that they are the ancestors of, amongst others, Thoroughbred, Welsh, Friesian, Connemara, Knabstrupper and Lippizaner.
The demand for Iberian horses around the world, their use in war and their exportation to Portugal and Spain’s new territories almost drained the Peninsula of purebreds available for breeding. Fortunately some breeders were determined to preserve the classical bloodlines’ purity, and thanks to them we have the Lusitano as we know it today.
The demand for Iberian horses around the world, their use in war and their exportation to Portugal and Spain’s new territories almost drained the Peninsula of purebreds available for breeding. Fortunately some breeders were determined to preserve the classical bloodlines’ purity, and thanks to them we have the Lusitano as we know it today.
Portugal and Spain Separating their Studbooks
As late as 1967 the Portuguese and Spanish shared the same studbook. At that time the Spanish and Portuguese horses were known as Andalusians or Iberian horses. When the studbook was split, the Portuguese branch of the Iberian horse gained the name Lusitano after Lusitana, the ancient Roman name for the region known today as Portugal.
Lusitano and PRE – Closely Related but Different
Even if the Spanish Pura Raza Espanol and the Portuguese Puro Sangue Lusitano have a common history and are closely related, today they differ in many ways. This can be partly ascribed to selective breeding that has created different types. After mounted bull fighting was forbidden by King Philip V of Spain at the beginning of the 18th century, the breeding in Spain became focused on sport horses with elevated, exuberant movements. Differences can also be partly ascribed to the fact that Arabian blood was widely used in Spanish breeding programs during the late 19th century. In Portugal, however, mounted bullfighting is still an important tradition. Both today and historically, breeding selection is largely focused on producing a versatile cattle and “fighting” horse that possesses a combination of muscular force with progressive movements, allowing explosive sprints, agility and abrupt stops. Preserving these Portuguese traditions and values has allowed the Lusitano to be brought into our time in its original form, with its history clear for all to see; with a brave mind and a willing spirit; with a strong hindquarter and a confirmation allowing quickness, easiness to collection and an excellent canter. The Lusitano a horse for a King.
SOURCES:APSL; Ancestry of the Lusitano Breed Demonstrated by Mitochondrial DNA by Maria Susana Lopes, João da Costa Ferreira, Artur da Câmara Machado; Interagro Lusitano; Sons of the Wind by Arsenio Raposo Cordeiro; Horse breeds list; The Andalusian and Lusitano by Tina Veder; Horse Talk New Zealand; Cavalo Lusitano no século I nos Hipódromos Romanos, by J. Alexandre Matos; IALHA; Horse Channel; International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds by Bonnie L. Hendricks; The Origins of the Lusitano Horse by Juan Valera-Lema, Ph.D.
THE FOUNDATION LUSITANO STUDS – COUDELARIAS
The Lusitano horse is native to Portugal in fact originally Lusitania, and was originally then the same breed as the Spanish – Pura Raca Espanola. These iberian breeds roamed wild over rolling hilly, rocky landscapes are at the root of the early classical principles. Their nobility, intelligence and appearance made them the chosen mount of chose the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Being compact, athletic horses they were trained for battle, thus demonstrated their aptitude for high school movements, agility to perform on the battle field also their reliability along with a true commitment to their rider.
The breed is internationally renowned for its willingness, nobility and bravery, majestic horses with a very high level of intelligence, making them an extremely trainable partner. This trainable attitude combined with their noble appearance has meant that they have been a status symbol for their riders, for many hundreds of years indeed have been in the past the chosen horses of Royalty. They are well known for their performance in many disciplines, especially in dressage, equitation and classical horsemanship and bull fighting.
The Lusitano’s generous temperament and ride-ability make it an attractive prospect for amateur and professional riders alike. Nowadays they are making significant impact in International Dressage Competition, International Carriage Driving Competition and are leaders in Working Equitation.
The Portuguese stud book, recognises six foundation horses, of which where five stallions and one mare, these horses are known as the “heads of lineage”. These horses are the foundation bloodlines, of the four main Portuguese studs.
Which are: Andrade, Veiga, Alter Real and Coudelaria Nacional -Portuguese National Stud. Each bloodline meets the specific breed standards, but their individual characteristics differ from each other. The six foundation horses are:
The breed is internationally renowned for its willingness, nobility and bravery, majestic horses with a very high level of intelligence, making them an extremely trainable partner. This trainable attitude combined with their noble appearance has meant that they have been a status symbol for their riders, for many hundreds of years indeed have been in the past the chosen horses of Royalty. They are well known for their performance in many disciplines, especially in dressage, equitation and classical horsemanship and bull fighting.
The Lusitano’s generous temperament and ride-ability make it an attractive prospect for amateur and professional riders alike. Nowadays they are making significant impact in International Dressage Competition, International Carriage Driving Competition and are leaders in Working Equitation.
The Portuguese stud book, recognises six foundation horses, of which where five stallions and one mare, these horses are known as the “heads of lineage”. These horses are the foundation bloodlines, of the four main Portuguese studs.
Which are: Andrade, Veiga, Alter Real and Coudelaria Nacional -Portuguese National Stud. Each bloodline meets the specific breed standards, but their individual characteristics differ from each other. The six foundation horses are:
- Agareno, a 1931 Veiga stallion, out of Bagocha, by Lidador
Primorosa, a 1927 Dominquez Hermanos stallion, out of Primorosa II, by Presumido
Destinado, a 1930 Dominquez Hermanos stallion, out of Destinada, by Alegre II
Marialva II, a 1930 Antonio Fontes Pereira de Melo stallion, out of Campina, by Marialva
Regedor, a 1923 Alter Real stallion, out of Gavina, by Gavioto
Hucharia, a 1943 Coudelaria Nacional mare, out of Viscaina, by Cartujano
Alter Real (AR)
The Alter Real stud, was founded in 1748 by King D João V. Today the stud is located in Alter do Chão, in the heart of the Portalegre countryside.
Originally called Alter do Chão, its name was later changed to Alter Real. The stud’s foundation horses, were brought over from Spain, in the early 18th century, consisting of three hundred mares, of the very best bloodlines and quality. Between 1809 and 1810, the breed was threatened during the Napoleonic invasions, when the French troops stole the best examples of the breed.
Alter Real, breed the famous bay horses used in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. A typical Alter Real horse, is very baroque, looking almost the same as they did in the 18th century. They are very compact, round horses, with high knee action and willingness to learn, making them the ideal horse, for the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
Today, the Alter Real Stud, is controlled by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. Many Alter Horses are very successful in competing Internationally in dressage such as –
Guizo who won a silver medal in the Athens Olympics in 1973 for Spain and more recently Rubi with Gon Ca for Portugal competed at the Olympics in London.
Alter Real, breed the famous bay horses used in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. A typical Alter Real horse, is very baroque, looking almost the same as they did in the 18th century. They are very compact, round horses, with high knee action and willingness to learn, making them the ideal horse, for the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
Today, the Alter Real Stud, is controlled by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. Many Alter Horses are very successful in competing Internationally in dressage such as –
Guizo who won a silver medal in the Athens Olympics in 1973 for Spain and more recently Rubi with Gon Ca for Portugal competed at the Olympics in London.
Veiga (MV)
The Veiga stud, was founded over 180 years ago by Rafael José da Cunha, in Quinta da Broa, Azinhaga do Ribatejo, where the stud still breeds horses today.
Two of the studs foundation horses, were two Alter Real stallions, offered to them by King Ferdinand II. The stud was inherited by Manuel Veiga Tavares, a great grand nephew of José Rafael da Cunha. After the death of Manuel Tavares Veiga, his grandsons Carlos and Manuel Veiga Tavares and Manuel’s grandson, Manuel Veiga Tavares de Castro, continued to breed horses at the stud, keeping the family tradition.
Today, the Stud still strive for excellence, aiming for the best selection of mares, based on the type, the bloodlines, the quality of the offspring and their functionality and characteristics.
Veiga horses are known to be very brave, sensitive, agile, and quick, better suited for bullfighting, which they were originally bred for. This horses are now an all around the world allround horse, always competing whit the bedst in there peticulery sport.
These horses also compete in Dressage and Working Equitation, at international level.
Manuel Veiga Junior competed in the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen France.
Two of the studs foundation horses, were two Alter Real stallions, offered to them by King Ferdinand II. The stud was inherited by Manuel Veiga Tavares, a great grand nephew of José Rafael da Cunha. After the death of Manuel Tavares Veiga, his grandsons Carlos and Manuel Veiga Tavares and Manuel’s grandson, Manuel Veiga Tavares de Castro, continued to breed horses at the stud, keeping the family tradition.
Today, the Stud still strive for excellence, aiming for the best selection of mares, based on the type, the bloodlines, the quality of the offspring and their functionality and characteristics.
Veiga horses are known to be very brave, sensitive, agile, and quick, better suited for bullfighting, which they were originally bred for. This horses are now an all around the world allround horse, always competing whit the bedst in there peticulery sport.
These horses also compete in Dressage and Working Equitation, at international level.
Manuel Veiga Junior competed in the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen France.
Coudelaria D’Andrade (SA/RA)
Founded in 1894 by Dr. Ruy d’Andrade, with mares from the Spanish breeders, Guerrero Hermanos, D. Vicente Romero y Garcia and D. António Perez Tinao. Stallions of the same bloodlines and origin where also used, which were Rumboso (Guerrero Hermanos), Arriero (Camino Hermanos), Bergantin (Eduardo Miura), Cartujano and Saltador (D. António Perez Tinao), Novelero (Pallares Moreno) and Principe VIII (D. Francisco Chica Navarro).
This stud has won more Breeding Championships, (since the end of last century to the present day) than any other Stud. In 1970 and 1972, the Stud was the Iberian Champion, as well as many other honorable winnings, from other years.
Andrade horses were originally bred for bullfighting, today, they also excel in dressage and working equitation. The Andrade horses are known for their presence, movements and temperament. After Ruy d’Andrade’s death in 1967, Fernando Sommer d’Andrade, inherited the stud and continued to produce excellent results. Now, the stud and bloodlines are split into three other studs, owned by his children. Today, the other studs occupy land in Coruche (Emilia D´Andrade Oliveira e Sousa), Elvas (Coudelaria D´Andrade) and Torres Vedras (Vilhena D´Andrade).
This stud has won more Breeding Championships, (since the end of last century to the present day) than any other Stud. In 1970 and 1972, the Stud was the Iberian Champion, as well as many other honorable winnings, from other years.
Andrade horses were originally bred for bullfighting, today, they also excel in dressage and working equitation. The Andrade horses are known for their presence, movements and temperament. After Ruy d’Andrade’s death in 1967, Fernando Sommer d’Andrade, inherited the stud and continued to produce excellent results. Now, the stud and bloodlines are split into three other studs, owned by his children. Today, the other studs occupy land in Coruche (Emilia D´Andrade Oliveira e Sousa), Elvas (Coudelaria D´Andrade) and Torres Vedras (Vilhena D´Andrade).
Coudelaria Nacional (CN)
The stud was founded in the 19th century and is today, part of the formation with Coudelaria Alter Real and the Portuguese Riding School. Coudelaria Nacional, is located at Quinta da Fonte Boa, which lies on the fertile banks of the river Tagus, in the Santarém valley. Coudelaria Nacional, together with the Alter Real Stud and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, create the Alter Real Foundation. The stud was named Coudelaria Nacional do Sul when it was founded in 1887. In 1890, the stud changed its name to Coudelaria Nacional do Norte, due to legal implications, which was then located at Quinta Bemcanta, in Coimbra. The stud used two ‘Heads of Lineage’ stallions from the Dominques Hermanos line, called Primrosa and Destinado.
Coudelaria Nacional horses are typically bigger, rounder horses that are longer in the back, making them very suitable for carriage driving and dressage.
Coudelaria Nacional horses are typically bigger, rounder horses that are longer in the back, making them very suitable for carriage driving and dressage.
HOW LUSITANOS ARE GIVEN THEIR NAMES
Lusitano Horses are named in a way that gives you information about them.
If you know the name of a Lusitano it is easy to work out the age of that horse. All Lusitanos are given a name beginning with a letter that corresponds to the year they are born.For starters the first letter of a Lusitano horse’s name determines the age. This is a clever system that helps everyone to know the age of each horse. It sometimes takes some working out but this table should help. Y,W,K are not included in the Portuguese language.
Some breeders may also name a horse, in relation to its fathers name, by taking letters of the fathers name and adding it into the offsprings name. Some breeders follow this tradition more than others. For example Miguel Ralão rode a horse called Oxalis da Meia Lua, her father was Xaquiro, so the breeder incorporated the first two letters of Xaquiro’s name, into the second letters of hers. Another example is the Working Equitation champion, Oxidado, he is also by Xaquiro, so the breeder took the ‘X’ from Xaquiro and added it as the second letter of Oxidado’s name. The dressage stallion Rico, also has some offspring named similar, he sires a mare called Dona Rica, the breeder incorporated the first three letters of the fathers name, into part of the mares name.
Some Lusitano Studs also add the Studs name or initials into their horses names
So people know where the horses where bred. One example is ‘Coudelaria Lagoalva’, the stud is situated on ‘Quinta da Lagoalva’, so they name their horses with the stud name at the end of the horses name, for example, a horse of theirs competed in the World Equestrian Games, called ‘Beduino da Lagoalva’. Another example of this naming tradition is ‘Lusitanos d’Atela’, they have a horse competing Grand Prix, called ‘Xenofonte d’Atela’.