Description of Andalusian horses, pros and cons, how to keep and cost

Andalusians are among the elite horse breeds, famous for their spectacular conformation, endurance, easy movement, agility and agility. Improving the breed in Spain has been engaged for many centuries. As a result, the Andalusian (Pura Raza Espanola) horse has become a graceful animal, the best for parade trips and military operations. Nowadays, the Andalusians win equestrian competitions, bred for walking and pleasure.

Origin

The ancestors of the Andalusian horse were the wild horses of the south of Spain, and the name corresponds to the province (Andalusia) where the animals were bred. The breed was formed for 2-3 millennia, this is one of the oldest types of horses. The turbulent history of the Iberian Peninsula had a significant impact on the development of the breed - after the seizure of the territory by the Moors, local horses were crossed with Barbary horses. Frankish and Germanic horses have also contributed to improving the characteristics of local animals.

In the 15th century, Andalusian horses acquired European fame and served to improve many horse breeds. The Andalusians had impressive performance and appearance, thanks to their easy handling and maneuverability, they were ideal in battle. Royal houses and the elite of the aristocracy used Andalusian horses for ceremonial trips. Brave and hardy horses helped the conquistadors to conquer America.

Pros and cons of Andalusian

For many years, with the help of the Andalusian horse, the statues of European horses were corrected, they were used to improve many breeds. Beauty, grace, an extraordinary move with a high rise of the front legs makes the Andalusians an adornment of parades and shows.

The horse is classified as a universal breed. Andalusians are hot and temperamental, but obedient, they obey the rider well, are quick-witted, readily follow commands. The combination of agility and agility, affection for the owner, and learning ability are the properties of elite horses with impressive intelligence and a kind, docile disposition.

Cons of Andalusian riding horses:

1. Horse training and education begin at 3-4 years old, Andalusians do not belong to early maturing breeds.
2. High prices for horses, late training make the business unprofitable. Selling an expensive thoroughbred Andalusian in Russia is difficult.
3. Horses are not used in races.
4. Horses are thermophilic and require regular walking. In winter, the Andalusian needs insulated stables and blankets to go outside.
5. Horses of light color often suffer from skin diseases.

In Spain and many countries, Andalusian horses are actively bred, their number in the world exceeds 200 thousand heads.

Features and description of the Andalusian horse

Horses of the Andalusian breed are distinguished by a peculiar step due to the structure of the limbs and body - the front legs rise to the chest, the croup is smoothed and compact. The peculiarities of addition and training turn every exit of a thoroughbred Andalusian into an exciting spectacle, almost a dance. The shift of the center of gravity to the croup gives the horses mobility and easy handling, which was a plus in battle.

Exterior

The rounded croup of the horse reminds of the presence of eastern bloods in the Andalusian horses. The Spaniards differ from Arab and Akhal-Teke horses in power and a larger body. Exterior features:

• height - 1.5-1.6 meters;
• medium-sized head with a slight curvature of the nose;
• high neck with a crest and noble head fit;
• the back is straight, the croup is round, the tail is set low;
• broad chest with pronounced muscles;
• legs of medium length, dry, with strong large hooves;
• almond-shaped eyes;
• mane, bangs, tail - lush, silky.

The horse gives the impression of power and grace at the same time, clever eyes testify to intelligence, ingenuity. The weight of the Andalusian is 400 kilograms.

Varieties of Spanish horse suit

75-80% of all Andalusian horses are gray. The pedigree book allows for other colors, among which black and bay colors prevail.

The nature and learning ability of the animal

Andalusians have a hot Spanish temperament, but they are easy to learn, they are distinguished by their devotion to the owner. The main features of the horses:

• courage, fearlessness, persistent character;
• discipline, the ability to quickly execute commands, obedience and readiness for work;
• high intelligence, quick learning, the ability to behave with dignity - Andalusians will not be confused with a large crowd of people at parades, shows;
• hard work, endurance, willingness to share the difficulties of a long trip with a person.

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Andalusians have lived in close contact with humans for many centuries. Long-term selection and harsh upbringing led to the development of loyalty and fidelity in animals, the ability to quickly and accurately execute commands, to serve the owner. Riding horses can walk in harness, participate in the show of retro carriages at home.

Reference: learning a new element should take an Andalusian no more than 20-30 minutes a day.

Wildlife lifestyle

Horses of the Andalusian breed have long been tamed, do not live in nature, they do not need to look for food on their own. These are hardy, healthy animals that are kept and taught in harsh conditions. The Andalusians have been brought up by humans for centuries, and have become unaccustomed from the wild, despite the endurance and initial adaptability to living in the Pyrenees.

Where is used

In recent years, interest in breeding Andalusian horses has grown. Handsome horses, having lost their military and representative value, found new areas of application:

• spectacular shows, parades, processions and carnivals;
• circus performances;
• horseback riding, tourism;
• sports - dressage, show jumping, driving;
• mounted police;
• entertainment for children, rehabilitation of patients.

For many years, Andalusians were raised and trained for bullfighting, the Spanish national show. Agile, disciplined, smart horses have saved people from bulls more than once, demonstrating courage, endurance and devotion to the owner. Wealthy country house owners keep Andulusians for entertainment, prestige, pleasant walks in the fresh air.

Features of the content of the horse

The Andalusians come from hot Spain, they are thermophilic, they need warm stables and increased nutrition when the temperature drops to -5 °.Horse breeders consider raising expensive horses in Russia unprofitable; they breed horses out of love for beautiful animals.

Stable arrangement

Freedom-loving horses need an individual stall with high partitions and a sufficient area (9 square meters). The stables are at least 3 meters high. The room is equipped with a ventilation system, high humidity and overheating of animals are not allowed. A feeder and a drinking bowl are installed in the stalls, they provide illumination for 9 hours in winter and 13 hours in summer. A cool floor is made waterproof, covered with dry straw, which is regularly changed.

Feeding and drinking

When feeding, observe the regime so that the Andalusians do not have problems with digestion. After eating, the horses are allowed to rest. The horses are watered 3 times a day, the volume of water is 30 liters in the cold season, 50 liters in the warm. The food is chosen of high quality and placed in carefully cleaned feeders.

Basic diet

Most of the diet is solid food:

• hay, straw;
• cereals without heavy grinding - oats, rye, wheat;
• legumes (peas, vetch);
• root vegetables - carrots, potatoes;
• apples.

It is not recommended to feed animals with feeds with a high sugar content (beets, molasses), protein and barley.

Feeding standards are 2-3 kilograms of feed per centner of animal weight. The diet is made up using different types of feed - rich in fiber, minerals, trace elements. The horses are given water prior to feeding.

Andalusians get their green juicy forage from grazing or in the form of haylage. It is important to include in the diet bran, rich in phosphorus, B vitamins.

Nutritional supplements

Factory mixes are able to provide horses with substances that are not enough in the feed. The following additives are used:

• cakes, meal - corn, flax, soy;
• for young animals and weakened horses animal products - bone meal, fish meal, return;
• salt, chalk;
• fish fat;
• yeast.

Premixes are given to horses to improve their appearance, to support animals in the winter, when in the absence of fresh herbs there is a lack of vitamins, the health of the horses worsens.

Hygiene and horse care

Daily grooming protects the horse from infections, skin diseases, saddle and harness scuffs. A horse is tied before cleaning or an assistant is called. Necessary care items:

• cleaning hooves, cleaning mud from under horseshoes;
• with a rubber scraper, they clean the sides and withers;
• clean the face, ears, knees, crotch with a soft brush;
• with a stiff brush, they are passed from the neck to the tail, remove dead hair and dirt on the back.

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The muzzle is washed with a sponge or microfiber, the mane and tail are combed. Once a week, the hooves are thoroughly cleaned using special hooks and hard brushes.

Grazing

Physical activity is an indispensable condition for the physical development and health of Andalusian horses. It is necessary to walk them even in frosty weather. The horses are taken out in a blanket that does not allow water to pass through. For the convenience of walking, they equip paddocks, provide fenced meadows or a meadow for grazing.

Horseshoe

The quality of the horseshoes should be checked on a daily basis before and after physical activity in order to track problems that arise and to avoid injury to the hooves. For the Andalusians, who are designed for dressage, horseshoes are placed on the front hooves, and all the legs are forged for the rest of the horses. The frequency of changing horseshoes is once a month and a half.

During the year, the time is chosen for the Andalusian to rest and run without horseshoes.

Disease prevention

The best preventive measures are daily grooming, examination, hygiene and cleaning. Formulating a complete diet with nutritional supplements will help to avoid digestive problems and keep the horse in good physical shape and good mood.

The danger for the Andalusians is colds in the cold season.They walk horses in blankets, protect from drafts in the stables, change the bedding. Horse hooves are regularly examined, and the condition of the skin is monitored.

Breeding

Andalusians are versatile horses, they can walk under the saddle, and do different jobs. The high price makes horses unsuitable for breeding for meat and milk and for carrying out draft work. For racing, English horses are raised.

Andalusians are traditionally bred for use in some sports - show jumping, dressage. The seasoned obedient horses in driving have proven themselves to be excellent. The Andalusian horse is in demand from owners of private stables, companies that organize shows and horse trips. Tourist organizations purchase horses for walks and cross-country hikes.

Where to buy and how much does it cost?

Many stud farms in Europe, USA, Mexico and other countries are engaged in breeding Andalusians. You can buy a horse:

• at the breeding stud farm - the most reliable place where they will provide a true pedigree, tell about the characteristics of the Andalusian;
• at exhibitions;
• through horse clubs that cooperate with breeding farms;
• in private households - with the risk of overpaying and receiving low-quality goods.

Prices for thoroughbred horses are high, depending on pedigree, training, age, and many other indicators. Estimated cost by age:

• 2-3 years (before the start of training) - 8-15 thousand €;
• 4-6 years old - 15-25 thousand €;
• 6-8 years old - 25-35 thousand €.

Horses grown in Spain are considered the most expensive, the price increases depending on the genealogical line and the training of the Andalusian.

Reference: An Andalusian horse, one of the best representatives of the breed, was sold in the USA for 180 thousand dollars.

Interesting Facts

Some interesting facts about Andalusian horses:

1. Traditionally, in Spain, stallions were not castrated, since a real macho would not sit on a gelding. The mares did not go around, they just ran in the herd.
2. For many years, Andalusians were cultivated to participate in bullfighting.
3. A great contribution to the development of the breed was made by the monasteries of Seville and other Spanish cities, in which monks were engaged in raising horses, developed training, and monitored the purity of blood.
4. The loss of the Andalusian population began during the Napoleonic Wars. French soldiers took out the horses, ruining the breeding fund.
5. The beauty of the Andalusians was celebrated by sculptors and Renaissance painters in immortal statues and paintings.

The white markings on the body of the Andalusians were considered a good sign, "the kiss of Fortune." Andalusians harmoniously combine courage, enthusiasm with good nature and a peaceful disposition. Severe upbringing contributed to the formation of an agreeable and executive character in horses, animals became loyal to human interests. A beautiful horse will decorate any stable, bring joy to the owner, raise prestige and status in the eyes of others.