Lusitano Horses

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If you enjoy Olympics, World Equestrian Games and bullfighting, then you should meet Portugal’s unique horse breed. Know more about this breed and understand why they’re considered to be the best choice ever.

Lusitano horses originate from Portugal. Their name comes from the Lusitania. Lusitania pertains to the Portuguese territory when it was still under Roman conquest. Before, Lusitano horses were acknowledged as Iberian horses. However, in the recent times, they are already regarded as a separate breed.

The Lusitano’s were believed to have evolved from its earliest predecessor, the Sorraia, also one of the Portuguese horses. These were proven through the cave paintings and frescoes which portray the activities of various horse breeds as well as early murals which date back around 20,000 BC. In Bernardo Lima’s book in the year 1885, he used the term Lusitano to refer to the horses of Portugal. Then in 1889, the Portuguese Stud Book was created. Finally, in 1942, the name Lusitano was used to call and characterize the horses in Portugal.

Through this, the horses were inscribed on the Portuguese Stud Book. The breed started together with the Lusitano Stud Book in 1967. With such growth, the Lusitano horses have greatly increased not only in Portugal but as well as in Brazil, France and Mexico; followed by a group of Countries including Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK and USA. In USa, there’s already a community of Lusitanos that’s existing. Countries Angola, Australia, Czech Republic, Colombia, Guatemala, Morocco, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Filipinas, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand have Lusitano horses but are lesser in number.

Generally, Lusitano horses are gray, bay or chestnut in color. However, there are those of solid colours as well, like black, dun and palomino.  Usually, they stand from 15.2 to 15.3 hands high while there are some who stand over 16 hands. Their heads are well-proportioned. Their necks and ears are of average length and the eyes are very expressive and confident.

Because of the Lusitano horses’ brilliance and strength, they have always managed to be efficient war horses in the past and good choices for bullfighting. They are simple to ride on and execute disciplined movements. They are also good at classical dressage and combined driving competitions. They are also prevalent in Golega horse fairs and there even different horse festivals dedicated to the Lusitano horse breeds.