The Andalusian
originated in and gained its name from the Spanish Province of
Andalusia. Its ancestors are the Iberian (Spanish) horse and the
Barb horse which was brought to Spain by invading Moors. It was
bred principally by Carthusian Monks in the late Middle Ages.
The famed William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, wrote: "...the
Spanish horse is the noblest animal in the world..." Cortes
brought Andalusians to America for his conquests.
Andalusian horses owe a
great deal to the Carthusian Monks who bred them, beginning in
the late Middle Ages. In the late 1400's, studs were founded at
monasteries in Terez, Seville, and Cazallo. The monks were
superb horse breeders and trainers, and kept the blood of their
horses quite pure. The Andalusian's purity was threatened in the
1800's when Napoleon's army invaded Spain and stole many horses.
One herd of Andalusians was hidden and used to renew the breed.
In 1832, an epidemic devastated Spain's horse population. Only a
small herd of Andalusians at the Monastery of Cartuja survived.
No Andalusians were exported until 1962.
Bizarro IX,
Legendary Andalusian Stallion
Presenting Yolo VIII
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