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Andalusian Horse

Equus ferus caballus

Grey Andalusian horse with a thick mane
Photo: Just chaos — CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The noble horse of Spain — a strong, elegant grey with a thick mane, built for high-school dressage.

TypeLight / ridingBest asSport & showOriginEurope / UK

How to spot it

A compact, powerfully built horse of about 15 to 16.2 hands (152 to 168 cm) with an arched neck, abundant mane and tail and a proud, elevated stride. Most are grey, with bay and black also seen.

Temperament

Sensitive, intelligent and courageous yet docile — the temperament that made it a classical riding and bullfighting horse for centuries.

What it's bred for

Also called the Pure Spanish Horse (PRE), it is a baroque breed bred for war, cattle work and the collected movements of classical dressage, where it still excels.

Care & upkeep

The heavy mane and tail reward regular grooming. A hardy keeper, though its history in the Iberian climate means it copes with warmth better than most European breeds.

Health & lifespan

Around 25 years. A generally sound breed; watch weight and, as with any thick-maned horse, skin under the crest in hot weather.

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