Even though Spanish horse types come from Spain, many of them can now be found all over the world. Most of these horses are known for their strength and stamina, and some are also popular because of how well they walk. Many people like to ride horses. Some are good for new riders, while others are better for riders with more experience.
Here are 10 kinds of horses that come from Spain.
Tip
Choose a horse based on how it acts and how it has been trained, not on where it came from. Spending time with a horse is the best way to figure out if it is right for you.
1. Andalusian Grey
The Andalusian comes from the state of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is related to horses that lived on the Iberian Peninsula. Explorers brought more horses to the peninsula, which changed the breed that became the Andalusian in the 1400s. The horse that came out of this was very quick and agile, which made it a favorite of European royalty. Andalusians of today are small, but they still have the power of the original horses. Because the breed is both strong and quick, it is good for dressage, pulling, jumping, and many other activities.
Breed Overview
- HEIGHT: 15 to 16.2 hands
- HEAVY: Between 900 and 1,100 pounds
- Physical traits: big body, rounded or straight face, long, thick mane, and tail, usually gray or white
2. Paso Fino Bay
Christopher Columbus brought many different horse breeds to the Dominican Republic, which is where the Paso Fino comes from. In Latin America, Conquistadors rode Barbs, Spanish Jennets, and Andalusians, and their offspring became the Paso Fino breed. The breed became very popular with landowners who liked how the horses’ smooth four-beat gaits helped them get around their farms during long days of riding. After World War II ended, soldiers brought Paso Finos to the United States, where they quickly became popular.
Breed Overview
- HAND SIZE: 13.2 to 15.2
- WEIGHT: Between 700 and 1,100 pounds
- It has a small head, wide-set eyes, strong, lean legs, small hooves, a long, thick mane and tail, and all the colors and features of a horse.
3. Peruvian Paso
The Peruvian Paso, also called the Peruvian horse, is related to horses that came to South America in the 1500s. The Jennet, the Barb, and the Andalusian were brought to the United States from Spain and Panama so that farm owners and workers could ride them. All of these breeds combined to form the Peruvian Paso, a breed with natural ambling four-beat gaits that allowed plantation owners to easily ride all day long.
Breed Overview
- HEIGHT:14 to 15 hands tall
- HEAVY: Between 900 and 1,100 pounds
- The body is muscular, the chest is wide, the head is medium-sized and has a straight or concave shape, and the tail is set low. comes in roan, gray, bay, brown, and black, among other colors.
4. Galician horse
The Galician horse, which is also called the Galician Mountain Horse, came from Galicia, which is in the northwest of Spain. People think that this breed is related to the horses that the Celts brought to the area around 500 BCE. Because the land in Galicia was so rough, the people there became strong and good at walking. Even though the breed has stayed in the area, stallions from other kinds were brought in during the 1980s. These stallions could have hurt the purity of the breed, so in the 1990s, a plan was made to help keep the breed alive.
Breed Overview
- HEIGHT:12 to 14 hands
- WEIGHT: 400–660 lbs.
- The body is short and compact, and the legs are strong. Its colors include bay, black, and chestnut.
5. Spanish Horses
The Colonial Spanish horse, which is also called the Spanish Mustang, came from horses that were brought from Spain to breeding farms in the Caribbean and Mexico. The Iberian horse and the Barb are among their relatives. Some ranchers added breeds like the thoroughbred to these herds, which mixed up the Spanish blood, but other herds were kept separate and didn’t have any impact from outside breeds. Native Americans tamed groups of these horses that lived in the wild. The tribes bred and trained their horses so that they were strong, sure-footed, and had a lot of energy.
Features of a Breed
- 13.2 to 15 hands HIGH
- WEIGHT: 700–900 lbs.
- PHYSICAL FEATURES: Small body, long head, usually straight to a convex shape, comes in a variety of colors.1
6. Spanish Trotter
The Spanish trotter was first made on Spain’s Balearic Islands. In the 1800s, races were held on these islands. So, breeders improved local horses by crossing them with imported horses, like the French trotter and the Orlov trotter, so they could fight in these races. Most of the horses are easy to train and have good personalities, which makes them great for riding for fun. The majority of this breed’s listed horses still live on the island of Mallorca.
Breed Overview
- HAND SIZE: 15.7 to 16.7
- WEIGHT: Between 900 and 1,200 pounds
- PHYSICAL FEATURES: Well-balanced body, long legs, usually chestnut, but can be a few other colors.
7. Merens Horse
The Mérens horse breed comes from southern France and northern Spain, but no one knows for sure where it came from. Even though it wasn’t written about until the Middle Ages, it’s possible that it was already around before then. It comes in two types: a smaller, more agile mountain horse and a bigger, stronger horse. It was often used to work on farms, ride, and drive carriages, among other things.
Breed Overview
- HEIGHT: between 14.1 and 15.1 feet
- WEIGHT: between 880 and 1,100 pounds
- PHYSICAL FEATURES: Small size, straight or slightly rounded face, beard-like hair below cheeks, and a black coat.
8. Spanish-Arabic
In the 1800s, the Hispano-Arab language came from Andalusia. The Arabian and the Andalusian were crossed to make this breed. Not until 2002 did the breed standard come out? And because this is a mix, the horse can look very different from one to the next. Most Hispano-Arab horses are used for riding, and their athletic builds help them do well in horse games.
Breed Overview
- HAND SIZE: 15 to 16
- WEIGHT: Between 880 and 1,000 pounds
- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Well-proportioned, slim body; usually gray or another dark color, but can look different; straight or subtly rounded face.
9. Mallorquín
The Mallorqun is from the island of Mallorca, but it’s not clear where it came from. It is a rare breed of horse that isn’t often seen in other places. Mallorquns were mostly used for riding by islanders, not for farm work. They tend to be tough, easy-going horses that can go for a long time.
Breed Overview
- HAND SIZE: 15 to 16
- WEIGHT: Between 880 and 1,000 pounds
- Physical traits: rounded face, short, thick, arched neck, standing mane, black hair, and white markings are only allowed on the face.
10.Pottok horses
The Basque Country in Spain and France is where the Pottok pony breed comes from. It is unknown where it came from, but it is possible that the ancient breed has lived in the area for thousands of years. But because of habitat loss and crossbreeding, the breed is now at risk in the wild. These horses have good footing in mountainous areas and have been used in mines and shows.
Breed Overview
- HEIGHT: between 11.1 and 14.2 feet
- HEAVY: Between 660 and 770 pounds
- Physical traits include a big head with a short neck and small ears, a long back, short legs, and small feet. Their coats are usually black, but they can be in other colors.
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