The Lusitano Horse is, with the wild bull, a living treasure of Portugal. (The Lusitano Horse - Son of the Wind by Arsenio Raposo Cordeiro)

This indigenous hot blood horse of Portugal, depicted in wall paintings dated around 15,000 B.C., is the oldest saddle horse in the world. It has been ridden for over 5000 years and was highly prized as a war horse from the Neolithic age onwards. The Lusitano is a precious and rare breed, there are only 2,000 productive purebred mares worldwide.

The horses bred in Spain and Portugal were one and the same until the early part of this century when the two countries decided to set up their own individual breeds, and produce independent national stud books. The resulting two lines were named - Purebred Spanish or Andalusian bred in Spain and Lusitano bred in Portugal.

Since setting up their own Stud Book the Portuguese have been able to make great strides in monitoring and improving the breeding programme, thus safeguarding the best and most highly prized qualities of the breed. Having been sought after over the centuries as a war horse, the same genetic abilities enable the Lusitano to be the perfect horse for mounted bullfighting in Portugal. For this he needs muscular strength, courage, good acceleration and impulsion, and great flexibility and manoeuvrability. With all these attributes he is the most exciting and rewarding horse for high school work in the manege.

Having spread world wide so long ago the Lusitano has greatly influenced countless other breeds including the Lipizzaner, English Thoroughbred, Cleveland Bay, Welsh Cob, Irish Draught, Connemara, Quarter Horse, Mustang, Appaloosa, Kladruber, Friesian, Neopolitan, Dutch Gelderland, Hanoverian, Holstein, Fredericksborg. The Barb was an original hotblood cousin. Lusitano horses are generally between 15.1 - 15.3 h.h. but there are some that make over 16 h.h. Often grey or bay, they may be any true colour, including dun and chestnut.

Their most recognisable characteristics include -

• a long noble head, most typically with a convex profile, narrowing to a finely curved nose

• large generous eyes, inclined to be almond shaped

• a powerful arched neck with a narrow hairline, deep at the base and set at a slightly wide angle to the shoulder, giving the impression of being fairly upright

• a high wither leading smoothly from the neck to the back

• a short-coupled body with powerful shoulders, a deep rib cage and broad powerful loins

• a gently sloping croup with the tail set rather low and an unobtrusive hip

• fine clean legs with excellent dense bone - the hind leg positioned well underneath the body axis, producing the hock action so suited to collection and impulsion

• agile elevated movement coupled with a smooth and comfortable ride

• an abundant, silky mane and tail.

Just as the Lusitano was endowed with all these qualities and characteristics centuries ago - so he is today. Not only does this rare and wonderful breed excel at high school, but also in many other disciplines such as show jumping and driving.

He is proud. full of joie de vivre, willing and hard working - yet gentle and affectionate. If not immediately impressive to the eye in hand, these horses provide an unexpected thrill when under saddle and there is great empathy and understanding between horse and rider.

If you would like more details about The Lusitano Society, please write to the Secretary: