The Andalusian and Lusitano breeds are distinctive and majestic in appearance, sporting a muscular body with a high, rounded neck carriage, animated movement, and long, thick manes and tails. Their conformation and natural movement predispose them to success in dressage, and they have been seen competing in the top level of the sport on the world stage.
While the two breeds are distinct from one another, they share a similar phenotype and an origin on the Iberian Peninsula. Andalusians, also known as Pura Raza Española or PRE, originated in Southern Spain. The Lusitano breed originated in Portugal where it is also known as Puro Sangue Lusitano. Both breeds have been selectively bred in their native region for centuries for bravery and athleticism as war horses, working cattle horses, and bullfighting mounts.
In the United States, Andalusian and Lusitano horses are ridden in hunt seat, saddle seat, and western classes as well as in-hand. They have a devoted fanbase within the dressage community and can be found competing all the way to Grand Prix level. They make excellent carriage horses for both pleasure driving and combined driving competition. Their trainability and handiness lend them to specialized disciplines such as ranch, trail, and working equitation.
Both breeds typically stand 15.2-16 hands. Gray is the most common color, but any solid color is accepted in the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association registry, including buckskin, dun, and palomino. The IALHA also registers half-Andalusian and half-Lusitano horses, which can be found in an extended variety of sizes and colors.