Andalusian Horse

The Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (pura raza española), is a horse breed from the Iberian Peninsula, where its ancestors have lived for thousands of years. Since the 15th century, the Andalusian has been recognized as a unique breed, and over time, its conformation has barely changed. It has a long history and has been coveted by the nobles because of its skill as a combat horse. The Spanish government utilized the breed as a diplomatic weapon, and rulers all over Europe rode and possessed Spanish horses. Warfare, illness, and crossbreeding drastically decreased herd numbers during the 19th century, and despite a slight recovery in the late 19th century, the trend persisted until the early 20th century.

Andalusians are well-built, compact, and attractive with long, thick manes and tails. Despite coming in a variety of colors, gray is their most prevalent coat color. They are renowned for their wit, sensibility, and submissiveness. Although there is no genetic support for this assertion, breeders believe the Carthusian sub-strain of the Andalusian breed to be the purest. However, the strain is still regarded as distinct from the main breed, and breeders favor it because consumers are willing to pay extra for horses with Carthusian genes.