History and breeding of lusitans

History and breeding

We do not know exactly when the coexistence of humans and horses began, although some scientists have recorded the first attempts as early as the Solutrean culture (about 22 to 18 thousand years ago), when humans invented the rope. This is evidenced by cave paintings found at Cueva de la Pileta in Malaga, Spain, which show a pregnant mare tied with ropes to two large logs, as well as two other horses tied to logs that resemble a kind of corral. Drawings of horses that bear a striking resemblance to the modern Lusitanian are found in the Escoural Caves in the Portuguese Alentejo and date from 1700 BC. Thousands of years ago, the wild bull and the ancestor of the Lusitanian horse lived in close association along the Tagus River. There were large predators in the area for which the horses were prey, but they paid little attention to the wild bull. The horses soon learned that if they stayed close to the wild bulls, they would have protection from the large predators. However, if they got too close to a wild bull, the bull would attack them. This dance between horse and bull developed the horse's intelligence, speed, attention and agility.

Horse breeding on the Iberian Peninsula was already at a high level before the arrival of the Moors (711 AD). The local primitive Iberian horses were then refined by the Arab and Berber horses that arrived with the Moors. They retained their predominant influence until 1492 and thanks to them these horses were considered the most noble representatives. During the Baroque era, Spanish horses were distinguished in two types - genetti - beautiful and harmonious horses and villanos - larger and more robust work horses. They were characterized by a cadenced trot with high carpal action, a fiery temperament and dressage talent. In addition, they were bred in many different colours, which only increased their popularity with the nobility, who liked to show off anything unusual. The horses were bred for courtly equestrian ceremonies in Portugal and were also used for bullfighting, where they were noted for their great ferocity. During the Napoleonic wars, their breeding was literally decimated and attempts to restore it with other breeds (Hanoverians, English Thoroughbreds or Norman horses) were unsuccessful. The Andalusian mares (Pura Raza Espaňola), whose homeland is Spain, eventually helped to regenerate the breed. The two breeds were, until recently, considered one breed because they share common ancestors. The official name of Lusitano has been in force since 1966, when the two countries agreed to establish their own studbooks.

Although the Spanish Pura Raza Espanol and the Portuguese Puro Sangue Lusitano share a common history and are closely related, they are now different in many ways. This is partly due to selective breeding which has created different types.

Portuguese breeders have kept stud books for their horses dating back to 1824 (11 generations). Based on these books, the pedigrees of today's Lusitanian horses can be traced back almost 200 years. In 1967, the Portuguese Association of Selected Horse Breeds (Associação Portuguesa de Criadores de Raça Selectas) was established by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture to register horses bred in Portugal. This included Lusitanian horses, Arabian horses, Thoroughbreds, Spanish horses and other breeds of horses in Portugal. At this time and until 1989, a horse could be registered as a Lusitanian horse if it met the morphological and movement criteria for selection as a Lusitanian horse. Between 1967 and 1989, the organisation visited horse breeders to identify horses that could be registered in the Appendix Book and whose offspring could be registered as Lusitanian. These horses could have been of other breeds. This was good in the beginning because it provided a diverse population. Once the studbook closed, this diverse base allowed for a breed that was stronger, more athletic, more interesting, more homogeneous. When you see a Lusitano horse, you immediately know it's a Lusitano horse.

In 1989 the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lustano/Portuguese Association of Pure Blood Lusitano Horse Breeders (APSL) was founded and the studbook was officially closed.

After 1989, only foals whose parents were registered in the studbook and approved for breeding could be registered as PSL. All stallions and mares to be used for breeding must undergo a thorough breeding inspection by an APSL judge, who evaluates morphology and gaits, in order for their offspring to be registered. APSL registered horses are officially referred to as Puro Sangue (purebred) Lusitano, PSL or Lusitano. The Portuguese clearly state that their horse is a Lusitano, not an Andalusian or Spanish horse. A horse born to parents or sires who are not registered or approved for the adult studbook is referred to as a Cruzado and is not eligible for registration as a Lusitano. A half Lusitano horse (one registered and approved parent) is also a Cruzado. A horse with a Spanish parent and a Lusitano parent is also a Cruzado and has not been eligible for APSL registration since 1989. If a horse is not officially registered in the APSL birth book, it cannot be referred to as a lusitano.

In 1992, the APSL began conducting blood tests on horses as a registration requirement to confirm parentage, and in 1997 DNA testing was added.

In 1967, there were only 267 founder mares and 529 founder mares. Although the Lusitano horse has been present in Portugal for centuries, there has been a large decline in numbers due to the mechanics of early 20th century agriculture, political unrest and interbreeding with other breeds. Six horses (5 stallions and 1 mare) are recognized as founding horses or "heads of the family".

They come from the four main studs:

• Andrade
• Veiga
• Alter Real
• Coudelaria Nacional

The "line heads" are:

• Agareno, a 1931 Veiga stallion, by Bagocha, by Lidador;
• Primorosa, a 1927 Dominquez Hermanos stallion, out of Primorosa II, by Presumido;
• Destinado, a 1930 Dominquez Hermanos stallion, by Destinado, out of Alegre II;
• Marialva II, a 1930 stallion by Antonio Fontes Pereira de Melo, out of Campina, by Marialva;
• Regedor, a 1923 Alter Real stallion, out of Gavin, by Gavioto; and
• Hucharia, a 1943 Coudelaria Nacional mare, by Viscaina, out of Cartujano.

That's why you will sometimes see the names of 4 types of Lusitans: Andrade, Veiga, Alter Real and Coudelaria Nacional.

The Portuguese Communist Revolution of 1974 is often referred to as the Carnation Revolution or the Bloodless Revolution. In Portugal, landlords had their farms confiscated and the symbols of the aristocratic classes - the Lusitanian horse and the fighting bull - were slaughtered on a large scale. Many of the best horses were sold to Spain for safety. Hundreds of horses were also sold to Brazil, Mexico and France.

At this time, several Portuguese breeders joined together to take the mares to Ilha de Monte Farinha (an island in the middle of the Teju River at its entrance to the Atlantic Ocean) to save the breed. These breeders included Arsénio Raposo Cordeiro, Fernando d'Andrade, then President of the Stud Book, Fernando Palha, António José Teixeira, António Alcobia; Manuel Veiga; Coimbra; Telles de Carvalho. In 1976 democracy was restored in Portugal and the land confiscated by the Communists was returned to its original owners.

Those who love and admire the Lusitanian horses are eternally grateful to these men.

Today, the breed continues to thrive as great horses for field work, recreational riding, as school masters, bullfighting, horsemanship, and as serious competitors in dressage, working horsemanship, and carriage driving.

Source: 

Mgr. Misti Seppi, USLA