The Lusitano is the oldest pure bred breed of riding horse in the world. Most people don’t realize that Portugal existed before any other European state, including Spain. Portugal therefore is the oldest State in Europe. Thanks to that native weapon, the Lusitano Horse and the superior method of combat, it inspired the boundaries of that ancient land known as Lusitania and were redrawn after the Moorish occupation.
 Engravings on the cave walls In Escorial, Portugal are dated between 13,000 and 17,000 B.C.!! The paintings depict a horse whose profile of the head is long, lean and slightly convex which is in perfect harmony with the long line of the arched neck and rounded body. This is consistent even today with the hereditary characteristics of the modern Lusitano horse. This is a departure from the squarer, short convex head of the later derivatives from other regions. The original bond in these ancient lands between man and horse is said to be responsible for the very word CENTAUR, or man horse. This term also originated in Portugal from the Tagus region.
Today Portugal has continued to breed superior horses in body, ability, and mind through the continued need even now to have horses that have the mind and athletic ability to save the riders life in the bullring where these mounted battles still occur.
Not just a fancy parade horse, the pure Lusitano is still the brave athlete he was thousands of years ago and we endeavor to bring the best of these lines to the USA in proven high school performing stallions and quality mares. These horses are the king of classical dressage and high school, combining incredible strength and power, a desire to please and a calm mind in the midst of turmoil along with a protective spirit towards the rider.
To learn more about classical dressage and the Lusitano breed, please visit our links page where we have listed related sites of interest. |
