HORSE BREED: LOVELY LUSITANOS

HORSE BREED

The lovely luxury of the Lusitanos

One of the stars of the dressage arena the Lusitano has a presence that can only be described as absolutely mesmerising, writes AMANDA MAC.

There’s something about the Lusitano that holds your gaze. Whether that’s down to their superb conformation, the intelligence in their eyes, or the exotic history that flows through their aristocratic veins (the Lusitano is one of the world’s most ancient breeds), is hard to tell – but it’s almost impossible to look away once you’re under their considerable spell!

The Lusitano history

The Lusitano is a Portuguese breed. A close relative of the Spanish Andalusian, both bloodlines were originally developed in the southwest corner of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula (territory which is essentially split between Portugal and Spain) and were, at that time, generally referred to as Iberian.

Thanks to cave paintings in the area, we know that horses were roaming the peninsula as far back as 25,000 to 20,000 BCE – and DNA compar- isons show that the modern Lusitano C group contains maternal lineages also present in wild Iberian horses from the Early Neolithic period (the last stage of the Stone Age).

These horses were famously used for war by the invading armies of the Phoenicians of western Asia around 1100 BCE, and by the Celts of central Europe around 600 BCE. Historians think that the invaders brought their own horses with them, adding new blood to the existing Iberian breed, which was also expanded when Muslim invaders imported Barb horses into the peninsula in 711 CE.

The result? In short, a horse that was strong, agile and swift – all the hallmarks of an outstanding war horse. Around 370 BCE, the Greek philosopher and historian Xenophon wrote admiringly of the riding techniques displayed by Iberian horsemen – techniques that were largely only possible due to the agility of their horses.

Later, when the Carthaginians and Romans invaded the peninsula, they brought a degree of formality to the local bloodlines by establishing stud farms to breed cavalry horses for the Roman army.

Moving on

Take a quantum leap forward to the 16th century, and horses were regularly moved between Spain and Portugal, with stock from the Spanish Andalusian studs being used to improve the Portuguese cavalry horses. However, when Portugal went to war against Spain with their mounted troops riding war horses of Spanish blood, the Spanish were understandably miffed. So much so, that during the reign of Philip III of Portugal (who was also Philip IV of Spain), Spain outlawed Portugal’s production of cavalry horses. Although their breeding program was now at a virtual standstill, some Portuguese stud farms continued to operate in secrecy with horses smuggled in, or stolen from Spain. And it is these clandestine farms that we have to thank for establishing the bloodlines of the modern Lusitano.

It was centuries later in 1966 that a decision was made to split the Iberian stud books: the Spanish strain continued to be known as Andalusian, while the Portuguese side of the family was named after Lusitania, the ancient Roman word for the region now known as Portugal. Although mainly bred in Portugal and Brazil, Lusitanos are also represented in many other countries around the world, including the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, South Africa, and Australia. Crossbreeds with Thoroughbred, Andalusian and Arabians are particularly popular.

More than pure good looks

The modern-day Lusitano has become, among other things, a world-renowned dressage horse. In 2002, a Lusitano was included in Spain’s World Equestrian Games bronze-winning dressage team, which later collected a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. In 2006, a Spanish dressage competitor, plus the entire Portuguese dressage team all rode Lusitanos at the World Equestrian Games.

But Lusitanos also excel in high-level combined driving competitions. In 1995, a four-in-hand team driven by Belgian Felix Brasseur won the FEI Driving World Cup, and also took first place in the World Championships in 1996. And at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, Brasseur won the gold medal in four-in-hand driving, again with an all-Lusitano team. In modern-day Portugal, the breed is also used for working equitation, mounted bullfighting, hunting and farm work

A compact conformation

The Lusitano owe much of their stunning conformation to their long-distant ancestors. Their compact bodies – marked by a short back, long legs and a round rather than angular overall outline – should be of a shape to ‘fit’ within a square. And it’s their confor- mation that plays a key role in their amazing ability to collect, a distinct advantage when carrying out the complex movements required in high level dressage tests.

Generally grey, any solid colour - including bay, chestnut, black, palomino, pewter and dun – is acceptable, although only the Alter Real Stud breeds bays. Renowned for their great intelligence, they have a sweet and willing temperament (they enjoy having a strong bond with their riders and handlers) that seems almost at odds with their raw muscular power.

Although some Lusitanos reach over 16 hands, generally speaking they are usually around 15.2 to 15.3hh. They move with an agile, elevated gait, and have narrow, well-proportioned heads and a profile that is slightly convex. Their necks are thick and beautifully arched. Add to the picture muscular, sloping shoulders, well defined withers, a broad chest, strong backs, sturdy legs, and thick flowing manes and tails, and you have a horse that truly is a delight to behold.

If a foal is to be considered for registration in the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (APSL) Stud Book, its sire and mare must both be registered - no outside blood is allowed into this closed studbook. Additionally, no horse can be recognised internationally as a purebred Lusitano unless it has registration papers from either the APSL itself, or from its affiliated Brazilian Association.

Caring for a Lusitano

As you might have guessed, with all that muscular power, Lusitanos are high energy horses that require regular exercise, as well as being turned out into a paddock daily so they can further stretch their legs. To keep their luxuriant manes and tails healthy and in good condition, regular grooming is essential.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of pigment- ation in their skin, grey and other light coloured horses tend to be prone to melanomas – and Lusitanos are no exception. Melanomas generally form in areas where the coat is sparser, around the muzzle and tail for example. They initially appear as small lumps and bumps, so make sure you regularly check your horse for any such irregularities.

For more information on this exceptional breed, visit lusitanohorse.com.au