Horses : LUSITANO

Origin: Portugal

Australian Status:

International Status:

Arrived in Australia : Andalusians have come here in modern times and after the Lusitano got its name to distinguish it from the Andalusian in the 1960's, it appears direct imports from Portugal first started in the 1990's. It is to be remembered that from roughly 1828 for thee decades or more, we imported a lot of horses from Chile, several large shiploads every year in the 1840's; most of these horses were of Spanish and Portugese origion, some called Andalusians such as the dark grey stallion Alonzo, described as an Andalusian and imported from Valparaiso on the ship the Tiger. Alonzo stood at stud in NSW in the 1820's and 1830's. Alonzo has been purchased by lucky chance whilst at the port city on his way to the Emperor of Brazil. Several thousand of these Spanish-Portugese horses from Chile came here, some found their way in the ASB and they also contributed to the Waler. Reports on horse breeding through the 1850's and on praised the Chile input of Spanish/Portugese blood for improving Australian horses bred for India.

Australian Population: 48 mares with at least 2 being fillies under 2 years of age and a total of 101 registered. Some may have passed away but have not been recorded as such. - 2020

History: A grand old breed known for superb courage, muscular concentration and nimble agility, hence dressage skills. One of the baroque breeds kept in magnificent shape by being used, such as for bull fighting (bulls not harmed) and top level competition in sport and dressage. The name comes from the Latin word for Portugal, Lusitania. Until the 1960's the breed was known as the Andalusian, however at that time Spain and Portugal started separate studbooks and the name Lusitano was taken up. Registered horses are graded on their individual body parts (conformation) and gaits walk, trot and canter. Suspension is regarded well.

In the past this breed was a superlative war horse - unencumbered by heavy armour, the cavalrymen relied on the agility, power and speed of their horses to beat other cavalry forces weighed down with protection. Portugal had the first global empire and bred the best to the best. The Royal School of Equestrian Art in Lisbon trains Lusitanos in high school movements both in hand and under saddle, like the Spanish Riding School of Vienna it is a place of excellence; here horses of the Alter Real (Royal Stud) which are all bays are used. Founded in 1748 it is the oldest stud in the world.

Horses and ponies have been on the Iberian Peninsula since prehistoric times. The native stock was enhance by selective breeding in the days of empire from the fourteenth century, when good African horses were available, and others chosen to take back home from about the globe. Like all empires, the Portuguese horse was taken to many countries itself and would have had an impact on many other breeds. it can be seen during the Middle Ages the baroque style of horse was popular throughout Europe, Asia, South America and beyond.

Breed traits: A short back and long legs means the horse can collect well for dressage and concentrated movement. Most are grey, but about a quarter of them are bay. Noses are long and slightly convex. Necks arched. Strong wide loins. The strong elegant structure of a superb athlete which is also good looking. Correct legs, feet, shoulders, quarters.

Uses: dressage, eventing, hacking, jumping, stock work, bull fighting mount for the cavaleiros and cavaleiras (please note the bull is not harmed or killed in Portuguese bull fighting), hunting.

Breed Organisation: The Lusitano Horse Association of Australasia (LHAA) founded in 2003 liases with the head organisation in Portugal. They manage two studbooks and a part bred register, and have a Facebook page. The  Andalusian Horse Association of Australia has a part bred register, shared with the LHAA, of Spanish x Lusitano horses.

Additional Notes:

Photo: Lusitano stallion Harmony Hills IRubicon kindly supplied by Suzanne Brundell who owns ten of these beautiful horses in Australia. 

Page by Janet Lane

(population updated 04/07/2020 A.Y.)

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