The Andalusian's physical appearance and flashy action make it one of the world's most desirable riding horses. The Andalusian is strongly built, yet extremely elegant.
The typical Andalusian stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands. His head is of medium length, rectangular and lean. The head in profile is slightly convex or straight with a broad forehead and well placed ears. The eyes are alive, oval, and placed within an orbital arch. The face is straight or softly convex, moderately narrow, and without excess flesh. The neck is reasonably long, broad, yet elegant and well crested in stallions. The mane is thick and abundant. Well defined withers precede a short back; the quarters are broad and strong. The croup is rounded and of medium length. The tail is abundant, set low, and lies tightly against the body. About 80% of Andalusians are gray or white, 15% are bay, and 5% are black, chestnut, palomino, and dun.
ORIGIN
The Andalusian originated in and gained its name from the Spanish Province of Andalusia. The Andalusian horse is one of the most ancient of horse breeds. It has lived on the Iberian Peninsula since pre-history and is represented in cave paintings dating back 25,000 years. Its ancestors are the Iberian (Spanish) horse and the Barb horse, which was brought to Spain by invading Moors. Andalusians were bred principally by Carthusian Monks in the late Middle Ages at monasteries in Jerez, Seville, and Cazallo. The monks were superb horse breeders and kept the blood of their horses quite pure.
A RARE TREASURE
Today, there are only about 4,500 Andalusian horses in the United States. Worldwide, these majestic horses number less than 20,000. Each year, the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association registers only 400 new foals in this country. In fact, the Andalusian is one of the rarest breeds in the United States.
— Excerpted from an article by Gareth A. Selwood in Equestrian magazine