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What is a Lusitano?
The Lusitano Horse ; The National Treasure of Portugal
The Horse of Kings,
the King of Horses
Traced back in history in documented paintings in caves believed to be 20,000 years old; the Andalusian is one of the great, ancient horse breeds. Throughout European history, the Andalusian horse has been praised as the finest horse of war. Treasured by nobility and Kings, spoken of with respect for its beauty, courage, agility and presence, it is the horse of dreams.
In the late 1960s, the Portuguese stud book was created. Lusitanos, Puro Sangue Lusitano (PSL), was the name chosen for the horses of the Portuguese breeders’ registry. This was the Roman name for the region that is now Portugal, which was an important center of horse breeding.
Somtimes the Lusitano horse is refered to as an Andalusian. The name Andalusian is often confusing to people, here in the United States it encompasses the breed that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, including both Spain and Portugal.
Lusitanos come in many different colors as well as being bred for specific characteristics and disciplines, such as bullfighting, dressage, cattle work or carriage, resulting in a wide variety within the breed standard.
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