The next installation of horses from around the world, Spain has made a name for it’s fine horseflesh, namely the Andalusian horse.
The Spaniards have always loved their horses, in fact the Conquistadors took them wherever they traveled. As a result, many of today’s breeds have Spanish blood in their veins.
Horse in Spanish is Caballo.
Horse in Catalan (Northern Spain – Catalonia) Cavall.
Take a journey through Spain on horseback…
Image from Stendec
Image from Deanka
Image from Deanka
Image from Deanka
Image from Sacrifice 87
Image from Oranje
Image from Marco Bellucci
Take a look at the whole collection of horses from around the world.
I have just returned from Andalucia. I went specifically because I adore the Andalusian breed, but I’m afraid I discovered that a lot of Spanish people do not love their horses at all. I saw horses being hit, even foals being punched in the face; taxi horses with curb chains done up so tightly the skin underneath was raw and bleeding etc etc Also, the traditional Spanish bit is a very harsh curb that the horses are always chomping and frothing over and they ALWAYS have their ears flat back while they are being ridden. The horses are fabulous and I admire the them. Their riders get them to perform amazing feats but I came to the conclusion that most Spanish training of horses is based on brute force and fear. Andalucia didn’t have any legislation against cruelty to animals until very recently and even now, no one is interested or they simply haven’t grasped the concept. I was deeply shocked because I too had assumed that they were indeed horse lovers. In actual fact, horses are just status symbols or vehicles for the men to show or prove their machismo. I would never buy a horse from Spain now having seen the way they are treated, because I believe that their fear based training would have lasting psychological effects on them. Especially when compared with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, where the horses are rewarded for trying, tgheir indidividual natures are respected and their spirits are never broken.
Hi Ruth,
Unfortunately in doing my research for horse pictures from each country I saw some disturbing things, this kind of treatment is not specific only to Spain. I find that professional horses (whether they are athletes or performance horses) are handled by so many people abuse is often a sad factor of their lives.
In all fairness to the Spanish, I’ve been riding in Spain myself and saw a wholly different horse world than you mention here. I’d like to think there is good to balance the bad in that respect.
Dear Ruth, I work and ride in Spain and I sell Andalusian and Lusitano (portuguese) horses abroad, mainly to the UK. Unfortunately what you have seen occurs more often than not. I’d go as far to say that in general, horses are treated badly in Spain. It’s for this reason I have set up my website, as I find many fabulous Spanish horses with great potential and try to sell them abroad, where I know they will be in good hands and have a better life. I always sell to good known clients I have based in the UK and Europe and I try to give these horses the life they deserve. Having rehabilitated by Andalusian stallion after countless years of cruelty and neglect, this is now what I try to do for the rest. If you are interested in my work or would like to view my website please do so, as I guarantee fine quality Spanish horses for the right person who will give them the lives and homes they deserve.
The Best Spanish Horses
i want a job in spain, near malaga. email or write back on here if you want more infomation on what i have done. thanks.