Castilian horse
The Castilian’s horse country of origin is Spain. It is a small gaited horse type developed from European, Asian and northern African horses. It is considered to be a palfrey type, which means a post or a courier horse. Their origin dates back to the Middle Ages when Spain was called Castile or Kingdom of Castile and therefore it descends its name. The gait that made theme famous is also related with this name. It is called Paso Castillano or Castillian Time (Walk).
During the 8th century there were roads only in the big cities, but throughout Europe and other parts of the world, the transportation depended on horses and their abilities to offer a comfort and smooth ride for the rider. Only royal members and nobility could afford to ride these special gaited horses. The other horses were bred either for draft, agriculture work (large, docile, heavy horses) or for war purposes (strong and brave horses). During the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, the ambling gaited horses were produced from infusion of Berber and Arabian bloodlines with the Iberian horse. These bloodlines improved the Andalusian horse, which is considered to be one of the purest horse breeds and had influence on almost every breed today. Hence it had an impact of the Castilian horse displaying perfection of a proud and beautiful animal that possessed smooth gaits and made them desired for riding and primary source of transportation. They were not only gaited, but though small, they were tough and could cover enormous distance on minimal resources.
When Christopher Colombo first arrived in the New World, a new era of horse breeding began. Many of the Iberian horses, including the Castilian were shipped to the Americas and many of these breeds are still existing or helped in creating new breeds.
The Castilian horse is relatively small horse breed and its average height ranges between 14- 14.3 hands high, although some mares can stand 13.2 hands. Many attempts to improve the height of the Castilian breed and produce a taller horse were a pure failure, because the result was always a horse with long legs, but a total loss or reducing the qualities of their gait. So, we can conclude that the aforementioned heights are the most desirable and perfect examples of the breed.
The lovely, ambling gait that the Castilian horse possesses is a signature of the breed and makes the breed distinguish of the other breeds, separating it from other breeds more than any other feature. It is characterized as a broken pace with the legs of each side moving forward at the same time. The rear foot is placed down before the front, resulting in a four beat cadence, varying with speed from an isochronal (1, 2, 3, 4) to near a pace (1.2….3.4). This gait provides a smooth and exciting ride.
There is a association called Castilian Horse Breeders International that is dedicated to improve the breed andeducate breeders, creating and establishing breed standards. To be registered as a Castilian, a horse has to go through strict inspection standards of gait, strength, confirmation and temperament.
The Castilian horse has a balanced confirmation. The head is noble set on a strong neck. The body is smooth and well muscled; legs are short compared to their robust body; the back is long and narrow; and the mane, forelock and tail are luxurious, silky and abundant.
The most common coat colors are black, chestnut, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan and dun, but gray and dark skinned are most desirable.
The Castilian horse is used for pleasure riding, valued for its natural lateral movement, as show horse and for improving other breeds.
This is one energetic and obedient horse breed that possesses great stamina.
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