The Andalusian comes from a warm region of southern Spain, and is, without a doubt, a breed with a long history. Known for its elegance and gentle, willing nature, this breed is often found performing the movements of the haute école (high school) or taking part in the colorful fairs of its native Andalusia.

Whatever native horses were living in Spain around the year 711, they probably resembled the primitive Sorraian Pony, which can still be found today in Portugal. These horses were crossed with invaders' Barb horses. After Granada had fallen in 1492, Spain began to assume a new role in the western world, as did their horses. Spanish horses were taken to the Americas by the sixteenth century conquistadors, and they provided the foundation stock for many new breeds developed by the settlers.

Meanwhile in Europe, the Spanish horse had become a favorite mount for monarchs and great riding masters, including the Englishman, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle. He wrote of the Andalusian in the seventeenth century: "If well chosen it is the noblest horse in the world; the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; has the proudest walk, the proudest trot ... the loftiest gallop and is the lovingest and gentlest horse and fittest of all for a king in Day of Triumph."

Many famous European beds have been influenced by Spanish blood, including the Lipizzaner, a direct descendant skilled in the movements of haute école, the Frederiksborg, and Friesian, who in turn influenced the Oldenburg, Holstein, and Connemara. These breeds are all in a way related to the Andalusian, especially those famous Spanish horses brought over to the Americas. The Andalusian horse was aided by the monastic orders, particularly the Carthusians, who became especially skillful at horse breeding. In times of great danger, the horses were moved from the studs to remote monasteries for safe keeping. The Carthusians were instrumental in maintaining purity of line and produced horses of consistently high quality.

Andalusian horses are most often 15 to 15.2h at the withers and are predominantly grey (including "mulberry" -- a dappled, purplish grey) and bay in color. They possess tremendous presence, lofty paces, agility, and docile nature, making an all-around riding horse. Held in high regard for not only their temperament but beautiful appearance, Andalusians are considered to be one of the world's most desirable riding horses.

— AE