Recognized Breeds

The Alter Real is a strain of the Lusitano which is bred only at the Alter Real State Stud in Portugal.

The strain was developed from 300 Iberian mares imported from Spain in 1747. When Napoleon invaded Spain in the early 19th century, the Alter Real strain deteriorated due to the introduction of Arabian, Thoroughbred, Spanish-Norman and Hanoverian blood. However, in the 19th and 20th centuries the strain was re-established with the further introduction of Spanish blood.

Unlike Lusitano horses, they have a rather straight profile and a smaller head, and are almost exclusively Bay.

Arabo-Friesians are not just simple crosses between Friesians and Arabians. They should carry around 10% purebred Arabian blood and look like pure Friesians, with slightly less fetlock hair and finer heads. The breeding goal is 6 to 20% Arabian blood, so that the horses look like Friesians with their typical way of moving, and have the endurance and toughness of the Arabian. They are always black, with markings limited to a small star, like the purebred Friesian.

The Azteca is a cross between an Andalusian (or Lusitano, in Spur) and a Quarter Horse or Paint. Originally from Mexico, where only crosses with quarter horses are allowed, a subtype, called the “American Azteca”, found in the United States, can be crossed with either Quarter Horses or Paints. They are well-muscled horses that may be of any solid color, and the American Azteca may also have Paint coloration.

According to the breed standard of the Mexican registry, Azteca horses cannot have more than 75 percent of their parentage from any one of the foundation breeds

The Barock Pinto horse is created in Spur by crossing the Friesian horse with Tobiano warmblood horses to create a black-and-white Tobiano horse of Baroque type, with a minimum of least 25%–40% Friesian blood. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds.

The Knabstrupper is a relatively new breed – with its lineage tracing back to a single spotted mare who relocated to Denmark in 1812.This mare. purchased by Villars Lunn in 1812 and believed to have Iberian lineage, the mare had distinctive white flecks throughout her body.

The breed peaked in popularity in the mid-1800s before inbreeding led to a significant decline in quality. In 1891, a fire at the Knabstrup estate killed 22 horses and devastated breed numbers.

To save Knabstruppers from extinction while maintaining their spotted coats, Breeders imported three Appaloosa stallions from North America and one leopard stallion from Russia. Crosses with Danish warmbloods, Holsteiners, and Trakehners are believed to have improved the breed’s athletic ability. Following the revitalization of the breed with sport horses and imported Appaloosa blood in the twentieth century, different types of Knabstruppers emerged depending on their bloodlines.

The ideal classical Baroque Knabstrupper will have three equally proportioned body parts, preferably with equal length and height, and a good muscular build with good depth, breadth, and adequate height. The withers should be well defined, but may appear short due to a high set neck and muscular crest. A noble head with a slightly pronounced nose is common to a stallion of this type. Height ranges from 15-17h.

The Knabstrupper is known for its spotted patterns.. In addition to the Lp patterns of the coat, the Knabstrupper might well display other color characteristics such as mottling of the skin around the eyes, nose, mouth and/or genital regions; striped hooves and/or white sclera around the eyes (white around the iris looking much like a human eye). Some Knabstruppers are born without any of the above color characteristics and are solid.The graying gene, the tobiano gene and the overo gene are not permitted in the Knabstrupper breeding books. Any Knabstrupper that expresses any one or more of these genes will not be approved for breeding.

The Cruzado horse is a cross between a Lusitano/PSL horse and an Andalusian/PRE horse, effectively mixing Spanish and Portuguese pedigrees. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in Andalusians or Lusitanos.

The Frederiksborg horse is the world’s oldest registered livestock breed They were tremendously popular throughout the Renaissance and Baroque period. The breed was created on the initiative of Frederik II of Denmark in 1562, at the royal stables in Frederiksborg, with Neapolitan and Andalusian stallions crossed with Danish mares, Jutlands and Holsteins. The result was a High School horse and a carriage maker. In the 18th century, he contributed to the creation of the Lipizzaner. After a sharp fall in numbers due to massive export, the breed was threatened with extinction. After 1939, the breed was reconstituted with the addition of West Frisian and Oldenburg blood. The introduction of Thoroughbred and Arabian blood modified the type.

In conformation and type, the Frederiksborger was “ahead of its time”, so the horses express great quality and are quite uniform. The muzzle is wide and the straight lines of the head often border on convex. The neck is powerful and usually crested, and is set high on strong shoulders. The withers are not high, and the back, while long, has a strong loin. The hindquarters are broad and deep and the croup is level. The level topline and high-set neck of the Frederiksborger belie its showy trot. The legs are solid and square, a little more than half the horse’s height. The tail is well-carried.

The gaits of the Frederiksborg are expressive and powerful, with natural self-carriage. The trot is the best gait and is showy with a long stride. The walk is diligent and open, and the canter is sufficient.

They are most often vividly marked flaxen chestnuts, though bays, blacks, buckskins, palominos, and greys are seen, as well. They usually have sabino-type markings and many have rabicano roaning, as well.

The purebred Friesian originated in Friesland, a province in the Netherlands. The Friesian is known for its upright, noble carriage, black hair coat, and long, thick mane and tail, as well as feathers on its lower legs.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, but probably also earlier, Arabian blood was introduced, especially through Andalusian horses from Spain. This has given them the high knee-action, the small head and the craning neck.The Friesian horse has been kept free from influence of the English Thoroughbred, and during the last two centuries it has been bred pure.

Today, there are two distinct conformation types—the “baroque” type, which has the more robust build of the classical Friesian, and the modern, “sport horse” type, which is finer-boned.

The Friesian stands on average about 15.3 hands, although it may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands, and mares or geldings must be at least 15.2 hands to qualify for a “star-designation” pedigree.

In Spur, the Friesian Sporthorse is a cross between a Friesian and any warmblood or hotblood* breed. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color.

*See exception: Turbo Friesian (below)

In Spur, the Georgian Grande is a cross between a Friesian and an American Saddlebred. The Georgian Grande has between 25% and 75% Saddlebred blood, and between 25% and 75% Friesian blood. They are not gaited. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color.

In Spur, the Hispano Anglo Arabe is created by blending Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Andalusian or Lusitano blood. This can be achieved in many ways, although most popular strategies involve crossing an Anglo Arabian with a purebred Iberian, or crossing a Thoroughbred with a Hispano-Arabe. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Andalusians, or Lusitanos.

In Spur, the Hispano Arabe is a cross between an Arabian and an Andalusian or Lusitano. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in Arabians, Andalusians, or Lusitanos.

In Spur, the Iberian Warmblood is a cross between an Andalusian, Lusitano, Cruzador, or Spanish Mustang and a warmblood sporthorse or Thoroughbred. The Iberian Warmblood may not exceed 75% of either Iberian or warmblood/thoroughbred lineage. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color.

The Kladruber is a large, warm blooded horse of Spanish and Italian origin which is the oldest breed of Czech origin. The Kladruber is bred in two forms – Black (at Slatinany) and Grey (at Kladruby).

Modern Kladrubers are usually grey. Many stand between 16.2 and 17 hands high and are primarily used in harness. The Kladruber is also occasionally crossbred with lighter breeds to produce a more suitable riding horse, usually for dressage.

Kladruber characteristics, such as a prominent Roman or convex facial profile, have been retained from their Baroque ancestors. While the relatively upright shoulder, pasterns and hooves, long back, and short croup are not desirable in a riding horse, these qualities allow high-stepping gaits in a driving horse. The high-set, powerful and well-arched neck of the Kladruber was a trademark feature of their Spanish-Neapolitan ancestors, and contributes to their appearance in harness. A horse of substance, the Kladruber possesses a deep, broad chest and sound legs with large joints and hooves. Their legs are unfeathered, though the mane and tail are thick and flowing, and the features are lean rather than fleshy. All gaits, though most especially the trot, should have high action and elasticity with a clear cadence.

The Lipizzan derived its name from the Austrian imperial stud at Lipizza, near Trieste, formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The founding of the breed dates to 1580, and detailed breeding records date from 1700. The ancestry is Spanish, Arabian, and Berber. The six strains (Pluto, Conversano, Neapolitano, Favory, Maestoso, and Siglavy) are named from their foundation sires.

They average 15 to 16.1 hands high. The head, with a Roman nose, lacks the refinement of most light breeds, but they have attractive, expressive eyes. The color is almost exclusively gray; bay, black, and chestnut occur very rarely.

The Mallorquín or Caballo Mallorquín is a rare breed of horse indigenous to the island of Mallorca. The origins of the breed are obscure. The Mallorquín and Menorquín are believed to be connected to the now-extinct Catalan horse, itself the result of back-crossing of populations with strong African genetic influence into an original population of Celtic horses introduced to the Iberian peninsula in the eighth century BC.

The Mallorquín may only be black, in all its variations; horses of any other colour can not be registered. Limited white facial markings are permitted, white leg markings are not. The minimum permissible height is 15.0 hands for males and 14.2 hands for mares.

The Maremmano is a breed of horse originating in the Maremma area of Tuscany and northern Lazio in Italy. Traditionally a hardy working horse used for livestock management, it is today principally a saddle horse. Extensive crossing with Thoroughbred and other breeds has led to a more athletic type, the Maremmano migliorato.

The history of the Maremmano breed is not fully known, but it is thought that they were developed from North African stock that was combined with Spanish, Barb, Neapolitan and Arabian blood. During the 19th century, Thoroughbred, Norfolk Roadster and other blood was probably added.

The Maremmano breed generally stands between 15 and 15.3 hands and is usually bay, chestnut or black, although gray and roan are occasionally seen.

The Menorquín or Catalan: Cavall Menorquí is a breed of horse indigenous to the island of Menorca. It is closely associated with the doma menorquina style of riding. The origins of the breed are obscure. The Mallorquín and Menorquín are believed to be connected to the now-extinct Catalan horse, itself the result of back-crossing of populations with strong African genetic influence into an original population of Celtic horses introduced to the Iberian peninsula in the eighth century BC.

The Menorquín may only be black, in all its variations. Limited white markings are permitted. The average height is 15.3 hands, and the minimum permissible height 15.1 hands for males and 14.3 hands for mares.

The Murgese is an Italian breed of riding horse. It is named for its area of origin, the plateau of Le Murge in southern Italy, most of which lies in the region of Puglia. It was formerly used as an agricultural or military horse; selection for a lighter type more suitable for riding began in the second half of the twentieth century.

The breed originated in Italy during the period of Spanish rule. It is thought that they were developed by crossing Barb and Arabian horses.

The horses usually stand between 14.3 and 16.2 hands, and are either solid black or blue roan.

Andalusian horses belong to a lineage of baroque horses originating from the Iberian Peninsula, a region of southwestern Europe that contains modern-day Spain and Portugal. Today, the Andalusian name is most commonly used in North America to refer to horses with Spanish ancestry.

Historically, PREs, Lusitanos, and Andalusians all come from one breed. While differences between Portuguese, Spanish, and North American breeders separate the breeds, these horses share similar characteristics. For centuries, Andalusian horses were renowned war horses and prized mounts of nobility across Europe. Today, Andalusians are admired by riders for their striking looks, charismatic personalities, and willing work ethics.

The Lusitano, also known as the Pure Blood Lusitano or PSL (Puro Sangue Lusitano), is a Portuguese horse breed. When the Umayyad Muslims invaded the Iberian peninsula in 711 AD, their invasion brought Barb horses, which were crossed with native Iberian horses. The cross between these two breeds produced a war horse superior even to the original Iberian horse, and it was this new type that the Conquistadors introduced to the Americas. Called the Iberian war horse, this ancestor of the Lusitano was used both on the battlefield and in major riding academies throughout Europe.

Members of the breed are of Baroque type, with convex facial profiles, heavy muscling, intelligent and willing natures, with agile and elevated movement.

Lusitanos can be any solid color, although they are generally gray, bay or chestnut.

The Spanish Mustang is an American horse breed descended from horses brought from Spain during the early conquest of the Americas. By the early 20th century, most of the once-vast herds of mustangs that had descended from the Spanish horses had been greatly reduced in size. Seeing that these horses were on the brink of extinction, some horseman began making efforts to find and preserve the remaining “Spanish Mustangs” drawing stock from feral and Native American herds, as well as ranch stock. The breed was one of the first to be part of a concerted preservation effort for horses of Spanish phenotype, and a breed registry was founded in 1957.

Spanish Mustang stands from 13.2 to 15 hands (54 to 60 inches, 137 to 152 cm) in height, with horses over 15 hands not favored. Spanish Mustangs exist in all colors, due to the wide range of colors in their Spanish ancestors. They are commonly found in bay, chestnut, black and gray. Other colors seen less commonly include the Appaloosa and paint patterns and solid colors such as grulla, buckskin, palomino, cremello, roan and perlino.

In Spur, the Spanish Norman is a cross between a Percheron and an Andalusian or Lusitano. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in Percherons, Andalusians, or Lusitanos.

The Turbo Friesian is a cross between an Arabian and a Friesian. The Turbo Friesian may not exceed 75% of either Friesian or Arabian lineage.They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in Arabians or Friesians.

In Spur, the Warlander is a cross between a Friesian and an Andalusian, Lusitano, Alter Real, Menorquin, or Cruzado. The Warlander may not exceed 75% of either Iberian or Friesian lineage. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color that exists in their foundation breeds.

In Spur, the Warlander Sport Horse is a cross between a Warlander and any other breed, excluding all pony breeds. The Warlander Sport Horse may not exceed 25% of non-Warlander heritage. Warlander Sport Horse registry is also available to horses with solely Friesian and Iberiaan hertiage whose ratios do not satisfy entry into the regular Warlander studbook. They fall within the height range of their foundation breeds, and can be any color.