Andalusian horse

The Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (Pura Raza Española), is a horse breed that was developed in the Iberian Peninsula. It is similar to the closely related Lusitano breed. Andalusians are strongly built, compact yet elegant horses with long, thick manes and tails. Their most common coat color is gray, although they can be found in many other colors. They are known for their intelligence, sensitivity and docility. The ancestors of the Andalusian have been present on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, but they became recognized as an individual breed beginning in the 15th century. Throughout its history, the Andalusian has been known for its prowess as a war horse and was prized by nobles. Andalusians were restricted from exportation from Spain until the 1960s, but they have since spread throughout the world. There are currently less than 20,000 Andalusians in the world today, including around 4,500 in the United States. There are several competing registries that keep records on the Andalusian/PRE.