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The Lusitano is a breed of horse from Portugal that closely resembles the Andalusian. Like the Andalusian, it is also an Iberian horse. It was used as a cavalry horse and a carriage horse, but today excells in bullfighting, due to its very calm temeperament, and great agility and speed. A bullfighter that allows his horse to be injured is considered a disgrace. The breed is also used as a pleasure mount, dressage, farm work, and light draft work. They make excellent riding horses, due to their extremely levelheaded temperament. They are intelligent, sensible, and brave horses, and have grat balance. Although, usually gray, it can be any solid color, and usually stands 15 to 16 hh. They are compact, with powerful hindquarters, high-stepping action, and a thick mane and tail. They have a very pronounced roman nose, with a very wide forehead, as opposed to the Andalusians straighter profile, which was due to the Arabian blood infused into it. They also have a more sloping croup and higher-set tail, as well as straighter shoulders than the Andalusian. They have a short, thick neck, a broad chest, well-sprung ribs, and short back. They are extremely powerful and strong, due to their muscular hindquarters and strong, long legs. The Lusitano derives its name from lusitania, the latin word for Portugal. |
