Also known by the acronym PRE, the Pure Spanish Breed is a horse originating from Spain. Benefiting from a rich history, the PRE is today used in leisure and competition riding, in particular in dressage where it excels. Easily identifiable by its elevated gaits and natural elegance, the PRE delights many riders. Discover the Spanish Pure Breed with Woopets.
Breed History
Originally from Andalusia, the Pure Spanish Breed has a very old history. Indeed, we find traces of its presence in the year -1000 BC in Spain. More related to the Barbe breed than to the Purebred Arabian, the PRE has not undergone enormous physical transformations throughout history.
Used mainly for warfare during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was also the preferred mount of kings such as François 1er or Louis XV. The PRE has been exported to many countries around the world to bring its blood to several other breeds such as the Lipizzaner and the Lusitano.
Subsequently, it was used extensively in classical riding in the French tradition. Big names in horse riding have ridden these Pure Spanish Breeds, praising their merits, such as Pluvinel or La Guérinière.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, the PRE was set aside in favor of show jumping horses and horses gifted for speed. Breeders then seek to cross it with other breeds to produce more sporty horses. Thanks to a few lovers of the breed, the PRE regained its letters of nobility during the 1970s.
Physical peculiarities
Its head: it is well proportioned, of medium length with a straight to slightly convex muzzle. The ears are medium sized and very mobile. The eyes are lively and the gaze is expressive.
Its neck: muscular and powerful, especially for geldings and stallions, it is of medium length.
His body: the body of the PRE is well proportioned. The back is short, broad and muscular surmounted by a little marked withers. The chest is voluminous. The loins are broad and slightly arched. The croup is rounded and the thighs are muscular.
Limbs: PRE limbs are long, strong and powerful. The joints are well formed and dry.
Its coat: often grey, the coat of the PRE can also be bay. Since 2002, the chestnut dress is also authorized by the Stud-Book. Palomino and black are also accepted.
His hair: the hair is abundant and silky as well as the tail which is long and often wavy.
His gaits: the gaits of the Pure Spanish Breed are raised, rhythmic and harmonious. Because of his gaits, this horse is predisposed to gathering, piaffe and passage. In addition, it is particularly comfortable.
Famous Spanish Purebred (PRE) horses
Many PRE have shone in international dressage competition like Invasor who won a team silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 with his rider Rafael Soto.
They are also present in circuses, Alexis Grüss using PRE, and in the shows presented at Puy du Fou for example. Mario Luraschi, famous stuntman on horseback, also uses Pure Spanish Breeds in the films in which he participates.
Breeding
Purebred Spanish horses are bred in around 60 countries around the world. The PRE represents 2/3 of the horses bred in Spain and is very present in France where the breed has been recognized by the National Stud Farms since 2005. It is also the second country which breeds the most PRE in the world.
A horse can only be called “Pure Spanish Breed (PRE)” if its 2 parents have been registered in the Stud-Book of the breed in Spain and they have been confirmed suitable for breeding. Similarly, parentage must be proven by DNA test for it to be declared PRE.
Previously quite baroque, the PRE tends today more and more to become a real sport horse.
