The Hispano-Arab Horse
The Hispano-Arab Horse has been bred for competition sports and performance in Spanish-speaking countries for many centuries. Several notable Hispano-Arab breeders have established successful careers in these disciplines, such as the Cria Caballar from Jerez. Here is more information on the breed standard and the phenotypes of this magnificent breed. Listed below are some of the most important facts about this type of horse.
Cria Caballar is a Hispano-Arab horse
The Hispano-Arab horse is a breed of Spanish horses. This breed is an ancient native to Spain, and came into existence through the crossbreeding of Andalusian and Arab horses. The British Association for the Pure Raza Hispano-Arab and the Andalusian Horse Association of Australasia both maintain breed profiles for this Spanish horse breed.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence has been actively involved in the conservation of the Hispano-Arabe breed since the early 1990s, when it helped recover the Ha breed through breeding on military stud centers. Considering the Ha’s role in military campaigns, the breed was considered standardized in the 19th century. Its current breed standard was published in 2002 and was updated in 2005. Today, the Spanish Union of Purebred Hispano-Arab Horse Breeders holds the studbook.
The FESCCR is a legal entity, regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture. The body performs a variety of tasks and functions related to the exploitation of Cria Caballar and Cabila breeds. The governing committee of the HA breed, the Purebred Hispano-Arab Studbook of Spain, regulates the various characteristics and qualities of the equine breed.
The Spanish horse breeding program changed direction and produced a breed aimed at producing lightweight cavalry horses. Queen Isabel II sent representatives to the Middle East to buy Arabian horses and subsequently established a stud book in 1847. King Alfonso XII added more bloodstock from other European nations. A state military stud farm in Cordoba started breeding both Purebred Spanish Horses and Arab Horses.
Relampago from Jerez is already involved in a career as a competition sports horse
Cria has continued a project that began in 2006 in which military horse farms are compared with those of the Hispano-Arabe breed to develop and improve the horses. The project’s aim is to improve the selection process of Hispano-Arabe stallions for use in competition sports. One of its results, an article by Commander Lopez, noted that Jerez’s Relampago is already involved in a competition sports horse career.
The characteristics that make a good competition sports horse include superior bone development and a high level of seriousness. Cattlemen require a horse with great nobility and a high learning capacity. A long shoulder and a high, powerful movement are required to excel in this field. In the military, the Spanish horse must also have high movements and excellent endurance.
Breed standard
The Hispano-Arab Horse breed standard was first established in 1987, when a British daughter Studbook was formed with three stallions and two mares. The standard was based on the Spanish Studbook’s regulations, and the British Studbook and BAPSH Ltd worked together to ensure that the breed met those standards. Several wise horse breeders have spoken about the importance of keeping this breed pure and preserving its distinctive features.
As the Hispano-Arab Horse breed has declined in the UK, the UEGHa has taken the initiative to help conserve the breed. The organisation was instrumental in the recovery of the Ha breed and has since helped to breed them on its military stud centres. The Ha breed was considered to be standardized in the 19th century, but its role in military campaigns has hampered its development. The current breed standard was published in 2002 and revised in 2005. The Spanish Union of Purebred Hispano-Arab Horse Breeders (UEGHa) holds the studbook.
During the 1800s, the Hispano-Arabe became a popular horse in Spain. Its origins date back to crossbreeding between Andalusian and Arab horses. Since the Spanish horses were the dominant breed in Spain, the breed has evolved into a versatile animal. Historically, Hispania was the home of the Carthaginians, who were famous for their mercenary cavalry units. Roman cohorts also drew over one-third of their remounts from Hispania.
DNA samples of Hispano-rab Horses from different parts of the world are stored in Spain at the University of Cordoba. DNA samples from HA and PRE horses born in the United Kingdom were also stored at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. These samples have been sent to the Spanish ancestry laboratories and ANCCE-LGPRE for testing. The UEGHa has the DNA of over 3500 Hispano-rab Horses.
Phenotypes
The Hispano-rab Horse has different phenotypes, depending on the genotype. The black pigment is only found in the points and on the lower legs of the horse. The white pigment is found in the body. However, in some equines, this pigment can be absent. These are known as cremellos or Aa/Aa horses. The differences in coat color and pattern are a result of different phenotypes.
The three basic coat colors of the Hispano-rab Horse are bay, black, and chestnut. They are controlled by the interaction of two genes, Melanocortin 1 receptor and Agouti signaling protein. However, the two main genes determining the coat color have different genetic contributions. Therefore, researchers are still trying to figure out how each coat color is controlled. Some horse breeds have a combination of these coat color phenotypes.
The sabino pattern is the most common type of Hispano-rab Horse phenotypic color. The splashed white pattern is the second most common and a unique color variation. It is often accompanied by blue eyes. This coloration can be dangerous for the horse, as it is associated with several health problems. Some breeds are homozygous for one type of MITF gene, while others carry the PAX3 mutation. While homozygotes are viable, they are not recommended for breeding.
The Eallele causes expression of black pigment in the coat. All black horses carry at least one copy of the Eallele. Bay horses carry one copy of the E allele, but are also possible to have an E/E phenotype. This gene is common in many equines. These phenotypes are common in the Hispano-rab horse, but can also be seen in other equines.
Breeding program
A new Hispano-Arabe breeding plan is under way to bring the breed back from the brink of extinction. In order to restore this ancient breed, new bloodlines of Arabian and Pure Spanish horses are being infused into the existing Hispano-Arabe stock. A normal breed improvement plan would involve breeding existing Hispano-Arabe horses with Arabian or Pure Spanish horses, and in recent years, Clydesdale lines were added to the Shire horse breeding recovery program.
The Hispano-Arab is a type of Arabian with particular sporting propensities. It is well-suited to jumping, cross-country riding, the classical disciplines of dressage, and doma vaquera, the work associated with cattle. Its temperament makes it an excellent choice for equestrian competitions, group sports, and long distance rides. However, it is important to understand that the Arabian breed has certain defects that are common to Arabians. These include morphological, physiological, and temperamental defects.
The first Spanish imports were from Morocco. The importers were interested in the ability of Hispano-Arab horses to breed with Arabs. They continued to register their horses under the Cruzados designation as a result. Later, they were bred with Arab and Andalusian horses. The Hispano-Arab was then reintroduced by Spanish breeders to bolster the genetics of the breed.
To breed a Hispano-Arab horse, you must ensure that the horses are a mix of 50% Arabian and 50% Andalusian. A 50/50 mix is considered ideal. For example, if you want to breed two Hispano-Arabs, the horses must be 50/50 Arabian and 25% Andalusian. Alternatively, you can use seventy-five percent Arabian and 25% Andalusian. If you want to create a purebred Hispano-Arab horse, however, the percentages must be the same.
