Alter-Real

Name: Alter-Real
Origin: Portugal
Height: 152 - 163 cm
Color: dark brown
Category: Baroque horses

History of the Alter-Real breed

The breed is named after the Portuguese stud farm Alter, where the royal family of Braganza imported a herd of Spanish mares. Originally, the stud farm had the task of supplying the court with high-quality horses, but gradually a specific line of Andalusian horses called Alter-Real was created in it. These horses were very popular. However, during the Napoleonic Wars, they crossed with Arabian and English thoroughbreds, Normans and Hanoverian horses, so that the Alter-Real almost disappeared. Later, there were efforts to restore the breed using Arabian thoroughbreds, but only Andalusian horses succeeded in restoring the breed.

Body structure of the Alter-Real breed

The head has a pronounced jaw, the profile is straight or slightly pointed. The neck is shorter, muscular, arched. The body structure is compact, the back is short. The rump is muscular and the tail is set high. The limbs are strong, the scapulae are specifically shaped. The coat is usually dark brown, but there can also be whites, reds and crows. The average height is 152 - 163 cm.

Use of the Alter-Real breed

This breed has excellent prerequisites for application in a high dressage school, which is their main use even today.

The nature of the Alter-Real breed

Alter-Real are intelligent horses with aptitude for high dressage. He learns very quickly. They have a friendly, gentle nature, but they are also temperamental and lively.