Peruvian Paso

History
 Just like many of the other breeds originating in either North of South America, the Peruvian Paso is descended from horses brought over by Spanish conquistadors. Those brought over to Peru were likely Spanish Jennets, Andalusians, and Barbs, who each contributed something to make this breed unique. For centuries since, people have selectively bred the Spanish horses, choosing horses with the desired conformation, strength, and gaits. With no outside influence, the breed didn't change much and only became more refined.

Peruvian Pasos demonstrating the paso llano. credit

 For centuries, the horses were primarly was used for transportation across Peru and breeding. However, all that changed with the turn of the 20th century, which brought large highways and lots of cars. Horses were given away to peasants because they were no longer needed by those who could afford cars. The breed would have completely died out, had it not been for the growing interest of those in the United States and Central America. Since then, the number of Peruvian Pasos has increased up to 25,000, and has regained it's popularity in Peru as it's National Horse.

Breed Description and Uses
 Peruvian Pasos are a muscular breed, standing from 14.1 to 15.2 hands high. They have a straight profile, an arched neck, a deep chest, and a thick mane and tail. They come in all solid colors. Much like the Paso Fino, the Peruvian Paso is a gaited breed with several unique, four-beat gaits. The slowest, called the paso llano, is a four-beat, lateral gait. The sobreandando is even more faster and lateral. The termino is a high-stepping gait that involves the horse swinging his hooves outward.

 Today, the Peruvian Paso is mostly used for trail riding, other types of pleasure riding, and ranch work, though it can also be found as a parade horse or and endurance horse. Peruvian Pasos are spirited yet willing to please his rider or handler.

Oldenburg

 History
In the early 17th century, Count Johann XVI von Oldenburg needed good calvalry horses, so he built several small breeding facilities all throughout the German provinces of Oldenburg and East Friesland. At these facilities, Count Oldeburg bred Friesians, Andalusians, Turkish horses, Danish horses, and Neapolitan(Italian) horses.

 Count Anton Gunther, who also helped to found the breeding program, want the breed to excel at dressage, and make a great carriage horse as well. While looking for suitable horses to add to the breeding program, Count Gunther searched Europe and Africa, eventually bringing back horses from Naples, Spain, Barbary(part of Africa that is now Morocco, Algeria, Tripolitania, and Tunis), and some Thoroughbreds from England. In addition, he gave some of these stallions to local farmers, who assisted in further refining the Oldenburg.

Oldenburgs commonly come in black. credit

 By June of 1820, the Oldenburg's studbook opened, and with it a law that stated all Oldenburg stallions had to be approved by government after completing a test before breeding. After passing it, the Oldenburg brand---an "O" with a crown above---would be branded on the horse's left hip, proving that he had been approved. Two breed asssociations were founded in 1897, but in 1923 they merged to form the Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes(Oldenburg's Horse Breeders' Society) in Vechta, Germany.

 In 1950, with the use of horses in agriculture nearly obselete, additional Thoroughbred blood was added to the Oldenburg, and the original cavalry, carriage, and agriculture Oldenburg gave way to the sport horse we know today.

Breed Description and Uses
 The Oldenburg is a compact, yet refined and elegant horse that stands an average of 16 to 16.2 hands high. As a warmblood, it is built for competing, and it's long front legs and powerful hind legs prove it's talent for dressage and show jumping. Most, and the gaits are of high quality, with the trot been active and elastic and the canter being uphill. The Oldenburg's long neck is high-set over the shoulders and it's head is usually quite pretty. Common colors are bay, black, grey, and chestnut.

 According the breed association's rules, and Oldenburg must be named according to its parent's names. For example, a colt's name must begin with the same letter as its sire, and a filly's the same as its dam.

Lusitano

History
The Lusitano and the Andalusian are one the same breed, except they sprang from different bloodlines, and the Lusitano originates in Portugal, not Spain. In the time when the Andalusian/Lusitano breed was created, Portugal was under Spanish rule. This had an effect on the horses in Portugal. When Iberian horses and Barbs were bred together, the resulting breed also made its way to Portugal. From there, the Andalusian and Lusitano's history differ. 

Look at that gorgeous color! credit

 In 1640, the Portuguese recieved independence from Spain. They bred their Iberian horses, which came from four bloodlines: Andrade, Veiga, Coudelaria Nacional, and Altèr-Real, their royal stud. Like the Spanish, they pursued classical dressage with the Lusitanos, which like most Spanish horses, are well suited for it. Royals loved the elegant Lusitanos, and even established the Altèr-Real stud in Alter do Chao.

 However, just when things began looking up for the Lusitano, a series of disasterous events nearly destroyed it. After the French Revolution in 1789, royal things such as the popularity of Baroque horses dimished, and horse racing and fox hunting became more popular than classical dressage. Then, Napoleon invaded Spain, wreaking havoc on the horses in the area. Things worsened when, at the turn of the twentieth century, the royal family was kicked out of their position, and the government took over the royal stables. The government bred the Lusitanos indiscriminately, and the quality of the breed declined rapidly.

 By the 1940s, those truly interested in the breed decided to do something. They searched for the best horses with Altèr-Real blood and rebuild the bloodlines. In the 1960s, they opened the Lusitano studbook.

Breed Description and Uses
 The Lusitano is a strong, elegant breed with powerful hindquarters and an extremely convex profile. Lusitanos are energetic and athletic, and can turn quickly and run speedily in short bursts. They canter well and excel at dressage, though they are traditionally used for bullfighting, a dangerous short that requires a fast horses. On average, Lusitanos stand 15.2 to 16.2 hands. Commonly, they are grey, bay, black, chestnut, palomino, and cremello. 

  

Pura Raza Española

History:

 In 1578, when Portugal was annexed to Spain, the horses living on the Iberian Peninsula were known simply as the Iberian Horse. These horses were an ancient breed, with similar ones found in 20,000 year old cave drawings. In AD 711, during the Moorish invasion, the ancient Iberian horses were bred with the invaders Barbs, changing the breed a little. Over time, other civilizations, including the Celts, Carthaginians, Romans, and some German tribes, influenced the breed, making it what it is today. 

 During the Middle Ages, the Andalusians were briefly replaced by heavier breeds as a war mount of choice, but that soon changed when guns started coming around. Before long, the Andalusian became the royal horse of Europe and was found in riding academies in Austria, France, Italy, and Germany.

 In 1567, the breed was selected by King Phillip II to go the Royal Stables of Cordoba, where they were trained in classical dressage. For centuries afterward, the breed was reputed as the ideal war and dressage horse. Many dressage enthusiasts know Francois de la Gueriniere, who wrote that Spanish horses's agility, elasticity, and strong hind legs make it an ideal dressage horse. He also continues on to state that their natural cadence and pride make in preferable in parades and its courage make it suitable for battle. 

 The Andalusian is arguably the original dressage horse. Centuries ago, when many of today's horse were still doing farm work, the Andalusian and Lusitano were in the arena, performing flying changes and half-halts. Because of that, it became the foundation breed for other breeds, including the famed Lipizzaner, and is found in many popular breeds all over the world, namely the American Quarter Horse, the Connemara, the Cleveland Bay, Peruvian Paso, and many of the German warmbloods. 

Another name for the Andalusian is Pura Raza Española, P.R.E. for short. In the breed's early days, major breeders living in Spain were often found living in Andalusian, hence the modern American name for the breed. Their first national studbook was formed in 1911 by Cría Caballer, and the recognized official breed name became Pura Raza Española.

Andalusians are beautiful, elegant horses. source

Since then, arguments have arisen between Spain and Portugal about the breed. Historically, Spain's Andalusians and Portugal's Lusitanos are the same breed, but disagreements between the two countries separated it into two different breeds. In 1954, the two countries made an attempt combine the two studbooks, yet a common name was never agreed upon so they were never united. Consequently, the Andalusian and Lusitano share many physical qualities, the only difference being lineage or usage. 

Breed Characteristics and Uses:

 Andalusians are athletic horses with dramatic movement. They are strongly built, yet elegant with good, substantial bone, arched necks, well-defined withers, short backs, deep barrels, strong hindquarters, and rounded croups, all framed by luxuriously thick, flowing manes and tails. They stand 15.2 to 16.2 hands high. Their gaits are naturally collected. Most commonly, Andalusians are grey, though bay, black, dun, and palomino sometimes occur.  

 Their profiles are lean and rectangular with a broad forehead, and their eyes are large and kind.

 In contrast to the Lusitano, their profiles are straighter, hindquarters finer, and trot more active. 

Andalusians excel in dressage, jumping, saddle seat, driving, cavalry displays, bullfighting, and ranch work. 

 They are proud, docile, intelligent, and cooperative, learning quickly and easily. Just like Thoroughbreds, they have what most people call heart and bravely do what they are asked, whether it be fighting a bull or clearing an impossibly high fence.