Sons of the Wind
The Lusitano horse, the oldest saddle horse on the planet, boasts a rich heritage deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula.
Domestication of the breed began around 15,000 years ago in an area stretching from Cordoba and Cadiz in today’s Spain to Faro and Lisbon in Portugal. This region, known in Roman times as Lusitania, gave the breed its name.
Thousands of years of functional selection for the Jineta and Rejoneo riding styles have endowed the Lusitano with a unique genetic heritage, marked by empathy with the rider, remarkable agility, and bravery. The Lusitano stud book is highly exclusive, with only 13,000 registered horses, making it the smallest of the ancient full-blood breeds preserved to this day.
Renowned as the “Sons of the Wind,” a term coined by Virgil in his "Aeneid" to describe these horses on the Atlantic shores of the peninsula, Lusitanos are celebrated for their grace, intelligence, and versatility.
They are exceptional athletes in various disciplines, from dressage to working equitation, thanks to their expressive movements, strong hindquarters, and natural ability to collect.
Beyond their physical attributes, they are also cherished for their calm and willing temperament, qualities that forge deep bonds with their riders.
It is a privilege to witness these proud and beautiful animals still thriving in all their antique glory, a testament to generations of horsemen and breeders who have preserved and refined this unique treasure over thousands of years. At La Donaira, our Lusitano stud farm is located in the heart of the Serranía de Ronda, on the edge of these ancient breeding grounds, surrounded by remnants of Neolithic settlements and caves with murals dating back over 30,000 years. Nearby, at the Cueva de Las Piletas, just a 20-minute drive from La Donaira, you can find traces of the prehistoric Lusitano horses, showcasing the distinctive sub-convex profile of these magnificent animals.
At La Donaira, we are committed to honoring and promoting this extraordinary breed. Our Lusitanos are raised with care and respect, embodying the finest traits of their lineage.