Horse
Pronunciation:
ahl-TAYR ray-AHL
Breed Description:
The Alter Real breed of horse originated in Portugal. Considered a Baroque style of horse, it is closely related to the Lusitano. It shares with the Baroque horses a small head and shoulders, arched neck, short body, strong hocks and hindquarters, and low-set tail. Common colors for the Alter Real breed of horse are bay, brown, gray and chestnut. The Alter Real is small in number, but its breeding is regulated and protected by the Portuguese government, and it is considered part of Portugal's cultural history and heritage. The Alter Real breed of horse is bred solely to be a quality saddle horse, ideally suited for high equestrian use, show and dressage. Showy and high-spirited, it is occasionally also gaited.
Temperament:
The Alter Real breed of horse has the fire of the Iberian horses, and can be high-strung and temperamental. However, it is also very intelligent and capable and for the experienced horse person can be a delight. This breed requires a horse-savvy handler.
Height:
Averages 15.1 to 16.1 hands, or 61" to 65" at the withers.
Health Problems:
The Alter Real breed of horse may occasionally exhibit post-leggedness and weak pasterns.
Origin:
The Alter Real breed of horse originated in 1748, when it was bred by nobility to be the primary riding, dressage and carriage horse of the royal house, primarily for the royal riding school. In 1756 the stud was moved to the village of Alter do Chao, where it was crossed with 300 Andalusian and Arabian mares. In the early decades of the 19th century, Napoleon's army took many of the best of the breed with the French invasion, and thus the Alter Real breed of horse was dispersed throughout Spain and France, and its bloodlines diluted.
In the early 20th century, the Alter Real breed of horse was waning, the stud having closed when the monarchy was abolished. Renowned equestrian authority Ruy d'Andrade brought the breed back with a few leftover breeding stock, preserving it until 1932 when Portugal's Ministry of Agriculture took over the stud.
It is said that in its modern form, the Alter Real breed of horse closely resembles the original horse of 1748. 