"Everything was offered by the race
itself: wonderful fine slightly convex
heads today known as the Veiga
head...fine flat legs with strong
hocks, flexible backs, uncommon
impulsion, beautiful malleable
necks...in short, the race offered him
(Mr. Veiga) a horse that makes our
horse-loving people vibrate."
-Alfredo Baptista Coelho, on the selection
criteria for Lusitanos
itself: wonderful fine slightly convex
heads today known as the Veiga
head...fine flat legs with strong
hocks, flexible backs, uncommon
impulsion, beautiful malleable
necks...in short, the race offered him
(Mr. Veiga) a horse that makes our
horse-loving people vibrate."
-Alfredo Baptista Coelho, on the selection
criteria for Lusitanos
"Nervous, full of gallantry,
so obedient that they seem
to outguess the rider's
intentions; high thin head,
long wind loose manes,
elevated movements and a
striking agility challenging
all threats and dangers with
indomitable courage."
-Manuel Veiga, describing
his Lusitano horses
so obedient that they seem
to outguess the rider's
intentions; high thin head,
long wind loose manes,
elevated movements and a
striking agility challenging
all threats and dangers with
indomitable courage."
-Manuel Veiga, describing
his Lusitano horses
From The Royal Horse of Europe,
by Sylvia Loch
The Iberian Factor:
-a slightly convex profile of the head
-large, generous eyes
-a long powerful neck, deep at the base and
set at a rather wide angle to the shoulder
-high withers
-a short-coupled body with powerful loins,
the back almost appearing rounded
-hind legs positioned well under the body axis,
producing excellent hock action and thrusting forward
impulsion
-small, round, high hooves
-a tempermament of exceptional courage,willingness, and
kindness
by Sylvia Loch
The Iberian Factor:
-a slightly convex profile of the head
-large, generous eyes
-a long powerful neck, deep at the base and
set at a rather wide angle to the shoulder
-high withers
-a short-coupled body with powerful loins,
the back almost appearing rounded
-hind legs positioned well under the body axis,
producing excellent hock action and thrusting forward
impulsion
-small, round, high hooves
-a tempermament of exceptional courage,willingness, and
kindness
In making our own breeding selections,
we strive to remain true to this
remarkable, traditional type. Our
breeding program also emphasizes
natural horse development.
Our young horses spend their early
years in a herd environment. Out on
open pastures, they develop strength,
confidence, and appropriate horse
socialization skills. Intermittently, we
bring them in for some groundwork and
"people socialization skills."
we strive to remain true to this
remarkable, traditional type. Our
breeding program also emphasizes
natural horse development.
Our young horses spend their early
years in a herd environment. Out on
open pastures, they develop strength,
confidence, and appropriate horse
socialization skills. Intermittently, we
bring them in for some groundwork and
"people socialization skills."
We start our horses under saddle as 4 year olds, and after the first few rides head out
into wide open spaces to work cattle. This keeps a young horse's mind engaged and
interested, and he develops a good attitude about being ridden. With this foundation, a
young horse is mentally and physically primed to transition into your work or sport of
choice.
into wide open spaces to work cattle. This keeps a young horse's mind engaged and
interested, and he develops a good attitude about being ridden. With this foundation, a
young horse is mentally and physically primed to transition into your work or sport of
choice.
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| | | | | | | | | | |
| Damasco at 26 years old |
| Montana Lusitanos Upright J Ranch Choteau, Montana |
Damasco sons, Traquina and Tirol, as 3 yr olds
Thousands of years ago, horse people of the
Iberian peninsula (modern-day Spain and
Portugal) were breeding an ideal light battle
horse - agile, courageous, and extremely
responsive to the rider.
In recent times, 5 generations of the Manuel
Veiga family of Portugal have preserved and
improved those bloodlines. What was formerly
a loyal, manueverable battle horse is now a
sought-after partner in the sport of mounted
bullfighting. Veiga bloodlines are also
appreciated as transmitting that ancient,
quintessential character the Portuguese call
"empathy for the rider", which truly sets the
Lusitano apart from other breeds.
Iberian peninsula (modern-day Spain and
Portugal) were breeding an ideal light battle
horse - agile, courageous, and extremely
responsive to the rider.
In recent times, 5 generations of the Manuel
Veiga family of Portugal have preserved and
improved those bloodlines. What was formerly
a loyal, manueverable battle horse is now a
sought-after partner in the sport of mounted
bullfighting. Veiga bloodlines are also
appreciated as transmitting that ancient,
quintessential character the Portuguese call
"empathy for the rider", which truly sets the
Lusitano apart from other breeds.