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The Carthusian horse

This saddle horse was bred by Carthusian monks in Seville and throughout Andalusia. Since 1476, the monastery of Jerez de la Frontera has been breeding the Chartreux horse from the Spanish Genet, then the Andalusian, with the addition of the Arabian and the Barbe. The history of the Chartreux horse is an interesting one, as the breed originated with the purchase of a Lusitano horse by the Carthusian monks. The monks are famous for having first worked in the mining of metals such as iron, before embarking on the production of Chartreuse, a strong alcohol made from a blend of several hundred plants, the recipe for which remains a secret to this day. Another of their success stories, more equine in nature, was the development of the Chartreuse horse. The stud was disbanded in the 19th century, and the horses bred by the clerics were dispersed to carefully selected breeders.

 

un cheval chartreux de la Chartreuse

Caractère et aptitudes du cheval

This horse is calm, balanced, and docile.

Utilisations du cheval

This saddle horse and light draught horse is used in bullfighting. During antiquity, it was used as a war horse for many ages, notably because of its mobility. The Middle Ages and the use of massive armor favored more robust breeds, capable of sustaining cavalry charges. It wasn’t until the advent of firearms that the Chartreux horse was once again used in battle.

Morphologie du cheval

Light head, smaller than that of the Spanish Thoroughbred. Slightly convex profile. Broad forehead. Small, well-spaced ears. Large eyes. Body of medium-line type. Red neck. Withers not very high. Sloping shoulder. Ample, broad chest. Straight back. Croup muscular, rounded. Strong, solid limbs. Wide, dry joints. Well set tail. Coat: gray, sometimes chestnut, black. Height: approx. 1.55 m.

Find out more: The Chartreux horse