Castilian Horse

The Castilian Horse, or Caballo Castellano, is a finely gaited palfrey-type horse that originated from the Kingdom of Castile (now known as Spain). The Castilian Horse is not a large horse, the very best specimens standing no more than 14.3 hands high (59 inches (1.50 m)), with the average being 14 to 14.2 hands (56 to 58 inches (1.42 to 1.47 m)). More than any other characteristic, the way of moving defines the Castilian Horse. Its signature gai... more

The Castilian Horse, or Caballo Castellano, is a finely gaited palfrey-type horse that originated from the Kingdom of Castile (now known as Spain). The Castilian Horse is not a large horse, the very best specimens standing no more than 14.3 hands high (59 inches (1.50 m)), with the average being 14 to 14.2 hands (56 to 58 inches (1.42 to 1.47 m)). More than any other characteristic, the way of moving defines the Castilian Horse. Its signature gait, the Paso Castellano ('Castilian Walk'), is a broken pace that begins with the legs on one side moving forward harmoniously at exactly the same moment. Unlike a pure pace, the rear leg finds support before the front with a four-beat cadence varying with speed from an isochronal (1, 2, 3, 4) to near a pace (1, 2...3, 4). The Castilian horse has a balanced conformation, the length of the legs approximately equalling the depth of the body, measured at the girth. It is not a color-driven breed; all normal colors common to horses are acceptable... less