Being an avid horse lover all my life, I must admit I had never even heard of an Alter-Real until my current research. And now I am intrigued.
The Alter-Real is closely related to the better known Lusitano.
It is termed a baroque horse. Which is a loose term used to describe horses of medieval descent. The baroque is characterized by agile movements, powerful body, a muscular, arched neck, and typically a thick mane and tail; and known for their exceptional ability in the haute ecole classical dressage.
The Alter-Real is generally about 15 to 16 hands high with a smallish head which is either straight or slightly convex. They are usually brown or bay though grey and chestnut is not unheard of. The shoulder should be strong, muscular and well sloped. The body is relatively short with a deep chest and the hindquarters broad, powerful and well muscled. Though the legs are short with big, flat knees and strong hocks they are agile with a most extravagant knee action and fairly short stride.
The Alter Real was founded in 1748 by the Royal House of Braganza (the dynasty that ruled Portugal at the time) in Villa do Portel. Several years into the breeding program the stud was moved to another Portuguese town Alto de Chao. This is how the breed obtained it's name 'Alter' from the town and 'Real' which is Portuguese for Royal.
The initial breeding program started with Andalusian mares imported from Jerez in Spain and the finest Arabian stallions.
Unfortunately, the stud was subject to several crises and during the years 1804-14 amid the Peninsular War most of the stock was stolen or destroyed by Napoleon's army. What stock remained was then taken in 1834 when the King abdicated the throne.
The stock was then infused with Hanoverian, Norman and Arabian blood which resulted in a decline in the quality of the breed. By the late 1800's the breed was in a bad way. The introduction of some Azpata strain of Andalusian blood was the turning point in the breed's decline and a small stud started. In 1932 this stud was taken over by the Portuguese Ministry, which have since undertaken much culling and refining using the finest stallions.
Today the breed is continuing to increase in numbers and although there are not a lot of them the future of the breed appears secure.
Happy Horsing
Jo Thompson
