Quillo (key-oh) is a tall boy. He stands maybe 17 hands high. I'm not sure because they measure in centimeters in Spain. He's a warmblood of French and English breeding who belongs to my friend Georgie. She's been on the back of a horse since she was a tot. For Georgie, owning a horse is vital to her health and happiness.
Quillo gets carrots after his bath. Mollie the English Cocker Spaniel is always hopeful that a piece will drop for her.
Georgie lives in Riba Roja, which is a little town close to my apartment. Quillo lives at a farm about half an hour away at El Mas de Santamaria near Chulilla. When Georgie goes out there to ride, I happily tag along. I love horses too, but a back injury prevents me from riding. Instead, I enjoy watching my friend ride, taking photos, and feeding carrots to the other horses.
El Mas de Santamaria is a horse breeding farm that raises and trains Pure Spanish Horses (Pura Raza Espanola), also known as Andalusians. As the name implies, this breed originated in Spain, where its ancestors have lived for thousands of years.
I enjoyed watching Diego Garcia-Saiz, owner of El Mas de Santamaria, as he skillfully worked with an inexperienced horse.
Ten foals were born this spring at the farm. I love dogs and Aussie puppies, but these babies were so cute that I fell in love with them instantly!
Baby Spanish horse cuteness. I want this little guy in my house! Look at those fuzzy little whiskers and long eyelashes!
This is my favorite foal from the 2017 crop. He's such a sweetheart! And handsome too. The foals at El Mas de Santamaria are gently handled from the time they are born so they are friendly with people.
Classic Andalusian elegance.
Andalusian horses are beautiful, intelligent, and responsive to training. They are known for their agility and ability to quickly learn difficult dressage movements. For centuries, the breed has been selected for athleticism, strength, and stamina, and they are used in many equestrian activities including classical dressage, show jumping, driving, and as stock horses. I'm very happy that my friend Georgie introduced me to this wonderful breed!
