The Background of a Spanish Horse

The background of a spanish horse is tied up with his paperwork. I repeat myself - in spain, paperwork is practically a national sport. But it is played clean and well.

Research the Background of a Spanish Horse

Query: How can I research the background of a spanish horse from D. in the US.

I have a black Andalusian mare 13 years old, that I have no breeding information on. I was told she came from Spain and she carries a crown brand and was named Nina. name changed How can I research her background?

Background Information to Help You

There are a couple of articles on the websites explaining how the American and Spanish terminologies differ. some links will take you to our parallel site

In Spain we refer to Pura Raza Españolas, rather than Andalusians when we speak of our purebred horses - those who are registered with the Spanish Stud Book.
register spanish andalusian horse

Identifying a Spanish Andalusian

The identification factors include

• Certificate of Inscription and Genealogy
• Passport
• Registered name
• Microchip
• Code

NB: The Brand is NOT a proof of a PRE being registered. It is merely a brand, traditional here, to show who was the breeder.

1. Certificate of Inscription and Genealogy, and Passport

As a PRE - a Purebred Spanish Horse - Nina should have had her papers and passport imported with her. These papers list name, microchip, code, her parents and grandparents, and the stud where she was born. more below
spanish horse papers

2. Registered Name

The full name of the horse is important, as this is the name under which he/she is registered with the Spanish Stud Book.

This name frequently includes a Roman Numeral. The numeral is part of the name and is important for identification purposes.

3. Microchip

Shortly after birth a PRE foal has a microchip inserted in his/her neck with his/her particular number of identification.

4. Code

Issued to the horse. Appears on the Certificate of Inscription.

HOW DO THESE ALL APPLY TO NINA

1. Papers
It would seem you have no papers for Nina - no passport or certificate of inscription.

2. Her Name
On looking into the Stud Book, there are quite a few Ninas listed. NINA II

• was born in 1995, which matches the age of your mare.
• She is listed as currently being owned ’in the United States’ - which tells me that the registration of ownership from the States may not be up to date.
• Her listed colour is ’castaña’ which means bay - she could be what is called castaña morcilla, a very dark bay that appears almost black.

So of the Ninas, she best fits the bill.

3. Her Microchip

To check if this is indeed her, you can ask a vet to scan her microchip. This is found on the neck, usually the left hand side, close to the mane crest, about a hand’s length from the ears.
The microchip number of Nina II is XXXXXXXXX

4. Her Brand
Although the brand is not a point of registration, it is a point of identity. Nina II was bred by HSL, whose brand looks like a capital letter C leaning backwards, with a tail behind it and a 3-pointed crown above it.

If she is NOT Nina II
You may find no microchip, or a microchip with a different number.

If she IS Nina II
Her bloodlines are very nice.

She carries plenty of Miguel Angel de Cardenas, and in her great grandparents traces back to Leviton; one Terry; one Miguel Bohorquez and one Romero Benitez.
The last three are all classic, historical studs - see andalusian bloodlines

Return to questions about spanish and andalusian horses

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