Spanish Jennet Horse - History

History

The original Spanish Jennet was a type of horse more than a distinct breed, and became extinct.

Most of the Medieval horses bred during the 16th century in Spain and elsewhere were not "breeds" in the modern sense of the word. The Jennet from Spain became more uniform in type due to a single geographical region producing them as well as generations of selective breeding during the Middle Ages to produce a smooth riding horse that was suitable for the riding style à la jineta. It would never have occurred to a Spaniard of the 16th century to distinguish "breeds" on the basis of registration papers as we do today. In that time in history the breeders and fanciers of these particular horses would have called the horse by the names of the regions or family that bred them. For Example, Guzmán, Asturcón.

Historical references include a painting by the 18th-century English painter John Wootton, which depicts a leopard pattern Spanish Jennet.

As assorted Iberian horses came to the Americas and the Spaniards of the New World preserved the riding style as well as the horses that suited this style, the horses became known simply as the "Spanish Jennet." Today, some of the descendants of those early Spanish Jennets are known as Paso Finos and Peruvian Pasos. This is the horse that is mentioned by name as the ancestor of the Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso Horse (The Spanish Jennet gave its even temperament and smooth ambling gait) breeds as well as many other modern gaited breeds. The Spanish Mustang is another probable descendant.

The Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso have predominantly bred away from coat colors that include spotting patterns. The notable exception being the pinto Paso Fino. However historians agree that the early Colonial Spanish era horses - did indeed come in more exotic patterns. " We will never know just exactly what horses were brought to the New World, but early records are of a wide variety of colors and markings. Some of the color names used to describe Cortez's horses are almost assuredly describing spotted horses as well as routine white marks. This is evidence that white marks and at least some body spotting patterns appear early in the Colonial Spanish era. These patterns, and white marks in general, therefore strike me as very consistent with an Iberian origin." Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD

The Spanish Jennet Horse is a new breed of Jennet type is being created through the efforts of the Spanish Jennet Horse Society. The Registry requires that horse for the Pintado division be of full Paso Fino heritage and the Atigrado division must be at least of 50% Paso blood.

Outcrosses are allowed in the first generation to obtain the LP for the Registered Atigrado Spanish Jennet and must result in a minimum of 50% purebred Paso Fino or Peruvian Paso horse. Only one outcross is allowed (to obtain Lp or Appaloosa pattern). All 50% crosses will provide video proof of gait before registration of their offspring.