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Alter Real Horse (921 words) |
 | Real is Portuguese for "royal", and the purpose of the stud was to provide the royal stables at Lisbon with horses suitable for classical equitation, a pursuit followed enthusiastically by King Dom Jose I, as well as with quality carriage horses for court purposes. |
 | Soil and grazing conditions at Alter were conducive to the raising of top-class stock, and for many years the stud produced a particularly fine stamp of horse. |
 | Alter and its horses were also famous because of the association with Portugal's most distinguished Master of Horse, the Marquis of Marialva (1313-99), the "Portuguese La Guerinière". |
| Alter Real Breed description, Breeders, horses, Foals, Photos, Links, Books, Animals Online (364 words) |
 | The word "real" means royal and the breed was established by the Braganza royal family in 1747. |
 | During the Napoleonic invasion the breed suffered a setback and was contaminated by infusions of English Thoroughbred, Arab, Norman and Hanoverian blood. |
 | The Alter Real is intelligent and eager to learn and needs to be handled by experienced and knowledgeable horsemen. |