After reading about Yeguada de la Cartuja, and speaking with friends who have visited the ranch, we decided it was worth a visit ourselves so we packed up the kids and ventured out with our friends for a fun Saturday afternoon. The ranch, located on the outskirts of Jerez de la Frontera, is a horse breeding ranch that specializes in the Cortujano horse. These horses are known for their balanced movement, preciseness, durability, fluid movements (they can trot sideways), and their high energy in quick/racing movements (they run through arranged cones with the goal of completing the course in under one minute). We toured the ranch and were able to get up close and personal with the horses (close enough to get nipped a few times!). Some of the horses were as old as 20+ years while they have some that are under 6 months. One interesting fact about these horses is that their color changes as they age; they are born with dark brown or black hair which changes over the years to gray and then to white. At the ranch, 95% of the horses have hair that will ultimately become white; only 5% will stay brown or black throughout their lifespan. All in all it was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon!
*Note: All Owen wanted was to see the "e's" (aka "horsie") yet he would not go near a single one, hence no pictures of him. Madeline slept throughout the entire 3 hour visit so no pictures as well!
the foals
awaiting show time
an example of their fast movements
the ranch brand
these foals are 6 months and under
nursing time
Scaffolding used to repair the pillars at the Cathedral
A monument to Christopher Columbus
