Horse breed

Alter Real

The breed at a glance

The Alter Real is renowned for its noble, courageous, and generous temperament. It is intelligent, sensitive, and possesses a great capacity for learning, making it a willing and devoted partner for work.

Category: saddle horse
Origin: Portugal · 18th century
Height at withers: 155–165 cm
Weight: 450–550 kg
Lifespan: 25-30 years
Common coats: bay
Disciplines: Dressage, Working Equitation (Working Equitation), Competitive driving
Other names: Alter

Alter Real horse in action, performing a classical dressage movement (piaffe or passage) with a rider, demonstrating its agility and power.

One or more bay Alter Real horses grazing in a lush green pasture, under a gentle sun, in a typical Alentejo landscape.

Detail of a shiny bay Alter Real coat, or a close-up of its abundant mane and tail, showing the quality of its hair.

Origin and history

The Alter Real is a pure lineage of the Lusitano, created in 1748 by the Portuguese royal family at the Real Coudelaria de Alter do Chão. Its objective was to provide high-school riding horses for the court. The breed almost disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century but was saved thanks to judicious crossbreeding with Andalusian mares and the intervention of Dr. Ruy d'Andrade. It is now recognized as a distinct and emblematic breed of Portugal.

Conformation and physique

A medium-sized horse, harmonious and compact, with solid bone structure and well-developed musculature. It presents an elegant and powerful silhouette, typical of Iberian horses.

Medium-sized, expressive head, with a straight or slightly convex (subconvex) profile. The eyes are large and lively, the ears small and well-placed.

Powerful neck, well-arched and set high, ending in a well-defined and muscular wither. It gives the horse an proud carriage and great suppleness.

Short and strong back, taut and muscular topline. Broad and deep chest. Rounded and powerful hindquarters, often double-muscled, with a low-set tail.

Solid, well-muscled limbs, with broad joints and clean tendons. The cannons are short and the hooves are hard and well-formed. Little to no feathering.

Common coats: bay

Temperament and aptitudes

The gaits are elevated, expansive, and energetic, with excellent balance and a great aptitude for collection. The walk is regular, the trot supple, and the canter rhythmic.

Uses: High School Dressage, Classical Dressage, Working equitation, Driving, Equestrian Show, Breeding
Disciplines: Dressage, Working Equitation (Working Equitation), Competitive driving

Feeding the Alter Real

The Alter Real, like many Iberian breeds, is a horse with a rather thrifty metabolism. It utilizes quality forage well (hay, grass) and doesn't always require large quantities of concentrates, except during periods of intense work. It is important to monitor its body condition to prevent obesity, especially if it is not worked much. A balanced diet, rich in fiber and adapted to its activity level, is paramount.

Although robust, the Alter Real, like any horse with a thrifty metabolism, can be predisposed to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and laminitis if overfed or exposed to diets rich in sugars and starch without sufficient exercise. There is no documented predisposition to pathologies like PSSM specific to the Alter Real breed.

With Equio, every feed, supplement or treat is read against the horse's real profile (age, weight, Body Condition Score, conditions) — useful for a Alter Real as soon as a metabolic or digestive sensitivity is known.

Health and points to watch

Particular attention must be paid to weight management to prevent metabolic risks. Regular veterinary care, including dental check-ups and farriery assessments, is essential to maintain the good health of these athletic horses.

More frequent conditions: osteoarthritis (related to age and intensive work), dental problems (requiring regular care)

Care and grooming

The Alter Real's hooves are generally hard and healthy, requiring regular trimming/shoeing adapted to its activity. The mane and tail, often abundant, require regular maintenance to prevent knots and dirt. The coat is easy to maintain; daily brushing is sufficient to keep it shiny.

Did you know?

The Alter Real is the only Portuguese equine breed to have an exclusively bay coat.
The Alter do Chão Stud Farm is the oldest stud farm in the world still in operation, founded in 1748.
The breed was saved from extinction in the early 20th century by Dr. Ruy d'Andrade, who used Andalusian mares to rebuild the stock.

The Alter Real and how to track it

The Alter Real breed is not widely represented in France, where it is primarily bred by enthusiasts of classical dressage or working equitation, often in connection with Portuguese bloodlines.

Equio lets you build a complete profile for a Alter Real: identity, weight, Body Condition Score, feeding, conditions, care reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming) and an exportable health log. The breed sets the identity; everyday decisions still depend on the real horse and your vet's advice.

Record the activity level: rest, leisure, sport or breeding
Add known conditions or sensitivities
Scan feeds, plants and care products
Keep reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming)
Prepare a PDF export before a vet appointment

Frequently asked questions

What is the price of an Alter Real horse?

The price of an Alter Real varies considerably depending on its age, level of training, bloodlines, and potential. Foals can start around €5,000, while horses trained for High School dressage can reach several tens of thousands of euros, or even more for exceptional individuals.

Is the Alter Real a good horse for a beginner rider?

Due to its sensitive temperament and high responsiveness, the Alter Real is generally more suited to experienced or supervised riders. It requires a soft hand and good horsemanship to fully express its potential and avoid misunderstandings.

What is the difference between an Alter Real and a Lusitano?

The Alter Real is a pure and very ancient lineage of the Lusitano, bred specifically at the Alter do Chão Stud Farm. All Alter Real horses are Lusitanos, but not all Lusitanos are Alter Real horses. The Alter Real is distinguished by its exclusively bay coat and rigorous selection focused on High School dressage.

Is the Alter Real suitable for disciplines other than dressage?

Yes, although dressage is its preferred discipline, the Alter Real also excels in Working Equitation (Working Equitation) thanks to its agility and ability to collect. It can also be used for driving and equestrian shows.

How to recognize an authentic Alter Real?

An authentic Alter Real must be registered with the Association of Alter Real Horse Breeders (ACAR) and possess a pedigree certifying its origins. The coat must be bay, and the horse must exhibit the morphological and temperament characteristics specific to the breed.

LusitanienCompare with the Lusitanien.Body Condition ScoreTrack body condition with visual references.Poisonous plants for horsesIdentify pasture and hay risks with care.Horse coat coloursRecord coat colour in the horse profile.Horse breedsBreed profiles to complete the Equio notebook.Equio AppScan feed, plants and care products — keep your horse's history.Equio FAQAnswers about scans, profiles, subscriptions and AI limits.