Bullfighting is an art and has been around for centuries. Portuguese style bloodless bullfighting is practiced here in California. The bulls are not killed and are not bled to slow them down either. Some will say that this is harder than the traditional type of bullfighting because the bulls are at their best and not weakened.

Centuries ago, Andalusians and Lusitanos were the only breed of horses used for bullfighting. Today, different breeds of horses have been discovered as potential for bullfighting and cross breeding is becoming a common practice amongst the breeders. Aztecas (Lusitano/Andalusian x Quarter Horse), Anglo-Arabs (Thoroughbred x Arabians), and Arabs x Lusitanos are just a few that are becoming well-known in the mainstream, due to the strength and speed that each produces. This is also done because the fighting bulls are becoming stronger and faster. Vistoso (a new horse in training), is an Azteca sired by Quiver

Training the horses to bullfight is also a form of art and consists of different aspects to do it well. To increase the horses confidence level, a "Taurina" is used to teach the horse to maneuver around a bull and acts as if it was a real bull charging. A Taurina is an apparatus on a bicycle wheel that acts like a mechanical bull. Practicing/training with a taurina gives it a friendlier environment and a good start for the horses. A great deal of courage is required to perform at a bullfight and to go up against a fighting bull.

Training starts at 4-years old and can take anywhere from 2 months to over 2-years and some will never make it. For example, Quiver, our breeding stallion took only 4 months to be trained and start fighting in a bloodless bullfight event. He has the natural ability as well as the perfect bloodline for this type of discipline.

Each of our horses gets a daily work-out to increase their strengths and abilities while waiting for the next bullfight to come. Some trainings are similar to dressage. During training, the horses full potential is seen, which in turn will show their individual traits. The horses are fed alfalfa along with vitamin supplements to keep them strong and healthy.

Outside of the horses that are already bullfighting, new horses are in-line getting trained to grace the arenas in the future. For different reasons, not all horses in training end up bullfighting. We also breed to reproduce and continue the best line of bullfighting horses.

Prior to a bullfight, the Cavaleiro who will be riding the horses will usually arrive a week early, which gives them the opportunity to both get know one another, while allowing the bullfighter to see the horses strengths and weaknesses. During that time, the Cavaleiro will know which horse he/she will be using at a bullfight event. Out of the six, sometimes they only choose four.

Sometimes, the opportunity arises when Cavaleiros stay longer than a week and they then will train the horses while they are here. This is a treat for both us and the horses, because they get training from the best Cavaleiros in the world.

Antonio Telles, Pedro Franco, Rui Salvador, Alberto Conde, Joaquim Bastinhas, Patricia Pellen, Vitor Ribeiro, Rodrigo Santos, Brito Paes, Vasco Tabor, Jr., and Gilberto Felipe are just a few of the bullfighters who have fought in California with our horses.

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