The Cartujano “Bocado” Lineage - The Carthusian horse

In the mid 1400’s, the production of armour for horse and rider was mastered…adding 350 lbs to the weight carried into battle. A decree was issued by the Spanish military authority, directing the Spanish breeders to blend their pure Andalusian mares with Neopolitan drafts. A small group of family breeders refused, selecting their best horses and hiding them away on monastery lands in Cartujana, donated by a wealthy patron, Don Álvaro Obertos de Valeto.

The Carthusian monks were said to have managed a breeding program for almost 400 years there after, keeping detailed breeding records. Around 1835, the government dissolved the church’s ownership of lands. The horses were carefully passed on and treasured by a small handful of families beginning with Pedro José Zapata, who diligently preserved the original lines. He used the brand of the bit, called “Bocado”. Today we still refer to the horses as ‘Bocado’ or Cartujano.

The Bocado line possess a graceful round profile, elegance, great beauty & agility. There is one continuous flowing line, starting from the poll, tracing the arched crest of the neck, the gentle slope of the wither, the broad muscular back, and finally ending along the rounded hip at the low tucked tail. The movement is proud, powerful and lofty with high knee and hock action and strong impulsion from behind. The head is sculpted, with a large triangular eye with pronounced orbital arch and intelligent gaze. They truly command attention and seem to exude dignity and intelligence beyond the imagination.