Tarifa and its Bulls

Bulls and Horses

Bullfighting is one of Spain's most distinctive symbols. Everybody has heard of the "corrida" and every town in Spain has its own arena. What's less known is the origin of these bulls and how they are bred.

The first thing that must be said is that the fighting bull, "toro de lidia" as it is known in Spain, is an unique race and is only used for this purpose. The bulls are grouped by age in big ranches till they are ready. That is normally after 4 or 5 years. They normally reach a weight that oscillates between 500-550 kg.
One interesting detail is that the bull is allowed no human contact other that the rancher who feeds him every morning. This is because the "toreador" has to be the first and only human being that the bull has ever met. Not recognizing its enemy makes the beast even more ferocious when it enters the arena.

Tarifa hosts one of the most famous fighting bull ranches. This ranch on special occasions opens up its premises to visitors showing all its successes since 1918. What's even more fascinating is visiting the bulls. Occasionally, prior reservation, visitors are allowed on the tractor which delivers the food to the bulls, passing through the enclosed fields which divide one group from another.

Andalusian horses are average sized with excellent nature and easy to ride, calm and powerful at the same time.
Their short built well proportioned body makes them predisposed to high classical dressage with astonishing manoeuvres, like those exhibited at the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. In the show "The Dance of the Andalusian Horse" the most beautiful andalusian stallions can be seen showing their refined movements. This school represents the best of the andalusian horses, riders and horse tradition.
These horses however may be seen all over Andalusia.

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