Watch a horse show and learn about the Carthusian horse breed when you tour this centuries-old stud farm that was started by monks.
For more than 500 years Yeguada de la Cartuja – Hierro del Bocado has been rearing horses. Its origins lie in the 15th century when the nearby Carthusian monastery started horse-breeding programs. Today, the stud farm is dedicated to preserving the gene pool of the Carthusian horse, also known as the Andalusian or pure Spanish horse. Historically, the agile and powerful breed was known as a warhorse, but today it’s featured in show jumping and horse shows.
This is one of the world's most important breeding centers for Carthusians and is home to more than 200 of the animals. Among the services the center offers to horse trainers and breeders are artificial insemination, embryo transfer and horse sales.
Join a guided tour of the facilities. Visit the stables and watch stallions and colts being groomed. View equipment and carriages in the harness room and coach houses. The site has a clinical services area where surgery is performed on injured animals. Listen to detailed explanations of the history of the stud farm and of the special characteristics of this breed.
The tour concludes with a horse show in the main arena. Take your seat and watch free-running colts and a dressage event where mares and their riders perform a series of maneuvers.
The stud farm is located 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from the city of Jerez de la Frontera. There is no public transportation to the animal attraction, so take a taxi or drive and use the free parking available.
Yeguada de la Cartuja – Hierro del Bocado is open every Saturday. For details of prices and information on what's included in the tour, visit the official website. Book private tours for a minimum of 10 people. All tours are available in English. After your visit, go next door to the Charterhouse of Jerez de la Frontera, a 15th-century Carthusian monastery noted for its Gothic architecture and religious paintings.
