Spanish Sulphur Horses: Spanish Head styles

Most people have a real difference of opinion on this topic. Some prefer to believe that a Spanish head style is long, narrow between the eyes, with a convex profile. The more convex the better. I have found this type of head style to be prolific on modern Iberian horses as well as warmbloods. Giving me the impression that this head style is of non-Spanish origin. You will find it hard to find such a head style on the more old Iberian horses such as the Paso Fino, Spanish Sulphur, Peruvian Paso, etc. Which actually would do more to confirm my suspicion that this head style is indeed of non-Iberian origin.

Both of these convex head examples are of warmblood type horses influenced by Spanish horses. Which type of Spanish horse (modern which is the Andalusian and Lusitano who also have warmblood and TB flowing through their veins vs. old Iberian which would include Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Chilean Criollo, Spanish Sulphur, etc.) influenced these warmbloods, I don't know. Being that the modern Andalusian and Lusitano are at best only 200 years old, I am going to assume that it was a proto type PRE/PSL or an actual old Iberian horse.

My thoughts on what old Iberian heads would be this: short in length, broad between the eyes, a straight (which usually gives the impression of roundness) or SLIGHTLY convex. The forehead most often being flat. The eyes should be large, almond shaped, and be broad between the eyes. The eyes will also have a bone arch above the eye. The width between the ears should also be broad. The ears should never be placed close together like what you would see on an Arab. The ear length should also not be long. Mares typically have longer ears than stallions or geldings. Mares would normally have medium to short ears and stallions and geldings should predominately display short ears. There also should not be a hook to the ear. The muzzle shouldn't be broad, but rather small. A 4 3/4" bit should be the perfect fit. The lips should be tight to the mouth. You often see big droopy lips on a draft horse. The nostrils should be crescent in shape and be able to expand greatly when the horse is being exerted. The chin on the horse should be small. The mandible should not convex out like what is typical to see on an Arab. The cheeks on both mares and stallions should not be protruding. The cheeks should look blend well on the face. The lips should come together to almost give the appearance that the horse's upper teeth going past the bottom teeth. This is commonly known as a "parrot mouth". In the old Spanish horse, there will be this "parrot mouth" appearance, BUT the horse's teeth will actually meet evenly.

La Victoria. This mare is displaying the width between the eyes as well as the ears. You can also plainly see the bone arches above her eyes.

This mare's head was damaged by a halter being left on while she was growing, so please excuse the slight dip on her head.

This is a stallion. I must note that this stallion is not displaying a nice large eye and he is also lacking the bone arch above his eye. When comparing to the other Sulphur horses on this post, you can better see it.