"It can only be the whims of changing fashion that, for the moment, deny him his place in competitive dressage - that and perhaps the extraordinarily extravagant and high action of his forelegs" suggests Elwyn Hartley Edwards in his engaging book, "Horses, their Role in the History of Man". The Andalusian does, in fact, "dish" - throw his forelegs in an outward arc before putting his feet to the ground. In Spain, the action is highly esteemed but in countries like England, it is not appreciated at all.

Just as a note Piyayo my late and exceptional Hispano-Árabe stallion competed in 'English' dressage when he was still owned in Spain and here in the UK with me; he regularly 'thrashed' English thoroughbreds in dressage regardless of his extravigant action!

As for the outward arc it is related to the ability to turn on a sixpence around one foot at tremendous speed ...something these horses depend upon to complete the amazing spins vital to their work around cattle or in the bullring.

If it was selected/bred out of them just to perfect the breed for "English" taste then the breed would fail in the very work that has ensured its creation, development and survival. A "dish" is only a fault if it hinders a horse in its movement/function; if as in the case of these horses it is integral to it role then it is not a fault.

All to often man tampers with breeds for aesthetic design and disregards the function and purpose for which those traits naturally were selected ; the consequence of that is all to often seen in English show rings!