Horses running through trees at Don E Mor Lusitano Horse farm s one of the largest Lusitano breeding farms in North America, Don E Mor normally has about forty pure Lusitanos and a limited number of Lusitano/Andalusian crosses available for purchase. This includes trained and untrained mounts, some of which are proven breeding stock. Don E Mor employs three trainers on the farm who begin schooling these athletic animals at about three years old to disciplines that best fit their temperament and abilities. Other staff members are socializing our younger colts and fillies from the day they are born. Only a few of the younger colts and fillies are shown as examples on this web page as they all rapidly socialize, learn and grow. A limited number of these younger animals are available for purchase prior to formal training.

We do not rush into training our Lusitanos, but allow them time to develop physically and mentally. Like a fine wine which is given the best opportunities to mature to perfection, our Lusitanos are not rushed into training and thus are more eager to learn, less prone to physical injury , and have had the most positive training possible. Just ask our clients. Click for more photos

Extremely athletic, Lusitanos compete in every area of equestrian competition; dressage, eventing, hunter/ jumper, western events, reining, carriage driving and are still in the bull ring in Portugal fighting the bulls. The experts in equestrian sports call them versatile, docile, agile and courageous. We take our time with each animal to determine their interests and passion. With nearly 80 years of combined training experience, our trainers can reliably determine the areas where this very athletic breed will be most successful. All of our Lusitanos at Don E Mor spend some time with instruction in classical dressage. Those that are stand-outs will receive special attention from Kathy Daly which may include competitive showing.

Lusitano Lane Our breeding program was developed by carefully selecting high quality Portuguese/ Brazilian mares and stallions with characteristics the Lusitano breed is known for. We maintain and are continuing to refine some of the best breeding lines in America. We breed our horses to have necks that are thick and arched, leading to well defined withers, shoulders that are muscular and sloping and a deep, broad chest. Our breeding program builds horses that have strong backs and rounded, sloped croups, leading to a low-set tail. We breed for animals with legs that are sturdy and muscled and a mane and tail are extremely thick. Our Lusitanos are powerful and athletic horses, hand-picked for their intelligence and willingness to please.

The ancestors of the Lusitano were originally used for warfare, classical dressage, driving and bullfighting. Our breeding program is designed to provide horses that respond to the rider with sensitivity, softness and elegance that display a harmony between the horse and rider. We breed our horses with qualities of lightness, relaxation, suppleness, self-carriage and balance to celebrate the Art of Classical Horsemanship.

Don E Mor's Lusitanos are indeed very special. We are deliberately selecting the best of European and Latin American Lusitano breeding stock to deliver to our clients "made in America" Lusitanos that cannot be replicated from any other source. We invite you to see our collection of fine Lusitanos and pick your equine life partner. Then, we invite you to dance with your Lusitano. Learn more about the Baroque Games at their website, baroquegames.net.




     Our Sold Horses
DEM Sereno SOLD, Sanguine Lusitano Light Cream Buckskin Gelding galloping up a hill As the years have unfolded, Don E Mor has been blessed with many amazing Lusitano and Andalusian horses. All of the gorgeous steeds we have sold have gone to exactly the right people their Forever Riding Partners. Don E Mor horses are now spread as far west as California, as far north as Canada, and as far south as Texas, while many have stayed right here in North Carolina. Have a look at some of these magnificent animals for yourself!

Click for more photos of Sold Horses




     Kathy Daly, Dressage Trainer
Kathy Daly holding the reigns of Quedimas Smar at Don E Mor Don E Mor is very excited to introduce Kathy Daly, of KD Equine, as our Classical Dressage trainer. Kathy has extensive training in Classical Dressage, hunter/jumpers and eventing, as well as experience with Lusitanos. She has earned an "r" rating as a USEF Dressage judge, and has been awarded both a USDF Silver and a Bronze Medal.

Ms. Daly's expertise and ability in evaluating the dressage potential of our Lusitanos began during the early years of her training. She was mentored by the late Dorita Konyot, who was one of the greatest horsewomen in the world, and whose family is steeped in equestrianism. This is no more apparent than in Tina Konyot, the 2012 Equestrian team's member, and niece of Dorita. After this fantastic start, Kathy went on to learn all she could about riding and other aspects of horsemanship in order to be able to teach others how to have the best riding partner! Click for more photos of Kathy Daly Now, 40 years later, she has come to give Don E Mor and our clients the very best instruction and training in Classical Dressage and horsemanship.

Kathy's training program here at Don E Mor begins with determining which way a horse is telling her it wants to go! We look for the horse's venue and then we set about helping our equine friends become the best they can be! That venue could be dressage, hunter/jumper, western pleasure, working equitation, carriage work and all our horses are put out on the trails here for hacks across the beautiful rolling fields and crossing flowing streams.

She is available for private lessons, horse training, and judging in the Triangle, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and the Triad areas. She can be contacted through the her website, KDEquine.com, or call us at Don E Mor and we'll arrange a meeting.



Josie Abplanalp, Socialization Trainer
Josie Abplanalp looking into the eye of DEM Rayo at Don E Mor With more than 15 years of horse training experience Josie Abplanalp plays a key role in the character development of our Lusitanos. She lays the foundation as Lusitano socialization trainer from which specialized training in classical dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper, carriage, western pleasure and other disciplines begin. Josie has a small staff of assistants who socialize our youngest animals. From the day they are born Josie's team is handling the young colts and fillies, patiently teaching each Lusitano the basics of leading, loading, foot care and manners. Josie and her team are key in establishing that human/ equine bond that is so strong in the Lusitano breed.

Because of her relationship with all our horses during socialization training, Josie frequently assists our other trainer, Kathy Daly in training higher level skills. Here she employs the same techniques and regimen that Kathy uses to fine tune and grow our Lusitanos' knowledge and abilities. Josie's in depth knowledge of horses and her appreciation of the different disciplines enables us to tailor a training program that magnifies each horse's abilities and sets them up for success at their next training level.

The foundational training for this breed is critical. Because of their intelligence and willingness to please, they must be handled with respect. As they are handled from foal to full grown horse it is their foundational experience with Josie coupled with dressage training that allows our Lusitanos to become the type of riding partner that exceeds your expectations.