Garrano
Encyclopedia
The Garrano is an ancient breed of horse
from Galicia and northern Portugal
, mainly used as a pack horse, for riding, and for light farm work.
. The Sorraia lives mainly between the two rivers Sor and Raia, while the Garrano lives in North-Portugal, so they developed differently according to their habitats. The Garrano mainly lives in the fertile regions of Minho and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
, and has probably had more outside blood influence it than the Sorraia.
Genetically related to other Atlantic horse breeds, it is generally believed that the Garrano is one of the ancestors to the Galician Pony
and the Andalusian
. Recently, the breed has had infusions of Arabian
blood, implemented by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. This has refined the breed, but the ponies have also begun to lose some of their primitive features.
The ponies are used for riding and light farm work. The military
used them for pack purposes, and they are also good in harness.
The pony now has some Arab-type traits, especially in the head which is fine, with a concave profile, although it can be heavy. They have a long neck set on a straight shoulder. The body is short and compact, the hindquarters muscular, and the tail low-set. They have a deep and wide chest, hard hooves, and broad joints.
The pony is usually bay, chestnut or brown in colour and stands between 10 and 14 hh.
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
from Galicia and northern Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, mainly used as a pack horse, for riding, and for light farm work.
Breed history
The Garrano, sometimes called the Minho, an ancient breed, descended from the same stock as the famous SorraiaSorraia
The Sorraia is a rare breed of horse indigenous to the portion of the Iberian peninsula known today as Portugal. The Sorraia is known for its primitive features, including a convex profile and dun coloring with primitive markings...
. The Sorraia lives mainly between the two rivers Sor and Raia, while the Garrano lives in North-Portugal, so they developed differently according to their habitats. The Garrano mainly lives in the fertile regions of Minho and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro is a historical province of Portugal located in the northeastern corner of the country. Vast plateaus, river valleys, mountains, and castles abound in Trás os Montes e Alto Douro....
, and has probably had more outside blood influence it than the Sorraia.
Genetically related to other Atlantic horse breeds, it is generally believed that the Garrano is one of the ancestors to the Galician Pony
Galician pony
The Galician pony , is a breed of pony developed in Galicia .It has had an influence on the Galiceno breed in Mexico and, allegedly, on the Mustang. It is thought to have developed partly from a mix of Celtic horses, Roman horses and horses brought to Galicia by the Swabians. The ponies are hardy...
and the Andalusian
Andalusian horse
The Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE , is a horse breed developed in the Iberian Peninsula. Its ancestors have been present on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years. The Andalusian has been recognized as an individual breed since the 15th century, and its conformation...
. Recently, the breed has had infusions of Arabian
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
blood, implemented by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. This has refined the breed, but the ponies have also begun to lose some of their primitive features.
The ponies are used for riding and light farm work. The military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
used them for pack purposes, and they are also good in harness.
Breed characteristics
The ponies are strong and hardy, and very sure-footed with the ability to travel over steep and difficult terrain. For their size they have great speed and are used in trotting races.The pony now has some Arab-type traits, especially in the head which is fine, with a concave profile, although it can be heavy. They have a long neck set on a straight shoulder. The body is short and compact, the hindquarters muscular, and the tail low-set. They have a deep and wide chest, hard hooves, and broad joints.
The pony is usually bay, chestnut or brown in colour and stands between 10 and 14 hh.