The Abyssinian, also known as the Gala, is a light horse breed that originated in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...

.

Characteristics

They generally stand around 13.3 hands high but show wide variability in coloration, size and conformation.

The breed's coat is generally short and harsh, but unique in that it displays many 'rosettes' and ridges, and also generally grows a moustache around its nose. Many breeders, especially those in England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, have worked to improve this rosette pattern. Because the hair grows in so many directions, it can be hard to brush, and great care must be taken to keep the coat clean and free of dirt. Most are green eyed, due to uncommon genes.

Breed history

The Abyssinian has spread from Ethiopia along the coastline of the Red Sea

Red Sea

The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...

. The breed was first exported to England in 1861.
Abyssinian horses also live in Sudan.

Uses

Despite its small size, the Abyssinian has been bred for strength and for the ability to live and work in mountainous areas.

External links

• Abyssinian