Galician pony
Encyclopedia
The Galician pony is a breed
of pony
developed in Galicia (Spain).
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 rugged. They are between 1.20 and 1.40 meters in height, and have a short body and strong legs. They have a straight profile, and usually are chestnut
in color.
In the Middle Ages these ponies were rented or swapped for other horses at the border between Galicia and Castile
, since the Galician pony was more sturdy and suitable for the rugged landscape of the country. The ponies are currently used for riding and meat production, although they had been used to produce brushes from their mane hairs. A herdbook was formed in 1994.
A 1973 study by Pedro Iglesias estimated more than 20,000 Galician ponies are free in the mountains of Northwestern Iberian Peninsula
. Nevertheless, it is thought that their numbers have probably decreased. Once a year, the semi-feral
herd is driven from the mountains to the curro, where the ponies are branded and their manes and tails are cut. Some are sold, while the rest are set free again.
At present, the Galician pony is regulated and protected by the Galician government
, in an attempt to increase the numbers of the feral
stock.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of pony
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
developed in Galicia (Spain).
It has had an influence on the Galiceno
Galiceno
The Galiceno is a horse breed developed in Mexico, bred from horses brought from Spain by Hernán Cortés and other conquistadors. Although small in stature, they are generally considered a horse, rather than a pony, and are always solid-colored. In Mexico, they are an all-around horse, used for...
breed in Mexico and, allegedly, on the Mustang
Mustang (horse)
A Mustang is a free-roaming horse of the North American west that first descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish. Mustangs are often referred to as wild horses, but there is intense debate over terminology...
. It is thought to have developed partly from a mix of Celtic horses, Roman horses and horses brought to Galicia by the Swabians
Suebic Kingdom of Galicia
The Suebic Kingdom of Galicia was the first independent barbarian Christian kingdom of Western Europe and the first to separate from the Roman Empire, as well as the first one to mint coins. Based in Gallaecia, it was established in 410 and lasted as independent state until 584, after a century of...
. The ponies are hardy and rugged. They are between 1.20 and 1.40 meters in height, and have a short body and strong legs. They have a straight profile, and usually are chestnut
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
in color.
In the Middle Ages these ponies were rented or swapped for other horses at the border between Galicia and Castile
Castile (historical region)
A former kingdom, Castile gradually merged with its neighbours to become the Crown of Castile and later the Kingdom of Spain when united with the Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Navarre...
, since the Galician pony was more sturdy and suitable for the rugged landscape of the country. The ponies are currently used for riding and meat production, although they had been used to produce brushes from their mane hairs. A herdbook was formed in 1994.
A 1973 study by Pedro Iglesias estimated more than 20,000 Galician ponies are free in the mountains of Northwestern Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
. Nevertheless, it is thought that their numbers have probably decreased. Once a year, the semi-feral
Semi-feral
A semi-feral animal is an animal that lives predominantly in a feral state, but has some contact and experience with humans. This may be due to having been born into a domesticated state and then reverting to life in wild conditions, or it may be an animal that grows up in essentially wild...
herd is driven from the mountains to the curro, where the ponies are branded and their manes and tails are cut. Some are sold, while the rest are set free again.
At present, the Galician pony is regulated and protected by the Galician government
Xunta de Galicia
The Xunta de Galicia is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President, the Vice-President and the specialized ministers ....
, in an attempt to increase the numbers of the feral
Feral horse
A feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated ancestry. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these horses often are popularly called "wild" horses...
stock.
External links
- Asociación Pura Raza Cabalo Galego, official body responsible for the "Galician horse" (maintained by the Galician Government) (in Galician)
- Galician Pony (in English)