Criollo horse

The Criollo is both a breed of horse originated in Argentina and a native of South America and the Caribbean type of horse that needs to be divided by environmental Umzüchtungen in different breeds of horses. Horse Breeds of the Criollo type is available with its own name in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Cuba and Venezuela. The present in Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and the Dominican Republic Criollorassen not have its own name.

Background information on the evaluation and breeding horses can be found at: exterior, interior and horse breeding.

Exterior

The Criollo is a medium-sized head with straight or slightly convex profile. His neck is strong and turns into a strong, wide, low-set chest. He has a relatively straight topline, a round rump with low set tail, a short tail root, a stable foundation, a strong muscling and small hard hooves.

Interior

The Criollo is one of the most durable and toughest horses in the world. He can survive in extreme climatic conditions with little food. He is very persistent and will in his native South America subjected to a very tough performance test ( Marcha ). In this case, within 14 days covered ( with a day of rest) 750 km, which must not be fed, so the horses are released only after the stage to pasture. This not only endurance but also the regeneration ability is demonstrated.

Breeding history

The Criollo goes back to the Iberian horses, which were brought in the 16th century from Spain to South America. These horses were closely related to the Berber and Arab blood often led next to it. The first significant imports were made in 1535 by the conquistador Don Pedro Mendoza. Later, when Buenos Aires was captured, many horses escaped into the wilderness. In the harsh climate of the Pampas was for several centuries a natural selection process, in the long term only survived the most resistant individuals. In this way, a particularly tough, persevering and durable horse originated. The Swiss adventurer Aimé Félix Tschiffely put this breed by its continental ride with two Criollos from Argentina to the United States of America (1925-1928), a monument. His horses Mancha ( by Manchado to ger the reddish Pied ), an overo pinto and Gato ( engl. the cat), which got its name due to its striking smooth movements, were at the beginning of the journey already 18 or 16 years old. After the trip, they lived up to their end of life on the ranch of the breeder and Criollo Breed founder Emilio Solanet in extensive farming. Both reached a higher than average age for horses; Mancha was 35, Gato 40 years old.

By the time it came outside Argentina to breeding on the basis of criollos, which led to distinct races: in Brazil the Crioulo, in Chile the Corralero, on the Peruvian coast of Costeño, in the Peruvian mountains of Marocucho and in Venezuela the Llanero.

In Uruguay and Paraguay are the local Criollo, Criollo Criollo Paraguayo Uruguayan and connected with the Brazilian Crioulo.

Beginning of the 1980s came to Italy by ship many horses to Europe, which were initially sold as " Criollos ". In fact, however, they were bought in South America as a battle horse, and - to bypass the Italian customs regulations - also introduced as such. They were crammed below deck and some survived not the rigors of transportation. Among them were very few Criollos; the sellers of these hybrids did good business - they were but as so-called "beginner's horse " offered.

The serious operated Criollo breed in Germany still has to contend with this bad reputation. Who but a born in Germany, Italy or Switzerland Criollo acquires can now assume that he receives proper behavior horse that is not traumatized by the water transport. Most bred in Germany Criollos are registered at the Bavarian breeding association for small horses and special breeds of horses, where a stallion and Stutleistungsprüfung is offered, which is the Marcha modeled and is carried out in a one-day field test.