Azores

Azores Horse

Image from Domingos Xavier

Intro

An ancient breed found in Portugal with very little formal documentation, there is not much known about the Azores breed.

Azores Horse

Image from cafrizell

Origins

These animals are different from the Iberian ponies, their confirmation is more of a small horse than a pony.

They are thought to have come from Lusitano and Alter Real horses brought to the islands of Azores during colonization. The poor conditions and nutrition in the area blood created a smaller animal naturally. It is thought that an influx of Arabian or Barb blood from Morocco had a hand in shaping this ponies confirmation as well.

The blood of the Azores found today is not clearly defined, but is based on the Lusitano.

could have been crossed with small horses imported from Morocco as well.

Features

Average height 11.3 – 12.3 hands
Attractive and perfectly symmetrical in confirmation
Highly spirited

Physique

Varies by animal due to mixed blood

Traditional Colors

Bay

Use

Work horses
Riding horses
Bullfighting horses

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