The Sorraia is thought to be the last remnant of wild horses that lived across most of the Iberian Peninsula, including parts of Spain & Portugal. Although we call them a breed today, they are actually what remains of an indigenous wild horse. Only recently, after the Portuguese National Stud took over registration of these animals, have they been promoted as a ‘breed’.
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The Marajoara horse comes from the Marajo Island and dates back to the year of 1702 with Portuguese settlers. Later animals of Arabian, Alter Real & other Portuguese breeds were imported to the island which became the foundation for this breed.
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The twin brother to the mighty Andalusian the Lusitano shares some of the oldest bloodlines around.
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Also called Minho, Garrano do Minho, Trás os Montes, the Garrano is a prehistoric Portuguese pony which has adapted to the climate & geography in the northern mountain regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Cave paintings from the Paleolithic era describe a pony that is the ancestor of today’s breed.
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The Azores is an ancient breed native to Portugal with very little formal documentation, there is not much known about the Azores breed. These animals are different from most of the Iberian ponies, as their confirmation is more of a small horse than a pony.
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The Anglo-Luso comes from Portugal & began with the crossing of local Lusitano mares with English Thoroughbred stallions. Although many Portuguese people objected to the cross-breeding, considering it a pollution to their purebred animals.
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The Alter Real breed comes from Alter de Chao, a small town in the Alentejo province of Portugal, where the flagship stud is still located. Real is the word for ‘royal’ in Portuguese, the Alter Real is the Royal breed of Alter.
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