See Asturian. This and the
Galician were essentially the same pony, but sadly, the Galician is now extinct. It originated
from the province of Galicia.
The Galician Pony is found in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain.
This is a region with a very wet climate and numerous low mountains. This breed is used for meat
production and for riding. Its size is between that of a pony and a normal horse. These animals
are very rugged and hardy. A herdbook was formed in 1994. This breed was used in the development
of the Galice'o.
According to the 1973 study by Pedro Iglesias there were more than
20,000 Galician ponies free in the mountains in the northwestern region of Spain. However, it
is thought that this number has decreased because of sanitary problems and low economic returns.
The Galician Pony belongs to a wide family of ponies which live on
the Atlantic coastal area from Portugal to Scotland. In the past, the main use of this animal
was the hair of the mane and tail used to make different kinds of brushes. Today synthetic fibers
have replaced this natural material and meat production is the principal production destination.
The Galician Pony is a mix of Celtic horses, Roman horses and horses
brought to Spain by the Suevos. More recently they have crossbred with other breeds. It is short-bodied
and strong-legged. Despite their ethnic heterogeneity (three types of Galician ponies can be found
in different parts of Galicia) the main characteristics are its straight profile, linear proportions,
height of between 1.20 and 1.30 meters, and a chestnut coat. An interesting characteristic of
one of the three types is the long mustache which appears on the upper lips of the older mares.
In addition to meat production, they have a tourist value. One of
the most traditional and popular festivals in Galicia is the "curros." * This festival consists
in getting the semi-wild horses from the Galician mountains once a year, usually in summer, to
brand, cut their manes and tails and sell them in the "curro." In this fair everyone participates
in bringing the horses to the curro. Afterwards people buy some of the horses and the rest are
set free again. This festival attracts a lot of tourists and generates financial resources for
the region. *The "curro" is a closed area where the horses are exhibited during the fair.
Check out these websites offering information about the Galician Pony breed!
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/galician/
http://www.equine-behavior.com/Breeds%20of%20the%20Horse/Breeds%20F%20&%20G.htm
Return to Horse Breeds page
|