Jun
16
Galician Pony
Filed Under EN
The Galician is a breed of pony originating in Galicia, Spain. It is believed to have been developed from a mix of Celtic horse, Roman horse and horses imported by the Swabians. During the middle ages, the pony was rented or swapped with other horses for its durability and ruggedness to handle the rugged terrain.
In 1973 there were an estimated 20,000 Galician ponies in the mountains of the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula. The population is thought to have decreased since. Every year the herd is driven from the mountains to be branded. Their manes and tails are cut, some are sold and the rest are released back in the wild. A herdbook was developed in 1994.
The breed is currently protected and regulated by the Galician government to increase their population.
The Galician pony stands between 48 and 56 inches high. The body has a straight but short profile with strong legs. The usual color of its coat is bay.
The Galician pony is currently used for riding and meat production. After the mane is cut, the hair is sometimes used for making brushes.
Image Caption: Galician pony. Credit: HombreDHojalata/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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