Garrano (also known as Minho, Minho, or Tres os Montes)
horses are an ancient breed, descended from the same stock as the famous
Sorraias. Sorraias live mainly between the two rivers Sor and Raia, while
Garranos lives in North-Portugal, so they developed differently according to
their habitats. Garranos mainly lives in the fertile regions of Minho and
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, and have probably had more outside blood influence
than Sorraias.
It is generally believed that the Garrano is one of the
ancestors to Andalusian and Galician Ponies. Recently, they have had infusions
of Arabian blood, implemented by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. This
has refined the breed, but the ponies have also begun to lose some of their
primitive features.
Garrano ponies are strong, hardy, sure footed, fast, have a
concave profile (dish faced), fine head, large eyes, small forward pricked
ears, a long neck, straight shoulder, compact body, are short coupled,
muscular, with sloping hindquarters, and a low set tail. Their chest is wide,
they have hard hooves, short well formed limbs with broad joints. They are
usually bay, chestnut or brown in color and stand 10-14hh.
About Garrano Horses
