- Galician Pony
Infobox Horse
name= Galician Pony
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country=Spain
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std1=The Galician pony ("Cabalo Galego" or "Potro Galaico" in Galician), is a
breed ofpony developed in Galicia (Spain).It has had an influence on the
Galiceno breed in Mexico and, allegedly, on the Mustang. It is thought to have developed partly from a mix of Celtic horses, Roman horses and horses brought to Galicia by the Swabians. The ponies are hardy and rugged. They are between 1.20 and 1.40 meters in height, and have a short body and strong legs. They have a straight profile, and usually are chestnut in color. [ [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/galician/index.htm Galician Pony] . Access date 10 October 2008] [ [http://www.rios-galegos.com/puraraza.htm Pura raza galega] . Access date 10 October 2008]In the Middle Ages these ponies were rented or swapped for other horses at the border between Galicia and Castile, since the Galician pony was more sturdy and suitable for the rugged landscape of the country. [O'Flanagan, P. (1996), in "Xeografía Histórica de Galicia", Xerais, Vigo] The ponies are currently used for riding and meat production, although they had been used to produce brushes from their mane hairs. A herdbook was formed in 1994.
A 1973 study by Pedro Iglesias estimated more than 20,000 Galician ponies are free in the mountains of Northwestern
Iberian Peninsula . Nevertheless, it is thought that their numbers have probably decreased. Once a year, the semi-wild herd is driven from the mountains to the "curro", where the ponies are branded and their manes and tails are cut. Some are sold, while the rest are set free again.At present, the Galician pony is regulated and protected by the Galician government, in an attempt to increase the numbers of the feral stock.
References
External links
* [http://www.cabalogalego.com Asociación Pura Raza Cabalo Galego] , official body responsible for the "Galician horse" (maintained by the
Galician Government ) (in Galician)
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/galician/index.htm Galician Pony] (in English)
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