Breed: Caballo de Pura Raza Gallega
Synonyms: Raza Equina Cabalo Galego do Monte — Pura Raza Galega — Pura Raza Gallega — PRG —Cabalo galego de monte — cabalo do país — pony galego — faca galega — faca galizana — caballo galaico — Galician — Galician Mountain Horse
Species: Horse
Colour: chestnut
Weight: 165–300 kg
Height: 1.20–1.30 m
Country: northwest Spain origin
Description: 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.
History: They are descended by crossbreeding between Celtic, Roman horses and other horses that were brought to northern Spain by Germanic tribes. Later on, each has evolved separately according to the different geographic and climate environment. The Galician pony is well suited to the natural wet and difficult climate conditions that are overcoming the low mountains in the northwest Spain.
These conditions made them very rugged and tough, so they are roaming free in an area from Portugal to Scotland. It is an ancient breed of pony that was largely exported from Spain to the New World, during the 16th century. At that period the Galician pony had an influence on the Galiceno horse breed in Mexico that is developed from this pony breed and the Garrano horse from Portugal.
Breed Organisation: Asociación Pura Raza Cabalo Galego (http://cabalogalego.com)
Breed Sources: www.mapa.gob.es