Horse
Pronunciation:
ˈkrē-tən
Breed Description:
The Cretan breed of horse (also known as the Messara or Jorkalidiko) is a light draft and riding horse from the island of Crete, off the Grecian coast. It is almost extinct. At the 1997 counting, there were only 67 purebred Cretan horses on the island. The main colors of the Cretan breed of horse are bay, brown, black, and gray. Descendants of Arabian horses, Cretan horses have a unusual natural pacing gait that is easy and comfortable to ride. They are quite sure-footed, and are adept at walking on rocky ground and uneven surfaces. The Cretan breed of horse is used for light farm work and for transportation, as well as for riding and racing. The stallions are often crossed with female donkeys.
Height:
The Cretan breed of horse usually stands 12.2 to 14.0 hands high.
Origin:
The origins of the Cretan breed of horse are unclear. The native mountain-type Messara pony is believed to have existed on the island of Crete since at least the year 1000 AD. The more modern Cretan horse may have been developed by crossing the native mares on Arabian stallions that were imported during the Turkish occupation in the 17th century. The Cretan breed of horse is now a rare breed, protected by the European Community. 