Horse
Breed Description:
The Mangalarga Marchador breed of horse was developed in Brazil over the last 200 years. There are two distinct types that share nearly identical abilities and physical characteristics: the Mangalarga, and the Mangalarga Marchador. Please see the Origins sections of this page to learn more about the two types. This breed is especially well known for its unusual gaits, typically referred to as ambling. This gait is unique in that the feet move alternately diagonally and laterally, often resulting in three feet being on the ground at the same time. The Mangalarga Marchador horse breed does not have the ability to pace or trot, and but rather launches directly from the amble to a canter. This breed may be found in nearly any color. The head of the Mangalarga Marchador horse is very narrow, but handsome and refined. The eyes are large, kind, and gentle, and are accentuated by ears that turn inward slightly at the tips. The neck is triangular, mirroring the shape of the head, is very muscular and of medium length, producing a thin and silk-like mane. The chest is deep and well-muscled, meeting the neck proportionally with gentle curves. The withers are pronounced and meet a longish back that slopes upward to the croup. The legs are well-formed and have hard hooves.
Temperament:
The Mangalarga Marchador horse breed is very active and alert, with an inquisitive but obedient character. The Mangalarga horse is highly intelligent and is extremely versatile, and as a result of these two traits this breed can be put to nearly any purpose. Training of the Mangalarga Marchador can begin at a very young age as the horse matures early, and the breed is well known to be entirely complacent to commands issued it. The breed is hardy and possesses great stamina.
Height:
15.5 hh to 16 hh
Health Problems:
Health was a primary issue during the development of the Mangalarga Marchador horse breed, and the horse’s principle breeders did an exemplary job of ensuring that the breed was creating and furthered with no serious health issues. In fact, the Mangalarga Marchador is capable of thriving quite well on meager rations, including the striking ability to forage for food where it would seem there is none. The breed has an exceptional immune system and is especially resistant to parasite, diseases, and is agile and athletic enough to rarely sustain injuries. Furthermore, the breed is quite capable of surviving comfortably in difficult terrain or climates.
Origin:
The Mangalarga Marchador breed of horse was developed in Brazil during the early part of the 19th century. A local Baron of the Alfenas region of Brazil began developing the breed by crossing Barbary horses already on his farm with the Royal Alter horse. This crossing produced a remarkable group of horses that were later sold to the Mangalarga Farm, which continued to develop the breed. For more than a century, the breeding continued according to the objectives originally set out by the Baron who created the breed. However, in the 1930’s a split occurred between breeders, where on group wished to preserve the Mangalarga exactly as it was originally intended, and one group wished to make changes to the bloodline that would mostly affect the gait of the animal. These new horses were very similar to the original, but were known as Mangalarga Marchadors. The word “Marchador” refers to the marching or ambling gait of the Mangalarga Marchador. Today there exists two stud registries: one for each type, although there is actually very little difference between the two. 