Horse
Pronunciation:
Sore-eh'-ya
Breed Description:
The Sorraia breed of horse is a rare breed of horse native to Portugal. The Sorraia appears to be very similar to primitive wild Iberian horses, and may be closely related to these. The Sorraia still exhibits the primitive features or its wild ancestors, including a roman nose and dun coloring with dorsal strips and leg striping. They are hardy and sure footed, and were occasionally captured and used as working farm horses, or crossed with domesticated horses to add sturdiness and thriftiness.
The Sorraia was once believed to be extinct, but a small wild population was discovered in the early 20th century. Today, the wild herds are carefully managed, but the Sorraia is still extremely rare.
Temperament:
The Sorraia breed of horse is a wild breed and as such is not generally considered to be easily trained.
Height:
The Sorraia breed of horse is normally 13.2 to 14.2 hands.
Weight:
The Sorraia breed of horse weighs 650 to 950 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Sorraia breed of horse has no specific health problems, and wild herds are managed and a stud book kept to prevent inbreeding.
Living Conditions:
The Sorraia breed of horse is a wild breed and can live outdoors in most conditions. They need relatively little forage or care.
Exercise:
The Sorraia breed of horse is a wild horse and requires freedom and regualar exercise.
Life Expectancy:
The Sorraia breed of horse lives into its late twenties.
Grooming:
The Sorraia breed of horse is kept with a natural appearance. Being wild it does not require much care, and the coat can wrinkle and appear to be striped; this is a normal feature of the Sorraia.
Origin:
The Sorraia breed of horse is believed to be closely related, and probably a direct descendant, of ancient wild horses of north Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. Genetic research is currently being done to determine the Soarraia's precise ancestry. It was believed to be extinct until a small herd was discovered in the 1920s. A selection of horses, only 12 individuals, were collected and managed and used to re-establish the breed. Today, a stud book is kept to facilitate managing the wild herds and to help bring this breed back, and they live mainly on a protected reserve in south west Portugal where around 200 Sorraia horses roam. Some examples have been exported to the US and Germany, where the breed is being newly established. 