Horse Breeds: Australian Brumby, Australian Stock Horse, Azteca, Balearic

*AUSTRALIAN BRUMBY*

When horses were sent to Australia, beginning in 1788, only the fittest of horses survived the conditions. The first horses in Australia were used for farm work, and helped open up the pastoral land. Explorers relied on horses for transportation. Fences were poorly made, and many horses escaped. Australia had many wild horses roaming the land.

Australian Brumby, got their name from James Brumpy who arrived to Australia on the Britania in 1791. Brumbies do not have a consistent size or color- they are often bred with the wild horses. Australian Bumby's are seen as pests and valuable resources. Pests because the wild horses damage fences and drink the water supplies of cattle, and resources because they are able to be used for meat, hair and tourism. If there is a draught, Bumby's will paw at the ground until they dig up water for themselves; but will also help the wildlife and cattle find water as well.

*AUSTRALIAN STOCK HORSE*

In response to demands of the Australian environment, selective breeding was performed in order to develop the Australian Stock Horse. In 1788, the First Fleet brought horses to eastern Australia, containing English thoroughbred and Spanish blood, as well as Arabs, and Welsh Mountain ponies.

The need for horses in Australia during this time were for traveling long distances daily, and due to those requirements, the weak horses were culled. Strong horses were used to breed more horses essential to the survival of the colony.

Originally called the Waler, the Australian Stock Horse was recognized after the First World War. In 1971, the Australian Stock Horse Society was created, in order to recognize and formally organize the Australian breed of horses. In order to be included in the Australian Stock Horse registry, the horse had to score 50 pounts out of 100.

*AZTECA*

The Azteca breed was the first breed of horse to be developed in Mexico. The breed was developed by blood from Andalusian, Criollo and Quarter Horse horses. On November 4, 1982, the Mexican Depatment of Agriculture granted an official registry for the Azteca.

Azteca horses are between 14 and 15.3 hands, which is a height established primarily because of the breeds intended use for Charreria. They have lean heads and a straight facial profile. The eyes of Azteca horses are expressive and full, and the nostrils are full. Aztec necks are wide at the base and grow thinner towards the head, displaying a straight angle. Their necks have beautiful, shiny manes that are thick.

The shoulders of Azteca horses are broad and well developed, in order to leave space between the withers. They have deep, wide chests and short, strong backs. They have extremely shiny coats and all colors are permitted into the registry except for paints, albino and appaloosa.

Training and breaking Azteca horses is easy, and they respond well to equine school disciplines that require the horses to gait in a specific way. They are regarded very valuable for schooling and have muscular structure and strength.

The Azteca is a fairly new breed, but has already created a name for itself in sport jumping.

*BALEARIC*

As one of the rarest breeds of equine, the Balearic Horse hails from the Island of Majorca in Spain. As this breed stands just 14 h.h., it is generally suitable as a riding pony.

This magnificent breed is not widely known and its origin is of ancient times. The Balearic horse is one of the least acknowledged type of horses to date, it is truly difficult to come across much, if any information about this horse. Officials typically consider this horse to be unimportant.

The Balearic Horse has very identifying characteristics, from its Romanesque nose upon its delicate head to its arched neck that is both short and thick, along with the graceful carriage and slender limbs. This ancient horse is typically found within the district of Palma and varies in colors such as gray, chestnut, or bay.

The riding pony is typically used in harness, transportation, and agricultural work on small farms. Researchers believe that the Balearic could descend from those depicted on vases and coins from ancient Greece. Some believe there could be a relation between the Balearic and the Greek Skyros.

Phillipe Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of horses for sale, horse farms and horse trailers for sale.