{"id":205,"date":"2010-08-08T23:57:02","date_gmt":"2010-08-08T23:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=205"},"modified":"2025-01-20T18:07:50","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T18:07:50","slug":"azteca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/azteca","title":{"rendered":"Azteca Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The Azteca is the first breed to be developed in Mexico and descendant of horses from both Spain and Portugal. However it is obvious that the mighty Andalusian<\/a> and\/or Lusitano<\/a> are distinct foundations for the Azteca breed.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

The original Spanish and Portuguese mounts came to Mexico during exploration of the Americas and often became feral again. The ancestors of original imports served the Mexicans well during the Mexican Revolution. Sadly during the war many of them were killed & as breeding had essentially stopped, the Mexican Criollo nearly became extinct. <\/p>\n

Breeding officially began in the early 1970’s by a group of horsemen who tasked themselves with creating a horse breed native to Mexico. The goal was an animal that was specific in conformation, characteristics & athletic ability. The foundation was created by carefully crossing Andalusian<\/a>, American Quarter horse<\/a> & specific types of criollo<\/a> animals. <\/p>\n

The Golden Ticket<\/h3>\n

It didn’t take long for their breeding program to produce offspring that fit the bill. The resulting animal was tough, quick and highly athletic – essentially bred to be the perfect mount for a charro in the bullring. In 1972 the The Asociaci\u00f3n Mexicana de Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca was formed to establish parameters for inclusion in the Azteca registry. <\/p>\n

The Mexican government took a keen interest in developing the breed, working with veterinarians and geneticists around the country to develop their breeding program. They later changed their name to the National Horse of Mexico. In 1989 the Azteca breed registry was formed in the US. Bloodlines may be crossed back and forth between the two registries, as long as resulting animals are always 6\/8 or less of any one breed.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 14.3 – 15 hands
\nAttractive warmblood horse<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is lean with a straight or slightly convex profile
\nNeck is arched and muscular
\nBack is straight and short
\nLegs are well-muscled with good joints
\nWell shaped hooves<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

All colors<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Gentle and willing
\nIntelligent and easy to train
\nProud and courageous<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Show horse
\nRiding horse
\nTransportation
\nWork horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nThe American Azteca Horse International Association<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Azteca\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Azteca\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Azteca\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Azteca\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n