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Introduction.

The Marchador horse is related to other Iberian breeds like the Andalusian and the Lusitano. They have a pleasant and willing personality that facilitates training and are commonly mounted by children. They are named for their MARCHA, a gait where there are moments of triple hoof support providing comfort to the rider. The marcha can be either lateral or diagonal, however, the diagonal gait is more common.

History.

The breed developed during the 1800s after the King of Portugal fled to Brazil to escape Napoleon. The King brought his best stallions and mares including the legendary Royal Alter stallion Sublime to Brazil. These royal horses were crossed with Spanish Barbs and the smooth, gaited Spanish Jennet, which is now extinct, to produce the modern Marchador horse.
Historically, each Brazilian farm produced a heritage and a bloodline that identified their horses. The horse?s name always includes the breeding farm as part of the name that remains with them for life. The breeding farms of Brazil kept impeccable written records so the history of many present-day Marchadors can be traced back 20 generations or more.
Every horse has been bred for centuries to a high standard set in Brazil for conformation, gait and temperament. Horses in Brazil need to pass these standards to become fully registered and be allowed to enter the breeding books.
 

Type.

The Marchador is a working breed, used for ranch and cattle work on a daily basis in Brazil.  It is known for its hardiness, soundness, and facility to learn and perform.  They made history in the Guinness book of World Records for the longest horse trip, over 8,500 miles.  The same horses rode every day from the Ocean to the Andes and back on a trip lasting over a year.

Today?s Mangalarga Marchadors are a versatile horse used in many disciplines, including western competitions, dressage, endurance, jumping and trail.

Colors.

The Marchador averages about 15 H in height and is of medium build. They come in many colors: bay, black, buckskin, chestnut, grey, palomino, and pinto.