The Azteca
republished
with permission of HorsePower
The Azteca horse was the first breed developed in Mexico, and was
the result of crossing Andalusians with quarter horses and criollos.
The Conquistadors had turned many of their Spanish-bred Haca and andalusian
horses loose in Mexico rather than taking them home aboard their ships,
and those horses gradually made their way into the American southwest.
There, the native Indians used them for hunting buffalo and fighting
wars, and they became prized possessions.
Horses with Spanish blood have always be favored in Mexico and in
1972, a breed crossing andalusians, quarter horses and criollos was
created. The Azteca breed was officially granted registry by the Mexican
Department of Agriculture in 1982.
The Azteca breeding program began by crossing Spanish andalusian stallions
with quarter horse mares or part-criollo mares. The Azteca must carry
at least three-eighths to five-eighths andalusian or quarter horse
blood, but not more than one-quarter criollo blood. The result is
a beautiful animal, suited to both performance classes or pleasure
riding.
An adult Azteca should be 14.1 to 15.2 hands for mares and 14.2 to
15.3 hands for stallions or geldings. They have attractive heads with
a straight or slightly convex face, with lively, expressive eyes.
A well-arched neck sports a flowing, thick mane.
The Azteca should have a deep chest and a short, straight and strong
back. The hindquarters should be muscular, the legs strong and long
with well-proportioned feet. All coat colors are allowed, except for
paint and appaloosa markings or albinos. Their temperaments are generally
lively, happy and willing to please.
Aztecas are suitable for most disciplines, from show jumping to bullfighting,
and the Mexican charros (cowboys) find them excellent for roping,
reining, cutting and all other ranch work.
For more information about the Azteca horse, contact
Azteca Horse Association of the United States
2613 Camino De Verdad, Mercedes, Texas 78570.
(210) 968-7610
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