The Campeiro is a horse breed that is considered to be rare.
They are known for their hardiness and endurance, and they make great ranch horses.
If you are thinking of adding a Campeiro horse to your herd, or you just want to learn more about them, here is everything you need to know about this breed.
Campeiro Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Campeiro horse:
| Height (size) | 14.0 – 15.1 hands high |
| Colors | Most solid colors, with chestnut, bay, gray and buckskin being the most common |
| Country of Origin | Brazil |
| Common Uses | Ranch work, traditional horse riding events and competitions, light harness work, for transportation |
Campeiro Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Campeiro horse is descended from Spanish and Portuguese horses that were introduced to Brazil in the 1540s by Captain Alveres Nunes.
During the course of the expedition, some of these horses became separated from the group and eventually established themselves as a feral population in the region that encompasses Rio Grande, the plains of Paraná, and the Araucaria forests.
It wasn’t until a different expedition stumbled across them in 1728 that the horses were discovered.
A few hundred Campeiro horses were captured by explorers a few years later, and after the first plantations were set up in the area, the breed expanded rapidly.
The settlers carefully bred them in order to improve the horses’ natural ambling pace.
Adding Thoroughbred and Arabian blood in the 19th century helped improve the Campeiro’s conformations and performance.
As a result of many decades of selective breeding, the Campeiro is now a very durable and adaptable farm horse.
In 1976 the Brazilian Association of Campeiro Horse Breeders was founded and the stud book opened in 1985.
‘Marchador das Araucárias’ is another name for this breed, since it is native to the Araucária forests of southern Brazil and can perform an ambling gait.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Marchador das Araucárias”
Temperament/Personality
n/a
Physical Characteristics
The head is wide and fairly straight, and the neck is well-muscled.
The chest is muscular and wide, the back is strong and arched, and legs are strong with solid hooves.
They are gaited and their four beat ambling gait can be either diagonally or laterally broken.
It is smoother and faster than a trot, and can be sustained over a long period of time. Their movements are elastic.
Colors
Most solid colors, with chestnut, bay, gray and buckskin being the most common
Height (size)
13.7 – 15.1 hands high
Stallions
13.9 – 15.1 hh
Mares
13.7 – 14.9 hh
Weight
930 lb (420 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Ranch work, traditional horse riding events and competitions, light harness work, for transportation
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
Four beat ambling gait
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Brazil
Ancestors
Spanish and Portuguese colonial horses