Costa Rican Saddle Horse

The Costa Rican Saddle Horse has a smooth and easy gait which makes it perfect for long distance rides.

Plus, they are very surefooted and can navigate through difficult terrain making them ideal for exploring Costa Rica’s lush landscape.

If you want to learn more about this amazing breed, keep reading!

Costa Rican Saddle Horse Breed Info

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Costa Rican Saddle Horse:

Height (size) 14.1- 15.1 hands high
Colors All colors are allowed, except pinto, and they can have white markings on the face, legs and tail
Country of Origin Costa Rica
Common Uses General riding, as a stock horse

Costa Rican Saddle Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)

As the name suggests, the Costa Rican Saddle Horse is a horse breed developed in Costa Rica.

The breed began developing in the mid 19th century when breeders of Costa Rica started paying more attention to the selection of breeding stock they were using.

Ever since selective breeding has been meticulously maintained.

Due to low numbers and worries about inbreeding, a few stallions were brought in from Spain.

However, the new blood didn’t have all the desirable traits and gaits that the locals were looking for in their saddle horses.

Additionally, stallions from Peru were brought in, and they managed to produce superior offspring, ultimately leading to the creation of the Costa Rican Saddle Horse we know today.

Janitzio, a loudly marked sabino stallion who was born in 1955, is credited by being the founder of the breed.

In 1972, the ASCACOPA breed club was founded, and in 1974, the ASCACOPA breed registration was established.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!

Alternative Names

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Temperament/Personality

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Physical Characteristics

The head profile is slightly convex or straight.

The neck has a natural arch and is broad at its base before becoming more narrow as it attaches to the head.

The chest is well muscled and deep, and the barrel is well developed.

The back is short.

The croup is well muscled and long.

The mane and tail are fine.

Exhibiting high flexion of the knees and hocks during a rhythmic and harmonic trot, the gait and motions are done with action and energy.

Colors

All colors are allowed, except pinto, and they can have white markings on the face, legs and tail

Height (size)

14.1- 15.1 hands high

Stallions

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Mares

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Weight

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Blood Type

Warm

Common Uses

General riding, as a stock horse

Health

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Popular Traits

It is a gaited high stepping horse

Feeding/Diet

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Country of Origin

Costa Rica

Ancestors

Spanish colonial horses, Barb