Galiceño

This breed of horse is native to Mexico and has a long and rich history.

With their unique chestnut coloring and gentle temperament, the Galiceños are quickly gaining popularity among horse enthusiasts.

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about these special horses!

Galiceño Breed Info

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Galiceño:

Height (size) 12.0 – 13.2 hands high
Colors All solid colors are allowed, except albinos and pintos
Country of Origin Mexico
Common Uses Still used for ranch work in parts of Texas, hacking, excel in barrel racing, driving, equine therapy, children’s mount

Galiceño Facts & Information (Breed Profile)

Galiceños are a rare breed of horse that are direct descendants of horses introduced into Mexico by Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes starting in 1519.

Over the next several decades, Spanish conquistadores, missionaries, and settlers established breeding herds across Mexico.

Galiceño descended from these isolated horses in southern Mexico mostly through natural selection.

DNA analysis conducted by the Texas A&M Genetics Lab established that modern-day Galiceños are very pure, showing little if any genetic exchange with other breeds, and are the most closely related to Garranos of the Iberian Peninsula.

Texan Harvey Mecom imported a large number of these horses to the United States between 1958 and the mid-1960s.

Formed in 1959, the Galiceño Horse Breeders Association also promotes the preservation of the Galiceño horse breed.

However, today, with less than 200 known individuals, their numbers are very low.

The Livestock Conservancy’s recent attempts to conserve this breed have resulted in the establishment of new breeders around the country.

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

Alternative Names

“Galiceno”

Temperament/Personality

Very gentle and easy to handle

Physical Characteristics

The head is somewhat refined with big and lively eyes, and a small muzzle.

The ears are pointed.

The neck is slightly arched, the shoulders are sloped, and the withers are prominent.

The back is straight and short.

The croup is somewhat sloped, and the tail is moderately high-set.

The legs and joints are strong.

Their gaits are smooth, and they possess a lot of stamina.

They are gaited and can perform a ground-covering running-walk.

Galiceño is small and gentle enough to be ridden by children, but strong enough to carry an adult weighing up to 200 pounds for a whole day.

Colors

All solid colors are allowed, except albinos and pintos

Height (size)

12.0 -13.2 hands high

Stallions

n/a

Mares

n/a

Weight

620 – 750 lbs (280 – 340 kg)

Blood Type

Warm

Common Uses

Still used for ranch work in parts of Texas, hacking, excel in barrel racing, driving, equine therapy, children’s mount

Health

n/a

Popular Traits

They are very strong and have great endurance, and even though they are small they can carry adults for a whole day

Feeding/Diet

n/a

Country of Origin

Mexico

Ancestors

Spanish colonial horses