Azteca

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

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Basic Info

The Azteca is a modern horse breed combining Iberian horse blood and American Quarter Horse or Criollo (horse) blood (international Registry) or Iberian horse blood and American Quarter Horse blood (American Registry). The horses are very good at all sports which require agility, power, spirit, strength, and speed. This includes charreria, classical riding, dressage, bull fighting, cutting, reining, team penning, polo, pleasure riding, and driving Strict breeding codes ensure the success of the breed. The crossbreedings have been scientifically researched to combine only the best of each breed. The horses are inspected twice in their lives: at seven months to obtain a birth certificate, and again at three years of age, to get their registration certificate as breeding stock. The registry attaches the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F to their horses as identification as to their proportions of each breed. The letters are only used for breeding purposes to help the breeders choose horses to produce offspring that are no more than 3/4 Andalusian or Quarter Horse. The "A" level is the most desirable. Azteca A Registration: Azteca A crossed with another Azteca A Azteca C crossed with an Andalusian (foal with 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse Quarter Horse and Azteca C cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 1/2 Quarter Horse, 1/8 Criollo) Quarter Horse and Azteca B cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 5/8 Quarter Horse) Azteca B and Azteca F cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 1/8 Quarter Horse, 2/8 Criollo) Azteca C and Azteca F cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse, 2/8 Criollo) Azteca D and Azteca F cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 1/4 Quarter Horse, 1/4 Criollo) Azteca B and Azteca C cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 1/2 Quarter Horse) Azteca B and Azteca D cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse) Azteca C and Azteca D cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 5/8 Quarter Horse) Azteca C and Azteca E cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse) Azteca D and Azteca E cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse, 1/8 Criollo) Azteca B Registration: Andalusian and Azteca D cross (foal 3/4 Andalusian, 1/4 Quarter Horse) Azteca C Registration: Quarter Horse and Azteca D cross (foal 1/4 Andalusian, 3/4 Quarter Horse) Azteca D Registration: Andalusian stallion and Quarter Horse mare cross (foal 1/2 Andalusian, 1/2 Quarter Horse) Azteca E Registration: Andalusian stallio and Azteca F mare cross (foal 3/4 Spanish, 1/4 Criollo) Azteca F Registration: Andalusian and Criollo cross (foal 1/4 Spanish, 1/4 Criollo) Aztecas may not be any smaller than 14.3 hh, but any solid coat color is permitted. Ideally, the horse is a balance of both breeds, being not too tall and lean, nor too short and stocky. The elegant and aristocratic head has a straight or slightly convex profile, with small, well-pricked ears, and expressive eyes. The neck is well muscled and slightly arched. Withers are medium to sharp, and the horse has a straight, fairly short back, and a broad, round croup. The mane and tail are flowing and the tail is set low. The girth is deep and full, with a minimum circumference of 6 ft. and the shoulder is long and sloping. The Azteca has well mucled cannons with good joints, however, the cannons are long and thin. The bone density should favor the Spanish ancesty rather than the Quarter Horse.

Health

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Habitat

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Behavior

The horses are gentle and willing, and are especially trainable and eager to work. They are alert, proud, and courageous. The horses have naturally collected movement with medium high action and excellent tracking. They are spirited and proud.

Origin

Mexico

History

This modern breed was developed in Mexico in 1972, as it was thought that Mexico, the country where Charreria was born, needed its own horse breed. The new breed was born mainly through the efforts of Mexican organizations such as: La Secretaría de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos, la Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca, el Centro de Reproducción Caballar Domecq, and Casa Pedro Domecq. The breed is rapidly growing in popularity, enough to challenge the Mexican Criollo. The International Azteca Horse Association was formed in 1992 to oversee the breed. Affiliated associations in the United States and Canada soon followed. Currently, 1000 Azteca are registered with the IAzHA.

Common Foods

grass