They are present throughout the national territory. According to a survey by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the equine herd reaches almost 6 million head in Brazil.
In addition, equine farming sustains about R$ 30 billion annually in the livestock economy, data recorded by the Brazilian Institute of Equideoculture (IBEqui).
EQUINE REGIONS AND BREEDS
Normally, horse breeding is passed from generation to generation, whether for domestication, walks, horseback riding, sport and even hippotherapy (therapeutic method that uses horses).
Knowing that there is a predominance of horses in different regions, especially in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast, it is worth highlighting their number in the graph below.
DISTRIBUTION OF EQUINE HERDS BY REGION
DISTRIBUTION OF EQUINE HERDS BY REGION
VITALITY, BEAUTY AND VERSATILITY: MEET THE MAIN EQUINE BREEDS
In Brazil, there are about 26 breeds of saddle and draft horses and 6 breeds of ponies. Work in the field, riding, equestrianism and racing are one of the characteristics of the various breeds. Some of them are:
- QUARTER HORSE: horse known for participating in competitions and for endurance and agility. In addition, he is considered muscular and docile, which facilitates training. It is also commonly selected for saddle, cattle handling, jumping and etc. On average, it is 1.50m, and can reach up to 1.62m in height, weighing about 500 kg.
In fact, the state of São Paulo skyrockets at the national level when it comes to the creation of the Quarter Horse. According to the Brazilian Quarter Horse Association (ABQM), the state has almost 300 thousand horses of the breed, followed by Paraná with more than 54 thousand and Minas Gerais with more than 42 thousand.
- MANGALARGA: the refined and resistant equine, it is nothing more than the crossing of the Arabian, Alter and Andalusian breeds. He is a saddle horse, handles cattle and sport and is known for his trotting gait. In addition, it is widely used for horseback riding and conformation tests.
- MANGALARGA MARCHADOR: popularly known as “farmer’s horse” for having a comfortable gait to travel along rough paths, it can be confused with the Mangalarga. The name of Mangalarga was for the horses registered in the association of São Paulo. And what differs most from each other is the movement, while the Mangalarga moves with diagonal supports, the Marchador has a tripedal gear.
- CREOLE: originating from animals of Andalusian and Berber blood, they are resistant to extreme temperatures and the environment, and have a harmonious silhouette. They have different coats, but among the best known is the gateada. The most expensive horse of the breed reaches R$16.25 million.
The breed has a unique competition, known as Golden Brake, which is held every year in the city of Esteio-RS, which proves its skills such as: endurance, physical fitness and taming.
- PAMPA: excellent for work and leisure, this breed stands out for its docility, coat types and for having 5 different types of gait, being: the trot and four gears: trot, beat, center and bite.
The origin of the breed is due to the Berber, which was brought by the Portuguese at the time of colonization. Here in Brazil, most soldiers in the nineteenth century rode horses, which were previously known as tobianos in the south, came to be called “Horses of the Pampas”.
It can live up to 30 years, weighs about 500 kg, with a minimum height of 1.45m.
How beautiful on all fours and gallops. To maintain the health and beautification of horses, a lot of care and specific treatment is required, so Labovet has the Maghorse Line that enhances the aesthetics of the animal while protecting it from parasites.
Text: Samara Kalene
Veterinarian: Analaura Pereira – CRMV-SC 09126
