Garrano, Minho, or Tres os Montes Horse

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Country of Origin: Portugal

Pyrenean Tarpan part of the Konik Breed Type: In Poland-Pottok; In France-Navarre Pony; In Spain-Asturian; In Portugal-Garrano.

The Garrano, sometimes called the Minho or Tres os Montes, is an ancient breed, descended from the same stock as the famous Sorraia. The Sorraia lives mainly between the two rivers Sor and Raia, while the Garrano lives in North-Portugal, so they developed differently according to their habitats. The Garrano mainly lives in the fertile regions of Minho and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, and has probably had more outside blood influence than the Sorraia.

It is generally believed that the Garrano is one of the ancestors to the Andalusian and the Galician Pony. Recently, the breed has had infusions of Arabian blood, implemented by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. This has refined the breed, but the ponies have also begun to lose some of their primitive features.

The Garrano ponies are strong, hardy, sure footed, fast, have a concave profile (dish faced), fine head, large eyes, small forward pricked ears, a long neck, straight shoulder, compact body, are short coupled, muscular, with sloping hindquarters, and a low set tail. Their chest is wide, they have hard hooves, short well formed limbs with broad joints. They are usually bay, chestnut or brown in color and stand 10-14hh.

The Garrano is used for trotting races, packing, trekking, in harness, for riding and light farm work.

Horse Show Central - Garrano Horse
The Horses and Ponies of Portugal
Equine Kingdom
Iberian Horse/Garrano Beginnings