Galician Pony

Found in northwest Spain, The Galician Pony is home in a region that features many mountains and a wet climate.  The breed is used for the production of meat and for riding.  The breed was used to develop the Galiceno, and it's size is between a pony and a horse.

The Galician Pony comes from a mix of Roman and Celtic horses that were brought into Spain by the Suevos.  They have short bodies and strong legs.  Most have chesnut colored coats.

While valuable in their meat production uses, they also have tourist value.  There is a festival in Galicia that is called "Curros".  During this festival, everyone participates in catching semi-wild horses from the Galician mountains to brand and cut manes and tails to sell them in the "curro".  Some of the horses are purchased and the rest are set free to the mountains again.