Menorquín horse
Encyclopedia
The Menorquín or Caballo Menorquín is a breed of horse indigenous to the island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands
, from which it takes its name. It is closely associated with the Doma Menorquina
style of riding. The Menorquín was officially recognised as an indigenous breed in 1989, and is listed in the Catálogo Oficial de Razas de Ganado de España in the group of autochthonous breeds in danger of extinction. The FAO
lists it as Endangered. In April 2011 the total population was reported to be 2995, of which fewer than 200 were outside the Balearic Islands. A breeders' association, the Associació de Criadors i Propietaris de Cavalls de Raça Menorquina, was formed in August 1988.
In some English-language publications, the Mallorquín and Menorquín are not listed, but horses of the Balearic Islands are merged into a breed entry or a grouping called the "Balearic horse" or "Balearic pony."
However, authoritative sources, including the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino of Spain and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, do not list a "Balearic" horse or pony and clearly define the Mallorquín and Menorquín as two separate breeds.
.
The breed has remained agile and slender as it was not employed for agricultural work, for which the Balearic donkey was traditionally used.
Menorca was under Moorish
domination from 903–1287. According some sources, research has shown links between the Menorquín and Arab
breeds, while others have shown it to be of Berber
origin, and yet others believe that it was brought to Menorca from central Europe by King James I of Aragon
. According to the Government of the Balearic Islands, it belongs to the eastern group of indigenous Iberian horses which also included the now extinct Catalan horse.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
, from which it takes its name. It is closely associated with the Doma Menorquina
Doma Menorquina
Doma menorquina is the traditional style of riding of the island of Menorca. It is closely associated with the Menorquín horse.Doma menorquina is based on classical dressage and resembles a combination of Alta Escuela and Doma vaquera disciplines. Usually, stallions 3–4 years old are trained...
style of riding. The Menorquín was officially recognised as an indigenous breed in 1989, and is listed in the Catálogo Oficial de Razas de Ganado de España in the group of autochthonous breeds in danger of extinction. The FAO
Fão
Fão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
lists it as Endangered. In April 2011 the total population was reported to be 2995, of which fewer than 200 were outside the Balearic Islands. A breeders' association, the Associació de Criadors i Propietaris de Cavalls de Raça Menorquina, was formed in August 1988.
In some English-language publications, the Mallorquín and Menorquín are not listed, but horses of the Balearic Islands are merged into a breed entry or a grouping called the "Balearic horse" or "Balearic pony."
However, authoritative sources, including the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino of Spain and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, do not list a "Balearic" horse or pony and clearly define the Mallorquín and Menorquín as two separate breeds.
Characteristics
The Menorquín may only be black, in all its variations; horses of any other colour can not be registered. Limited white markings are permitted. It is harmoniously made, tranquil and obedient, noble and elegant. The average height is 1.6 metres (15.7 h), and the minimum permissible height 1.54 metres (15.2 h) for males and 1.51 metres (14.9 h) for females. The profile is slightly convex, the body and limbs long, the eye round and lively. It is strong and energetic, slender, powerful and muscular, and suited to any type of saddle or driving use. Its most valued quality is its suitability for the traditional festivals of Menorca, where it is irreplaceable, and for the elevade and bot movements of the Doma menorquinaDoma Menorquina
Doma menorquina is the traditional style of riding of the island of Menorca. It is closely associated with the Menorquín horse.Doma menorquina is based on classical dressage and resembles a combination of Alta Escuela and Doma vaquera disciplines. Usually, stallions 3–4 years old are trained...
.
The breed has remained agile and slender as it was not employed for agricultural work, for which the Balearic donkey was traditionally used.
Menorca was under Moorish
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
domination from 903–1287. According some sources, research has shown links between the Menorquín and Arab
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
breeds, while others have shown it to be of Berber
Barb (horse)
Developed on the Barbary Coast of North Africa, the Barb horse is a desert breed with great hardiness and stamina. The Barb generally possesses a fiery temperament and an atypical sport-horse conformation, but nevertheless has influenced modern breeds....
origin, and yet others believe that it was brought to Menorca from central Europe by King James I of Aragon
James I of Aragon
James I the Conqueror was the King of Aragon, Count of Barcelona, and Lord of Montpellier from 1213 to 1276...
. According to the Government of the Balearic Islands, it belongs to the eastern group of indigenous Iberian horses which also included the now extinct Catalan horse.