- Appaloosa
- Akhalteke
- American Cream
- American Miniature
- Andalusian
- Arabian
- Azteca
- Bashkir Curly
- Belgian Draft
- Buckskin
- Cleveland Bay
- Clydesdale
- Connemara Dutch
- Warmblood
- Dartmoor
- Friesian
- Hackney
- Haflinger
- Hanoverian
- Highland
- Holsteiner
- Icelandic
- Irish Draft
- Lipizzan
- Missouri Foxtrotting
- Morab
- Morgan
- Norwegian
- Oldenburg
- Paint
- Paso Fino
- Peruvian Paso
- Quarter
- Rocky Mountain
- Shetland
- Shire
- Spanish Barb
- Spotted Draft
- Standardbred
- Tennessee Walking
- Trakehner
- Warmblood
- Welsh Pony
Information Provided Courtesy of Azteca Horseowners Association
AZTECA
History:
A first-generation Azteca is the result of crossing a registered Andalusian/Lusitano
stallion or mare to a registered Quarter horse mare or stallion. The most
common cross is Andalusian/Lusitano stallion on the Quarter horse mare.
Subsequent generations may be bred back and forth as long as neither parent
exceeds 6/8 of the whole.
Crossing the athletic ability of the American Quarter Horse with the VERY athletic ability of the Andalusian/Lusitano is just a matter of common sense. While it is impossible for most Quarter Horse owners to believe that there is a breed in the world that possesses more athleticism and versatility than their own...one needs only to watch an Azteca at play or at work to realize that it is indeed true. The Azteca is valued in Mexico as the Charro horse of choice. Their natural balance and ability to collect themselves enables them to leap sideways in the blink of an eye to avoid the horns of a bull. They dance on their hind legs as youngsters. They possess many of the show-stopping qualities made famous by their Lipizzan cousins and Andalusian ancestors, with the added steadiness and cow sense of the American Quarter Horse.
Aztecas, true to their Andalusian/Lusitano roots, are a very social breed. They tend to be much more interested in humans than horses, and tend to form a strong bond with their owners. Their mellow, loving temperament, combined with extreme intelligence, makes them a pleasure to work with and train. The first generation foundation stock is 1/2 Quarter Horse and 1/2 Andalusian. The second generation foundation stock is 3/4 Andalusian and 1/4 Quarter Horse. The third generation is the PURE AZTECA - 5/8 Andalusian and 3/8 Quarter Horse.
Physical tendencies:
Like their Andalusian and Lippizan relatives, most Aztecas are born brown
or black, and eventually turn grey at adulthood. The reason for this phenomenon
is that the grey color-gene is the dominant gene. Since most Andalusians
are grey or white at adulthood, they pass their coloring on to their offspring.
Breeding for "color" is resulting in more and more bay and black Andalusians,
so inevitably this characteristic will be reflected in the Azteca breed
in the coming years. Although grey is the most common color, there are
no color restrictions within this registry. There are even a few Aztecas
registered with the colorations of a Paint. Other physical traits: Strongest
bone density of any breed in the world. Hooves like iron. It is strongly
recommended that Aztecas not be ridden until 3+ years of age, as they
mature slowly. Their mellow disposition enables colts to be 2+ years of
age, in most cases, before a decision is made on whether or not to geld.
Average size at maturity: 15.2 to 16 hands.
The information contained on this page is provided courtesy of: Azteca Horseowners Association, Inc. PO Box 998 ~ Ridgefield, WA. 98642-0998 Tel: (360) 887-4398 ~ Fax: (360) 887-3815