Azteca

[ladyoblivion]

The Azteca is a horse breed from Mexico, with a subtype, called the "American Azteca", found in the United States. They are well-muscled horses that may be of any solid color, and the American Azteca may also have pinto coloration. Aztecas are known to compete in many western riding and some English riding disciplines. The Mexican registry for the original Azteca and the United States registries for the American Azteca have registration rules that vary in several key aspects, including ancestral bloodlines and requirements for physical inspections. The Azteca was first developed in Mexico in 1972, from a blend of Andalusian, American Quarter Horse and Mexican Criollo bloodlines. From there, they spread to the United States, where American Paint Horse blood was added.

The Azteca was first bred in 1972 as a horse for charros, the traditional horsemen of Mexico.[4] Antonio Ariza Cañadilla, along with others, was instrumental in the creation of the Azteca horse as the national horse of Mexico and with its official recognition by the Mexican Department of Agriculture on November 4, 1982. Ariza used imported Andalusians, crossed with Quarter Horses and Criollos and began to breed the foundation horses of the Azteca breed at Rancho San Antonio near Texcoco, Mexico.[9] Early in the Azteca's history, breeders realized the need for a unified breeding program in order to produce horses that met the required characteristics. The Azteca Horse Research Center was created at Lake Texcoco, and in partnership with breeders developed the phenotype of the breed today. The first official Azteca was a stallion named Casarejo, who was a cross between an Andalusian stallion named Ocultado and a Quarter Horse mare named Americana. He was foaled at the Centro de Reproduccion Caballar Domecq in 1972.[10]

The Associacion Mexicana de Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca, or Mexican Breeders Association for the Azteca Horse, is the original breed registry and still maintains the international registry. The International Azteca Horse Association and its regional affiliates was formed in 1992. The majority of Aztecas are found in Mexico, and the Mexican association had registered between 10,000 and 15,000 horses as of 2005, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Mexican registry adds approximately 1,000 horses per year.[4]

The Azteca Horse Registry of America was formed in 1989 for registering the US portion of the breed, followed by the Azteca Horse Owners Association in 1996 as an owners association.[11] This registry has slightly different registration and breeding rules, and is not approved by the Mexican government to register Azteca horses.[4] The American registry, now called the American Azteca Horse International Association, allows the use of American Paint horses, which are essentially Quarter Horses with pinto coloration, if they have less than 25 percent Thoroughbred breeding. However, the US registry does not incorporate Criollo bloodlines. The Mexican registry allows only the blood of Quarter Horses, Andalusians and Criollos in its registered Aztecas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azteca_horse

The American Azteca horse responds brilliantly to the different equine high school disciplines requiring buckskinsuspended and elevated gaits. The qualities passed on from both parent breeds makes them also, a skillful working cow horse or western horse. They can and do excel at many events and in all disciplines. They are unrivaled when it comes to versatility.

So, whether you like English or Western, you need a graceful dancer or cow horse, you enjoy jumping, dressage, driving, cutting, penning, reining or just desire a wonderful companion for trail riding, take a look at the American Azteca. They can do it all and do it well. We hope you will take time to learn more about this athletic breed that will win your heart as well.

http://www.americanazteca.com/Breed_Info.html

All AQHA and APHA colors and markings are vaqueroacceptable. The head is of medium size with a straight, slightly convex or slightly concave profile with a broad forehead, expressive eyes and medium ears which are mobile and well-placed. The neck is well-muscled, shapely and slightly arched with a medium crest and a broad base to where it joins onto a long sloping shoulder. A long flowing mane and tail are often seen. The withers are broad and slightly muscled yet defined. The haunches, strong and well muscled leading to a well set medium to low tail. The legs are well muscled with dense bone, good joints and strong hooves. Retained from the Andalusian, a free shoulder and hip which allows them to be incredibly athletic and smooth to ride. Their movement is naturally collected with a variance of knee action from high and brilliant to long and flowing.

According to HWO they should be between 15.0-16.0hh with a light to medium build.
Body size ranges between 10% to 30% and is 75% Horse Type to 55% Pony Type

The only stud available right now produced by Rylie for $500.

✯✯✯✯✯ ⋰ Tuscan Sun

[ladyoblivion]

I saw there are a few other Aztecas now bred and I was wondering if anyone wanted to work together to maintain the breed?
This is my first foal <3
Ѧ Setting Sunrise

[Defasher03]

I have an Azteca for sale and would also be willing to sell my mares that breed them if anyone is interested