Garrano

The Garrano is a primitive pony from northern Portugal, mainly found in the Minho and Trás-os-Montes regions.

It is one of the oldest Iberian breeds, with traces dating back to prehistoric times.

Cultural origin

It was long used by farmers for:

• small agricultural work,
• carrying loads,
• riding,
• and it also contributed to the development of the Lusitano, the bullfighting horse.

Today, it is also bred for biodiversity conservation and sometimes used for trekking.

Meaning of the name

The word “Garrano” comes from old Portuguese garrano/garrana, which referred to a small, rustic, common horse, often semi-wild.

Portugal (breed cradle)

• Northern Portugal: birthplace and core breeding area.
• Minho (Serra da Peneda, Serra do Gerês, Serra da Amarela)
• Trás-os-Montes (Montes de Barroso, Serra do Alvão, Montesinho)
• Douro Litoral (northwest mountain areas)

These mountainous regions, with a humid Atlantic climate, provide natural pastures that allow the Garrano to live in semi-freedom.

Spain (bordering areas)

Present in a few bordering areas of Galicia, where it shares its origin with the Caballo de Pura Raza Gallega. Some hybrid populations exist in mountain border zones, but the main conservation center remains Portuguese.

Ecological role and rewilding areas

The Garrano is integrated into several environmental management programs:

• Peneda-Gerês National Park
• Protected areas of Trás-os-Montes and the Douro

Here, the Garrano is used as a natural grazer to prevent wildfires and maintain ecological balance.

Modern breeding and limited diffusion

A few private breeders exist today in other Portuguese regions, but they remain marginal. The Garrano is very rare outside the Iberian Peninsula: a few specimens are preserved in European genetic conservation programs (notably in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, often in primitive breed parks).

Iberian primitive breed

The Garrano is one of the oldest representatives of the prehistoric Iberian horse. Its morphological traits (small size, compact build, dark bay or black coat) strongly recall the horses depicted in Paleolithic rock art in Portugal’s Côa Valley.

Link with other Iberian and European breeds

It probably contributed to the development of more prestigious Iberian breeds such as the Lusitano and the Andalusian. It is genetically close to the Galician pony (Caballo de Pura Raza Gallega), with which it shares a common origin. Related to the Sorraia, another Portuguese primitive horse, although the Garrano has preserved a more massive, mountain-adapted build. Some DNA analyses show a link with ancient Celtic horse populations, reinforcing its status as a unique genetic reservoir.

Importance in biodiversity

As a rustic and native breed, the Garrano retains resistance genes (to disease, harsh climates, and food scarcity). Its adaptability and endurance make it a valuable resource for the genetic improvement of modern breeds, especially to strengthen hardiness, fertility, and longevity.

Ecological role

The Garrano is used in rewilding projects and in the sustainable management of northern Portuguese landscapes. Through grazing, it helps limit the spread of scrubland and thus reduces the risk of forest fires.

Conservation of genetic heritage

The FAO lists the Garrano among the equine breeds to be protected as it represents a rare genetic heritage. Safeguard and pure-breeding programs are supported by Portuguese authorities and local associations.

Prehistory and Antiquity

The Garrano is considered one of the oldest horses of the Iberian Peninsula. Rock art representations in the Côa Valley (Portugal), dated to the Upper Paleolithic, show horses very close to its type: small size, compact build, dark coat.

A probable direct descendant of primitive Iberian horses, it remained isolated in the northern Portuguese mountains, preserving its type. During Antiquity, it was used as a pack pony and light mount by the Callaeci and Lusitanian peoples.

Roman authors mention small, robust horses in the northwest of Hispania, very similar to today’s Garrano.

Middle Ages

The Garrano served as light war horses, valued for their agility in mountainous terrain. They participated in the cavalry of northern Christian kingdoms during the Reconquista. Their hardiness made them indispensable to mountain farmers for transport and agriculture. Occasional crossbreeding occurred (with Andalusians, Arabs, Berbers), but without erasing the original type.

Modern era (16th – 19th centuries)

The Garrano remained a versatile rural horse:

• used on farms for small agricultural tasks,
• working mount for shepherds,
• pack animal for mountain travel.

In some regions, it served as a foundation for improving other Iberian breeds (notably the Lusitano and Galician horses). Its role gradually declined with the arrival of larger, more powerful horses and changes in farming practices.

20th century: decline and safeguard

Agricultural mechanization caused a dramatic decline. In the 1940s–1960s, the breed nearly became extinct. A few populations survived in semi-freedom in the Minho and Trás-os-Montes mountains.

In the 1970s, an official stud-book was opened and safeguard programs launched. The Garrano was recognized as a heritage breed, integrated into biodiversity conservation policies.

21st century: promotion and future

Today, the Garrano is mainly raised in semi-freedom in the northern Portuguese natural parks (Peneda-Gerês, Barroso, Montesinho). It plays a major ecological role in wildfire prevention through extensive grazing.

The breed is also promoted in rural and cultural tourism (trekking, traditional festivals, leisure riding). Despite its rarity, the Garrano enjoys growing recognition in Portugal and Europe as a genetic and cultural treasure.

Hardiness and autonomy

Accustomed to living in semi-freedom in northern Portugal’s mountains, the Garrano is an extremely hardy horse.

• Adapts to harsh conditions (cold, humidity, rocky soils, poor diet).
• Excellent orientation skills and survival in the wild.

Temperament

• Docile and calm with humans when regularly handled.
• Intelligent and vigilant, yet cautious in the wild, which helped its survival.
• Cooperative, quickly bonds with its handler.
• Less nervous than the Sorraia, gentler than the Galician pony, often described as balanced and self-confident.

Social behavior

• Lives in structured herds with a lead stallion, mares, and foals.
• Strong social cohesion, with protective behaviors.
• Good ability to integrate with other breeds in parks or equestrian centers.

Natural abilities

• Great endurance despite small size.
• Ability to cross rough terrain, making it an excellent mountain horse.
• Sure-footed and cautious, highly valued for trekking in difficult terrain.

Relationship with humans

Historically used by farmers and shepherds, it developed a pragmatic relationship of trust. Today, it is valued for children’s riding, light harness work, and sometimes equine therapy, thanks to its gentle temperament.

The Garrano is a robust, intelligent, docile, and reliable horse, adapted to both semi-wild life and modern leisure/eco-tourism uses.

Conservation and safeguard

Despite a small population (a few thousand individuals, many in semi-freedom), the Garrano now benefits from protection programs supported by the Portuguese State and the European Union. Maintaining the official stud-book and raising awareness among local breeders are essential to avoid genetic dilution through uncontrolled crossbreeding.

Ecological and territorial role

The Garrano is increasingly used as a landscape management tool:

• upkeep of mountain pastures,
• limiting shrub proliferation,
• wildfire prevention, a major issue in northern Portugal.

This ecological function, supported by public policies, ensures the breed a lasting role in rural economies.

Tourism and cultural development

The Garrano represents an identity symbol of northern Portugal:

• local festivals,
• horse trekking,
• promotion of intangible heritage.

It attracts visitors interested in ecotourism, contributing to the vitality of rural areas.

Modern uses

Although small, the Garrano remains a versatile pony:

• trekking,
• leisure riding for children,
• light harness work.

Its docile and hardy temperament makes it suitable for leisure riding and educational equestrian activities.

Scientific and genetic prospects

Its ancient genetic heritage makes it a valuable resource for research (studies of equine phylogeny, links with prehistoric Iberian horses). It could serve as a genetic reservoir to reinforce the hardiness of other threatened or overly specialized breeds.

Challenges

• Maintaining population size: avoiding inbreeding weakening the breed.
• International recognition: strengthening promotion of the Garrano in Europe and beyond.
• Diversification of uses: integrating the Garrano into modern sectors (equine therapy, education, sustainable tourism).

The Garrano is no longer just a “mountain pony”: it is moving towards a triple valorization – ecological, cultural, and patrimonial – that should ensure its long-term survival.

Natural hardiness

The Garrano is a very resilient breed thanks to its millennia-long adaptation to northern Portugal’s mountains.

• Withstands cold, humidity, food scarcity, rocky terrain.
• Long lifespan: can remain fit for work and breeding at advanced ages.

Strong immune system

• Little affected by common equine diseases.
• High parasite resistance, favored by semi-wild living conditions that promote natural selection of robust individuals.

Locomotor health

• Strong bone structure, dry limbs, hard hooves adapted to rocky terrain.
• Rarely affected by lameness or joint problems, except in cases of obesity or sedentary life.

Reproduction and fertility

• Mares are known for high fertility and the ability to foal without assistance.
• Foals show steady, robust growth.

Points of vigilance

• Risk of inbreeding in isolated populations → strict stud-book management is crucial.
• Like other primitive breeds, it may be sensitive to rich diets (risk of obesity, laminitis when removed from its natural environment).
• Needs protection through vaccination (tetanus, equine flu) when integrated into equestrian structures.

Positive ecological role for health

• Freedom of movement, varied diet, and natural pastures promote excellent physical condition.
• The Garrano is rarely prone to metabolic diseases, unlike more specialized breeds.

The Garrano is a naturally healthy horse, rarely affected by disease, but requires careful genetic management and an adapted diet when raised outside its mountain habitat.