Azteca Horse
The Azteca is a very modern breed which was developed in Mexico in 1972
through the combined efforts of several Mexian organizations, namely La
Secretaria de Agriculturea y Recursos Hidraulicos, Asociacion Mexicana de
Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca, Centro de Reproduccion Caballar Domecq,
and Casa Pedro Domecq. The Azteca has developed to challenge the place of the
Native Mexican, or Mexican Criollo, and is rapidly growing in popularity. They
have been rigorously selectively bred since 1972 and there are strict breeding
codes enforced to ensure the continued success of the breed. They have evolved
through crossbreeding Andalusian stallions with
Quarter Horse mares, or vice
versa, or by crossing Andulusian stallions with approved Criollo mares.
The crossbreeding has been very scientifically researched in order to cement the best qualities of the combination of the three different breeds in one horse. The most common cross is that of an Andalusian stallion with a Quarter Horse mare. Subsequent generations can then be bred back and forth. The offspring must always be six-eighths or less of any the individual breeds. In 1992, the International Azteca Horse Association was set up to oversee the continued success and development of the breed and, at the same time, affiliated associations in America and Canada were formed. There are currently approximately 1,000 Aztecas registered with the International Association, and this figure is increasing daily. They are elegant, attractive, versatile, and athletic horses combining the best qualities from the Quarter Horse and the Andalusian. They are suitable for all types of riding, including competitive fields, and also for light draft and light farm work. In general, the Azteca has an excellent temperament, being calm-minded, energetic, intelligent, and willing.
In appearance, they have attractive Spanish type heads with lively eyes, and small alert ears. The neck should be muscular, well set on, and gently arched, the shoulders are nicely sloping, they should be deep and wide through the chest, have prominent withers, a straight back, and muscular hindquarters. The legs should be strong and sturdy with good joints, long cannon bones, and well-formed feet. They can be any whole colors, and in size, females must exceed 14.3 hh and males 15 hh.