Table of Contents
Important data at a glance
- Origin: Mexico
- Main breeding area: mainly Mexico
- Type: Warmblood
- Distribution: Mexico, rarely in other countries
- Height: approx. 55-61 in
- Weight: approx. 1322-1763 lbs
- Appearance: harmonious, robust build
- Colours: Pintos are very rare, otherwise all colours
- Disciplines: leisure riding, trick riding
Origin and breeding history of the Azteca
The history of the Azteca began around 1970, when an attempt was made in Mexico to breed a Mexican national breed. The “Native Mexicans” had just died out at that time and a new breed was being sought. Breeding of the Aztaca was then officially started in 1972 and later registered and recognised. In order to breed the Azteca, Spanish horses, in this case PREs, were crossed with Quarter Horses in the first generation. In order to fulfil the requirements of the breeding standard, the horses must have at least 3/8 of an Iberian or Quarter Horse in their blood, but no more than 5/8. Other breeds such as Criollos and Mestizios have also been used in breeding, but they must not make up more than 1/4 of the blood. Generally, it is controversial whether a new breed may be created from different breeds. However, the Azteca has been recognised as a breed and has shown itself to be a very friendly riding horse with an affinity for people.
How tall does an Azteca grow?
The Azteca normally grows to around 55-61 inches, but there can of course be slight variations.
Appearance of the Azteca horse
Due to its medium-sized and compact body, the Azteca is a very harmonious and well-proportioned horse. The head is very straight and looks elegant due to the elk-like nose. The fine ears and big, loyal eyes create a graceful appearance and symbolise the gentle character of the Azteca. The horse’s strong and well-proportioned neck forms the transition to the shoulders, which are well muscled. The back is in square form and of medium length, merging into a rather round croup. The horse breed tends to be overset.
Ultimately, the legs are sturdily built, yet light and fine. The height of the Azteca is around 55-61 inches and is therefore balanced, so that both short and tall riders fit perfectly with the horse. The Azteca comes in a wide variety of colours, but browns and especially dark browns are bred very frequently. Pintos and horses with large markings or mixed colours are not permitted for breeding, which is why these do not occur. The mane and tail hair is smooth and rather dense.
How old doeas an Azteca get?
An Azteca can reach an age of around 25-30 years. However, factors such as feeding, husbandry, illness and care can have a negative as well as a positive effect on the age reached.
Description of the character traits
The Azteca is very willing to learn due to his gentle disposition, which nevertheless has enough ambition, and thus helps his rider in training in the best possible way. His self-confident demeanour fascinates people who look at him. The horses are usually easy to work with and uncomplicated to train thanks to their calm and co-operative nature.
Azteca – Disciplines
Because the Azteca has the characteristics of a Quarter Horse as well as those of a PRE, it usually has more impulsion and expression in its gait than pure Quarter Horses. As a result, it is sometimes very light-footed and, due to its compact body size, highly agile. Thanks to its strong hindquarters, the horse is also suitable for jumping and has enough energy for this purpose. The Azteca is also willing to work in the field and during trick riding and supports the rider. The strong legs are perfectly suited to a variety of terrain and the calm character makes the Azteca an excellent partner that even beginners can safely ride. The Azteca is therefore a true all-rounder and is suitable for many types of riding. They can be found in classical dressage, western, working cow horse or polo, among others. They are also used as police horses due to their calm disposition. In the more rural regions of Mexico, the breed is also used for work in the fields.
What is an Azteca suitable for?
The Azteca is a very versatile breed that is often used for leisure riding. However, the horses are also sometimes seen in show jumping, trail riding or dressage.
Hereditary diseases of the horse breed
Since Quarter Horses, which are present in the blood of the Azteca, are susceptible to hereditary diseases, these can also occur in the Azteca. Here is a selection of common hereditary diseases:
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS): In this disease, male horses develop female external genitalia but have internal testicles. They are therefore unable to reproduce.
- Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD): This is a systemic disease that particularly affects ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, organs and the sclera of the eye. It manifests itself in horses that become chronically lame, have hyperextended hind legs and have very worn pasterns. Depending on the severity of the disease, the horses usually have to be euthanised due to the severe pain.
- Equine malignant hyperthermia (EMH): The disease affects the skeletal muscles and causes a high amount of calcium to be released in the muscle cells. The consequences are often cramps in the skeletal muscles, metabolic acidosis (hyperacidity of the blood) and a body temperature of over 40 °C. Stress and anaesthesia often exacerbate the disease.
- Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED): The animals have a short life expectancy and often have to be euthanised as foals. In this disease, the animals lack an enzyme that is needed to synthesise and store glycogen in the tissue.
- Haemophilia A: In this disease, there is a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII. Bleeding after injuries and operations is therefore very difficult to stop and haematomas often form. Only male offspring are affected, but female animals can inherit the gene.
- Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA): The disease usually breaks out later and the affected horses are usually born symptom-free. Skin lesions such as blisters, ulcers and even skin detachments then occur. The affected animals are often euthanised.
- Hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HYPP): This is an electrolyte disorder that manifests itself in an excess of potassium in the blood. The disease is often exacerbated by stress. It leads to symptoms such as fatigue, poor regeneration after exertion and sometimes cramps. In the worst case, cardiac arrest, respiratory paralysis or suffocation due to laryngospasm can occur.
- Incontinentia pigmenti (hyperpigmentation): The affected horses show skin lesions and anatomical abnormalities on the eyes, hooves and teeth shortly after birth. Male horses die in the womb, which is why the symptoms only appear in females. The mares can usually live a relatively normal life, but they should not be used for breeding in order to minimise the genetic defect.
- Overo Lethal White Syndrome (OLWS): The horses are usually born completely white and their intestines do not function and cannot process food. This results in severe colic and the foals are usually euthanised or die shortly after birth.
- Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM): This is a chronic metabolic disease that often affects heavily muscled animals. The muscle cells accumulate a lot of polysaccharides. Common symptoms are sweating, trembling, stiffness of movement and stretched out hind legs. As a result, the horses usually break down severely and the kidneys can suffer damage as the waste products from the decomposing muscle cells put a strain on them. Adapted feeding can alleviate the symptoms.
How heavy does an Azteca become?
This question cannot be generalised, as of course each individual horse is muscled differently. However, an Azteca can weigh around 1322-1763 lbs
