Revision 40000491 of "Asturcón" on enwiki

The '''Asturcones''', small local horses in [[Asturias]], have inhabited the [[Earth]] for the past 3000 years and, although at one point they were in danger of extinction, they were highly appreciated by the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]].


== History ==

Also known as the Asturcon, this breed originated in Northern [[Spain]]. It is used for riding and packing and stands 11.2 to 12.2 h.h. 
Centuries ago the existence of a small horse breed originating in the northwest of Spain was recorded. The [[ancient Rome|Romans]] referred to these horses as asturcons and thought well of them - and they were popular with the [[France|French]] during the [[Middle Ages]]. [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] (23-79 A.D.) described them as a small breed that did not trot, but moved in an easy [[gait]] by alternately moving both legs on one side. 

The ambling [[gait]] was natural for this small horse, and done in such a way that it gave a comfortable ride. As a result, they become popular as ladies' mounts. Known as palfreys in England, they were called haubini in [[France]], a word that later became hobbye and eventually hobby horse. Much of this blood was taken to [[Ireland]], where the "Irish Hobby" was greatly admired. 
 
It is thought by some that the Astrurian developed as a cross between the Garrano pony of northern [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] - a direct descendant of the Celtic pony - and the Sorraia, the original saddle horse of [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]], which gave the breed its calm temperament. Some other blood must have been present in the Astrurian's lineage, however, because the ambling gait is not present in either the Sorraia or Garrano. Suspected by the author is a strong and more direct link to the ancient Celtic pony, of which some strains at least must have been amblers.  There is a narrow but clear trail of ambling horses to be found in Turkey, China, Mongolia, and Siberia, tracing the route of the prehistoric horse to the now submerged land-bridge at the [[Bering Straits]].


== Characteristics ==

Living in a feral state for the most part, under difficult conditions, the breed was facing extinction. The predominant colors for the Asturian is black or bay with no white markings. 

The Asturian has a small although sometimes rather heavy head, with a straight profile, small ears, and large eyes; the neck is long and quite thin with a flowing mane; the withers are moderately high; the back straight and strong; the croup is sloping with a low tail-set; the shoulder is well sloped. The feet of this pony are well shaped and very tough.

[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/asturian/ASTURCON.jpg]

==External links==
*[http://www.llanes.as/magica/cuanda20.htm Asturcones en La Montaña Mágica]

*[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/asturian/ Breeds of Livestock-Asturian]


[[Category:Horse breeds]]