Brazilian horse breeds: Mangalarga Marchador, Crioulo and more

Breeds formed in Brazil

Brazil has one of the world’s largest horse populations — about 6 million head, according to the national statistics office (IBGE, 2020) — and several breeds formed or consolidated in the country. Each breed has its own stud book, run by a breeders’ association accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA). That registry, not the horse’s looks, officially defines which breed a horse belongs to.

The registry ranking

In the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2022 report on breed registration services, the three breeds with most registered animals were:

Rank	Breed	Registered animals	Origin
1	Quarter Horse	648,452	United States
2	Crioulo	460,047	Iberian (Southern Cone)
3	Mangalarga Marchador	372,807	Minas Gerais, Brazil

These are registry figures, not the total horse population, which includes many unregistered animals.

Mangalarga Marchador

The breed arose in southern Minas Gerais around 200 years ago, with the Portuguese Alter Real horse as its base. Its hallmark is the marcha, a smooth four-beat gait in two variations, marcha batida and marcha picada, which makes it comfortable for long rides. The registry is kept by the ABCCMM, founded on 16 July 1949 in Belo Horizonte and accredited by MAPA.

Crioulo

Descended from Iberian horses brought by colonists, the Crioulo is strongest in southern Brazil, above all in Rio Grande do Sul, and shared with neighbouring countries of the Southern Cone. It is hardy, resistant and a symbol of gaúcho culture. Its registry, the ABCCC, is based in Pelotas. The breed is tested in functional events — the most famous is the Freio de Ouro — and in ranch work. The ABCCC reports that the Crioulo economy moves R$ 5.36 billion and employs more than 160,000 people in Brazil.

Campolina

According to the breed association, the Campolina began in 1870 in the Entre Rios de Minas area, when Cassiano Campolina received the mare Medéia from Emperor Pedro II. She was in foal to an Andalusian stallion, and the colt, Monarca, became decisive in forming the breed. Thoroughbred, Anglo-Norman and Iberian blood followed. It is the largest of Brazil’s gaited breeds, with a comfortable gait and docile temperament. The breeders’ association was founded in 1951 in Belo Horizonte.

Mangalarga (Paulista): don’t confuse them

The Mangalarga, also called Mangalarga Paulista, is a separate breed from the Mangalarga Marchador. It comes from São Paulo state and has its own breeders’ association. The similar names cause confusion, but the associations and standards are different.

Brazilian Sport Horse

A national sport breed for show jumping, dressage and eventing, formed from 1970 onwards by crossing Brazilian mares with European warmblood stallions — Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Oldenburg, Trakehner, Westphalian and Selle Français — and Thoroughbreds. It has its own breeders’ association, created in 1977.

How to confirm a horse’s breed

The correct way is through registration with the MAPA-accredited association, not appearance. Registry numbers change every year, so always note the date and source of any figure. For health, management or the purchase of a specific horse, consult a veterinarian and the breed association. Compare with horse breeds by use.