Patagonia 150 plus

Wildlife

Wild Horses

Height: 138 cm - 150 cm up to the shoulder
Head: Small head, wide forehead, narrow nose, sharp eyes and small ears
Body: Strong and firm, short, muscular legs with wide bones and hard hooves
Colour: Over 100 colours
Food: Coarse grass and young shrubs
Lives: On the pampas and steppe in Patagonia

The wild horses of Patagonia are descendants of the horses brought to Argentina by the Spanish in the 16th century.

These horses were very important to the native people of Patagonia, the Tehuelche, who used them for hunting. The Tehuelche also taught the first Welsh settlers in Patagonia how to ride the wild horses and hunt for food. These horses were also important to the gauchos (cowboys) as they were strong and hard-working and had lots of stamina – ideal when working with cattle.

Around 1910, approximately 2,000 wild horses were taken from the pampas in the western area of Chubut province. Fifteen mares were chosen to breed a type of horse called Criollo. However, hundreds of wild horses continue to roam the pampas in Patagonia today.

Did you know…?

In 1925, Aimé-Felix Tschiffely and 2 untamed Criollo horses named Mancha and Gato went on a journey from Buenos Aires in Argentina to the city of Washington in the United States of America - a journey of over 10,000 miles. The journey was described as “impossible” and “absurd” but Tschiffely, Mancha and Gato became world famous after successfully completing the journey in just under 3 years.

The recado, the traditional saddle of Argentina, is made up of layers of blankets, leather and sheepskin. The upper layer of sheepskin provides the gaucho with a comfortable seat and it is also used as the gaucho’s bed.

Patagonia 150 plus

Introducing Patagonia and Wales

Establishing the Wladfa

Wildlife

Food

Culture

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Did you know…?

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