Photo: Fábio Vidigal · CC BY-SA 2.5 horse breed · 671 on Animalso
Mangalarga Marchador Horse Breed
- Animal
- Horse
- Type
- List of gaited horse breeds
- Origin
- Brazil
The Mangalarga Marchador is a Brazilian riding horse and Brazil’s national horse breed. It descends from Portuguese Alter Real horses crossed with local Criollo stock. The breed has four gaits: the walk, canter, marcha batida and marcha picada. It does not trot.
What it is
The Mangalarga Marchador is a riding horse breed from Brazil. It is also the national horse breed of Brazil.
Where it began
The breed developed in Brazil from Portuguese Alter Real horses crossed with local Criollo stock. It is classified among gaited horse breeds.
What stands out
Its gait set includes the walk, canter, marcha batida and marcha picada. The two marcha gaits are ambling gaits, giving the breed four named ways of moving.
Points to know
The Mangalarga Marchador does not trot. The available facts do not give height, weight or lifespan figures, so those details cannot be stated here.
Pricing
No purchase price or other pricing information is provided for this breed.
Who may want another breed
A rider specifically seeking a trotting horse should look at other entries in horse breeds instead. Readers comparing Brazilian origins can also browse horse breeds from Brazil.
Verdict
Choose the Mangalarga Marchador if you want a Brazilian riding horse known for four gaits, including two ambling movements. Its history connects Portuguese Alter Real horses with local Criollo stock, and its national status gives it a clear place in Brazil’s horse culture. Consider another breed if a trot is essential to your plans.
What stands out
- Brazilian riding horse with a clear national identity
- Four named gaits, including two ambling gaits
- Developed from Alter Real and local Criollo stock
- Recognized among gaited horse breeds
Worth knowing
- It does not trot
- The available facts give no height or weight
- The available facts give no lifespan figure
- Temperament details are not provided
Suits
- Riders seeking a Brazilian gaited horse
- Readers interested in ambling gaits
Think twice if
- You specifically need a horse that trots
- You need published size or lifespan figures before choosing
In short
The Mangalarga Marchador suits someone looking for a Brazilian riding horse with more than the usual walk and canter. Its defining movement is the pair of ambling gaits, marcha batida and marcha picada. The breed’s background is a cross between Portuguese Alter Real horses and local Criollo stock. Because it does not trot, it is a poor match for a rider who requires that gait. The available record also leaves size and lifespan unanswered.
Questions
Where does the Mangalarga Marchador come from?
It comes from Brazil and is the country’s national horse breed.
What was the Mangalarga Marchador bred for?
It is a riding horse breed.
Which gaits does it have?
The listed gaits are the walk, canter, marcha batida and marcha picada.
Does the Mangalarga Marchador trot?
No. The breed does not trot.
What breeds contributed to its origins?
It developed from Portuguese Alter Real horses crossed with local Criollo stock.
Is it a gaited horse breed?
Yes. It is classified among gaited horse breeds.
More horse breeds from Brazil
Campolina Brazil Photo: Amazona01 · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Crioulo Brazil Photo: Kc.sminsights · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Lavradeiro Brazil Photo: Carlos Marques · CC BY-SA 2.0 
Mangalarga Brazil Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain 
Pampa Horse Brazil Photo: Amazona01 · CC BY-SA 3.0 Other list of gaited horse breeds breeds
Photo credits13 photographs on this page
- Mangalarga Marchador — Fábio Vidigal · CC BY-SA 2.5 · file page
- Brazilian pony — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY 2.5 · file page
- Brazilian Sport Horse — Henry Bucklow/Lazy Photography · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Campolina — Amazona01 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Crioulo — Kc.sminsights · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Lavradeiro — Carlos Marques · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- Mangalarga — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
- Northeastern horse — Euzeli Cipriano dos Santos Junior · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Pampa Horse — Amazona01 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Pantaneiro — Vicente Bissoni Neto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- American Saddlebred — Just chaos · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- Costa Rican Saddle Horse — Arsdelicata · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Guba — Naturefriends · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.