Two Criollos, Gato and Mancha, carried the traveler Aimé Tschiffely between 1925 and 1928 from Buenos Aires to New York, over 21,500 kilometers. Both lived to be over 35 years old, reports Mad Barn. There is hardly anything more that needs to be said about the toughness of this breed.
| Type | Work and riding horse, western use |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America, especially Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay |
| Breeding association in Germany | Branch book at the Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch e.V.; Original breeding book in Uruguay (Asociación Rural del Uruguay for the Sociedad de Criadores de Caballos Criollos del Uruguay) |
| Stock size according to breeding program | at least 138 to a maximum of 150 cm, ideally 144 to 148 cm |
| Colors | all except Tiger Spotted; Fawns and dark colors preferred, lots of white undesirable |
| Usage | Trail riding, western disciplines, cattle and sheep work in South America |
Origin and history
According to Mad Barn, the Criollo goes back to around 100 Spanish horses that Pedro de Mendoza, the founder of Buenos Aires, brought to the Río de la Plata in 1535. When the Spanish abandoned the city a few years later, horses remained behind and went wild; only the toughest survived heat, cold and drought. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the criollos became the workhorses of the gauchos on the cattle pastures of the Pampas.
Crosses with thoroughbreds and cold-blooded horses diluted the type in the 19th century until Argentine breeders consolidated it again with their own standard; The first pure stud book in Argentina was created in 1918. In Germany, the Rhenish Horse Stud Book maintains a branch stud book that adheres to the standard from Uruguay.
Exterior
The breeding program describes a short head with a straight to slightly convex profile, small ears and large, expressive eyes, a strong, muscular neck with a lush mane and a rectangular body with a broad, deep chest. The chest circumference of mares is on average around 180 cm, the cannon bone circumference is around 18 to 19 cm. The height of the stick should be between 138 and 150 cm, ideally 144 to 148 cm.
All colors except tiger spots are permitted. Fawns and dark colors are preferred; Mad Barn cites duns as the most popular color and mentions wild markings on some horses.
Character (interior)
The breeding goal requires a horse that is willing to perform, has a lot of endurance, has strong nerves, is intelligent, obedient and has a long lifespan. Mad Barn describes the Criollo as brave and calm, with a strong instinct for cattle. In Germany he is particularly popular as an endurance riding horse and is also ridden in western sports.
Keeping and feeding
Criollos are easy to feed (Mad Barn). Good hay, mineral feed and lots of exercise are the basis; Mad Barn advises against starchy cereals and sweet muesli. Light-fed horses are more prone to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (University of Kentucky). Open stables, herds and long rides suit them better than a box with a short paddock.
Health
We have not found any reliable data on hereditary diseases typical of the breed for the Criollo. Mad Barn mentions health issues that also occur in other Iberian horses, including osteochondrosis, Wobbler syndrome and metabolic disorders with obesity. According to Mad Barn, the breed has a relatively low risk of hereditary diseases due to its genetic diversity; Being long-lived is expressly part of the breeding goal.
The biggest avoidable risk in Germany is being overweight. Keep an eye on the mane comb, base of the tail and ribs, and have a suddenly clammy gait checked by a vet immediately.
Who is the Criollo suitable for?
For trail riders and western riders who are looking for an enduring, strong-nerved and sure-footed horse of medium size, and for people who can handle an independent workhorse.
Who is it not for?
For riders who are looking for a large sport horse for dressage or jumping. And for anyone who wants to keep a horse in a rich pasture without much exercise.
Furthermore: You can calculate how much a horse actually costs per month using the Horse Cost Calculator. Before you buy, the horse buying checklist will help you. You can find ideas for the stable name in our horse names, and your own horse is available as a horse portrait from your own photo. All breeds at a glance: Horse breeds from A to Z.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a Criollo get? According to the breeding program, the height is 138 to 150 cm, ideal is 144 to 148 cm.
Where does the Criollo come from? From South America, especially Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. He descends from Spanish horses that came to the Río de la Plata in 1535.
What colors does a Criollo have? All except tiger spotted. Yellow and dark colors are preferred, a lot of white is undesirable.
Is the Criollo a good trail riding horse? Yes. The breeding program specifically mentions him in Germany as a popular, enduring trail riding horse.
Read more
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch e.V.: Zuchtprogramm Criollo (Stand 02/2025); Mad Barn: Criollo Horse Breed Profile; University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Is My Horse Just Fat or Is He Sick? (Adams, Camargo, ID-239).
