THE SORRAIA BREED
The Sorraia is noted for its ability to withstand extremes of climate, particularly dry, hot climates, and to survive on very little forage while at the same time maintaining its health. Its' hardiness, as well at its agility and ability to collect and work in the bridle, once made the Sorraia highly valuable to local stockmen.
Too long-legged to be seriously considered a pony type, the Sorraia is a small horse, weighting about 1,43m. The Sorraia's head is rather long and has a convex, or subconvex, profile, the eyes are set high, the ears are fairly long and not particularly curved.The Sorraia is always dun or grullo in colour, with a dark face/muzzle area, black dorsal stripe from the mane to the tail, black-tipped ears, usually zebra stripes on the legs, and sometimes a stripe across the shoulders. The black mane and tail are fringed by lighter-coloured, often almost white, hair. The pure Sorraia does not have white markings, and does not show infusion of either Oriental or North European blood.
Sorraias have been used as mounts for the Portuguese campinos (cowboys). Some have even been trained to perform at the highest level of dressage, and other to compete in carriage driving competitions.
In Agolada de Baixo mares and some males are kept wild, and some others are taught to be ridden and used on carriage driving just for leisure.