Argentine Criollo
 FindaPetOnlineAverage Size: 14-15 hh (54-60 in)
Breed: Argentine Criollo

Crucial Specs:
  • Endurance breed
  • Long-distance rider
  • Stocky








Spicy and tough, the Argentine Criollo is a stocky, but agile breed. The Criollo comes in a variety of colors, but the majority are dun or strawberry roan. They are distinguished by their short, thick necks and convex heads. This hardy horse is also renowned for its longevity and good health, a feature prized in its native Argentina.

Enduring and strong, the Argentine Criollo is still used today as a work horse, hauling goods and agricultural spoils over long distances and across difficult terrain. Because the Criollo can withstand the variety of harsh conditions found in Argentina – from extreme heat to mountain blizzards – it has gained its reputation as a survivor.

The Criollo is also a popular cow horse, and often seen in rodeo competitions. They are agile and respond well to subtle commands, making them a natural choice for round-up duty.

The first large shipment of horses from Spain to Argentina was in 1535. But in that same year, the indigenous and legendary Charros sacked the fledgling Spanish settlement and the horses ran free. Within a century, there were hundreds of thousands of feral horses running in herds. From a high-spirited beginning, the Criollo was born.

The breed earned legendary status when a Swiss professor rode two Argentine Criollos from Buenos Aires to Washington D.C. The 10,000 mile journey over desert and rough mountain terrain took over two years and established the breed.