rare breed horse indigenous portion peninsula basin portugal known primitive features including convex profile coloring primitive markings concerning origins theory advanced authors descendant primitive horses belonging naturally occurring wild fauna studies currently ongoing discover relationship wild horse types relationship breeds members breed small hardy adapted harsh conditions occasionally captured native farmers centuries remnant population nearly extinct horses discovered portuguese zoologist early 20th century today focus preservation efforts european scientists leading way enthusiasts countries forming projects establishing assist establishment breed current endangered status characteristics breed stands hands inches high individuals small hands inches head tends large profile convex ears long neck slender long high slightly sloping legs strong long horses good endurance easy keepers thriving relatively little fodder reputation independent temperament adult horses lay hair create appearance stripes barring neck chest lay hair newborn appear stripes reminiscent stripes breed standard refers hair stroke color generally variation called coloring includes primitive markings black dorsal stripe black tipped ears horizontal legs dark muzzle area dark muzzle area contrast colored horse breeds light colored muzzle areas possibly presence horses colored tails lighter colored hairs fringe outside longer growing black hair characteristic shared predominantly colored breeds horse occasionally white markings rare breed relationship breeds remains largely relationship wild horse subspecies horse originally developed southern peninsula ancestor southern breeds scientists place closely related genetic studies mitochondrial dna forms cluster largely separated breeds evidence links cluster domestic horses time maternal shared genetic evidence supported hypothesis related horse african breed introduced multiple authors suggested descendant based shared morphological features principally typical color coat authors simply state evident primitive characteristics refer specific ancestor genetic studies comparing similarity external morphology unreliable measure genetic studies date inconclusive closest relative hand studies mitochondrial dna showed relationship unique found domestic horses differs single major later comparison genetic distances domestic horse large differences relationship contradicted study data showed genetic distance largest conflicting results arise population passes genetic evidence suggests rare breeds recently passed effectively position breed family tree domestic horse morphological cultural characteristics subject continued study better understand relationship horse breeds wild horse subspecies history known developed southern peninsula breed isolated unknown science 20th century despite lack documentation attempts reconstruct history art images region depict distinct likeness similar like markings analysis performed western united_states similar patterns breed spanish took horses closely resembled modern day americas conquests probably pack animals similarities north south american breeds shown coloring physical characteristics evidence suggests ancestors horses similar features long history region role creation american breeds breed lost history portuguese zoologist encountered horse hunting trip portuguese remnant herd primitive horses continued live wild existence inaccessible hunting preserve portuguese royalty early 1900s time initial meeting breed horses ill regarded native farmers considered hardy native fauna lived lands salt marshes local river valleys centuries peasant farmers area occasionally capture horses use agricultural work including grain 1920s 1930s prevalent wild breeding stock diminished son encouraged conservation breed began small herd seven horses obtained near portugal currently captivity descend original horses obtained believed remnant wild breed died soon horses kept habitat similar native farms took cause acquired small help conservation imported germany portugal begin sub population march small breeding herd horses released estate private land owner dedicated portion property horses live completely wild ancestors refuge created region south western portugal places named predecessors imported united_states early 21st century stallion imported canada established ontario unrelated existing preservation efforts work conjunction project consortium breeders united_states attempting establish separate network breeders gathered spanish testing genetic relationship breeding according attempt help preserve calling american today breed nearly extinct fewer horses existing including breeding considers maintaining critical risk status published dedicated maintaining written record present mainly portugal small population germany bred specific use horses versatile riding light harness naming gave breed took portugal breed previously known local portuguese markings time known evolved different breeds time today refers population horses living spain
Sorraia