PURA RAZA MENORQUINA ( The MENORQUIN)

Origin: The Menorquín originates from the island of Menorca, the Balearic islands, in Spain.

The (breed)name: The official name of the breed is “Pura Raza Menorquina” (Pure Breed Menorquina), abbreviated P.R.M. In Spain, however, one speaks of a “Menorca” (horse), although “Menorquín” is also used on the mainland of Spain or Menorquina. This last name, Menorquín or Menorquina, is also the most widely used abroad (France, Germany, Italy, etc.). This phenomenon is also seen with the Pura Raza Española, abbreviated P.R.E., also known as “caballo Andaluz” (andalusian horse), “Andaluz” (andalusian) “Caballo Español” (Spanish horse) or “Español”; in the Netherlands it is known as “Andalusiër” (Andalusian). The same applies to the Puro Sangue Lusitano, abbreviated P.S.L., and better known as the Lusitano..

Charachter: The Minorcan horses are very noble, warm-blooded, simple and rustic. They are brave, resistant, maneuverable and energetic and therefore used in different disciplines. The Menorquín is very intelligent, cheerful, and inquisitive and shows great natural ability for the reunion. Under the saddle, they are very serious and focused, even as several stallions are simultaneously ridden. The Menorquina horses are fierce and proud, although they are obedient and hard to offend. The Menorquina character and attributes, makes the experience always a pleasureable one and very rewarding for both horse and rider.

Exterior:

Head. Tall, medium sized, thin and harmonious. The straight frontal-nasal profile, with a slight convexity, can only affect the facial area. Ears, smallish, medium-sized and slightly divergent. The ears are correctly placed with slight divergent and mobile tips. Round, friendly and lively, protruding eyes. The nostrils do not stick out, making the elongated silhouette of the head accentuated.

Neck. The Menorquina is proud of its neck; robust, medium length and slightly arched. The neck is muscular, powerful and well connected to the head and body; slim head and wide body. The males are strong and abundant presence. It’s preferred that the males are full-bodied and tall, this also applies to the tail

Body. The Pura Raza Menorquina has a long body, tapering to thinner transversal diameters. The withers are narrow and not obvious. Straight back with discreet muscular development, on the back as well as on the flanks. The tail is low, set between the two ischial bones, without rising above the horizontal level of the hind legs. Average, with slightly flattened chest or rib cage. Tight stomach and not very long flanks.

Forehand. The forelegs of the Menorquín are long, slim and straight. The Menorquín has a long, slightly curved back.  Robust shoulder and forelegs, wide knee with very fine and slender lower leg, with highly visible and strong tendons. Well proportioned pasterns and solid short hooves, not too wide.

Hind legs. The Menorquina horse does not have overly muscular thighs and buttocks, and relatively short legs. The hock is strong and well-angled. The rear legs, just like the forelegs, are fine, slender and with clearly visible strong tendons. The same goes for the ergots and the hooves. The hooves of the Menorquín are very strong and bone problems are very rare, because the soil they grow up on is very hard and dry.

Color. The Pura Raza Menorquina horses always have a black coat, whereby all shades of black are allowed. Any other coat color is excluded for the registration on the stud-book. White patches on the forehead and legs are acceptable, as long as they are within a limited area.

Height. The Menorquina mares have an average height of 1.54-1.60 m. The Menorquina stallions have an average height of 1.62-1.65 m.

Weight. The Menorquin weighs approximately 500 kg

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