Cuban Trotter

Cuban Trotter

Cuban trotter in Moa
Country of origin	Cuba
Use	Saddle horse
Traits
Height	From 1,40 to 1,52 m
Color	Bay or black
Equus ferus caballus

The Cuban trotter (Spanish: Cubano de trote / Criollo de trote) is a saddle horse breed native to Cuba. It is renowned for its trotting quality, and is used for driving and working cattle.

History

Contrary to what its name suggests, this is not a racing-type horse, but a criollo type.^[1] Like most Latin American horses, it is descended from the Colonial Spanish horse brought by the conquistadores,^[1][2][3] and is therefore "locally adapted".^[4]

The breed is named "Criollo de trote" in the DAD-IS database^[4] and "Trotteur criollo" in the Delachaux guide, which also cites the local name Cubano de trote.^[1] The breed originates from mixtures of Iberian Criollo horses and Canadian horses,^[5] imported before the American Revolution to work on sugarcane plantations.^[2]

Description

It shows the Criollo type.^[1] The Delachaux guide (2014) cited an average height of 1.48 m to 1.50 m.^[1] CAB International (2016) indicated 1.40 m to 1.52 m.

The head has a rectilinear or slightly convex profile, a broad forehead, developed jaws, and is topped by rather short ears.^[1][2] The neck is broad and strong,^[1] of medium length.^[2] The chest is broad and deep.^[2] The back is short and strong.^[2] The rump is sloping and the legs are strong.^[1] The tail is set low, and generally carried close to the body.^[2][3]

The coat is most often bay or black.^[1][3]

The temperament is vigorous and friendly, and the breed is reputed to be particularly hardy.^[2]

Usage

Mostly used as a trotting horse in Cuba, but can also be ridden, especially for cattle^[1] and farm work.^[2]

Spread of breeding

No population data is listed for it in DAD-IS.^[4]

See also

• Horses in Cuba
• Cuban Paso

References

1. Rousseau (2014, p. 486)
2. Hendricks (2007, p. 144)
3. "Cuban Trotter". PETMD. 2009-12-20. Archived from the original on 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
4. "Criollo de trote / Cuba (Horse)". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (DAD-IS).
5. Porter et al. (2016, p. 458)

Bibliography

• Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds (2nd ed.). Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3884-8.
• Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen; Sponenberg, Dan (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (6th ed.). CAB International. ISBN 978-1-84593-466-8.
• Rousseau, Élise (2014). Tous les chevaux du monde [All the horses in the world] (in French). Delachaux et Niestlé. ISBN 978-2-603-01865-1.