The Historic & Endangered Horses Of Menorca

Menorca is well known for the many festivals that are the hallmark of almost every town and village. Hardly a day will go by during your holiday in Menorcawhen there isn’t a festive celebration or parade commemorating a local saint or religious or historical event.

In almost all of these events, the magnificent black Menorquín horses play a central role. This is only to be expected once you consider Spain’s age-long love of horses and the significance this noble animal plays in Spanish history and culture.

What Makes Them Special?

The origin of the Menorquín, which is indigenous to the island, is not clear. Some researchers claim that the original breed was brought to the island by the Moors whilst others contend that it was James I of Aragon who introduced the horse to Menorca.  

The beautiful horses are classified as thoroughbred. As such, each horse must meet strict standards set by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture to be called a Menorquín.  They can only be black and the minimum height is 1.54m for stallions and 1.51m for mares. It should not be confused with the Mallorquín or Caballo Mallorquín which is a rare breed of horse indigenous to the neighbouring Mallorca.

The Menorquín was only classified as a thoroughbred in 1989 and since then, has been placed on the endangered species list. Recent statistics suggest that there are no more than 3,000 specimens left in Menorca and no more than 200 outside of the island.

Graceful Doma Menorquina Dressage

As we have already said, during your holiday in Menorca, you are sure to see some of these horses parading through the town centre as they perform, under the direction of their skilful riders, the Doma Menorquina.

The Doma Menorquina.is a riding style unique to Menorca and the Menorquín horse. It derives from the classic Spanish Haute Ecole (traditional dressage) and Doma Vaquera (working dressage) disciplines.

Young stallions (3 – 4 years) are trained in the basic gaits – walk, trot and gallop. Once they have mastered these three basic movements, training progresses to a series of complex, controlled moves that demand close cooperation between rider and horse.  These include: the Spanish walk, half pass, flying changes and piaffe and culminate with the walking courbette. 

The Walking Courbette or Jaleo

The walking courbette or as it is called on the island, the Jaleo, is the movement with which the Menorquín is most closely associated. This movement demands great trust and cooperation between rider and horse, as the animal rears up on its hind legs and jumps forward at a steady and regulated pace, with its front legs held constantly in the air. On average, the animal will be able to make three jumps before having to bring its legs back down. However, exceptionally strong horses who have an intense bond with their rider have been known to make five and even six jumps before returning to a normal gait.

Be Sure Not to Miss Them

If you want to be sure that you get to see these magnificent animals in action during your holiday in Menorcathen check out the festival schedule for the island and especially the main cities, Mahon and Ciutadella where you will see the largest numbers of Menorquín horses – sometimes as many as 150!

Author Plate

Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine - no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-toperson for anyone planning relaxing holidays in Menorca. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.