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Aimé Tschiffely - Long Rider |
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The Tschiffely Literary Estate Articles by and about Tschiffely |
The Criollo Horse of South America - page 3
A. Asiatic Type (Arabian) (continued)
Coat Colors: In this breed of horses, the coat colors and their details are indicated by the following names: The duns: dark dun, striped dun, olive dun, orange dun, yellow dun, grey dun and light dun. Reddish bay, blue dun, dark chestnut and sorrel: grey blue, roan and rose, the browns; dark, bay, light brown and mealy; the grey and the white. The variations of tone like dark chestnut and dark bay, ox-blood, blue grey white and black, light grey blue, clear blue and dark blue etc. Finally if the horse is of a single color it is called solid; but there are more frequent combinations, as the chestnut with white mane and tail, red roan, sorrel dun, bluish white and porcelain color, brown with white face and black with white face; piebald, light piebald and pinto, dark piebald, brown piebald, bay piebald; black and white, red and white or chestnut and white, brown and white; dun and white; white and striped dun, sorrel and white dark chest nut and white, blue and white, roan and white, etc. ("In the Argentine pampas there are some 500 different definitions for colors in use." From a letter of A. F. Tschiffely to T.C. dated Dec. 24, 1929.) The striped dun, the dark chestnut, the blue grey and the bays will be preferred. The striped dun is the classic Criollo coat. Of the sixteen champions and reserve champions of the last four years, ten have the striped dun or dark dun coat of the Spanish and two were yellow duns. We believe that the striped dun is the most characteristic and useful covering of the race. This appears in the first pictures and water colors of the Plata river - those of Vidal, published in London 1820; also the historians, especially the naturalists, describe it as the common color of the wild herds. Felix de Azara, who explored these regions during the Colonial epoch (1789-1801), in referring to the wild herds, says in his book Trip Through South America, page 166, "All are of a chestnut or dark dun, or rather what we call dark chestnut and striped dun." [To the horseman there is an inconsistency in using the words chestnut and dun to describe approximately the same color; but from the paragraph which follows, that is evidently Azara's intention. He uses the Spanish word "Castaño," which the dictionary translates as "chestnut," which I have used. The "dark chestnut" used by me in the same sentence is a translation of Azara's Spanish "Tostado," which in the Argentine describes what in the United States is a dark chestnut coat color. A. P. Maudslay's translation of Bernal Diaz's Discovery and Conquest of Mexico has "sorrel" for "castaño," "parched sorrel" for "alazon tostado" and "dark chestnut" for "castaño oscura." The dictionary also gives "hazel" for "castaño" and "Lively light brown" for "tostado." These latter equivalents help to clear up Azara's statement. T.C.] Again quoting Azara (Col. 2 par. 1. 1): "These wild S. American horses which were all of a uniform color (Note 17) might make one think that the primitive horse was a dark dun and that if judged by color, the race of horse of the dark dun coat is the best of all." The fact which I have observed in various young horses of striped dun coats at birth and which at six months, one or two years, are roan in part of in all of their body, just as the striped dun at two or three years turns to blue dun, is that they constitute a biological proof of the antiquity and the racial value of that Criollo coat. It is a phenomenon borne out by natural sciences that each individual during the whole development of its life reproduces the different stages of evolution of the kind to which it belongs. In the same way the actual examples of the aforementioned coat colors show simply an atavism of those imperishable traits which explains the proverbial courage of the individual inheritors of that coat. The striped dun is the best for cavalry and is the color that survived into the primitive life. (Notes 17a, 18, 18a.)
Head: A broad forehead and short muzzle; rectilinear profile; small movable ears; eyes expressive and located upon the edge of the frontal plane. Jowl well developed; nostrils full and open; lips fine and movable; gullet broad; jaws wide apart; a fine snout. The head of the Criollo is short and in the form of a pyramid, broad at its base and fine at its vertex with powerful jaws well developed. The skull full and face very short. Its eyes gentle with a childlike appearance. Neck: Well united to the head; its top line slightly convex, carries an abundant mane and is continued to the withers harmoniously; the lower line of neck is almost straight; of a proportioned length, it is fullest at its base. Withers: Muscular and slightly projective; of sufficient length to permit the efficient discharge of its functions. Back: A straight profile with broad and long proportions to complete superiorly a spacious girth. Loin: Short, wide and muscular, well united and in a straight line with the back, it gives the impression of a strong bridge, which transmits completely the action of the hind quarters and easily raises the weight of the fore part of the body. Rump: Regularly long with excellent muscular placement, well developed, broad and semi-oblique. Tail: Short and heavy dock - which is considered proper for good animals; well covered with abundant hair. Chest: Full and with strong muscles, the side wall of the girth is deep and well arched; the good development of its perimetric girth being a quality obtaining in good examples and very much appreciated by Criollo breeders. Belly: Well ribbed out and connects with the lower line of the girth without a break. Large when the fodder is bulky and little concentrated. Flank: Short and full. Shoulders: Length in proportion to that of the head and of a direction slightly oblique. The muscles of the shoulders like those of the forearm and arm call attention by their appearance of development and strength. The two points of the shoulder blades are well separated to take care of an expansive chest. Foreleg and Knee: In a straight line. Forearm: Muscular and of good length. Knee and Canon Bone: Short, broad and deep. The tendons are clean, strong and prominent. Joints: Lean, rounded, neat and hard. The fetlock joint is free from excessive hair which does not appear over the tendons nor over the pastern. As distinctive of the Criollo there are durability, neatness and strength of all its articulations and joint movements [smooth action]. The joints we find without blemish even in overworked and aged animals. The good development of its boney system is a quality arrived at with just reason. Pasterns: Relatively broad, short and thick with medium inclination. Among defective breeds of horses the upright type of pastern is found; rarely the sloping joint. Hoof: Is proportioned to the size of the body; has a toughness and density like that of the mule. The black hoof is preferred. The front feet are slightly turned in, not considered by our countrymen a defect but, on the contrary, a correlation of the strong and good looking horses. Thigh and Leg: Of a firm, vigorous, dense and elastic muscular development. This is another of the good racial traits. The legs are of good length and broad in the region of the hock. The cords of the hock are well separated from the back of the shin bone. The hind legs are not too crooked, nor should they be - because it is known that straight legs give greater speed, but a good saddle horse requires more resistance in that articular surface than that permitted by the straighter leg, because the straighter leg forces the hock to receive at maximum the hard reactions which the shin bone transmits to it almost directly and vertically. And if in this articulation of the race horse, speed has been obtained at the expense of the resistance of the most important joint of the animal, we should not seek it in a working animal which should be stronger, even if the result is less speed. Hock: The hock, so important in the posterior movements of the body, is an axle upon which move the weight and strength of the whole body. Not only is it graceful in its proportions, leanness and open angle, but expresses its ability to carry out the functions which belong to it. From the rear view the hind legs are straight. For polo and rodeo work the hind legs, although always straight, should be well separated, corresponding to a wide rump.
B. The African Type (Barb) is convex [round] in profile and of medium size and form. This other type of the equine Criollo race is distinguished principally from the Asiatic type by a lesser development of the transversal measurements, by greater lengths of all the parts of the body and by a front profile of the head which is half sheep-like and with the eyes more at the side. The shoulders are less oblique, the back more convex and the rump more sloping; in some cases a drawn in (literal trans reined) haunch, with the tail placed lower than that of the Asiatic type. The mane is less broad; the tail less thick. The other details of form and appearance are the same as those of the Asiatic. Between the two types there is a whole scale of variations which seemingly unites them. The most pronounced characteristics of this type (African) are: Nobleness, intelligence and valor. Never is he dull or sluggish. The head is broad at the base, with pronounced jaw bones and fine at the muzzle; medium neck, neither short like the Percheron nor long like the race horse; shoulder slightly oblique; withers muscular and somewhat low; short loin; a rump semi-oblique. Forearm and leg long and muscular. The bones of the lower leg are short with prominent flexor tendons. The joints are lean and round. The fetlock hair is of medium length and is only at the joint. Pasterns somewhat long - longer than those of the Percheron. Hooves medium. It is of an active character.
6. Manner of Preserving the Criollo for First Place Among Saddle Horses
It has been said that the Criollo horse is a degenerated Andalusian horse; but this statement demonstrates that those who think thus are absolutely unaware of the teachings of science and experience. The Criollo race was formed by means of a rigorous natural selection practiced through four centuries of this natural training school. It began with those individuals imported by the colonizers of La Plata River and continued upon their progeny. Scientifically it is without question that the individuals organically weak had to suffer the elimination which the rigors of this method impose upon them, leaving the sturdiest to survive. As a consequence the race has not been made up of degenerates but, on the contrary, of the most perfect through natural selection. (Note 19.) Again, if the process had been degenerative it would not have ended by the creation of a new family (breed); and if this was formed and does exist, as must be admitted - even the mockers admit it - this fact is sufficient to contradict even the hypothesis of the fact that the Criollo may be a degenerated horse. Some who speak of degeneration, without knowing the force of the term, are basing their opinion, perhaps, upon the reduced size which the Criollos reach in certain parts of the country. Nevertheless, that very feature has the force of adaptation to environment or it may also be called improvement. To interpret that evolving form as degeneration is simply absurd. From the standpoint of science actual use also demonstrates the very distinguished condition of the Criollo. In fact the tests to which the Criollo was subject for a century in the civil wars and wars for independence, in the organization of our pastoral and agricultural life, as well as in the military maneuvers of our own time, and the proofs established in European countries, leave the question without the least doubt. Referring to the last comment: 1. In the Vienna-Berlin ride of 1909, in competition with the best in Europe, the Cordovan Criollo, ridden by Robert Bahckle, came in first (Note 20). 2. Reference to a field day for polo in England in 1897 offers an irrefutable argument. T. B. Drybrough, polo player, in his book on polo London 1906, shows pictures of horses excelling in the game in England. Among them are several Criollos - such as Menelik, Peter and Chacarero. "These three are Criollo ponies from Entre Rios" (p. 363). (P. 362) Drybrough expresses his admiration on the ease of action of the Criollo - "a unique method of gathering up his quarters as if to sit down on a quick turn and then propelling around off his forelegs like a rabbit.) (Note 20a.) (P. 261) Speaking of his qualities for polo he says, "Those who had formerly scorned the small Argentine mount found that they were glad to have him as a partner." This affirmation from so high an authority on sport cannot be criticized for partisanship or fickleness. (P. 323) Ponies ridden by "Rugby" winners of Champion Cup of England, 1897, in the finals against the Freebooters. From this data we see that they played three small Argentine ponies, among those which were used by the victorious team in what was considered the most important event in England for the saddle horse breed. These three animals were chosen by E. D. & G. A. Miller. "The Millers had had the widest experience with English ponies of the greatest worth." (P. 361, Drybrough's book.) Among them appears Sandow, used in the 2nd and in the 6th Chukka for which the best horse is always reserved. Two English ponies, Amazon and Black Beauty, were not able to end their chukka, needing the aid of Pretty Girl and Nip Cat; the three Criollos on the other hand not only did not need aid but actually they played twice in the same game. Expressions of commendation were made by the English sport writers for having the Criollos as first class participants. (Note 21.) And thus we answer today those who discredit the valiant and humble Criollo saddle horse, accusing him of lacking agility and stamina, and of being no better than the representative of a degenerate race. Those who demand a better breed, attained by artificial selection, seeking external points of conformation, forget that such points are worth nothing as regards the internal makeup of the animal machine singularly essential for the work for which it is intended. Selection by external conformation is admissible when training of breeds of elegance but it is a thing alleged contrary to what it is intended to prove, namely, the perfectment of the working type whether this be for the ranchman or for the warrior. The only scientific and useful method of attaining this end is by keeping in mind a selection for work or sustained effort. A good example of what we have just said is offered to us in the breed of race horse which has been selected for the track. It is not chosen for reproducing the prettiest animal but for the one that runs the best, that is to say, the machine that functions best in the duty to which it is assigned. And the same method has been used with the Breton and the Percheron, selecting from the plow or the cart the reproducers of the next generation. In the same way we ought to make sure that the selection in the work of conserving and perfecting the Criollo race is not done alone in the show ring. The judges, however intelligent and expert they may be, can judge only the exterior points of the subjects shown. The functioning of the internal organs and the physiological worth of the tissues of the complex organism, the judge looking at the exterior cannot appreciate without giving the animal the test of work. If we exclude, then, functional selection, we may beautify the race by artificial selection, but from generation to generation we shall diminish thereby the hardiness, energy and other excellent qualities for work which, in such a high degree, the Criollo possesses. We may attain a saddle-horse, picturesque, of agreeable form and even brilliant, but filled with straw and without strength for work (Note 22). The conservation of the outstanding abilities of the race, we shall attain only by functional selection. We ought to choose the reproducers from among those that have excelled in work after real land long rides made without special rations, without blankets, and without any shelter. While such tests may not be regularly organized now or later on, breeders ought, in the future, to choose the reproducers from those in their establishments that have worked in various ways the entire year. The good looking ones - that is, those which are naturally good looking - the most docile, the most frugal: these will be the best as reproducers. It is, indeed, urgent that the state, under the direction of Army officers and with the collaboration of the "Association of Breeders," organize rides - for the selection of the cavalry horse - with minimum distances of 200 leagues (600 miles) and with a weight no less than 100 kilos (220 lbs.) The course should be varied for day and night; allowing only the food which there may be along the road; and all reproducers should have this test on equal terms. In a word, such a test would constitute rides with work, which is analogous to marches in wartime. Courses of twelve hours on the level race track, or the marches of from two to three days from Buenos Aires to Rosario or Mar del Plata (about 200 miles from Buenos Aires. Undoubtedly a comment on the prevailing army tests. T. C.) with weights more or less than 70 kilos (144 lbs.), and with good rations prepared on the road, are not the ones to demonstrate which may be the best animal for war. The frontiers of the Republic are a greater distance than those places; the soldiers with their equipment weigh somewhat more than the jockeys of the race track; nor is it easy after a battle charge or in reconnoitering to find stabling, blankets, rations or even drugs as in the fancy studs. To conclude: I have revealed something of how much can be said about the good qualities of our Criollo horses and upon the necessity of intelligent selection, all with the conviction that in breeding it one will contribute to the economic and military defense of the Republic. (Note 23.)
To read Thornton Chard's notes, please click here.
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