The Canadian Azteca Horse  is a combination of the finest Andalusian or Lusitano horses crossed with excellent Quarter Horse or Criollo blood. However, the Canadian Azteca is not merely a crossbred or grade horse.  It is a distinct, separate phenotype with clearly defined characteristics of its own.

Although the breed has a short history, there is a strong driving force that has led to the recognition of this versatile breed in Canada.

In 1972, “Casarejo”, the first Azteca horse was born.  He is the offspring of Ocultado, a Spanish stallion and Americana, a Quarter Horse mare.  He was the result of the diligent efforts of Mexican breeders looking to produce their “own” national horse, an animal closely resembling the horses of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. These devoted breeders gleaned target specimens from old photographs.  These horses (Criollos and others) descended from the Spanish stock brought over by the conquistadors. They were employed extensively during the revolution to perform a variety of functions. The war had a drastic effect on the equine population in Mexico. As a result Quarter Horses were brought in to fill the void.  Wishing to add some of the Spanish traits to the Quarter Horse, Mexican breeders began crossing the old with the new and so Casarejo and the Azteca breed was born. As time went on, breeders decided on a more specific “type” that would identify all Aztecas.

Uriangato, Canadian Azteca Stallion, owned by Peter Kriss

The Canadian Azteca must follow the breed guidelines to be registered.  To be used for breeding, a Canadian Azteca must pass an inspection at 3 years of age to be sure that the high quality and specific phenotype of this breed has been met.  A Canadian Azteca Horse must come from approved breeding stock to qualify for registration.

BREED DESCRIPTION

A cross between the Andalusian/Lusitano, the Quarter Horse and sometimes the Criollo, an Azteca must not have more than 5/8 of any one of these breeds.  Any solid colour is acceptable and so are markings, as long as they aren’t excessive.  The lean elegant head has a straight or slightly convex profile with expressive eyes and small, well-shaped ears.  The neck has a slight arch and is well muscled, as is the wide chest and strong shoulders.  The mane is long and thick, leading to well defined withers, and a short and sturdy back with a wide, well developed croup.  The tail, like the mane, is long and thick, with a medium low tail set.  The straight, sturdy legs end with hard, well-made feet.  The required height for three year olds is 14.2 – 16.1hh for stallions, geldings and mares.  Having a natural balance, the movement is easily collected with medium high action and excellent gaits.

Because of the agility and “cow sense” from the Quarter Horse (the old cowpony of the west), excellent movement from the Spanish blood (the classical riding horse that produced the Lippizanners) and their own inquisitive nature, the Canadian Azteca is well suited for many disciplines, including dressage, reining, jumping, cutting, polo, eventing, classical riding, bullfighting and, of course, the most relaxing of all, pleasure riding.

As the Canadian Azteca Horse becomes more widespread and better known, more interest will be given to this modern horse that had been bred to perform. The commitment of Canadian Azteca owners and breeders in the continued development of the breed phenotype will sustain the growth of the Canadian Azteca Horse.

CANADIAN AZTECAS, a very social breed, appear to be much more interested in humans than in horses.  They form a strong bond with their owners. Their mellow, loving temperament and extreme intelligence make them a pleasure to work with and to train.  Canadian Azteca owners believe that their horses can do any athletic event with ease.

The Canadian Azteca has been created as a real working and riding horse, a very intelligent and easily trained horse, a breed of which to be proud.  

In order to identify exactly the proportion of Spanish (either Andalusian or Lusitano), Quarter Horse and Criollo blood, each Canadian Azteca is classified by a letter.  This does not mean that an "A" horse has more purity or quality than a "C" horse or vice versa. The chart below provides the percentage of blood behind each letter.

CHART OF CROSSES

Your horse may have the potential to be a Canadian Azteca Horse registered with CAzHA.

Offspring of Canadian Aztecas who posses the CAzHA breeding certificates will be granted birth papers without an inspection. Offspring of non-breeding approved parents must be inspected for birth papers at a minimum age of six months.

Quarter Horses and Andalusian/Lusitano horses can be inspected for CAzHA breeding approval. If approved as breeding quality horses their offspring are automatically granted birth papers.

Both parents, not just one, must be approved by CAzHA as breeding quality and the chart of crosses must be followed in order for the foal to be registered without inspection.

Breeding Approval for Quarter Horses and Andalusian/Lusitano Horses:

For Quarter Horses and Spanish horses to gain breeding approval they must be in possession of registration papers from their own association and pass an inspection performed by the CAzHA inspector. Conformation photos will be sent to the CAzHA Inspector for his/her evaluation. He will be looking for correct conformation. Once a horse is approved for CAzHA breeding, whenever it is crossed with another horse possessing the same approval and following the chart of crosses, their offspring will be granted birth papers without inspection.

If you contact the CAzHA, an Inspection package will be sent out to you with full directions

The Inspection Process for potential Canadian Azteca Horses from Non-Breeding Approved Parents :

Conformation photos, genealogy (no Thoroughbred in the last 3 generations), a completed evaluation form along with a veterinarian’s certificate will be sent to the CAzHA Inspector for his/her evaluation. Your horse must conform to the phenotype standards of the Canadian Azteca Horse as developed by the CAzHA Registry.

If you contact the CAzHA, an Inspection package will be sent out to you with full directions.

Inspections for Canadian Aztecas to gain Breeding papers:

At a minimum of three years of age, conformation photos, a video of the horse’s movement along with Measurements form filled out and signed by your veterinarian are to be sent to the CAzHA Inspector for evaluation. Your horse must conform to the phenotype standards of the Canadian Azteca Horse as developed by the CAzHA Registry.

If you contact the CAzHA, a Breeding Inspection package will be sent out to you with full directions.

Canadian Azteca Horse Association