Continent: America
Country: Uruguay
Weight: 350 – 450 kg
Height: 140 – 150 cm
The term cimarrón comes from colonial Spanish and means “returned to a wild state” or “feral.” It was used to describe domestic animals (cattle, dogs, horses) that had escaped or been abandoned, and then multiplied freely in the wild. The first horses arrived in the Río de la Plata region in the 16th century, brought by the Spanish conquistadors, notably through the expeditions of Pedro de Mendoza (1536) and Asunción.
Some were lost or released, forming wandering herds. In the vast Uruguayan pampas, these horses adapted to a harsh environment: alternating droughts, floods, and seasonal grazing. They naturally evolved into a compact, hardy, and sober type, capable of surviving without human care. Over time, the gauchos captured, trained, and selected these feral horses for ranch work, establishing a strong equestrian tradition in Uruguay.
The Cimarrón horses are therefore considered the direct ancestors of the Uruguayan Criollo horse, a breed that is now standardized and regulated by an official studbook.
Semi-wild populations can still be found in sparsely populated rural regions of Uruguay (interior estancias, extensive grazing areas). These horses are often captured, selected, and domesticated to serve as working mounts. The main region remains central and northern Uruguay, areas known for extensive cattle ranching.
The Cimarrón is crucial because it has preserved original traits from the Iberian horses introduced in the 16th century. It passed on hardiness, endurance, and frugal feeding habits to the Criollo horse, a breed now standardized and widespread throughout the Southern Cone (Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile). It therefore represents a reservoir of genetic diversity useful for strengthening hardiness and disease resistance in breeding programs.
In the fertile pampas of Uruguay, without natural predators, these horses multiplied rapidly. The “cimarrón” herds became so abundant that they were a valuable resource for meat, hides, and especially riding mounts.
Local populations and settlers developed gaucho culture using these free-roaming horses. The Cimarrón became the emblematic mount of the plains horsemen: hardy, agile, manageable, and tireless. It was used for hunting feral cattle and ranch work.
During the wars of independence and conflicts in the Río de la Plata, Cimarrón horses were widely used as military mounts. Their endurance and frugality made them invaluable in long campaigns. Over time, more organized selection led to the creation of the Criollo horse, the direct descendant of the Cimarrón.
While the Criollo horse gained official recognition (studbook in 1941), the free Cimarrón herds declined due to agricultural expansion and structured breeding. They remained in remote areas and continued to inspire national identity.
Today, the Cimarrón has no studbook, but is valued as an ancestral population and symbol of hardiness. Local initiatives promote its preservation, sometimes in semi-wild conditions, tied to rural tourism and gaucho traditions. It remains the ancestor of the Uruguayan Criollo, the pride of the country’s horse breeding.
Shaped by generations in the wild, the Cimarrón is extremely alert, reactive, and capable of conserving energy and finding resources in harsh environments.
It tolerates heat, cold, drought, and life outdoors. It thrives on poor pastures, making it a low-maintenance horse.
Naturally energetic and sometimes wary, especially when captured young. Once trained, it becomes reliable, brave, and willing.
Agile, quick-reacting, and perfectly suited for cattle work, with a strong sense of manoeuvrability.
More reserved at first than domestically bred horses. With patient, consistent training, it becomes loyal, robust, and tireless. Gauchos appreciate its loyalty and work capacity.
Hardy, enduring, intelligent, sometimes stubborn, but courageous and deeply loyal when well treated.
The Cimarrón as a feral population tends to decline due to the expansion of modern agriculture and the strict organization of livestock breeding. However, it retains strong heritage and symbolic value, much like the Cimarrón dog (Uruguay’s national breed). It is likely that the Cimarrón will remain recognized as an ancestor and living heritage of the Criollo horse, but not as an independent breed with its own studbook. Some conservation projects aim to maintain small semi-free herds, connected to rural tourism and gaucho culture.
Highly resistant to common equine diseases, thanks to natural selection.
Less prone to stable-related disorders (colic, respiratory problems, ulcers) due to its feral origins.
Hard, well-shaped hooves, rarely affected by laminitis or abscesses. Shoeing often unnecessary.
Strong resistance to parasites, acquired through adaptation to the pampas environment.
Long working life (20–25 years), with individuals reaching 30 years in good condition.
