Genetic Heritage
In Brazil, Mangalarga Marchadors (MARCH A DOOR) must pass rigid standards for conformation, gait, performance and endurance. Often the North American Marchador horses maintain a registry with the ABCCMM in Brazil, along with registry with USMMA in the United States, and the 2 associations work together to share information to help in registrations.
Search the internet for breed history and descriptions like this one from Oklahoma State University. A 2014 Horse Illustrated article, And of course Wikipedia.
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ABCCMM
The Official Brazilian registry of Mangalarga Marchador horses.
Founded in 1949, Currently, ABCCMM has more than 25,000 active associates. With about 56 nuclei and regional associations of breeders spread throughout Brazil, Mangalarga Marchador also has representations abroad: Germany, Italy, the United States and Argentina.
ABCCMM Pedigree site
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USMMA
Founded in 2005 as the official association and registry for the Marchador breed in North America. The USMMA is affiliated with and recognized by the Associacao Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Mangalarga Marchador (ABCCMM), the Brazilian organization founded to preserve, regulate and register the unique bloodlines of this magnificent breed.
USMMA Pedigree site
The Gait
The Mangalarga Marchador breed is renowned for its gait and versatility, making it a favorite among equestrians.
There are two (2) different gaits in the MM breed: the Picada and the Batida. (In recent years, although not yet recognized as a separate and distinct marcha, there has been a third category called Marcha de Centro.)
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The Picada
The Picada gait is known as a Lateral gait; it is where the legs on the same side tend to move more together. This is sometimes known by different names (when the footfall patterns have slightly different timing) but is a type of ‘stepping pace’. This can seem smoother to the rider as motion tends to be more side-to-side vs up/down. The sound will be more 1-2-3-4 with 2 syllables, ‘paca paca paca paca’ (see video above).
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The Batida
The Batida gait is know as a Diagonal gait because the opposite front and hind leg tend to move more together. However in the Batida gait there is always at least one foot on the ground at all times thereby making it a smooth gait (there is never a time when the horse is in full suspension – when all the feet are off the ground – like in the classic trot). The movement to the rider will have some up/down but will be smooth (even at speed, so it’s NOT like a jog). The sound will be more ‘one-two’ than the picada.
For further explanation of gaits, with diagrams of footfalls and cross reference between breeds, check out these websites:
https://www.horsesandus.com/ambling-horse-gaits/.
https://good-horse.com/genetics-evolution/maybe-shes-born-5-incredible-facts-gaited-horses/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159102002198
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As the Mangalarga Marchador continues to gain popularity in the U.S., our site will keep you updated on the latest trends and developments in the breed. We encourage visitors to engage with our content, share their experiences, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Together, we can promote the excellence of this remarkable breed and its contributions to the equestrian world.