MARCHA PICADA – four beat gait characterized by lateral leg movements, with the sequence of the hoofs being: right rear, right front, left rear, left front, the hind foot touching the ground a fraction of a second before the front foot. The continuous triple hoof support and the over reach of the hind hoof, makes the gait very smooth. This differs from “the Pace” which is an exclusively lateral movement to the limbs, where the two legs on the same side (foreleg and hind leg) go up at the same time as the other side goes down, which results in only half of the horses body mass being set on the ground at each time of movement.

MARCHA BATIDA – legs moving in a diagonal four beat sequence, also with moments of triple hoof support. Although some ways similar, this gait differs from the trot (suspended moment of all the legs in the air) as the horse is always in contact with the ground. The longer and more frequent the moments of triple hooves support, the more comfortable is the gait.

The Mangalarga Marchador is considered a medium built horse that stands strong and well muscled, between 14.2 and 16.2 and weighs between 850 and 1,100 pounds. Its coat is fine and silky with a full mane and tail. The dominant color is gray ranging from almost black to pure white. Other common colors, such as bay, chestnut, and less common, palomino, buckskin and spotted, can be easily found along with an exotic burgundy that is peculiar to the breed.

The head of the Mangalarga Marchador is triangular (not concave), with a large flat forehead tapering to a small fine muzzle. It has a straight profile and large dark eyes, which are set wide apart and are extremely vivacious, typical of the Barb horse. The ears are proportional to the head, mobile, parallel, well set and erect with the tips turned inward. It has an alert, attentive attitude and the upright ears that echo the firm look in the eyes that profess an aptitude equal to any difficult obstacle encountered along the way. The mouth is of medium width and sensitive to the bit. The nostrils are large, dilated and flexible. The neck is of medium length, sufficient for the horse to be well balanced for riding and reining. It is pyramidal in shape, light in its general appearance, proportional, oblique and of strong musculature. It presents flexibility and balance, being harmoniously inserted into the top third of the chest to allow for a proud, high carriage. It is well arched with a possible slight convexity of the dorsal edge. It carries a thin, fine, silky mane. The withers are well defined and long, offering good direction to the dorsal profile of the neck. The chest is deep, large, muscular and not overly protrusive. The thorax is deep and allows for great lung capacity, which is one of the reasons for the legendary stamina of the breed. Ribs are long and well arched. The spine is of medium length, straight, well muscled, proportional and harmoniously joined to the withers and loins. Loins are short, straight, proportional, harmoniously linked to the spine, rump and/or croup, and covered by a strong muscular mass. If the distance from the back to the loins is of less or equal distance to the length of the croup, it is a sign that the horse possesses excellent conformation.

The croup is long, symmetrical, muscular, proportional and slightly inclined, with a very slightly outstanding sacral bone. It is of a height not superior to that of the withers. The tail is set at a medium height insertion, well planted, with a short base directed downward, and preferably with the tail point slightly turned upward when the animal is in movement. The dock is lightly raised when the animal moves. Tail hair is fine and silky.

Anterior Extremities:

The shoulder blades are long, wide, oblique and muscled with a well delineated implantation, demonstrating a wide range of movement. Arms and forearms are long, well muscled, and well articulated and oblique. The forearms are also straight and vertical. The elbows are wide, well articulated and vertical, equal in direction to the forearm. The shins are straight, short, lean and vertical with strong and well outlined tendons. Hocks are well defined and well articulated. The cannons are of medium length, strong, oblique and well articulated. The hooves on both front and back are medium sized, solid, dark and rounded. In Brazil, unless the horse is worked hard every day, it is kept barefoot with only an occasional hoof trim required as it has very thick and tough feet.

Posterior Extremities:

The hindquarters are muscular and well implanted, looking similar to a Quarter Horse. Gaskins are strong, long, well articulated and well positioned. Cannons are lean, firm, well articulated and well positioned. Pasterns are straight, short, lean and vertical with strong tendons and well delineated. Coronets are of medium length, strong, oblique and well articulated. Positioning of both anterior and posterior extremities is correct. The pasterns and hooves are at the slightly lower angle typical of Spanish horses. This allows the Marchador to overreach well and without excessive stress to suspensory ligaments.