SORRAIAS IN AMERICA? Some simply claim there are no Sorraias in America. They say that the phenotypical similarities to the Portuguese Sorraia in what is known as Sorraia Mustangs are just incidental. However, if it has been said that there is no relatedness between the Sorraia and American horses, particularly mustangs, then there is good evidence to the contrary. The phenotypical similarities of some mustangs and the Sorraia are strong, not just superficial, and that they aren’t freak occurrences has been scientifically proven by way of mtDNA analyses. The occurence of the Sorraia mtDNA genotype in a number of mustangs sufficiently proves the relatedness of these mustangs to the Sorraia, or the presence of Sorraia blood in those mustangs. Another way to say it would be that somewhere down the line, these mustangs and the Sorraias had a common ancestor. Yearling Sorraia Mustang filly of Sulphur Springs origin This relatedness has been proven through the maternal line (mtDNA), so it stands to reason that the actual number of Sorraia descendants among mustangs is much higher. If the representation is evident in female lines, then the influence through male lines could be even greater – only that one can’t prove it (yet). Regarding the similarities of Sorraias and Sorraia-type mustangs, the following are some statements made by renowned Portuguese Lusitano and Sorraia breeders, and horse experts: José Luis d'Andrade, breeder of Sorraias and Lusitanos: "I was impressed by the photographs you showed me. The mustangs definetely look as our Sorraias, which are, as you know, an endangered species. I gladly confirm that these mustangs should be preserved and support your endeavor wholeheartedly, also as president of the Sorraia association. As you know, it was my grandfather, Dr. Ruy d'Andrade, who discovered and rescued the Sorraia horses, and he, too, would be excited about these horses in America." Alfredo S. Baptista Coelho, Lusitano breeder, Sorraia owner, and contributing author to the magazine "Equitação": "The Sorraia type horse is the ancestral Iberian horse, the wild type of the Lusitano and Spanish Andalusian breeds. I was very much surprised to see the pictures of some mustangs that you showed me. They have survived and are breeding true in (the) U.S.A. These horses should be protected as they are a rarity..." Madalena Abecassis, Lusitano and Sorraia breeder: "The way you are trying to preserve the Sorraia horse meets my full approval. As a long-time breeder of both, Lusitanos and Sorraias, I know that the Sorraia is the primitive ancestor of our modern Lusitanos, and as such, embodies all that is essential Iberian in a horse... It's so great you found those Sorraia-type horses among the American mustangs, and I certainly hope the Americans will realize what a rare thing they have in these horses. I couldn't agree more that the American Sorraias, or Sorraia Mustangs, should be preserved..." Dr. Maria José E. G. Correia, veterinarian at the Portuguese National Stud: "The special protection you are trying to achieve for certain mustangs is, in my view, of great importance. As you know, I am employed at the Royal Stud Farm in Alter do Chão and am taking care of the Sorraias there. I found the mustangs you showed me pictures of so similar to the Sorraia horses that I could not tell them apart.“

SORRAIAS IN AMERICA?

Some simply claim there are no Sorraias in America. They say that the phenotypical similarities to the Portuguese Sorraia in what is known as Sorraia Mustangs are just incidental. However, if it has been said that there is no relatedness between the Sorraia and American horses, particularly mustangs, then there is good evidence to the contrary.

The phenotypical similarities of some mustangs and the Sorraia are strong, not just superficial, and that they aren’t freak occurrences has been scientifically proven by way of mtDNA analyses. The occurence of the Sorraia mtDNA genotype in a number of mustangs sufficiently proves the relatedness of these mustangs to the Sorraia, or the presence of Sorraia blood in those mustangs. Another way to say it would be that somewhere down the line, these mustangs and the Sorraias had a common ancestor.

Yearling Sorraia Mustang filly of Sulphur Springs origin

This relatedness has been proven through the maternal line (mtDNA), so it stands to reason that the actual number of Sorraia descendants among mustangs is much higher. If the representation is evident in female lines, then the influence through male lines could be even greater – only that one can’t prove it (yet).

Regarding the similarities of Sorraias and Sorraia-type mustangs, the following are some statements made by renowned Portuguese Lusitano and Sorraia breeders, and horse experts:

José Luis d'Andrade, breeder of Sorraias and Lusitanos:

"I was impressed by the photographs you showed me. The mustangs definetely look as our Sorraias, which are, as you know, an endangered species. I gladly confirm that these mustangs should be preserved and support your endeavor wholeheartedly, also as president of the Sorraia association. As you know, it was my grandfather, Dr. Ruy d'Andrade, who discovered and rescued the Sorraia horses, and he, too, would be excited about these horses in America."

Alfredo S. Baptista Coelho, Lusitano breeder, Sorraia owner, and contributing author to the magazine "Equitação":

"The Sorraia type horse is the ancestral Iberian horse, the wild type of the Lusitano and Spanish Andalusian breeds. I was very much surprised to see the pictures of some mustangs that you showed me. They have survived and are breeding true in (the) U.S.A. These horses should be protected as they are a rarity..."

Madalena Abecassis, Lusitano and Sorraia breeder:

"The way you are trying to preserve the Sorraia horse meets my full approval. As a long-time breeder of both, Lusitanos and Sorraias, I know that the Sorraia is the primitive ancestor of our modern Lusitanos, and as such, embodies all that is essential Iberian in a horse... It's so great you found those Sorraia-type horses among the American mustangs, and I certainly hope the Americans will realize what a rare thing they have in these horses. I couldn't agree more that the American Sorraias, or Sorraia Mustangs, should be preserved..."

Dr. Maria José E. G. Correia, veterinarian at the Portuguese National Stud:

"The special protection you are trying to achieve for certain mustangs is, in my view, of great importance. As you know, I am employed at the Royal Stud Farm in Alter do Chão and am taking care of the Sorraias there. I found the mustangs you showed me pictures of so similar to the Sorraia horses that I could not tell them apart.“