The Sorraia horse takes its name from the Sorraia River in Portugal, which has two tributaries, the Sor and the Raia. These fascinating small horses have probably been living wild on the plains between these tributaries for hundreds of years, but scientific investigation into them only began in the twentieth century. While the future of the breed is likely to be mostly in conservation projects - and that is the main reason organisations exchange or sell a Sorraia today - in the past, people used them for farm work and herding bulls. Traditionally farmers would not buy a Sorraia, but simply take them from the wild to do some work and then release them if they were no longer needed.
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Standing between 12.3 hands (51 inches, 130 cm) and 14.3 hands (59 inches/150 cm) high, the Sorraia horse is a distinctive type with some unique characteristics. The Sorraia has a characterful head with a convex profile and long ears. Their bodies are very slender but their bones are strong, and they are very robust animals, surviving and thriving on sparse vegetation. Their hardiness makes it a very practical option to buy a Sorraia. While they are still very rare, the recent export of some individuals to North America means more breeders may be available to sell a Sorraia. Coat colours are generally varieties of dun or grullo. Many members of the breed exhibit striped markings on their back and legs.