The first association for the Mangalarga Marchador horse was founded in 1949 to set standards in confirmation, disposition, and gait. The horse stands between 14.2 and 16 hands, weighing around 1,000 pounds. Most colors are represented in the breed, predominant are greys, bays, and chestnuts. As all Spanish horse breeds the Mangalarga Marchador is intelligent, regal and docile with an undying stamina. Rigorous tests including cross country, endurance, reining, and gait classed insure the breeding of excellent stock.
Natural gaits are the walk, the marchs, and the canter.
There are two different marcha types. Which one is superior is subject to personal preference. The Marcha Picada is a lateral four beat gait with moments of triple hoove support, as also found in the Paso Fino gait, the Paso Corto or the Paso Largo. The Marcha Batida is a diagonal four beat gait also showing moments of triple hoove support, like the Trocha in the Paso Fino breed. The Mangalarga Marchador is of good size with an average height of over 15 hands and weighing 900 to 1100 pounds.