At Rancho Las Cascadas, our horses are at the heart of ranch life. Our herd includes Criollos, Mestizo Mexicanos, Quarter Horses, and plenty of wonderful mixes in between. Each has its own character, history, and way of moving across the land. We’re starting with the Criollo, a tough, sure-footed horse perfectly suited to life in the Mexican highlands. Known for its stamina, hardy nature, and calm temperament, the Criollo is built for long days and changing terrain. Here at the Rancho, they live naturally outdoors, roaming our pastures and carrying riders across the countryside, just as horses here have done for generations.

A Horse Built for the Land

The Criollo’s story goes back centuries. The breed developed from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish, including Andalusian, Berber, Arabian, and Portuguese bloodlines. Over generations, many of these horses lived and bred in the open country, developing into an exceptionally hardy horse capable of handling difficult terrain, changing temperatures, and simple pasture living.

That toughness is still easy to see today.

At Rancho Las Cascadas, our Criollos are happiest living outside. Rather than spending their days in stables, they have acres of pasture where they can graze, move with the herd, and find natural shelter throughout the seasons. It is a way of life that suits these horses—and the Rancho.

No Two are Quite the Same

Criollos are generally compact and strongly built, with sturdy legs and the kind of sure-footedness that matters when you spend your days riding through open countryside.

They also come in an incredible variety of colors and markings. Take a look through our herd and you’ll quickly see that no two are quite alike. Each one has its own look and, as anyone who has ridden with us knows, its own personality too.

But what really makes the Criollo stand out is its stamina. These horses were made to cover country. They are steady, reliable, and capable of carrying a rider over long distances and through the varied terrain of the Mexican highlands.

From rocky trails and open fields to canyons, hills, and old country roads, this is exactly the kind of horse you want underneath you.

Strong, hardy, sure-footed, and full of character—the Criollo fits right into life at Rancho Las Cascadas.