What are Aztec Crowned Equines?
A few decennia ago, a small group of explorers found an until then unknown island in the Atlantic ocean, and found an especially stunning breed of horses there. They recognized the shape of their rounded horns, and realized that these horses must be the descendants of the Old Aztecian horse. The horses were caught, domesticated and brought to North America and Europe, where they excelled as dressage horses.
The island where the breed was found is mostly desert, with a mountain range on the western side and little to no grass. What plants do grow, have sharp thorns and look more like cacti. The ACEs have managed to adapt by changing their coat colour to very light shades, grow large, strong legs, little mane and a leathery mouth to prevent themselves from getting stung. These horses are great climbers and have the balance of a mountain goat. Both males and females are crowned, although females do not have any use for the horns. The males use them in the mating season, when they fight other stallions. Although they are quite dominant and are slow learners, these horses are great for dressage and could be trained in pretty much any other kind of sport, and will be loyal forever.
Colours
An explanation on coat colours
Common: white, various shades of light brown, palomino, buckskin, flaxen chestnut, any kind of dun, pretty much any light coat colour
Uncommon: bay, dapple grey, liver chestnut, roans, champagnes
Rare: black, dark bay, smoky black
Common: large amounts of overo, tobiano, tovero, splash or sabinos, small amounts less common
Uncommon: any type of appaloosa pattern
Rare: no coat markings at all
Common: bend-or spots, birdcatcher spots, chubari spots
Uncommon: brindle, lacing
Rare: dominant white, bloodmarkings on whites
For unknown reasons, eyes can be any colour, even unnnatural ones.
Horns are usually a paled brown, or a shade of (broken) white.
Body Build, Behavior and Other Facts
Aztec Crowned Equines have the same body build as any other warmblood horse, but what makes them stand out are the horns that grow from the back of their skulls. The males generally have much larger horns that the females, curling back to about their shoulders. The females have small, round horns that curl around their ears. Males use their horns for dominance, for fighting and for sneaking females out of other males' bands. Around mating season, all herds and bands fall apart into small groups or lone horses, usually one male with one or two females, after which he will fight any encountering stallions. The winner takes the females.
Despite their general short mane length, the females have a long forelock, possibly to shield their eyes from the sun. Because of the heat, insects are scarce and the horses did not have much use for long manes. The manes on their neck are the same length as cropped manes, and their forelocks a little longer. Their tail is also short.
Foals are generally born at the end of the summer, when the heat has faded. They are small, and, if male, have small horns at the back of their head. The horns sometimes rupture the mother's stomach, and because of this, there are generally more females than males. In five years, the foal grows as high as sometimes 18 hands. Young foals are usually born white and only acquire their official coat colours after their second or third year.
Current Open Adopts
none! :c
