The village of El Rocío has been the setting for the start of one of the most unique events in Andalusia: the Saca de las Yeguas. The Minister of Sustainability and Environment, Catalina García, and the Minister of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior, Arturo Bernal, have traveled there to accompany the marshland breeders and show the support of the Andalusian Government for a tradition that combines sustainable livestock management, popular culture, and tourist attraction.
From the marshes of Doñana to Almonte, the mares and foals follow a traditional route that will culminate in the afternoon of June 26. During the journey, the animals cross through the village of El Rocío, pass by the Virgin’s hermitage and continue on to the municipal livestock enclosure in Almonte, where traditional tasks such as grooming, mane-cutting, and foal sales will take place.
During the visit, Minister Catalina García emphasized «the firm commitment of the Andalusian Government to the active conservation of protected natural spaces and to those who, like the marshland breeders, have been caring for and shaping these landscapes for generations.» She highlighted that extensive livestock farming is much more than a preservation element of Doñana. «Undoubtedly, it has been key in shaping its ecosystems, while safeguarding native breeds such as the marshland mare and the mostrenca cow, of great cultural and genetic interest.» Extensive livestock farming is a traditional use considered compatible with the regulations of the protected area, as the presence of livestock has contributed to the shaping and maintenance of Doñana’s ecosystems.
Catalina García also emphasized «the cultural value of this tradition, which not only is part of the living history of Doñana, but also strengthens the emotional bond between its inhabitants and the natural environment.» In this sense, she pointed out that «events like the Saca de las Yeguas remind us that sustainability also involves keeping our roots alive.»
For his part, Minister Arturo Bernal acknowledged that «events like this are a treasure for Andalusian tourism.» He indicated that «the Saca de las Yeguas is increasingly known and appreciated, both inside and outside our borders, attracting thousands of visitors each year seeking authenticity, excitement, and contact with our deepest traditions.» He also added that «the symbiosis between culture, environment, and tourism is one of the great assets of our autonomous community, and the Andalusian Government will continue to promote it decisively.»
The event, which dates back to ancient times, is organized by the National Association of Marshland Livestock Breeders, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, through the Doñana Natural Space, which organizes activities within the protected area in partnership with the Association and authorizes them, and the Almonte City Council, which participates in the activities held from El Rocío to the livestock enclosure.
Although the final number of animals has not been determined yet, it is estimated that between 1,000 and 1,300 mares and foals will depart from the marshes this year. In the days leading up to the journey, breeders have gathered the livestock from various farms in the National Park and Natural Park, organized into 16 groups that have spent the night inside this protected area. From there, the troops of mares have been grouped in the park’s enclosures, ready to start their journey to Almonte.
The passage of the mares through El Rocío attracts thousands of people each year, who come from both the town and outside Andalusia to witness a spectacle of beauty and natural strength that captivates those who experience it up close. After crossing El Rocío and resting halfway, the mares will arrive in Almonte in the afternoon, where traditional activities will be held until, on July 1, they will begin the return to the marshes, thus completing an ancestral cycle of respect and coexistence between humans and the natural environment.
Also present at the event were the Mayor of Almonte, Francisco Bella, the Mayor of Hinojos, Joaquina del Valle, the Government Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Huelva, José Manuel Correa, the President of the Huelva Provincial Council, David Toscano, the Director General of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo, the Director General of Forest Policy and Biodiversity, Juan Ramón Pérez Valenzuela, the Director of the Doñana Natural Space, Juan Pedro Castellano, the Territorial Delegates of Sustainability and Environment and of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior in the province of Huelva, Pedro Yórquez, and Teresa Herrera, respectively, and the President of the Huelva Livestock Breeders Association, Diego Díaz, along with Environmental Agents and other authorities.
