The square races or simply squares, are a type of traditional horse race characteristic of the rural world, that are made in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and that was created by the gaucho culture in the colonial times. They are called squares to signify that they are short races, deriving the term "block", a unit of measurement equivalent to 129 meters that was used at the time of the colony.The competition is made between two or more horses "parejeros" (almost always Creole horses) and bets are frequent. The custom is widespread throughout the country. Notes
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