Ojalada
This hardy breed of sheep owes its name to the black pigmentation around its eyes. The Ojalada is found in the south-west and south of the province of Soria. It is also found between there and the north-west of Guadalajara and with certain herds in the part of Segovia adjacent to the province of Soria. It is mainly used for producing young lambs, which have become more popular in recent times at the expense of ternasco lambs. Its meat is included in the protected geographical indication of “Lechazo de Castilla y León”. This breed is also an excellent producer of milk, an attribute that, in addition to its excellent maternal instinct, enables it to raise its young without problems despite the difficulties posed by the environment in which it is bred. The Ojalada is subject to a highly extensive regime: it is left to graze on pasture daily, which means that its diet is based on nutrients obtained from grazing and rations of feed to increase its productivity. This breed lives in herds of between 500 and 750 head of sheep on average owned by one or more farmers.