The roots of Golega horse fair, originally called "Feira de São Martinho",  are back to the XVIII century. It started intending to promote the trade for agriculture products from the region since Golega has very fertile soils.   In addition, the Lusitano horse became part in the fair due to the location of important Lusitano breeders in Golega fields. 

In 1883, Marquês de Pombal gave his the support to the breeders to show their horses. With the time, the Lusitano horse became the main attraction of the fair and people from all regions of Portugal would come to see and to trade horses. Later, with the awareness of the Lusitano horse in other countries, the Golega horse fair started to receive people from several countries. In 1972, in order to reflect its importance for horses and their breeders in Portugal, the name of the fair changed to National Horse Fair "Feira Nacional do Cavalo". The most important day of the fair traditionally is the 11th of November (Mendes, 1988).

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