Breeds of Horses
OVERVIEW
INSTRUCTOR: UNIT: Performance of Technical Skills Related to Animal Science and Technology LESSON: Breeds of Horses IMS REFERENCE: #8894 TOPIC NOTES
BREEDS OF HORSES Humans have had tremendous influence on the horse’s development since its domestication. The many uses of the horse have brought about the great variety of types prevalent today. The selective mating of large, heavily muscled horses to produce work animals; the development of refined, longer legged horses for speed; and the development of various gaits for ease in riding or pulling have all been influences of humans in development of the present-day horse. CLASSES, BREEDS, AND TYPES OF HORSES A breed of horses may be defined as a group of horses having a common origin or possessing certain well-fixed, distinctive, uniformly transmitted characteristics that are not common to other horses. An important factor to consider when attempting to choose a particular breed is that certain breeds are better adapted for specific purposes. There are several breeds found throughout the world, but in this study, an attempt will be made to identify the distinctive characteristics of common breeds of horses found throughout the United States. Many diverse and distinct types are recognized within the horse breed. Generally, depending on size, build, and use, horses may be classified as light horses, ponies, warmbloods, or draft horses. Classes of Horses Light Horse Breeds include: American Paint Horse Pinto American Saddlebred Horse Quarter Horse Appaloosa Standardbred Arabian Tennessee Walking Horse Morgan Thoroughbred Palomino
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Breeds of Horses Light horses stand 14–2 to 17 hands* high, weigh 900 to 1,400 pounds, and are used primarily for riding, driving, or racing. Light horses generally are capable of more action and greater speed than draft horses. Breeds of Ponies include: Pony of the Americas Shetland Pony Miniature Horse Welsh Pony Ponies stand under 14–2 hands high and weigh less than 900 pounds. Breeds of Warmblood Horses include: American Warmblood Holsteiner Hanoverian Trakehner Warmblood horses stand 15–1 to 17 hands high, weigh 1200 to 1600 pounds, and are used primarily as sporting horses in competitions such as dressage, driving, hunting, jumping and three-day eventing. The name warmblood originated from the fact that these horses are a combination of “hot blooded” horses (Arabians and Thoroughbreds) crossed with “cold blooded” horses (draft horses). Unlike most breeds, the vast majority of warmblood registries do not have closed studbooks. Breeds of Draft Horses include: Belgian Percheron Clydesdale Shire Drafts horses stand 14–2 to 19 hands high, weigh more than 1,400 pounds, and are used primarily for heavy work and exhibition purposes. Types of Horses Riding Horse – includes saddle (three-gaited, five-gaited), walking, stock, polo, hunters and jumpers, and ponies Race Horse – includes running (Thoroughbred, Quarter, etc.) and harness (trotters and pacers).
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Breeds of Horses Driving Horse – includes heavy harness, fine harness, roadsters, and ponies (heavy and light harness). Work Horse – includes draft, wagon, and exhibition. Before discussing the different types of breeds, it must be understood that there are several color types and patterns. Many of the colors are variations of another color and are difficult to describe verbally. So, to better understand the color characteristics discussed in this topic, visit the American Quarter Horse Association’s Web site at http://www.aqha.com. HORSE BREED ORIGINS, DESCRIPTIONS, AND USES Light Horse Breeds American Paint Horse Origin – United States Color – White with any other color; must be a recognizable paint. The three distinct patterns are overo, tobiano, and tovero. Height – 14-1 to 16-2 hands A Paint Horse is eligible for registry if its sire and dam are registered with the American Paint Horse Association, The American Quarter Horse Association, or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbred). Other breed types may be registered with the Pinto Registry. Uses – Stock horses, pleasure horses, show purposes, and racing American Saddlebred Horse Origin – United States in Kentucky Color – Bay, brown, chestnut, gray, black, or golden Height – 15 to 16 hands Three-gaited horses show at the walk, trot, and canter. Five-gaited horses also show at the slow gait as well as the rack. Uses – Three - and five-gaited horses (saddle), pleasure horses, stock horses, and fine harness horses. Appaloosa Origin – United States in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. They descended from horses originating in Central Asia, and in North America were first bred by the Nez Perce Indians. Color – Variations and combinations of colors and spots. Four distinguishable characteristics are used to identify the Appaloosa: coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera, and striped hooves Height – 14 to 15–2 hands Uses – Stock horses, pleasure horses, race horses, parade horses, hunters and jumpers Arabian Origin – Saudi Arabia
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Breeds of Horses Color – Bay, gray, and chestnut are predominant; with occasional white or black. White marks on the head and legs are common. Height – 14–2 to 15–2 hands The dished face of the Arabian is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. Uses – Saddle horses, show horses, stock horses, pleasure horses, racing, endurance races and competitive trail rides Morgan Origin – United States in Vermont Color – Predominantly bay, brown, and chestnut, there are also black, palomino, buckskin, and some grays. Height – 14–2 to 16 hands Noted for stamina, docility, beauty, courage, and longevity Uses – Saddle horses, stock horses, and harness horses Palomino Origin – United States, from animals of Spanish descent Color – Golden in color with a light-colored mane and tail and no more than 15 percent dark or chestnut hair in either mane or tail Height – 14–2 to 16 hands The type desired in the Palomino will depend entirely on the use for which the horse is intended. Uses – Parade, stock, pleasure, saddle, and fine harness horses Pinto Origin – United States, descendants from horses brought in by Spanish conquistadors Color – White with any other color. There are two distinct patterns of pintos; they are tobiano and overo. The Pinto Horse is a color breed rather than a type breed. The Pinto Registry is unlike the American Paint Horse Association in that it accepts several different types of breeds. Uses – Hunters, polo mounts, racing, saddle horses, and stock horses Quarter Horse Origin – United States, primarily in the southwestern states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas Color – Gray, black, bay, sorrel, chestnut, brown, buckskin, palomino, dun, grullo, red dun, blue roan, and red roan Height – 15 to 16 hands They are well muscled and powerfully built. Some people consider the quarter horse the most versatile of all breeds. The first breed of horse native to the United States. Uses – Stock horses, racing, pleasure horses, hunters and jumpers Standardbred Origin – United States
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Breeds of Horses Color – Bay, brown, and black are the predominant colors with some being chestnut, gray, roan, and dun Height – 15 to 16 hands The breed was developed primarily for harness racing; a pleasing conformation and an abundance of style and quality are important requirements Uses – Harness racing, trotting or pacing, and show horses Tennessee Walking Horse Origin – United States in Tennessee Color – Sorrel, chestnut, roan, black, white, golden, gray, bay, and brown Height – 14–3 to 17 hands This breed has three easy-riding gaits. They are the flat-foot walk, the running walk, and the canter. All of these gaits are natural, inherited characteristics. Uses – Pleasure horses, plantation walking horses, and show horses Thoroughbred Origin – England, developed as a running horse Color – Bay, brown, chestnut, sorrel, black, and gray; white markings on the face and legs are common. Height – 15 to 16–2 hands Conformation emphasizes factors contributing to racing and sports. Uses – Race horses, saddle horses, hunters and jumpers, and polo mounts Breeds of Ponies Miniature Horse Origin – England Color – Any color or marking pattern as well as any eye color is acceptable. Height – No more than 34 inches Uses – Pets and show Miniatures were first used to pull ore carts in the coalmines of England and Northern Europe. Pony of the Americas Origin – United States in Mason City, Iowa Color – Very similar to the Appaloosa; several color patterns are acceptable. Height – 46 to 54 inches The breed standard calls for a conformation between that of the Quarter horse and the Arabian. Uses – Primarily used by juniors who have outgrown Shetland ponies but are not ready for a horse. Shetland Pony Origin – Shetland Isles Color – Any color, solid or mixed Height – Two class sizes are recognized by the breed registry: (under 43 inches), (43 to 46 inches)
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Breeds of Horses Develops long shaggy outer coat during winter months and has a full mane and tail One of the oldest breeds in existence Uses – Used mainly by children for riding, but also used for harness, racing, and roadster Welsh Pony Origin – Wales Color – Usually gray, roan, black, brown, bay or chestnut; cream, white, and dun colors may be found. Height – Two divisions are acceptable in the American Welsh Stud Book: “A” Division – Cannot exceed 12–2 hands. “B” Division – Over 12–2 but not more than 14–2 hands. Weight – Usually less than 500 lbs. For the “A” type, and for the “B” type, 500 to 900. Uses – Used mainly by children for riding, but also used for harness racing, trail riding, and parades Warmblood Breeds American Warmblood Origin – United States, from our own sporting horses Color – Any color, preferably solid with few white markings Height – 16 to 17 hands Unlike many other breed registries, the American Warmblood consists of horses with varying breed backgrounds that qualify to be registered with the American Warmblood Registry either by pedigree or through their individual performance and conformation. Uses – Dressage, driving, jumping and three-day eventing Hanoverian Origin – Lower Saxony in Northern Germany Color – Should be a solid color, e.g. bay, chestnut, gray; excessive white is not desired Height – 16 to 17 hands Known as a noble horse with a cooperative temperament, elastic gaits and for outstanding ability in international equestrian disciplines Uses – Dressage, driving, jumping and three-day eventing Holsteiner Origin – Province of Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany Color – Bay with a preference for no or few white markings Height – 16 to 17 hands This breed is known for its relaxed and willing temperament with good character and an eagerness for work. It is also noted for carrying its head in a beautiful arch and for its excellent jumping ability. Uses – Dressage, driving, jumping and three-day eventing Trakehner Origin – Trakehner, East Prussia Color – Should be a solid color, e.g. bay, chestnut, sorrel or gray without excessive white markings Height – 15–3 to 16–3 hands
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Breeds of Horses This breed was originally developed as a new type of cavalry mount for the Prussian army. It is noted for having a “floating trot” and excellent balance, which allows it to excel in dressage First introduced to North America in 1957 with the importation of 4 stallions and 12 mares Uses – Dressage, hunting, jumping and three-day eventing Draft Breeds Belgian Origin – Belgium Color – Chestnut and sorrel are the dominant colors of the breed, but roans and bays are occasionally seen. Size – Known for its draftiness, and for being the widest, deepest, most compact massive, and lowest set draft breed Height: 15–2 to 17 hands (stallion) Very docile, quiet, and gentle The most numerous draft breed. Uses – Exhibition purposes, special attractions, and farm work Clydesdale Origin – Scotland Color – The most common color is bay. However, black, brown, chestnut, and roan are occasionally seen. Four white socks and a well-defined blaze or bald face is preferred. Size – Medium draft breed Height – 16–2 to 18 hands (stallion) Superior style and action Heavy feathering of feet Uses – Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work Percheron Origin – France Color – Black or gray, but bay, brown, chestnut, and roan are occasionally seen. Size – Intermediate, between the Clydesdale and Belgian Height: 16–2 to 17–3 hands (stallion) Extremely docile Noted for its clean-cut head Uses – Exhibition purposes, special attractions, and farm work. Percherons are sometimes mated with thoroughbreds to produce hunters and jumpers. Shire Origin – England Color – Black, brown, gray, or chestnut/sorrel. Excessive white markings and roaning are undesirable. Size – Large, matched in weight only by the Belgian Height: 16–2 to 17–1 hands (stallion) Used as war horses in the 15th and 16th and centuries
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Breeds of Horses Uses – Exhibition purposes, special attractions, and farm work HORSE BREED REGISTRY ADDRESSES BREEDS OF LIGHT HORSES American Paint Horse Assoc. P. O. Box 961023 Fort Worth, TX 76161-0023 www.apha.com American Saddle Horse Breeders Assoc. 4093 Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY 40511 www.saddlebred.com Appalossa Horse Club 2720 W. Pullman Road Moscow, ID 83843 www.appaloosa.com Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc. P.O. Box 173886 Denver, CO 80217-3886 www.theregistry.com American Morgan Horse Assoc. 122 Bostwick Road P.O. Box 960 Shelburne, VT 05482 www.morganhorse.com Palomino Horse Breeders of America 15253 E. Skelly Drive Tulsa, OK 74116-2637 www.palominohba.com Pinto Horse Association of America 1900 Samuels Ave. Ft. Worth, TX 76102-1141 www.pinto.org American Quarter Horse Assoc. P.O. Box 200 Amarillo, TX 79168 www.aqha.com Standardbred-United States Trotting Assoc. 750 Michigan Avenue Columbus, OH 43215-1191 www.ustrotting.com Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’Assoc. P.O. Box 286 Lewisburg, TN 37091-0286 www.twhbea.com Thoroughbred-The Jockey Club 40 E. 52nd. Street New York, NY 10022 http://home.jockeyclub.com
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Breeds of Horses BREEDS OF PONIES American Miniature Horse Association 5601 S. Interstate 35 W Alvarado, TX 76009 www.amha.com Pony of Americas Club, Inc. 5240 Elmwood Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46203 www.poac.org American Shetland Pony Club 81 B Queenswood Road Morton, IL 61500 www.shetlandminiature.com Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America P.O. Box 2977 Winchester, VA 22604 www.scendtek.com/wpcsa.index..htm
BREEDS OF WARMBLOOD HORSES American Warmblood Registry 2 Buffalo Run Road Center Ridge, AR 72027 www.americanwarmblood.org The American Hanoverian Society 4067 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 1 Lexington, KY 40511 www.hanoverian.org American Holsteiner Horse Association, Inc. 222 East Main St., Suite 1 Georgetown, KY 40324 www.holsteiner.com The American Trakehner Association 1520 West Church Street Newark, OH 43055 www.americantrakehner.com
BREEDS OF DRAFT HORSES Belgian Draft Horse Corporation P.O. Box 335 Wabash, IN 46992 www.belgiancorp.com Clydesdale Breeders of the USA 17346 Kelley Road Pecatonica, IL 61063 www.clydesusa.com Percheron Horse Association of America P. O. Box 141 Fredericktown, OH 43019-0141 www.percheronhorse.org American Shire Horse Association P.O. Box 739 New Castle, CO 81647 www.shirehorse.org
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Breeds of Horses
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Wendy Witherspoon, Graduate Student, Department of Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University, researched and developed this topic. Travis W. Trant, Graduate Student, Department of Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University, researched and developed this topic. Dr. M. Craig Edwards, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional Materials Service, Texas A&M University, reviewed this topic. Vickie Marriott, Office Software Associate, Instructional Materials Service, Texas A&M University, edited and prepared the layout and design for this topic. Sarah Danek, Graduate Student Worker, Texas A&M University, updated the format of this topic. Photographs Provided By: The American Saddlebred Horse Association, Inc., Lexington, Kentucky. Edward Keys, photographer, of Hoof Beats Publication, Columbus, Ohio, provided the photograph of the Standardbreed. American Miniature Horse Association, Alvarado, Texas. Douglas J. Christensen of Rebecca Creek Farms, Springbranch, Texas, provided the photograph of the American Warmblood. Natalie J. Cwik of Tenacious Acres, granted permission to use the photograph of her Holsteiner Stallion, Rodin, that was photographed by Marti Houge of Works of M’art Equine Photography. American Shire Horse Association, owner of photograph, and Sharon McLin, photographer, provided the photograph of the Shire. REFERENCES
Ensminger, M. E. Horses and horsemanship. 7th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate Printers and Publishers, 1999. Evans, J. W. Horses: A Guide to Selection, Care, and Improvement. 2nd ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and Co., 1989.
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Breeds of Horses Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science. (2000). Animal Science, [Online]. Available: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu [September 18, 2000].
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Feathering - A fringe of hair around the horse’s foot just above the hoof; some breeds naturally have more feathering or a heavier fetlock than others. Hands - The height of a horse; the measurement is taken from the top of the withers to the ground; a hand is four inches. Mottled skin - A speckled or blotchy pattern of pigmented and non-pigmented skin Overo - May be either predominantly white or dark with no white crossing the back of the horse between its withers and its tail, generally one or all of the legs are dark, and the tail is usually one color Studbook - Official record of the pedigree or ancestry of purebred animals, especially horses. (Note: A “closed” studbook does not allow “outside blood” to be taken in to the breed gene pool, e.g., Arabians, Morgans or Thoroughbreds.) Tobiano - May be either predominantly white or dark with spots being distinct, round or oval patterns extending down over the neck and chest, all four legs are generally white, and the tail is often two colors Tovero - Dark pigmentation around the ears and mouth, chest and flank spots in varying sizes, and one or both eyes are blue White sclera - The sclera is the area of the eye, which encircles the iris; in Appaloosas the sclera is white.
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