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The Holsteiner is thought to be the oldest of the warmblood breeds. They aren’t very large in population, but are well known in show jumping and other english riding activities such as dressage.
They average between 16 and 17 hands tall. Their appearance is that of an athletic riding horse. Holsteiners are generally darker in their coloring, and as seen in the picture, they have a rather intelligent eye.
Curly horses are known for their mild temperament and generally good work ethic. They have a curly haired coat; however, some purebred curlies have no curl at all. They can be found in almost all colorings.
Curlies have tough bones and strong hooves and mainly stand between 14-16 hands. An interesting fact of curlies is that most people who are allergic to horses can generally handle curlies. They are considered to be hypoallergenic. Scientists believe that a protein is missing from their fur that causes reactions to happen; however, this fact has never officially been published.
The Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, well known in the english riding world. It is known for its great temperament along with its beauty and grace.
Hanoverians are elegant and strong in their stature. They range from 15.3-17 hands high and are generally shades of chestnut, bay, brown, black, and grey in their coloring.
Hanoverians are well known for their performance in english discipline in areas such as dressage, show jumping, show hunting, etc.
Hanoverians have been known to shine in the Olympics.
The Belgian, of course, is native to Belgium and the breed originated there. The Belgian is the most popular draft horse out there.
The Belgian is still used as a work horse, but now has become popular for use in the show ring and pleasure riding. Belgians generally weigh on average 200olbs, while some weigh more. Most are light and dark shades of chestnut, similar to sorrel.
Belgians can also pull tremendous amounts of weight, so they are usually in pulling competitions.
When you think of horse racing, thoroughbred is what pops into your head. The Thoroughbred was originally bred in England due to the englishmen’s growing passion for fast race horses. The three horses that found the thoroughbred line were Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Arabian. The thoroughbred is the most favored horse for track racing, the most famous race being the Kentucky Derby.
The thoroughbred begins its training as a yearling and grows to be comfortable with a saddle on its back and a bridle in its mouth. Then with a rider on its back as well as breaking into a run around the track to eventually race.
They range from 15.2-17 hands tall. The average being 16 hands. They have generally lean, long bodies with powerful legs built for speed and agility. Thoroughbreds are generally bay, seal brown, chestnut, black, or grey.
In the recent years, movies have been made based off the powerful world of horse racing featuring thoroughbreds. Movies such as Seabiscuit, Dreamer, and Secretariat are just a few.
The Tennessee Walker is a light horse breed found in middle Tennessee. Its composition comes from several breeds. The breed initially started out as a utility horse, but has become an ideal horse for all ages and levals of experience. The Walker adapts to both english and western styles, and is known for its elegant gait and docile temperament. It has been said that the walker is the “world’s greatest show, trail, and pleasure horse.”
Tennessee Walking Horses range between 14.3-17 hands tall weighing between 900 and 1200lbs. There head is well defined with small ears. They have long, sloping features with short, strong legs. Walkers are generally black, bay, chestnut/sorrell, or white, white horses are extremely rare in Walkers.
The Quarter Horse is an american breed of horse, bred for sprinting short distances in horse races. The Quarter Horse is the most popular breed of horses in the United States, and the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world.
The Quarter Horse has a small, refined head while having strong, muscular features throughout their body. They have very powerful hindquarters built for speed. Usually, they stand between 14-16 hands tall, while some stand 17 hands. There are two main body types when classifying quarter horses: the stock type and the hunter or racing type. The stock type is shorter and more compact, well muscled and agile. The racing type is somewhat taller and has smoother muscles, similar to a thoroughbred. Quarterhorses nearly come in all colors from light palomino to dark brown and black.
The Quarter Horse is an all around horse entirely. It’s well known on the racetrack to the show ring, along with its performance in rodeos and on the ranch. They are well suited for events requiring speed and swift movement such as barrel racing and calf roping, anything involving live cattle as well. Along with succeeding in western events, they succeed in english discipline as well.
From the ancient war times to the use as a draft horse to the present, Percherons have been around for a long time dating back to ancient times in history. There strong in stature, making them great for farm work and heavy loads.
Percherons are normally grey or black in color, while roans or bays are sometimes found. The grey Percherons are usually born black and dapple out over time to the point when there almost white (usually by age 12). Percherons stand between 16-18 hands tall weighing 1700-2200lbs. While they are strong and muscular, they are elegant and swift in their walk. Due to their Arabian influence, they have a refined head and delicate eyes and ears.
Percherons are still used as farm and work horses, along with the use as show horses, carriage rides, and family horses. They are a very versatile breed, shining in most they do.
The Palomino’s history and where it originated will never truly be known, but they have been around since ancient war times. Many feel that the Palomino has always been considered a color breed and not a breed in itself. Sure, it is true that the color Palomino comes in all breeds, but the Palomino of the Spanish times (the Golden Dorado) is as close to a breed as any other. Now, it is strictly a color breed.
The average Palomino stands about 15.2-16 hands tall, with a muscular body with strong features. They can vary in their coloring in all shades of golden, similar to a bucksin with their mottled skin.
The Palomino is a multi-purpose horse as well as many other horses. Palomino’s are admired not only for their beauty, but for their endurance and versatility in all they do. They are great for ranching, trails, rodeos, performance/entertainment, and also an all around family horse. The famous equine movie star Mr. Ed was a Palomino, as well as Trigger and Trigger, Jr.
The origin of the Paint horse can be traced back to the two toned horses that were introduced by the Spanish explorers. These horses then were introduced to the wild herds that roamed the wild west. Both native americans and cowboys sought after this hardy breed full of color.
Just like any other breed, their conformation improved as the years passed to make these horses a famous breed. While the color pattern is essential to the Paint horse breed, there are strict bloodline requirements and a distinctive body type. To be eligible to be registered as a Paint horse, the Paint must come from a stock that is registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds). This develops an intelligent stock type horse that is athletic and powerful with noticeable beauty. They are generally stockier and have more of a muscular body compared to other light horse breeds.
Paints are characterized by their color pattern with a unique combination of white and any one of the following colors: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grulla, sorrel, palomino, gray or roan. While characterizing Paints according to their light or dark color pattern, the terms “paint” and “pinto” are often confused. Pinto is a color breed so it can be any breed, not only Paints. A horse could be double registered if their colors are noticeable enough, but the two shouldn’t be confused.
There are two color patterns that are used when distinguishing Paint horses for breeding and registration purposes.
Tobiano: It is distinguished by head patterns as those of a solid colored horse; they may be solid, or have a blaze, strip, star, or snip. Their legs are generally white, at least below the hocks and knees. They have regular spots that are oval or round that extend down the neck and chest giving the appearance of a shield. Tobiano’s can be predominantly dark or white, but the tail is generally two colors.
Overo: They can also be predominantly dark or white, but typically the white of an Overo will not cross the back between the withers and tail. One or all four legs will be dark, while they have bold white head markings such as a bald face. They have generally irregular markings with a solid color tail. Not all horses fit in these two categories, so the APHA introduced the Tovero pattern when horses display patterns of both.
Paints are great family horses, as well as great performers. They perform just as well in the ring, as they do on trails and on the ranch.
December 9, 2011
gavriel2011
