June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: ArabiaUse today: Arabians are famed for their stamina, and although they can be found in many disciplines, they rule the long-distance sport of endurance.Color: Arabians can be found in the following colors: chestnuts, bay, gray, black and roan.Height: 14 to 15.3 hands. Profile: Theorized to be the oldest breed in the world, Arabians were constant companions of the first documented breeders of the Arabian horse, the Bedouin people--nomadic tribesmen of Arabia who relied on the horse for survival. High religious significance in addition to harsh climates often led the nomads to share food, water and sometimes even their tents with their horses. For many of these reasons, the Arabian horse thrived in near isolation and are known for their sociable personalities. As religious wars erupted, the Arabian horse made its way into Europe and other parts of the world. European crusaders crossed the lighter Arabian Horse with their heavier breeds, influencing nearly every modern breed today. In 1725, Nathan Harrison of Virginia was the first of many to import the Arabian horse to North America. In 1908, a national registry was recognized for the Arabian Horse. Today, more Arabian horses live in the United States than in all the other countries in the world combined. Arabians are famed for their stamina, and although they can be found in many disciplines, they rule the long-distance sport of endurance.Characteristics: The Arabian horse has a distinctive dished profile. They have giant, wide-set eyes on a broad forehead, small, curved ears, and large and efficient nostrils. Arabians are also known for their arched necks and short backs. They stand 14 to 15.3 hands high and can be found in the following colors: chestnuts, bay, gray, black and roan. Download a free Arabian Horse Screensaver For more information: Arabian Horse Association
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: Appendix Quarter Horses can be found racing and performing in the western and English disciplines.Color: Colors include sorrel, bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino and cremello.Height: 15 to 17 hands Profile: Until the 1940s the American Quarter Horse existed as a type rather than a breed, but in 1940 a group of breeders discussed the idea of forming an association. Howev... |
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Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: Today, Appaloosas can be found at gaming events, horse shows and on the trail. Color: With coat patterns, countless numbers of color and pattern combinations exist. Height: 14.2 to 16 hands Profile: The Spanish introduced horses to Mexico in the 1500s, and spotted horses have been depicted in images as far back as prehistoric cave paintings. However, it wasn’t until the 1700s when horses first reached Northwest America that horses with Appaloosa co... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Iberian PeninsulaUse today: The Andalusian excels in dressage and traditional Spanish equestrian pursuits, such as bull fighting and ranch work. Color: The majority of Andalusians are gray; less common, although found, is bay, black, dun and palomino. Height: 15 to 16.2 Profile: Hailing from the Iberian Peninsula, the Andalusian takes its name from the Province of Andalucia, where it was most famous. This living antiquity is purported to be an ancient breed; 20,000-year-old... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: Horses are exhibited in driving, English—most notably saddleseat—and western classes.Color: All colors are found, including pinto.Height: 15 to 17 hands Profile: The American Saddlebred originated from Galloway and Hobbie horses imported from Britain during the early part of America’s history. These two breeds were crossed to create the Narragansett Pacer, which was crossed to the Thoroughbred in the 1700s to produce the elegant “American Hor... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: The American Quarter Horse can be seen in virtually every riding discipline and still races a quarter mile at tracks throughout the United States.Color: Colors include sorrel, bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino and cremello.Height: 14 to over 16 hand Profile: The American Quarter Horse traces its roots to early America, where settlers crossed English horses to those of S... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: The American Paint Horse is extremely popular in traditional stock-horse western events as well as a variety of other riding disciplines.Color: American Paint Horses sport a combination of white and any other color of the equine spectrumHeight: 14.2 to 16.2 hands Profile: In 1519, the explorer Hernando Cortes carried two horses described as having pinto markings on his voyage. This is the first known description of such horses in America. By the earl... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Use today: The American Cream Draft and other draft horses are still used for hobby farming, logging, driving and hay rides. Some are also ridden. Color: All horses are cream colored with white manes and tails and other white markings, as well as pink skin. Height: 15.1 to 16.3 hands Profile: Nearly 98 percent of all American Cream Draft horses have the blood of an Iowan cream colored draft-type mare called Old Granny, who was born at the turn of the 20th century. Her beauty and unique coat c... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Middle EastUse today: Today they excel in sport, particularly in racing, show jumping, dressage and endurance racing. Color: Bay, gray, black, dun, chestnut and gold. Height: 14.3 to 16 hands Profile: With its unusual, gazelle-like appearance, the Akhal-Teke (Ah-cull Tek-y) is an incredibly distinctive breed. Experts say the Akhal-Teke breed is at least 3,000 years old. The Akhal-Teke may be the last remaining strain of the Turkmene (a horse that has existed since 2400 B.C.... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Descended from Spanish horses during the time of Christopher ColumbusUse today: With only eight left in existence, the small herd resides on the preserve or conservation area on the Bahaman Island of Great Abaco Color: Bay, brown, pintoHeight: 13.2 to 14.2 hands Profile: The rare Abaco Barb, which is in great danger of extinction, is believed to have descended from Spanish horses that were in route aboard ships with early explorers to the New World. Many of these ships neve... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
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