June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Great BritainUse today: Gypsy horses are best known as driving horses in the United Kingdom, but in North America they have become popular trail and show horses, ridden both English and western, as well as carriage horses. Color: Although not a color breed, piebalds (black and white pinto), skewbalds (red/brown and white pintos) and blagdon (solid color with white belly splashes) horses are popular. Height: 14 to 15.2 hands. Profile: Gypsy horses, registered as Gypsy Vanner Horses, Gypsy Cobs and Gypsy Drum horses, are a relatively new concept to most people, but not to the Romany (gypsy) “Traveller” of Great Britain. Today, colorful Gypsy horses can be seen at times moving with their owners as they travel to their annual gathering places. Although many of the Gypsy's horses are not specifically bred, an increased number of the horses have been selectively bred over the last 50 years to exhibit characteristics that create the perfect caravan horses. The genetic makeup of the breed most likely comes from Shire, Clydesdale and native British ponies, such as the Dales Pony. The horses originate in Great Britain but are now being imported and bred in the United States and Canada. Gypsy horses are best known as driving horses in the United Kingdom, but in North America they have become popular trail and show horses, ridden both English and western, as well as carriage horses.Characteristics: Gypsy horses are flashy enough to turn heads. Although not a color breed, piebalds (black and white pinto), skewbalds (red/brown and white pintos) and blagdon (solid color with white belly splashes) horses are popular. A thick mane and tail, and abundantly feathered legs are desired. Gypsy horses are strong, small draft types with short backs, heavily muscled hindquarters and large hooves. Horses are found in all heights, but 14 to 15.2 hands high is the classic size. For more information: Gypsy Vanner Horse Society; The Gypsy Cob Society of America Inc.; Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: SwedenUse today: The Gotland-Russ is popular in Sweden for eventing, show jumping, dressage, driving, harness racing and pleasure riding.Color: Bay, black, buckskin and sorrel are the most common colors. Albinos, piebalds and roans are not allowedHeight: Ideal height is 12.1 hands. Profile: The Gotland-Russ Pony thrives in forest regions on the island of Gotland in Sweden. The inhabitants of Gotland also call the ponies skogsbaggar, meaning "forest rams." Russ is the Gutnis... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: The NetherlandsUse today: The Friesian is one of the best carriage horses in the world. Today the breed is an accomplished dressage horse.Color: Only black horses are registered, but the color can range from black/bay, dark brown or true black.Height: 14.3 to 16 hands. Profile: The Friesian is one of Europe’s oldest breeds and gets its name from the Friesland region in the north of the Netherlands. The breed almost became extinct worldwide during the turn of the 20th cent... |
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Posted by Charlotte Knight.
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: Today, the horses are used for endurance riding and traditional western ranching pursuits. Color: All colors are found. Height: 13.2 to 15.2 hands. Profile: The Florida Cracker descends from Spanish horses such as the Barb and the Spanish Jennet that arrived in the southern United States in the 1500s. Although it is genetically similar to the Mustang, Paso Fino and other modern Spanish breeds, the Florida Cracker’s geological isolation meant that t... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Use today: The ponies truly shine in combined driving. With their small sizing, they are extremely nimble in the cross-country phase. Color: The most common color is black, although brown, bay or pale gray is also seen. Height: 12.2 to 14 hands. Profile: The Fell Pony arrived in Great Britain as an ancient Wild European Pony type that came across the land bridge during the ice age. The ponies dispersed throughout the United Kingdom, and the resulting habitat helped form and shape the modern F... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: NetherlandsUse today: The Dutch Warmblood excels as a sporthorse.Color: Dutch Warmbloods are found in all solid colors.Height: 16 to 17 hand. Profile: After World War II, Dutch farms were becoming mechanized and horses were no longer needed to work the land, but two lighter farm horses, the Gelderlander and the Groningen were used to help establish a new breed. Equestrian sports were on the rise, and the Dutch developed a sporthorse of their own called the Dutch Warmblood. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Use today: Today the Dartmoor is a top English show mount in both jumping and flatwork. Color: The Dartmoor comes in all colors except pinto. Height: 11 to 12.2 hands. Profile: Any visitor traveling from the south toward Stonehenge in the southwest of England will most likely drive through Dartmoor, home to Sherlock Holmes’ “Hound of the Baskervilles” and the Dartmoor Pony. The geographic location of their early native land (close to the sea, in this case) meant that native ponies were ... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: DenmarkUse today: Danish Warmbloods excel in show jumping and dressage.Color: Horses are found in all solid colors, most predominately black, chestnut, bay and dark brown.Height: 15.3 to 17 hands. Profile: The Danish Warmblood is the youngest of all the European warmblood breeds, beginning in 1962. There were two Danish saddle horse breed associations—the Danish Sport Horse Society and the Danish Light Horse Association. But these were later merged in 1978 to form the Dan... |
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Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Use today: Today, the Dales is a versatile pony and is both ridden and driven. Its surefootedness makes it a good mount for trail riding.Color: The Dales Pony is usually black, although brown and gray are sometimes seen.Height: 14 to 14.2 hands. Profile: The Dales Pony originated in the dales of northeast England. The Dales Pony was the ultimate farmer’s horse, pulling a plow, a cart, or working under saddle helping to herd sheep. The Dales Pony was valued as a pack pony working in the lead... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: Among other things, the sure-footed and nimble Curly often participates in gymkhana and western sports. Color: Nearly all colors and coat patterns are found Height: 14.1 to 15.1 hands. Profile: The majority of the Curly Horses, also known as the American Bashkir Curly Horse, descend from a herd of three horses found by the Damele family in 1898 roaming the mountain ranges of Nevada. How they came to be on the continent remains a mystery. Theories sug... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
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