June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: IrelandUse today: Today, the Connemara is the ultimate sport pony, and jumping is its forte. Color: Colors are grey, black, brown and dun, and occasionally, palomino, chestnut and roan. Height: 13 to 15 hands. Profile: The Connemara Pony is Ireland’s only native breed. It comes from and is named for an area on the west coast of Ireland bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay; a wilderness of bogs and rugged moorland. In the early days of the breed, about 5th century B.C., the Connemara resembled a Shetland pony. Later, Celtic raiders bred the horses to the Spanish Jennet and the Irish Hobby. Welsh Cob, Arabian, Thoroughbred and Irish Draught helped establish the modern Connemara. Traditionally, Irish Farmers valued the Connemara, and almost all of them owned only one mare. Today, the Connemara is the ultimate sport pony, and jumping is its forte. When the Connemara is crossed with the Thoroughbred, it creates a sturdy and speedy event horse.Characteristics: The Connemara is a large pony, with heights ranging from 13 to 15 hands. Colors are grey, black, brown and dun, and occasionally, palomino, chestnut and roan. The Connemara has thick and hardy forelegs and strong hocks and thighs. The neck is very long and arched, and the sloping shoulders are perfect for jumping. For more information: The American Connemara Pony Society
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: ScotlandUse today: Today, the horses are used for hobby and historical farming, and pleasure driving.Color: Clydesdales can be bay, brown, roan, black or gray, with white feathers and white markingsHeight: 16 to 18 hands. Profile: The Clydesdale originated in the Clyde Valley, Scotland, and is the youngest of all the United Kingdom heavy breeds, finding its full development in the last 150 years. In the late 1700s, Native horses of Lanarkshire were put to Flemish horses, im... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: United KingdomUse today: Cleveland Bays are used throughout the world for general riding and driving.Color: The color is always bay with a black mane, tail and legs, but rare, chestnut horses are possible. Height: 16 to 16.2 hands. Profile: The Cleveland Bay developed in the Cleveland area of Northern Yorkshire in northeast England. In medieval times, the Cleveland Bay was valued as a packhorse for the church, carrying goods to and from various monasteries and convents. Whe... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: North AmericaUse today: The ponies are ridden English and western. Color: The Chincoteague pony is seen in all colors but most common is a very colorful pinto.Height: 12 to 14.2 hands. Profile: The Chincoteague pony was made famous in Marguerite Henry’s book Misty of Chincoteague. The ponies live on the barrier island of Assateague in Maryland and Virginia. It’s thought that their decedents were either from animals that swam to the islands from a shipwrecked Spanish boa... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: IranUse today: Caspian horses excel in carriage driving, particularly scurry driving where speed and handiness is a bonus. Color: All solid colors are common. Height: 10 to 12 hands. Profile: In 1965, Louise Firouz, an American living in Tehran, Iran, discovered a small Arabian-like horse in the Elborz Mountains that she named Caspian. Through bone, blood and DNA testing, archeo-zoologists proved the horses were direct descendants of the miniature Mesopotamian horse of anti... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: CanadaUse today: Jumping, eventing, dressage, drivingColor: Most commonly black, but dark brown, bay and chestnut are also foundHeight: 14 to 16 hands. Profile: In the late 1600s, King Louis XIV of France brought Breton and Norman horses to the region of North America now known as Canada. They are believed to be the ancestors of the modern Canadian Horse, which still possesses traits similar to the Arabian, Andalusian and Barb bloodlines that the Breton and Norman horses al... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: FranceUse today: Traditionally, Carmargues are ridden by the local cowboys who look after the feral bulls in the area, which are used for bullfighting. Color: All are born dark and fade to light gray as they age. Height: 13 to 14 hands. Profile: The Camargue originated in the marshy plains of the Rhone delta in the South of France. It has existed since prehistoric times. Although the breed has largely developed through natural selection, over the years, soldiers passing thr... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Russia Use today: Today, the Budenny excels in show jumping, dressage and eventing. Color: The Budenny is found in various shades of chestnut with some white markings. Height: 15 to 16 hands. Profile: The Russian Budenny (bood-yo-nee) was created to replace the mass equine casualties of World War I and the Russian Revolution, and to breed a horse that a Soviet officer would be proud to ride. The top cavalry riders were the Cossacks who rode the native Don. The new horse had... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: BelgiumUse today: Today, the horses are used for hobby and historical farming, forestry work and pleasure driving.Color: The Belgian is instantly recognized by its common sorrel color, usually with a white mane and tail, white face markings and four white socks or stockings.Height: 16 to 18 hands. Profile: The Belgian draft horse was developed in the fertile pastures of Belgium. It was also there that the forefather of all draft horses was first bred—a heavy black horse u... |
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Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
June 2, 2012
Country of Origin: Middle AsiaColor: The Barb is found in many colors, including dun and palomino. Height: 13.2 to 15 hands. Profile: The Barb is an ancient breed that was established in the Fertile Crescent of Middle Asia. The fast and agile Barb was a favored mount for the Berbers. In fact, the animal draws its name from this group of “barbarous” people. The Barb was originally a prized warhorse, which explains its worldwide distribution. As the Berbers conquered new lands, the horses l... Continue reading...
Posted by Charlotte Knight. Posted In : Breeds
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