chapter 3 breeds, types, and classes of horses · a breed of horses is a group of horses with a...

Through selection, inbreeding, and outcrossing, humans created horses for speed,strength, endurance, size, good nature, hardiness, beauty, and athletic ability. Today,over 300 breeds exist. These breeds represent numerous types and classes. The various

breeds and types of horses are also bred to donkeys to produce different types of mules.This chapter acquaints the reader with the breeds of horses and the methods and terms

used to group the breeds.

O B J E C T I V E S

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe how horse breeds started with foundation stallions

• Understand the concept of breed, types, and classifications

• Describe the common height measurement for horses

• Define the terms warmblood, coldblood, cob, and hack

• Name 10 common breeds of light horses and their origin

• Name five common breeds of draft horses and their origin

• Name five common breeds of ponies and their origin

• List five color breeds of horses

• Name five lesser-known breeds of horses or ponies and their origin

• Explain the origin of feral horses

• Describe how mules are produced

CHAPTER 3

Breeds, Types, andClasses of Horses

51

• Identify the common breeds of donkeys

• List 10 uses for horses

• Describe some of the uses for the miniature donkeys and horses

• List six uses for mules

KEY TERMS

BREEDSThrough selective breeding, people learned to develop specific desirable charac-teristics in a group of horses. After a few generations of selective breeding a breedof horse was born.

A breed of horses is a group of horses with a common ancestry that breed trueto produce common characteristics such as function, conformation, and color.Breeding true means that the offspring will almost always possess the same char-acteristics as the parents.

Recognized breeds of horses have an association with a stud book and breed-ing records. Many recognized breeds have certain foundation sires and all regis-tered foals must trace their ancestry back to these stallions. For example, the threefoundation stallions of the Thoroughbred are the Darley Arabian, the ByerlyTurk, and the Godolphin Arabian. Justin Morgan is the foundation sire of theMorgan horse breed. Allen F-1, a Morganstallion, is the foundation sire of the Ten-nessee walking horse. Morgan horse stal-lions also contributed to the developmentof the Standardbred, quarter horse, Amer-ican albino, and the palomino breeds.

People who found particular colorsappealing established registries with colorrequirements. Some of these registriesrequire only color for registration, but oth-ers have conformation standards as well.

breedbreeding truebreed registriescobcoldbloodcolor breedconformation

draft horsesferalfoundation sireshackhandhinnyjennet

light horsesminiaturemustangsponyroadsterswarmblood

52 K CHAPTER 3

FIGURE 3–1 Appaloosa. (Courtesy ofAppaloosa Horse Club, Inc., ID)

The Palomino Horse Association of California was the first color breed registra-tion. Other color breed registries now include the Appaloosas (see Figure 3–1),albinos, paints, pintos, buckskins, whites, cremes, and spotteds. Color breeds donot breed true. Table A–16 in the Appendix lists the names and addresses of manybreed registries.

CLASSIF ICATIONS AND TYPESIn addition to breed, horses can be classified several different ways. For example,horses can be grouped as light, draft, or pony, according to size, weight, and build.Within these groupings horses can be further divided by use, for example, rid-ing, racing, driving, jumping, or utility. They can also be classified as warmblood,coldblood, or ponies.

Horse classifications depend on the height and weight of the horse. Thecommon measurement of horse height is the hand. The height of a horse is mea-sured from the top of the withers to the ground. A hand is equal to 4 inches. So ahorse that is 15 hands is 60 inches. A horse that is 15.2 (15 hands 2 inches) is62 inches tall from the top of the withers to the ground.

Light HorsesLight horses are 12 to 17.2 hands high (hh) and weigh 900 to 1,400 pounds.They are used primarily for riding, driving, showing, racing, or utility on a farmor ranch. Light horses are capable of more action and greater speed than drafthorses.

Draft HorsesDraft horses are 14.2 to 17.2 hands high and weigh 1,400 pounds or more. Theyare primarily used for heavy work or pulling loads. Historically, when draft horses

were bought and sold for work, they were classified accordingto their use as draft, wagon, farm chucks, or southerners.

PoniesPonies stand 14.2 hands high or less and weigh 500 to 900pounds. Ponies possess a distinct conformation on a reducedscale. They are either draft, heavy harness, or saddle type(see Figure 3–2).

WarmbloodWarmblood does not relate to horses with a certain blood tem-perature. It refers to the overall temperament of light-to-

Breeds, Types, and Classes of Horses K 53

FIGURE 3–2 A Welsh pony stallion.(Photo courtesy of Welsh Pony and CobSociety of America, Winchester, VA)

medium horse breeds. Warmblood horses are fine-boned and suitable for riding. Insome countries, the warmblood is distinguished as a horse having a strain of Arabbreeding. Some groupings classify all light horses as warmbloods. According tosome, all breeds that are not definitely Thoroughbred, draft, or pony are classifiedas warmblood.

ColdbloodColdblood horses are heavy, solid, strong horses with a calm temperament. Thisterm is probably best thought of as another way of describing draft horses.

Types and UsesTypes of light horses include riding, racing,showing, driving, all-purpose, and minia-ture. Riding horses are generally thought ofas the gaited horses (three- and five-gait),stock horses, horses for equine sports, andponies for riding and driving. Racing horsesare running racehorses, pacing/trotting race-horses, quarter racehorses, and harnessracehorses (see Figure 3–3). Driving horsesinclude the heavy and fine harness horses,ponies, and the roadsters. All-purposehorses and ponies are used for family enjoy-ment, showing, ranch work, etc. Miniaturehorses and donkeys are used for driving andas pets.

Obviously, some breeds fit better intosome of these types than other breeds.

The terms cob and hack are also used to describe types of horses. A cob is asturdy, placid horse. It stands 14.2 to 15.2 hands high and is not heavy or coarseenough to be classified as a draft animal. A hack is an enjoyable, good ridingor driving horse, sometimes considered a small Thoroughbred in Europe or asaddlebred in America.

COMMON BREEDS OF HORSESTable 3–1 briefly describes some of the more common breeds of horses, their ori-gin, classification, and height. Table 3–2 lists some of the less well-known breedsof warmblood or light horses and their origin. Table 3–3 lists some other breeds ofdraft or coldblood horses and their origin, while Table 3–4 provides the name andorigin of some lesser-known breeds of ponies and their origin.

54 K CHAPTER 3

FIGURE 3–3 Standardbred trotter“Colonial Charm.” (Courtesy of UnitedStates Trotting Association, OH)

MINIATURE HORSESMiniature horses are scaled-down versions of a full-size horse and are not dwarfs.Miniatures are not a breed but can be registered with the Miniature Horse Reg-istry. The maximum height for registration is 34 inches at the withers.

Miniatures are often kept as pets. Some are exhibited as driving horses insingle pleasure and roadster driving classes. Also, some people exhibit miniaturehorses in multiple hitches pulling miniature wagons, stagecoaches, and carriages.Because of their size, only a small child can ride them (see Figure 3–4).

RARE BREEDSSome breeds are threatened because American agriculture has changed. Many tra-ditional livestock breeds have lost popularity and are threatened with extinction.These traditional breeds are an essential part of the American agricultural inheri-tance. They evoke our past and represent an important resource for the Earth’s bio-diversity in the future. Rare breeds are classified by the American Livestock BreedsConservancy.1 A breed is considered rare if there are fewer than 1,000 NorthAmerican registrations and fewer than 5,000 estimated worldwide on an annualbasis. According to this definition the following horses are considered rare breeds:

• Canadian• Dartmoor


FIGURE 3–4 Miniature horse pulling a cart at the Boise Horse Show.

• Hackney• Lipizzaner• Rocky MountainA breed is classified as “critical” by the American Livestock Breeds Conser-

vancy when that breed is on the verge of being lost. The critical category meansthere are fewer than 200 North American annual registrations and fewer than 2,000estimated worldwide. Horses classified as critical breeds include the following:

• Akhal Teke• American Cream• Caspian• Cleveland Bay

56 K CHAPTER 3

One Horse Is Most Remembered—Man o’ War

Man o’ War was not just anotherracehorse. Man o’ War was one of1,680 Thoroughbreds foaled in 1917.

He was born on March 29 at the KentuckyNursery Stud owned by August Belmont II.Man o’ War’s sire was Fair Play, by Hastings. Toprovide balance to Fair Play’s temper, Belmontbred him to Mahubah, by Rock Sand, whohad won the British Triple Crown. Mrs.Belmont named the foal “My Man o’ War,”since he was a war baby. Belmont had to servein the Army in 1918, so he ordered his entirecrop of yearlings sold at Saratoga.

At Saratoga, Man o’ War was bought byPennsylvania horseman Samuel Riddle for$5,000 and shipped to Riddle’s training farm,“Glen Riddle,” in Maryland. Man o’ War wastrained by Louis Feustel who had trainedMahubah, Fair Play, and Hastings. When hewas sent off to his first race at Belmont Park, aretired hunter named Major Treat accompa-nied him and would continue to travel withMan o’ War throughout his racing career.

On June 6, 1919, ridden by Johnny Loftus,Man o’ War won his first race by six lengths,crossing the finish line at a canter. He showedhis desire to be a front-runner and never likedto have any other horse in front of him. He ranonly in expensive stake races for the remainderof his career. As his wins built up, so did theweight he was required to carry. By his fourthrace, Man o’ War was carrying 130 pounds.

His sixth race was the Sanford Memorialand the only defeat of his career. A bad startleft him with a 10-length deficit and once hecaught the pack he was boxed in. He wasbeaten by a horse ironically named Upset.Man o’ War had beaten Upset on six otheroccasions. In spite of this lone defeat, he wasselected Horse of the Year at the end of his2-year-old season.

Man o’ War went undefeated as a 3-year-old in 1920, and reduced the Americanrecord for the mile by 2⁄5 of a second, to1:354⁄5; and even at that, his jockey, ClarenceKummer, had held him back. Later, in the

• Exmoor• Florida Cracker• Mountain Pleasure• Spanish Mustang• Spanish Barb• SuffolkThe American Livestock Breeds Conservancy also classifies breeds as “watch”

and “study,” which represent progressions toward the rare or critical classifications.Breeds are classified as “recovering” when individuals or organizations have takeninitiative to save a rare or critical breed.


Belmont Stakes, he set a record that stood for50 years. By the time of the Dwyer Stakes atAqueduct, Man o’ War could find only oneopponent, John P. Grier, a horse from theWhitney Stables. In this race, Grier chal-lenged Man o’ War, and Kummer used hiswhip for the first time. Man o’ War dashedto victory, and set a new American recordat 1:451⁄5.

The crowning event of Man o’ War’scareer came in a match race against thecelebrated Canadian horse Sir Barton, thefirst winner of the Triple Crown. On October12, 1920, Sir Barton and Man o’ War met inWindsor, Ontario. Man o’ War won by sevenlengths! In his career he won 20 of 21 races.

Man o’ War’s stud career was just asdistinguished as his career on the track. Atstud on Hinata Stock Farm in Lexington,Kentucky, he sired 13 foals his first season, themost notable of which was American Flag.Riddle did not allow Man o’ War to breedmany mares besides his own. Although Man

o’ War became history’s leading sire in termsof his offspring’s winnings, his stud careermight have been even greater had he beenbred to better mares. Among Man o’ War’smost important get were Triple Crown–winnerWar Admiral, Crusader, Blockade, War Hero,War Relic, Clyde Van Deusen, and Battleship.In all, he sired 379 foals that won 1,286 races.

Under the close care of his groom, WillHarbut, Man o’ War was visited by thousandseach year at Riddle’s Faraway Farm. In 1947,Will Harbut died of a heart attack; barely amonth later, Man o’ War died at the age of30, also the victim of a heart attack. Man o’War’s burial was a time of national mourning;his funeral was broadcast on the radio andcovered by the press from all over the world.Samuel Riddle had commissioned HerbertHazeltine to sculpt a memorial statue of Mano’ War while he lived, to be placed on hisgrave. In 1977, the remains of Man o’ Warand his famous statue were brought to theKentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

58 K CHAPTER 3TA

BLE

3–1

Wel

l-K

no

wn

Bre

eds

of

Ho

rses

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Akh

al T

eke

Alb

ino

Alte

r-Re

al

Am

eric

anBu

cksk

in

Am

eric

anC

ream

Am

eric

anQ

uart

er H

orse

Am

eric

anSa

ddle

bred

Am

eric

anSt

anda

rdbr

ed

Am

eric

anW

arm

bloo

d

Turk

men

ista

n

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Port

ugal

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

15–1

5.2

hh

No

heig

htre

qui

rem

ents

15–1

5.2

hh

14 h

h

Varie

d fr

om12

.2–1

7 hh

15.2

–16.

1 hh

15–1

6 hh

14–1

6 hh

Varie

s

Gol

d w

ith m

etal

licsh

een;

als

o, b

ay,

crea

m, c

hest

nut

Whi

te o

nly

Mos

tly b

ay o

r br

own;

som

e ch

estn

uts

and

gray

Four

col

or p

atte

rns

acce

pte

d

Thre

e va

riatio

ns o

fcr

eam

acc

epte

d

Any

sol

id c

olor

;m

ostly

che

stnu

t

Blac

k, b

ay, b

row

n;w

hite

mar

king

s on

face

and

legs

Any

sol

id c

olor

,m

ostly

bro

wn,

bay

,bl

ack,

che

stnu

t

Any

col

or

Less

tha

n 2,

000

pur

ebre

ds in

wor

ld;

Mar

co P

olo

said

foun

datio

n si

re w

asA

lexa

nder

the

Gre

at’s

hor

se,

Buce

pha

lus

Foal

s bo

rn w

hite

Hig

h-st

rung

tem

per

amen

t; d

oes

wel

l in

dres

sage

; car

ries

And

alus

ian

bree

ding

Des

cend

ants

of N

orw

egia

n D

unan

d Sp

anis

h So

rrai

a

Col

or b

reed

Old

est

of A

mer

ican

bre

eds;

mos

tve

rsat

ile h

orse

in t

he w

orld

; lar

gest

equi

ne r

egis

try

in t

he w

orld

; nat

ural

cow

-sen

se

Form

erly

Ken

tuck

y sa

ddle

r, am

iabl

e;ca

n p

erfo

rm s

ever

al g

aits

; ver

ysh

owy

Dev

elop

ed a

s tr

otte

r/p

acer

; dire

ctlin

e ca

n be

tra

ced

to o

ne m

ale,

Mes

seng

er

Rela

tivel

y ne

w b

reed

; com

mon

cros

ses

are

Thor

ough

bred

/dra

ft o

rTh

orou

ghbr

ed/w

arm

bloo

d (con

tinue

d)


TAB

LE 3

–1W

ell-

Kn

ow

n B

reed

s o

f H

ors

es (

cont

inue

d)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Am

eric

anW

hite

And

alus

ian

Ap

pal

oosa

Ara

bian

or

Ara

b

Barb

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Spai

n

Spai

n, U

nite

dSt

ates

Ara

bia

Nor

th A

fric

a

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Varie

d fr

om12

.2–1

7 hh

15–1

6.2

hh

14–1

5.3

hh

14.3

–16

hh

14–1

5 hh

Snow

or

milk

whi

teha

ir, p

ink

skin

,br

own,

bla

ck, o

rha

zel e

yes

Gra

y, b

orn

dark

and

beco

min

g lig

hter

over

yea

rs

Whi

te s

chel

era,

strip

ed h

oove

s,m

ottle

d sk

in a

ndco

at p

atte

rn

Bay,

bro

wn,

ches

tnut

, gra

y, b

lack

Dar

k br

own,

bay

,ch

estn

ut, b

lack

, gra

y

Col

or b

reed

; not

tru

e al

bino

Old

est

and

pur

est

of a

ll ho

rses

aft

erA

rabi

an; b

reed

foun

ded

in 7

10 A

.D.;

alm

ost

beca

me

extin

ct in

183

0s;

save

d by

mon

ks; u

sed

by m

ount

edbu

llfigh

ters

in S

pai

n; n

o A

rab

bloo

dus

ed in

dev

elop

men

t

Bred

by

Nez

Per

ce In

dian

s; t

hird

larg

est

bree

d re

gist

ry in

wor

ld;

pop

ular

in U

nite

d St

ates

and

Aus

tral

ia

Larg

e no

stril

s an

d lo

ng e

yela

shes

adap

ted

for

dese

rt c

ondi

tions

; one

less

ver

tebr

a th

an a

ny o

ther

bre

ed;

has

influ

ence

d th

e fo

unda

tion

of a

lllig

ht b

reed

s; c

an c

arry

mor

e w

eigh

tov

er lo

nger

dis

tanc

e th

anTh

orou

ghbr

ed o

r q

uart

er h

orse

;ch

arac

teris

tic d

ishe

d fa

ce; o

ldes

tp

ureb

red,

dat

ing

5000

B.C

.

One

of g

reat

foun

datio

n ho

rses

;us

ed t

o st

reng

then

oth

er b

reed

s;co

nsid

ered

fore

runn

er o

f Tho

roug

h-br

ed

(con

tinue

d)

60 K CHAPTER 3TA

BLE

3–1

Wel

l-K

no

wn

Bre

eds

of

Ho

rses

(co

ntin

ued)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Bash

kir

Cur

ly

Belg

ian

Chi

ckas

aw

Cle

vela

nd B

ay

Cly

desd

ale

Con

nem

ara

Dal

es

Dar

tmoo

r

Dut

chW

arm

bloo

d

Russ

ia

Belg

ium

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Engl

and

Scot

land

Irel

and

Engl

and

Briti

sh Is

les

Hol

land

Ligh

t

Dra

ft

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Dra

ft

Pony

Pony

Pony

War

mbl

ood

13.2

hh

aver

age

Up

to

17 h

h

13.2

–14.

7 hh

16–1

6.2

hh

16.2

–18

hh

13–1

4.2

hh

14.2

hh

max

imum

11.2

–11.

3 hh

16 h

h

All

colo

rs

Mos

tly r

oan

with

blac

k p

oint

s,ch

estn

ut, s

omet

imes

bay,

bro

wn,

dun

,gr

ay

Bay,

bla

ck, c

hest

nut,

gray

, roa

n, s

orre

l,p

alom

ino

Bay,

mah

ogan

y w

ithbl

ack

poi

nts

man

e,ta

il; fe

et b

lue

in c

olor

Bay,

bro

wn,

bla

ck,

roan

; muc

h w

hite

on

face

and

legs

and

som

etim

es b

ody

Gra

y, b

lack

, bro

wn,

dun

Mos

tly b

lack

Bay,

bro

wn,

bla

ck

Any

col

or

Not

ed fo

r lo

ng, c

urly

coa

t of

hai

r,m

ilkin

g ab

ility

, col

d-ha

rdy

Des

cend

ant

of m

edie

val g

reat

hors

es; m

agni

ficen

t an

imal

; one

of

mos

t p

ower

ful o

f hor

se b

reed

s

Dev

elop

ed b

y N

ativ

e A

mer

ican

s of

Tenn

esse

e, N

orth

Car

olin

a,O

klah

oma;

use

d as

cow

pon

ies

Very

ver

satil

e an

d ha

rdy;

eas

yke

eper

s

Dis

pla

ys a

ctio

n; p

opul

ar in

big

hitc

hes;

muc

h fe

athe

ring

on fo

ot;

regu

larly

exp

orte

d fr

om B

ritai

n to

whe

reve

r ho

rses

are

nee

ded

for

over

100

year

s.

Har

dy, s

ure-

foot

ed

Very

har

dy; g

ood

for

child

ren;

use

das

wor

khor

se

Use

d fo

r p

ack

pon

ies

in t

he m

ines

of

Engl

and;

goo

d fo

r ch

ildre

n

Mix

of G

roni

ngen

and

Gel

derla

ndbr

eeds

; will

ing

tem

per

amen

t

(con

tinue

d)


TAB

LE 3

–1W

ell-

Kn

ow

n B

reed

s o

f H

ors

es (

cont

inue

d)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Fell

Pony

Fren

ch S

addl

eH

orse

or

Selle

Fran

çais

Frie

sian

(W

est

Frie

sian

)

Got

land

(or

Skog

srus

s)

Hac

kney

Hac

kney

Hafl

inge

r

Han

over

ian

Engl

and

Fran

ce

Hol

land

Swed

en

Engl

and

Engl

and

Aus

tria

Ger

man

y

Pony

Ligh

t

Dra

ft

Ligh

t

Pony

Ligh

t

Pony

War

mbl

ood

14.2

hh

max

imum

15.2

–16.

3 hh

15 h

h

12–1

4 hh

14 h

hm

axim

um

14.2

–16

hhso

me

talle

r

14.2

hh

16–1

7.2

hh

Blac

k, b

row

n, b

ay,

gray

, no

whi

tem

arki

ngs

Usu

ally

bay

or

ches

tnut

Blac

k

Dun

, bla

ck, b

row

n,ba

y, c

hest

nut,

pal

omin

o

Dar

k br

own,

bla

ck,

bay,

che

stnu

t

Blac

k, b

row

n,ch

estn

ut, b

ay

Che

stnu

t; w

hite

man

e an

d ta

il

Any

sol

id c

olor

Very

har

dy, a

ll-p

urp

ose

hors

e

Des

cend

ed fr

om A

nglo

-Nor

man

stud

s; d

evel

oped

as

a co

mp

etiti

onho

rse

Use

d by

kni

ghts

of o

ld; h

ave

heav

ilyfe

athe

red

legs

; bre

ed li

ghte

d fo

rca

rria

ge a

nd s

por

t ho

rse;

tai

l and

man

e m

ay t

ouch

gro

und

One

of t

he o

ldes

t br

eeds

; exc

elle

ntyo

uth

hors

e, ju

mp

er, t

rott

er

Trot

ting

hors

e; g

ood

carr

iage

hor

se

Flam

boya

nt p

acer

s, u

sual

ly u

sed

insh

ows

and

harn

ess;

dis

tinct

ive

trot

ting

actio

n

All

of t

oday

’s H

aflin

gers

are

tra

ced

back

to

foun

datio

n si

re, 2

49 F

olic

;fa

mily

hor

se

Dom

inat

e in

inte

rnat

iona

lco

mp

etiti

on; s

tabl

e an

d w

illin

gte

mp

eram

ent

(con

tinue

d)

62 K CHAPTER 3TA

BLE

3–1

Wel

l-K

no

wn

Bre

eds

of

Ho

rses

(co

ntin

ued)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Hig

hlan

d (o

rG

arro

n)

Hol

stei

n

Lip

izza

ner

Lust

iano

Mis

sour

i Fox

Trot

ter

Mor

ab

Mor

gan

Mus

tang

Scot

land

Ger

man

y

Aus

tria

Port

ugal

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Pony

War

mbl

ood

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

14.2

hh

max

imum

15.3

–16.

2 hh

15–1

6 hh

15–1

6 hh

14–1

7 hh

14.3

–15.

2 hh

14–1

5.2

hh

14–1

5 hh

Vario

us s

hade

s of

dun;

dor

sal e

el s

trip

e,bl

ack

poi

nts

or s

ilver

hair

in t

ail a

nd m

ane;

also

, gra

y, c

hest

nut,

bay,

bla

ck

Any

sol

id c

olor

,m

ostly

bla

ck, b

row

n,ba

y

Mos

tly g

ray

Usu

ally

gra

y

Any

col

or, u

sual

lyso

rrel

Usu

ally

sol

id

Bay,

bro

wn,

bla

ck,

ches

tnut

All

colo

rs

Very

ver

satil

e; s

turd

y, s

ure-

foot

ed

One

of t

he o

ldes

t w

arm

bloo

ds fr

omgr

eat

hors

e ty

pes

; com

pet

es w

ell;

good

car

riage

hor

se

Fam

ous

hors

es fr

om S

pan

ish

Ridi

ngSc

hool

of V

ienn

a, p

erfo

rmin

g ha

ute

ecol

e rid

ing;

gre

at a

thle

tic a

bilit

y,p

erfo

rmin

g ai

rs-a

bove

-the

-gro

und

Bred

from

And

alus

ian

stoc

k; u

sed

for

bullfi

ghtin

g

Nat

ural

abi

lity

for

spec

ializ

ed g

aits

;co

mfo

rtab

le r

ide

Cro

ss o

f Mor

gan

and

Ara

bian

bree

ds o

nly

One

com

mon

foun

datio

n si

re, J

ustin

Mor

gan

of M

assa

chus

etts

; wor

ksve

ry w

ell u

nder

har

ness

or

sadd

le

Orig

inal

cow

pon

y; fe

ral h

orse

s of

Am

eric

an W

est;

sm

all b

ut t

ough

;N

ativ

e A

mer

ican

s us

ed e

xten

sive

ly

(con

tinue

d)


TAB

LE 3

–1W

ell-

Kn

ow

n B

reed

s o

f H

ors

es (

cont

inue

d)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

New

For

est

Nor

weg

ian

Fjor

d Po

ny

Old

enbu

rg

Pain

t

Palo

min

o

Paso

Fin

o

Perc

hero

n

Peru

vian

Pas

o

Pint

o

Engl

and

Nor

way

Ger

man

y

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Car

ibbe

an,

Puer

to R

ico,

Sout

h A

mer

ica

Fran

ce

Peru

Spai

n, U

nite

dSt

ates

Pony

Pony

War

mbl

ood

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Dra

ft

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

12–1

4.2

hh

13–1

4 hh

16.2

–17.

2 hh

Varia

ble

14.2

–15.

3 hh

14.3

hh

15.2

–17

hh

14–1

5.2

hh

Varia

ble

Any

col

or e

xcep

tp

ieba

ld o

r sk

ewba

ld

Dun

with

bla

ck e

elst

ripe

dow

n ce

nter

of

back

; zeb

ra s

trip

eson

legs

Any

sol

id c

olor

Blac

k an

d w

hite

inbo

ld p

atch

es a

ll ov

erbo

dy

Gol

d co

at; w

hite

man

e an

d ta

il; n

om

arki

ngs

All

colo

rs

Gra

y, b

lack

Mos

tly b

ay a

ndch

estn

ut

Blac

k an

d w

hite

inbo

ld p

atch

es a

ll ov

erbo

dy

Very

har

dy; g

ood

fam

ily p

ony;

allo

wed

to

run

wild

mos

t of

yea

r;ea

sy t

o tr

ain

Prim

itive

-look

ing

hors

e, r

esem

blin

gPr

zew

alsk

i’s h

orse

; har

dy a

nd s

ure-

foot

ed; s

till u

sed

as fa

rm p

onie

s in

Nor

way

; gen

tle

Talle

st a

nd h

eavi

est

of G

erm

anw

arm

bloo

ds; b

ased

on

Frie

sian

bree

ding

All

pai

nt h

orse

s m

ust

be s

ired

by a

regi

ster

ed p

aint

, qua

rter

hor

se, o

rTh

orou

ghbr

ed

Not

pos

sibl

e to

bre

ed t

rue

to c

olor

;fir

st c

olor

reg

istr

y

Show

s th

e na

tura

l lat

eral

4-b

eat

gaits

Mos

t p

opul

ar c

art

hors

e in

wor

ld;

slig

ht A

rab

feat

ures

in fa

ce

Has

uni

que

gai

t; c

an c

arry

rid

er lo

ngdi

stan

ces

not

beco

min

g to

o tir

ed

Ass

ocia

ted

with

Nat

ive

Am

eric

ans

(con

tinue

d)

64 K CHAPTER 3TA

BLE

3–1

Wel

l-K

no

wn

Bre

eds

of

Ho

rses

(co

ntin

ued)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Pony

of t

heA

mer

icas

(PO

A)

Shet

land

Shire

Span

ish

Barb

Spot

ted

Sadd

le

Suffo

lk (

orSu

ffolk

Punc

h)

Swed

ish

War

mbl

ood

or H

alfb

red

Tenn

esse

eW

alki

ng H

orse

Thor

ough

bred

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Engl

and

Engl

and

Spai

n, U

nite

dSt

ates

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Engl

and

Swed

en

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Engl

and

Pony

Pony

Dra

ft

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

Dra

ft

War

mbl

ood

Ligh

t

Ligh

t

11.2

–13

hh

11.2

hh

max

imum

17 h

h av

erag

e

13.3

–14.

1 hh

14–1

6 hh

15.2

–16.

2 hh

16.2

hh

15–1

6 hh

14.2

–17

hh

Ap

pal

oosa

col

orp

atte

rn

Varia

ble

Bay

and

brow

n m

ost

com

mon

with

whi

tem

arki

ngs

Varie

d

Spot

ted

colo

ring

Che

stnu

t

Usu

ally

che

stnu

t,ba

y, b

row

n, g

ray

All

solid

col

ors

Any

sol

id c

olor

, whi

tem

arki

ngs

allo

wed

Cro

ss b

etw

een

Ap

pal

oosa

and

Shet

land

; one

of n

ewes

t br

eeds

;ve

ry g

ood

for

youn

g rid

ers

Pop

ular

with

chi

ldre

n; v

ery

hard

y,ge

ntle

Very

doc

ile; c

an b

e tr

uste

d w

ith a

child

; tal

lest

hor

se in

the

wor

ld;

heav

y fe

athe

ring

on fo

ot;

desc

ende

d fr

om g

reat

hor

ses;

pop

ular

as

team

hor

se

Thre

e st

rain

s re

cogn

ized

: sca

rfac

e,ra

whi

de, a

nd b

ucks

hot

Goo

d al

l-aro

und

hors

e; g

ood

disp

ositi

on

Dev

elop

ed a

s w

orkh

orse

; not

as

big

as o

ther

dra

ft b

reed

s

Out

stan

ding

sad

dle

hors

e;co

mp

etes

ver

y w

ell i

n dr

essa

ge

Wel

l kno

wn

for

two

uniq

ue g

aits

—fla

t w

alk

and

runn

ing

wal

k; b

red

for

com

fort

able

rid

e; g

ood

for

begi

nner

s

Bred

mai

nly

for

raci

ng; m

ust

beha

ndle

d ca

refu

lly

(con

tinue

d)


TAB

LE 3

–1W

ell-

Kn

ow

n B

reed

s o

f H

ors

es (

conc

lude

d)

Nam

eO

rig

inC

lass

ifica

tio

nH

eig

ht

Co

lor

Co

mm

ents

Trak

ehne

r

Wel

sh P

ony

(Sec

tions

A, B

,C

, D)

Wür

ttem

berg

Ger

man

y,Po

land

Wal

es

Ger

man

y

War

mbl

ood

Pony

War

mbl

ood

16–1

6.2

hh

13.2

hh

max

imum

(hei

ght

dete

rmin

esw

hich

sec

tion)

16 h

h av

erag

e

Any

sol

id c

olor

Any

sol

id c

olor

Blac

k, b

ay, c

hest

nut,

brow

n

Very

ver

satil

e, c

onsi

dere

d m

ost

hand

som

e of

all

Ger

man

war

mbl

oods

; com

pet

es w

ell i

n al

lsp

orts

Very

har

dy; v

ery

good

tro

ttin

gab

ility

; goo

d ju

mp

er; i

nflue

nced

trot

ters

all

over

the

wor

ld

Dev

elop

ed t

o do

wor

k on

sm

all

mou

ntai

n fa

rms

66 K CHAPTER 3

TABLE 3–2 Lesser-Known Breeds of Warmblood and Light Horses

Name Origin Name Origin

American Remounts

Anglo Arab

Anglo-Argentine

Bavarian Warmblood

Beberbeck

Brandenburg

Brumby

Budyonny

Calabrese

Campolina

Charollais Halfbred

Criollo

Dølegudbrandsdal

Danubian

Darashouri

Don

East Bulgarian

East Friesian

Einsiedler

European Trotter

Fox Trotting Horse

Frederiksborg

Freiburger Saddle Horse

USA

Britain, France,Poland, Hungary

Argentina

Germany

Germany

Germany

Australia

Russia

Italy

Brazil

France

South America

Norway

Bulgaria

Iran

Central Asia

Bulgaria

Germany

Switzerland

France, USA, Russia

Ozarks

Denmark

Switzerland

French Trotter

Furioso North Star

Gelderland

German Trotter

Gessian

Gidran

Groningen

Hispano (SpanishAnglo-Arab)

Iberian

Iomud

Irish Hunter

Jaf

Kabardin

Karabair

Karabakh

Kladruber

Knabstrup

Kustanair

Latvian Harness Horse

Libyan Barb

Limousin Halfbred

Lokai

Malapolski

France

Hungary

Holland

Germany

Germany

Hungary

Holland

Spain

Iberian Peninsula

Central Asia

Ireland

Iran/Kurdistan

Russia

Uzbekistan

Azerbaijan

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Kazakhstan

Latvia

Libya

France

Uzbekistan

Poland

(continued)


TABLE 3–2 Lesser-Known Breeds of Warmblood and Light Horses (concluded)


Mangalarga

Maremmana

Masuren

Mecklenburg

Metis Trotter

Murgese

Native Mexican

New Kirgiz

Nonius

Novokirghiz

Orlov Trotter

Plateau Persian

Pleven

Rhinelander

Brazil

Italy

Poland

Germany

Russia

Italy

Mexico

Kirgiz/Kazakhstan

Hungary

Central Asia

Russia

Iran

Bulgaria

Germany

Salerno

Sardinian

Shagya Arab

Sokolsky

Spotted Saddle Horse

Tchenaran

Tersky

Toric

Waler

Westfalen

Wielkopolski

Yorkshire Coach

Zweibrucker

Italy

Sardinia

Hungary

Poland/Russia

USA

Iran

Russia

Estonia

Australia

Germany

Poland

Ireland

Germany

TABLE 3–3 Lesser-Known Breeds of Coldblooded or Draft Horses


Ardennais

Auxios

Boulonnais

Breton

Comtois

Døle Trotter

France/Belgium

France

France

France

France

Norway

Dutch Draught

Finnish

Irish Draught

Italian Heavy Draught

Jutland

Lithuanian HeavyDraught

Holland

Finland

Ireland

Italy

Denmark

Baltic States

(continued)

68 K CHAPTER 3

TABLE 3–3 Lesser-Known Breeds of Coldblooded or Draft Horses (concluded)


Mulassier

Murakov

Noriker Pinzgauer(Oberländer, SouthGerman)

North Swedish

North Swedish Trotter

Poitevin

Rhineland HeavyDraught

Russian Heavy Draught

French

Hungary

Austria/Germany

Sweden

Sweden

France

Germany

Ukraine

Schleswig HeavyDraught

Schwarzwälder

Soviet Heavy Draught

Swedish Ardennes

Trait du Nord

Vladimir HeavyDraught

Woronesh

Germany

Germany

Russia

Sweden

France

Russia

Russia

TABLE 3–4 Lesser-Known Ponies of the World


Acchetta

Ariège

Assateague

Australian

Avelignese

Balearic

Bali

Bashkirsky

Basuto

Batak (Deli)

Bhutia

Bosnian

Sardinia

France

USA

Australia

Italy

Balearic Islands

Indonesia

Russia

South Africa

Indonesia

India

Yugoslavia/Bosnia-Herzegovina

Burma (Shan)

Camarguais

Caspian

China

Chincoteague

Costeno

Dülmen

Exmoor

Falabella

Fjord (Westlands)

Fjord-Huzule

Galiceño

Burma

France

Iran

China

USA

Spain, Peru

Germany

England

Argentina

Norway

Czechoslovakia

Mexico

(continued)


TABLE 3–4 Lesser-Known Ponies of the World (concluded)


Garrano (Minho)

Gayoe

Huçul

Huzule

Icelandic

Java

Kathiawari

Kazakh

Konik

Landis

Leopard Spotted

Macedonian

Manipur

Marwari

Merens

Portugal

Indonesia

Poland

Romania

Iceland

Indonesia

India

Kazakhstan

Poland

France

England

Yugoslavia

Assam-Manipur

India

France

Mongolian

Native Turkish

Peneia

Pindos

Sable Island

Sandalwood

Skyros

Spiti

Sumba

Sumbawa

Tarpan

Tibetan (Nanfan)

Timor

Viatka

Zemaituka

Mongolia

Turkey

Greece

Greece

Canada

Indonesia

Greece

India

Indonesia

Indonesia

Eastern Europe

Tibet

Indonesia

Russia

Russia

FERAL HORSESHorses that were once domesticated and have become wild are called feral horses.No one knows for sure where, when, and how the first horses escaped from or werestolen from the Spaniards in America. During the 1700s and 1800s, the number offeral horses in America could have been 2 to 5 million. Most of these were locatedin the Southwest.

Currently, habitats for feral horses are found in California, Colorado, Idaho,Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. These habitats are publiclands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. ForestService. Some horses on these lands have been feral for many generations but oth-ers have been recently released.

Public concern for the plight of feral horses led to the passage of two federallaws to protect them—Public Laws 86-234 and 92-195. Feral horses are also calledmustangs (see Figure 3–5).

DONKEYSThe breeds registered by the American Donkey and Mule Society, which wasfounded in 1968, are the mammoth (or American standard) jack, large standarddonkey (Spanish donkey), standard donkey (burro), miniature Mediterraneandonkey, and American Spotted Ass.

The mammoth breed is a blend of several breeds of jack stock first importedinto the United States in the 1800s from southern Europe. It is the largest of theasses, with the jacks being 56 inches or more high. The foundation sire was a jacknamed Mammoth. His name was given to the breed.

The large standard donkey (Spanish donkey) is between 48 and 56 incheshigh, while the standard donkey (the burro) is between 36 and 48 inches high.The miniature Mediterranean donkey, originally imported from Sicily and Sar-dinia, must be under 36 inches (down from the original 38 inches) to qualify forregistration. The height restriction is the only requirement for registration by theAmerican Donkey and Mule Society (see Figure 3–6).

The American Spotted Ass is a trademark of the American Council of Spot-ted Asses, founded in 1967. It can be registered as either white with colored spotsor colored with white spots. However, the spots have to be above the knees andhocks, and behind the throat latch. Stockings and face markings do not qualify.

70 K CHAPTER 3

FIGURE 3–5 Feral horses from the Wyoming Red Desert penned upat the University of Wyoming, Laramie, dairy farm. Note height of fence.

Miniature DonkeyThe Miniature Donkey Registry of the United States, founded in 1958, is cur-rently governed by the American Donkey and Mule Society. Color and other con-siderations, such as ancestry, do not define the miniature donkey. The onlyrequirement is that it be 36 inches or less in height.

The original imported donkeys had the typical gray-dun color, in which thehairs are all gray and not mixed with white hairs. All shades of brown are alsocommon, and black, white, roan, and spots are possible. True gray is extremely rarein donkeys of any size, and is distinguished from gray-dun because true gray don-keys are born with a dark coat that lightens to almost white over the years. Oneother characteristic of the donkey is the cross, consisting of a dorsal stripe frommane to tail, and a cross stripe between the withers. In black animals the crossmarking may be difficult to detect.

The miniature donkey with good conformation should give the impressionof being small, compact, and well-rounded, with four straight strong legs, and allparts in symmetry and balance. The coat of the miniature donkey is not as thick inwinter as the coat of larger donkeys, probably because of its ancestry from climatesin the Mediterranean.

Although the most obvious use of these little donkeys is as pets, they can also beused as companions to foals at weaning time to relieve foal stress. Their calm alsoserves when they are used as companions for nervous horses or horses recovering fromsurgery. They do not take up much room in the stall, but have a great calming effect.


FIGURE 3–6 Two wild jacks registered as standard donkey/wild burros, ownedby Elmer Zeiss of Valley, Nebraska. (Photo courtesy of American Donkey and MuleSociety, Lewisville, TX)

MULESA cross between a donkey and a horse is called a mule or a hinny, depending on itsparentage. A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack), and a female horse(mare). It is like the horse in size and body shape but has the shorter, thicker head,long ears, and braying voice of the donkey. Mules also lack, as does the donkey, thehorse’s calluses, or chestnuts, on the hind legs (see Figure 3–7).

The reverse cross, between a male horse (stallion), and a female donkey(called a jennet or jenny) is a hinny, sometimes also called a jennet. A hinny issimilar to the mule in appearance but is smaller and more horse-like, with shorterears and a longer head. It has the stripe or other color patterns of the donkey.

Classifications of MulesHistorically, mules were classified as draft, sugar, farm, cotton, and pack and mining.

Draft and sugar mules were the largest being 17.2 hh (hands high) to 16 hhand 1,600 to 1,150 pounds. Farm and cotton mules were intermediate in size(16 hh to 13.2 hh and 1,250 to 750 pounds). Pack and mining mules were smaller,but could range from 16 hh to 12 hh and 1,350 to 600 pounds.

Today mules are classified as draft, pack/work, saddle, driving, jumping, orminiature. The type of mule produced depends on the breed or type of horse andbreed or type of donkey used to produce the mule.

72 K CHAPTER 3

FIGURE 3–7 Meredith Hodges cross-country jumping with her mule. (Photo courtesy ofMeredith Hodges and American Donkey and Mule Society, Lewisville, TX)

SU M M A RY

Worldwide, about 300 breeds of horses exist. They range in size from the gentle giantdraft horses at almost 6 feet in height to the miniature horses at barely 3 feet inheight. People have bred and selected horses for specific, common characteristicssuch as function, conformation, and color. Horses breeding true or with a commonancestry are registered in breed registry associations. These horses meet the standardsdefined by the registry. Besides breeds, horses are classified by type, such as light, draft,and pony, and by use such as riding, driving, harness, sport, gaited, stock, and all-purpose. Some breeds have specific purposes while other breeds serve a variety of uses.

Five breeds of donkeys are recognized. Donkeys are crossed with horses toproduce mules. The type of mule that results depends on the breed and type ofdonkey and horse used in the cross. Both donkeys and horses have miniatures.These miniatures are used for pets and exhibition hitches and as companions tosick or nervous horses.

RE V I E W

Success in any career requires knowledge. Test your knowledge of this chapter byanswering these questions or solving these problems.

True or False

1. Feral horses were commonly bred by the early Spaniards.

2. Coldblood horses and draft horses are similar classifications.

3. Warmblood horses exhibit a body temperature 3 degrees above normal.

4. A mule is the offspring of a stallion bred to a female donkey or jennet.

5. Mules are ridden in contests.

Short Answer

6. Name the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed.

7. Name five color breeds of horses.

8. Name five common breeds of light horses and give their place of origin.

9. How long is the measurement of 1 hand?

10. Name five common breeds of draft horses and give their place of origin.

11. How many chromosomes do horses, donkeys, and mules possess?

12. Name two common breeds of donkeys.

13. List five less well-known breeds of horses and give their classification andcountry of origin.

14. List six uses for mules.


Discussion

15. Define a breed.

16. Define the terms light, draft, pony, warmblood, and coldblood and explainthe relationships among any of the terms.

17. Describe 10 uses for horses.

18. Discuss some of the uses for the miniature donkeys and horses.

19. Compare light horses to draft horses.

20. Compare a mule to a horse.

ST U D E N T AC T I V I T I E S

1. Choose a competitive event such as racing, driving, dressage, or riding.Research the breed of horse most commonly used for this event andexplain why the breed is appropriate for the event.

2. Write to a breed registry association listed in Appendix Table A–16 andrequest more information and pictures of a breed of light horse, drafthorse, or pony.

3. Use the Internet to discover more information about five horse breeds ofyour choice. Write a report comparing the five breeds.

4. Construct a family tree for a famous Thoroughbred showing how thishorse’s ancestry can be traced to the foundation stallions.

5. Some horse breeds have their own magazine or newsletter. Select twocommon breeds from Table 3–1 and obtain sample copies of their news-letter or magazine. Next, read an article of your choice in the magazineor newsletter and write a summary.

6. Create a poster showing the color markings of the Appaloosa, the paint,the pinto, and the buckskin horse. Describe how horses are bred to pro-duce these color breeds.

7. Explain why the process of blood typing could be important to breed reg-istration, and diagram how blood typing is done.

AD D I T I O N A L RE S O U R C E S

BooksAmerican Youth Horse Council. (1993). Horse industry handbook: A guide to equine

care and management. Lexington, KY: Author.Davidson, B., & Foster, C. (1994). The complete book of the horse. New York:

Barnes & Noble Books.

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Dossenbach, M., & Dossenbach, H. D. (1994). The noble horse. New York: Cres-cent Books (Random House).

Ensminger, M. E. (1999). Horses and horsemanship (7th ed.). Danville, IL: Inter-state Publishers.

Evans, J. W. (1989). Horses: A guide to selection, care, and enjoyment (2nd ed.).New York: Freeman.

Knight, L. W. (1902). The breeding and rearing of jacks, jennets and mules.Nashville, TN: Cumberland Press.

Mills, F. C. (1971). History of American jacks and mules. Hutchinson, KS: Hutch-Line.

Silver, C. (1993). The illustrated guide to horses of the world. Stamford, CT: Long-meadow Press.

Associations and RegistriesAny of the associations or registries in Appendix Table A–16 can be contacted formore information about a specific breed.

MagazinesMagazines such as Horse Illustrated, Horse & Rider, Western Horseman, and Horseand Horseman often feature articles on a single breed.

InternetInternet sites represent a vast resource of information, but remember that theURLs (uniform resource locator) for World Wide Web sites can change withoutnotice. Using one of the search engines on the Internet such as Yahoo!, HotBot,Google, Excite, Dogpile, or About.com, find more information by searching forthese words or phrases:

Some good Web sites for learning more about the many breeds and types of horses,mules, and donkeys include the following:

<http://www.horseworlddata.com/breed.html><http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/HORSES/>

specific name of any horse breed

foundation sireshorse color breedswarmblood horsescoldblood horsesponylight horses

draft horsesminiature horsescobhackroadsterferal or wild horsesmustangsdonkeys

mulestypes of mules:

draftpack/worksaddledrivingjumpingminiature


<http://www.imh.org/imh/bw/home2.html/><http://www.haynet.net/Breeds and Associations/>

Table A–18 also provides a listing of some useful Internet sites that can serve as astarting point for further exploration.

EN D NO T E S

1. The numbers in this section represent classifications by the AmericanLivestock Breeds Conservancy <http://www.albc-usa.org/> in July 2001.

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