ABC Book of Horse Breeds

By: Joyce Long

A is for Appaloosa

Easily recognized by their spots and splashes of color.

My very first horse was an leopard appaloosa!

B is for Buckskin Buckskin are not only known by their color,

their breeding is genetically superior and they are known for their strength and endurance.

C is for Caspian

The Caspian is a rare breed from the orient and was actually thought to be extinct for a thousand years.

D is for Dutch Draft

Originating in Holland, the Dutch Draft is very similar to the Belgian Draft and is used for heavy farm work.

E is for East Bulgarian

The East Bulgarian is a relatively new breed of light riding and draft horse, usually chestnut, bay or black

F is for Friesian The Friesian dates back to the middle ages, originating in the Netherlands. The Friesian is a very unique horse for a couple of different reasons. They are solid black and may only have a white star on their forehead.

Fun Fact: Their manes and tails are never cut so they often drag the ground.

G is for Galiceño The Galiceño was only recently introduced

to the United States about 50 years ago. Because of it’s small size it is typically simply a child’s/family horse.

H is for Holsteiner The Holsteiner originated in Germany and was initially used by German farmers due to their strength. However, in the recent years they have become more of a sport horse due to their strength, intelligence, and temperament.

I is for IcelandicOriginating in Iceland the Icelandic horse is known to be rather small but sturdy. As many breeds it was originally used for work and transportation, now it is more of a family or sport horse.

Fun Fact: Any horse taken out of Iceland may not return. Also, only unused horse equipment is allowed into the country due to their low tolerance of diseases.

J is for Jutland

The Jutland dates back to the middle ages, originating in Denmark off of the Jutland Peninsula. They are known to be kind and hard workers.

K is for KisoThough it’s original origins are unknown, the Kiso has inhabited Japan for the last thousand years. They have traditionally been used mainly with the military and agriculture.

Fun Fact: The Kiso breed was almost destroyed during WWII when a government program was created to castrate all purebred male Kiso’s. The only reason the breed was saved from going extinct was because of one horse kept as a holy horse in a Shinto shrine.

L is for Lusitano

The Lusitano is found in Portugal. It has been used and sought after as a war horse and the breed can be found in any color.

M is for Missouri Fox Trotter

The Missouri Fox Trotter was developed by settlers in the Ozarks who needed a sure-footed, dependable horse that could travel long distances. Still a favorite in the US they are now also used as a pleasure or show horse.

N is for NoricDeveloped in Austria the Noric was used for riding, carriages, and work. The breeds numbers have roller coasted over the last couple thousand years. Declining as others did after the World War. As a result of renewed interest they are on the rise again.

O is for Ob

The Ob is a very rare breed from Russia. They are used as draft horses .

P is for PaintPaints are used for almost any type or riding or farming. There are specific qualifications they must meet to be a true paint but the most obvious ways to identify a paint is by their coloring. They must be white and any of the following colors: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grulla, sorrel, palomino, gray or roan.

My brother on our Paint horse Sugar.

Q is for Quarter HorseNamed for it’s short burst of speed over a quarter of a mile, the Quarter Horse is said to be the oldest horse breed originating in the United States.

R is for Rocky MountainLegend has it that a young horse appeared in Eastern Kentucky and that was the predecessor of the Rocky Mountain Breed. They are a well rounded horse and can be used for most anything by anyone.

S is for SaddlebredThe Saddlebred is also known as the “America Horse”. Breed significantly in Kentucky they helped to settle various parts of the United States. They became widely popular after the Civil War. Sherman, Grant, Lee, Jackson all rode on Saddlebred horses.

T is for ThoroughbredThe Thoroughbred, known around the world for its skill in racing, can be traced back to three sires: the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerly Turk. The breed has been perfected over the last 250 years and they take great strides to insure that it stays pure. Every foal born is blood typed to verify parentage.

U is for Ukrainian Saddle

This breed was created in Ukraine and are used mainly for sport events. They perform especially well in dressage.

V is for Vlaamperd

Though nearly extinct, the Vlaamperd originates from South Africa where it was developed as a draft and riding horse.

W is for Wielkopolski Developed in the 1960’s by combining the Mazury and Pozan breeds the Wielkopoliski is found in Poland. They are used as a light riding and driving horse.

X is for Xilingol

The Xilingol was developed from a variety of breeds in the 1960’s in central inner Mongolia. It is used for riding and draft work.

Y is for Yili The Yili have been around since the early 1900’s when Russian breeds were crossed with the Molgolian breed. They are now found in China where they are used for riding, driving, meat, and milk.

Fun (or not so fun) fact: The Yili horse was also used for sacrifices.

Z is for Zhemaichu The Zhemaichu has been around since at least the 16th century originating in Lithuania. Their huge size makes them ideal for equestrian sport and tourism. They are also being used to create a new meat producing breed.

References• http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/horses.htm • http://bridlepath.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/horse-colour

-demystified-the-cream-gene-2/• www.horsebreedsinfo.com• www.demotix.com• http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/kiso/• http://www.horsejunction.co.za/discussionForum/

viewThread?topicID=155365•

http://www.horses-photos.org/photos/bay_horse/look_at_me/

• http://horsehints.org/Breeds/Xilingol.htm•

http://ant3145-group003.wikispaces.com/Kristina+Dennis