Equine Breeds Mr. Dieckhoff Equine Science

Terminology

Color Patterns Bay – brown with black mane & tail Chestnut – dark brown with brown mane & tail Sorrel – light brown with brown mane & tail Grey Black White Palomino – brown with white mane & tail Buckskin – yellow with black mane & tail Dun – yellow with dorsal stripe Roan – mix of red/white or blue/white

Gaits 1.Walk – slowest, 4 beats 2.Trot – 2 beats, legs are diagonal pairs 3.Pace – 2 beats, legs are in side pairs 4.Canter – 3 beats 5.Gallop – 4 beats, fastest 6.Rack – walking behind and trotting in front

Practice Gaits

Light Horses At least 14.2 hands tall at the withers pounds Most common type of horse in the United States

Appaloosa Well known for speed Used by the Nez Pence Indians as war horses Originated from Spanish horses left behind by explorers

Arabian Originated from Bedouin desert Most ancient breed Known for strength and stamina Small muzzle High tail setting Short back

Lipazzan Developed in Spain Born brown or black in color Changes to white or gray at about 6-10 years of age Famous as dressage performers

Morgan Developed in the United States America’s first breed of light horse Descended from one horse, Justin Morgan

Mustang Developed by Mother Nature in the Western United States Near extinction in 1970 Available through the Adopt-A-Horse program from the US Government

Paint Stock Horse Splotched Markings Known for muscle

American Quarter Horse Developed in the United States as a race horse Named for their fast times in the 1/4 mile Known for speed, strength & intelligence Most popular horse breed in the world

Saddlebred Developed in the United States Ridden by many famous riders –Paul Revere –Daniel Boone –Ulysses S. Grant –Stonewall Jackson –Robert E. Lee

Standardbred Fastest harness horse in the world Name comes from the fact that the horses must meet a “specific” standard. Bay, brown or black in color

Tennessee Walking Horse Originated in Tennessee Possess a unique running walk gait Very easy to ride Preferred horse of traveling preachers

Missouri Fox Trotter Known for its unique gait Used for pleasure

Thoroughbred Designed to sustain speed over distances while carrying weight Average 16 hands in height Revolutionized the racing industry

Draft Horse Breeds

American Cream Draft Originated from the mare “Old Granny” in Iowa in 1911 Rich cream color with white mane & tail Pink skin Amber colored eyes Average lbs.

Belgian Originated in Belgium American Belgian Association is headquartered in Wabash, IN

Clydesdale Developed in Scotland Commonly bay in color Known for four white socks with hairy fetlocks Made famous in US beer commercials

Friesian Native to the Netherlands Prior to WWI there were only 3 sires still alive Known for long tail & mane Very calm breed

Percheron Unclear origin The oldest equine breed Most popular draft breed in the early 1900s

Shire Developed in England Most common draft breed in England Once used to carry knights into battle Mostly black with white legs