Equine Equs caballus

Horse Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: Equus caballus

Origin of the Equine Eohippus - (Dawn Horse) 55 million years ago inches tall - 4 toes of front feet -3 toes on hind feet -teeth were simple crowns -browsers not grazers that lived in the forest

Mesohippus (Middle Horse) 35 million years ago -20 inches tall -each foot had 3 toes and the middle toe was the biggest -browser -teeth grew bigger

Merychippus - (Grass eater) 26 million years ago. -40 inches tall -middle toe lager and bore all weight, ended in a hoof -started grazing, teeth developed high crowns and good cementum from grinding grasses

Pliohippus – (one-toed grazer) 2-3 millions years ago - Taller- equivalent to horses today -side toes become bones of side of legs (splint bones) Teeth changed to adapt to eating grass - eyes wider for better vision

Equus (True Horse) -middle toe has terminated into a stout hoof - Teeth high crowned, will keep on growing throughout horses life- hypsodont

My relatives The name Perissodactyla means "odd-toed." This group of ungulates includes horses, tapirs, and rhinos. The name of their order derives from the fact that their middle toe is larger than the others, and the plane of symmetry of the foot passes through it, a condition called mesaxonic

Undomesticated species There are 3 groups one which include the zebra of Africa and Asia, the second is the wild ass of Africa and the third is Przhevalski’s horse.

Przewalski’s Horse Only known surviving wild horse- (never tamed for riding) Has 33 pair of chromosomes compared to todays horse with 32 Was extinct in the wild but captive breeding has resulted in reintroduction to the wild ‘primitive’ appearance (sheh-val-skee)

History Evidence indicates that horses were plentiful during the Stone Age. Horses were used for a food source Horses became domesticated during the Bronze age about 2000BC The domesticated horses of Babylonia and Egypt were the foundation horses of the Arabian breeds Heavily built and slower horses were being domesticated in Europe A third ancestral strain found in the British Isles was the prototype to the modern pony

History cont. The first domestic horses introduced into the Americas were brought by Spanish conquistadores in the 16 th century. The ancestors of these horses are the Mustangs The 17 th century was the first attempt to improve breeds of horses. The Thoroughbred was developed form the foundations sires The Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Barb, bred to English mares. Stud books began in the late 1700’s

Breeds of Horses -roughly 500 breeds world wide Major types -draft, pony, light

Common Draft Horses Breeds Was developed in Northern Europe as war horses Above 16 hands 1,500 – 2,500 lbs Large bones and thick

Belgian – Draft Mix of Belgian and Flemish horses Stand hands Weight- 1,900 to 2,200 lbs. Colors- chestnut or sorrel, and roan with flaxen mane and tail

Clydesdale - Draft Originated in Scotland Weights between 1,700 and 2200 lbs. Stands hands Colors- typically bay and brown with white markings- but can be many colors with feathering of legs

Shire - Draft English in Origin 17 to 19 hands tall Commonly black, but can be bay, grey chestnut Also has feathering on legs

Percheron Originated in France Is a draft horse hands in height Weight 1,800- 2,000lbs. Color - usually black or grey, but also bay, brown, chestnut and roan. Arabian influence in background

Suffolk Punch- Draft Developed in England hands in height lbs Color- always chestnut Rounded “punchy” apperance

American Cream- Draft Only US developed draft Light cream color Moderate to small in size

Common Light Horses Most horses, usually riding breeds; small bones and thin legs Above 14.2 hands 900 – 1300 lbs.

American Mustang Originated in U.S. from horses brought to New World by Spanish. Originally came from North Africa. Used for show and pleasure riding, jumping and as a stock horse. May be any color.

Appalossa Originated in U.S. from Nez Perce’ Native Americans hands pounds Must have striped hooves Must have mottling of skin around muzzle and eyes Must have unpigmented sclera Will come in 2 basic patterns Leopard or Blanket

Arabian One of the oldest pure breeds hands Small, lbs. Elegant, refined, durable- valued for beauty purity movement intelligence, and endurance Dished face and high tail carriage Colors are bay, gray and chestnut a few are black.

Andalusian Originated in Spain hands pounds Used for bullfighting, dressage, and jumping Colors are bay, white and gray Cortes brought Andalusians to America for his conquests.

Aztec The Azteca breed was the first breed developed in Mexico. development of a breed using Andalusian, Quarter Horse and Criollo began The Mexican charro requires a calm horse to rope from, excel in all working ranch endeavors, and the elegance to be shown off in pleasure riding

Canadian the Canadian Horse remains the sturdiest and most acclimatized horse in Canada today. They are tough, strong horses, tolerant of inclement weather conditions, and are extremely “easy keepers”. Because of these traits, the Canadian Horse is often referred to as “The Little Iron Horse”. They are characterized by their finely chiseled heads, arched necks, and thick, long, wavy manes and tails – all reminiscent of their Andulasian and Barb. Have also helped refine Morgan and Tennessee Walking horse.

Cleveland Bay Originated in England Larger horse-1, lbs. Used as a utility horse, pleasure riding and driving. Color- Solid bay with black legs.

Hackney- horse and pony Originated in England Weighs 600 to 1,200 lbs hands Used as a harness or carriage horse. Colors-bay, brown or chestnut, with white markings.

Lipizzaner Austrian breed averaging between 14.3 to 15.3 hands pounds The Lipizzaner is noted for his sturdy body, brilliant action and proud carriage as well as his intelligent and docile disposition. Born dark, black-brown, brown or mouse-grey, Lipizzaners turn white somewhere between the ages of 6 and 10

Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Came from the Ozarks in Missouri. Major use is pleasure riding Has a fox trot gait Color is sorrel, usually with white markings.

Morgan Originated in Vermont- named after Justin Morgan who brought him to Vermont hands pounds used for pleasure riding, and as a stock horse. Is the foundation breed for many breeds in the U.S. Colors- bay, black, brown and Chestnut.

Palomino Originated in the U.S. from Spanish Stock. Used for pleasure riding, stock, harness and as a parade horse. Color-gold- color does not breed true in crosses. Mane and tail are lighter colors.

Paso Fino – Peruvian Paso Originated in Spain where the chance mix of breeds sparked the seed that became one of the world's finest riding horses hands 950 pounds The basic gaits of the Paso Fino in order of speed are the paso fino, paso corto, and paso largo. They also walk and canter. The gait itself is evenly spaced, with each foot contacting the ground independently Color- grey, white, black, bay, chestnut

Quarter Horse Originated in U.S hands pounds First used as a race horse. “quarter miler” Inherent “cow sense” used in ranch work Comes in most colors Used for pleasure riding, racing, showing and as a stock horse.

First registered American Quarter Horse Bred here in Texas at King Ranch in Kingsville

American Saddlebred Developed in Kentucky hands Used for riding and driving Shown as a 3 gaited or 5 gaited or harness horse

Standardbred Originated in the U.S hands pounds Colors are bay, black, brown and chestnut. Other colors may occur. Developed as a harness racing horse, extraordinary speed without breaking into a gallop The pace is not a natural gate like the trot

Tennessee Walking Horse Originated in the Tennessee hands pounds Colors include sorrel, chestnut, black, bay, brown, white and golden. Noted for it’s running walk gait. Used for pleasure riding and showing.

Thoroughbred Originated in England hands pounds Development as a race horse began in the 17 th. Century Colors include bay, brown, and chestnut Used as a race horse and hunter/jumper, dressage, eventing

Trakehner Originated in East Prussia. Name comes from the town in East Prussia were the breed was established. Large horse hands. Used as a dressage horse- has elegant movement.

Common Pony Breeds A breed of horse that is under 14.2 hands. <800 lb.

Connemara Pony Originated in Ireland Came to U.S. in 1951 Used for jumping and pleasure riding. Colors- Roan or chestnut, bay, black, brown, cream, dun or gray.

Chincoteague Pony Descends from the wild horses on Assateague Island off the coast of Va. And Maryland. Were brought to Island from mainland by their owners to avoid taxes in the 17 th century They are pony size hands Due to large amount of salt in diet they drink twice as much water as other domestic horses. The large amount of water they drink gives them a bloated look.

Pony of the Americas Originated in Iowa, cross of Appaloosa and Shetland Color patterns of the Appaloosa. Used for pleasure riding and showing. From 11.2 to 13.2 hands high.

Shetland Pony Originated in Shetland Islands. About 11 hands pounds Used for pleasure riding by children and for showing and pulling carts Any color

Welsh (Pony) Originated in Wales hands Resemble small Arabian Ideal for young children Many uses: work in coal mines, pull chariots, work cattle

Miniature The American Miniature is a "height" breed; they must measure no more than 34 inches in height at maturity These little horses have already proved their worth in therapeutic programs for the disabled child or adult, as well as with the aged.

References