The Dutch Warmblood Horse

Even today, the Dutch horses continue to be influenced by imported blood, but the special qualities (temperament, adaptability and soundness) which have made the Dutch Warmblood horse unique, continue to be treasured and cultivated. Although the word "breed" denotes to most English speaking horsemen a closed studbook (like that of the Arabians and Thoroughbreds), it has a different connotation in the European Warmblood breeding community. Breed refers to the "breeding area" as much as to the strict purity of the bloodlines. Each breeding area sets its own breeding goals and style of administration which, despite shared background and bloodlines, gives specific qualities and characteristics to its horses.

The Oldenburg

The war with Denmark and the difficult times during the French Revolution made it difficult for Graf Anton Gunther to continue his efforts at refinement of the Oldenburg horse. Government sponsored breeding entered a brief hiatus, which ended in 1820.

From 1820 to 1897, three important events took place which began the movement of Oldenburg breeding to its present state of scientific management. Any one of these events would have been significant in itself. Combined, they represented a watershed in the development of the breed.

During the year 1820, a law was enacted which forbade the use of any but government-approved stallions in a breeding program. The first of the stallion testings was held on June 30th of that year.

The Swedish Warmblood-Registry Establishment

Due to differences in requirements between the two largest users of horses in Sweden, the army and farmers, the breeding program was divided. Importations were made of stallions of Throughbred, Anglo-Norman, Hanoverian and Trakehner breeds to improve the horses used by the military . In order to direct the breeding efforts and to consolidate the different breeds the Swedish government began an examination system in 1874. This resulted in several excellent saddle breeds including the Swedish Warmblood.

The Swedish Warmblood Association (SWA) was formed in 1928 by breeders, encouraged by the army, to promote the development of uniform mares of high standard. The army stopped using horses in the 1970´s and the breeding program has since been fully in the hands of the SWA.

The Oldenburg

The Oldenburg is bred in a small area near the modern region of Lower Saxony surrounding the city of Oldenburg, a breeding area historically confined to approximatively 5,400 square kilometers, in the center of the Hannoverian region. The average breeder is a farmer with from 20 to 100 hectares of land and two to four registered breeding mares. The breed, also found in East Friesland, can be traced back to the 17th Century, with bloodlines based on the Friesian horse.

Pedigree Requirements to Register Pinto

While PtHA accepts animals derived from many different approved breed/registry crosses, it does NOT accept animals with Appaloosa, Draft or Mule breeding and/or characteristics. HORSE STALLIONS must have both sire and dam registered with PtHA or another approved outcross registry. PONY/MINIATURE STALLIONS must have at least one parent (sire or dam) registered with a recognized breed association [Effective 1-1-99]. Mares and Geldings can be registered on their qualifying color alone.

The Clydesdale Horse - First Recognition

This breed's official debut under the name Clydesdale was at the 1826 Glasgow Exhibition in Scotland.

The Clydesdale was bred for hauling coal and doing farm work. In Scotland it eventually replaced the Shire breed as a carriage horse.

The Friesian Horse-Coming To America

About 25 years ago this virtually unknown, but unforgettable black horse arrived in North America. His numbers were small, but people who saw him were captivated by his unique and striking appearance. Now, only 25 years after his importation to America, the Friesian has achieved tremendous popularity and almost universal breed recognition among horse lovers. Because of the Friesians´ great popular appeal the horses have quickly found their way into a variety of disciplines roles they can fill because versatility is the breed´s heritage.

Palomino Horse - Eye Color

106. Iris of Eyes. The eyes must be the same color and have black, brown, or hazel irises.

A. A horse with blue, glass or partial blue eyes is eligible for registration if it is reported on the recognized breed association's registration certificate or is an acceptable characteristic in a recognized breed association.

B. A horse with unknown bloodline may have blue, glass or partial blue eyes if it is a gelding or spayed mare.

USA Contact for Hanoverians

Information and photographs provided by The American Hanoverian Society, 4067 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 1, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone 606/255-4141 Fax 606/255-8467 e-mail: ahsoffice@aol.com

Recommended Book On Paints

Creating A Legacy of Color, by Marrita McMillian (from the Paint Horse).

The Friesian Horse-Origin

Big, black and charismatic -- is one of the world´s oldest breeds. For many centuries the Friesian was relatively isolated in a small area in the northwestern Netherlands. As long ago as the early middle ages he was called by the name of the area from which he came Friesland. He carried knights in the Crusades and was a war horse in medieval times.

The Saddle Horse Type of Pinto

The SADDLE TYPE Pinto is an animal suitable for: (1) general English, western, and driving events; and (2) a variety of other events. The Saddle Type Pinto should display the conformation associated with American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking or Missouri Foxtrotter breeding.

The Dutch Warmblood Horse

Today in Holland there are three distinct types of horses bred.

In addition, there is the “Tuigpaardtype” or Show Driving Type - an extravagant, stylish, high stepping carriage horse which is shown rather like the American Fine Harness horse. These horses have mostly Gelderlander blood, with an infusion of Hackney.

The Dutch Warmblood Horse

North American Department

Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands

P O Box 866, Winchester, OR 97495

Phone: (541)672 8145

email: nawpn@rosenet.net

The Hackney Road Horse/Pony

Hackneys are also very popular for use as "road ponies." Their fast trot that maintains its high action is ideal for the racing-type shows where they are exhibited. Road ponies are shown pulling a brightly painted two-wheel cart called a "bike". The drivers wear silks similar to those worn in Standardbred or Sulky or Trotter or Pacer racing.

The Hackney Pony Class Divisions

The most popular place for the Hackney pony today is the show ring. There they may be shown with either a cob tail or a long tail. The cob tail pony´s tail is docked at about six inches long and its mane is braided into 14 tight little knobs with colored ribbon. The cob tail creates a clean image, close to the appearance of the traditional English carriage horse. The long-tail pony retains a long tail and long, flowing mane. The two types may be shown in the same classes or they may be divided into Hackney pony and Harness pony classes. The taste of the individual breeder or trainer and the specific breeding of the pony largely determine the style.

The Cleveland Bay Marks of Distinction

In consequence, Cleveland Bays stamp their get with remarkable uniformity of size, conformation, soundness, stamina, disposition and color.

The Hackney Pony Movement

The action of a pony differs from that of a horse in being more brisk but other wise the main features are similar.

Appaloosa-Markings on the Body

Location Of Patterns
In reviewing the descriptions of various coat patterns, the necessity of correctly specifying anatomical regions of the horse probably became quite apparent. The five classifications of blanket pattern locations used by the Appaloosa Horse Club are:

Hips
Loin and hips
Back and hips (markings extend over a portion of the back, up to the withers.)
Body and hips (markings extend from the hips, inclusive of a portion of the shoulders and/or neck, but do not cover the entire horse.)
Entire body (markings cover the head, neck, shoulder, back, loin hips and upper legs).

The Buckskin Horse

Buckskin Horses must have a body coat of some shade of yellow, but not red. The points are black or dark brown. A dorsal stripe is not necessary.

The Gruella Horse

Gruella Horses are smokey grey in color with no white hairs mixed throughout. A dorsal stripe MUST BE PRESENT.

The Oldenburg

The final examination in Oldenburg lasts for three days. On the first day the young stallions are formally examined for the first time. The second day is devoted to a review of older stallions who have been brought for examination by the many breeders who have assembled from many parts of the world. On the third day, the young stallions are examined for the final time, and those to be "graded" are chosen. Also selected at this time are the finest of the young graded stallions to be designated as "premium stallions". Of the many young stallions brought for judging, only a very small percentage is approved each year.

The Oldenburg

Graf Anton Gunther von Oldenburg (1603 - 1667), who became even more famous than his predecessor, traveled extensively throughout Europe and brought back to Oldenburg the elegant stallions of Naples, Spain, Poland, England, Tartary, and Barbary. Graf Anton Gunther permitted his tenants and other commoners to use his stallions, and soon the 17th Century Oldenburgs were in great demand throughout Europe, serving as elegant riding horses and tall, very attractive carriage horses. Leopold I, King of the Holy Roman Empire, rode through Vienna on his wedding day astride a black Oldenburg stallion. He was followed by his wife who sat in a splendid carriage pulled by eight ermine colored Oldenburgs. Anton Gunther was famous for his traditional dressage riding, most notably the passage on his famous Oldenburg stallion, Kranich.

Selection of the Swedish Warmblood

Stallions and mares are judged in hand when at least 3 years of age and graded for 1) type, 2) head, neck and body, 3) extremities, 4) walk, and 5) trot. A score of 10 is ideal, with 5 as passable. Mares are approved with a minimum score of 34 with Class II (36-37 points) and Class I (38 or more points) being recommended for breeding. Stallions must score at least 38 points, with no individual score under 7 points, and pass a performance test for approval. Radiographs are also performed to evaluate a stallions soundness.

Why The Swedish Warmblood Is Desired

Elegance, combined with excellent gaits and a positive attitude, jumping ability and capacity to absorb training make the Swedish Warmblood (SWB) well suited for international equestrian sports, and dressage in particular. Swedish horses have been medalists in virtually every Olympiad since 1912, most often in dressage, but also in combined training. In the 1988 Seoul Games, 13 Swedish Warmbloods participated in dressage and 6 won medals. In the 1960 Rome Olympiad, the stallion Drabant had six sons participating. The versatility of the SWB horse was proven by Thomas Eriksson when he captured the individual gold medal in four-in-hand combined driving at the World Equestrian Games in 1990.

Palomino Horse - Eligible Breeds For Registry

ELIGIBLE HORSES 120. Additional requirements for registration of horses registered in recognized breed associations are as follows:

121. PHBA recognizes the following breed registries, relative to the registration of Palomino horses. Horses registered in these associations must meet the appropriate qualifications including but not limited to body coat, skin, mane, tail, and white markings as stated elsewhere in the Registration and Transfer Rules. (Please see in Favorite Links to view each of these sites below!):
A. American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA).
B. American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
C. American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA).
D. Arabian Horse Registry (AHR)
E. International Arabian Horse Association (IAHA).
F. Jockey Club (JC)
G. Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA).
H. Mountain Pleasure Horse Association (MPHA)
I. International Morab Registry (IMR)
J. American Paint Horse Association (APHA)
K. Appaloosa Horse Club

The Oldenburg

Oldenburgs are used today for show-jumping and dressage and three day event as well as occasional driving.

The Hackney Horse VS Pony

The Hackney was being imported to the United States from England by the late 1800´s. It was in this time that the breeding to achieve the specific pony type was begun through crossing the Hackney horse with ponies of good conformation and motion. Today 95% of all registered Hackneys in the United States are ponies.

Origin of the Hanoverian

The breed´s historic home is in today´s state of Lower Saxony, in northern Germany, the former Kingdom of Hanover where a flourishing horse-breeding industry has existed for 400 years. The Hanoverian has dispersed to all five continents and represents today one of the most prominent breeds of riding horses in the world.

The AB Clydesdale Horses

The Anheuser Busch Clydesdales are the famous Budweiser Clydesdales that represent the Brewery, or hence, the AB Clydesdales. Their home site is at:
www.abclydesdales.com

The International Buckskin Horse Association

The IBHA was registered in 1971 to register and to preserve the pedigree and to promote the activity of the Buckskin Horse, the Dun Horse, the Red Dun Horse and the Gruella Horse. The IBHA has proven to be the largest and most progressive registry in the world for the registry of these horses. By creating interest and a demand through National, State, Family and Individual activities, the marketability of IBHA Registered Horses has only increased. Activities are promoted through state chartered associations and national marketing and advertising. IBHA maintains permanent horse show records and pedigrees. The official IBHA publication, Horse Circuit News, provides members with current registry information on a monthly basis.

Palomino Horse - Color Requirements

104. Palomino Color Characteristics:
A. The ideal body coat color is approximately the color of a United States gold coin.
B. The following body color traits are not acceptable:
1) A brown or black dorsal stripe along the spine.
2) Alternating bands of lighter and darker hairs running around the legs (zebra stripes) or across the withers (wither or neck stripes).
3) These include spotting and characteristics typical of paints, pintos, appaloosas, and albinos.
4) White hairs interspersed within the coat associated with the roan, grey, or rabicano patterns.
105. Skin Color. The skin must be dark colored (grey, black, brown, motley) without pink spots wherever it shows around the nose and eyes, under the tail, and between the hind legs, except for skin on the face which may be pink where it is a continuation of a white marking.

A. EXCEPTION: Horses also registered with the American Saddlebred Horse Association may have skin color of any shade.

The Hackney Movement

These creatures never fail to excite a show ring crowd with their explosive motion, brilliant carriage and spunky manner. Their leg action at the trot is so exaggerated as to give the horse/pony an air of suspended motion, with the front foot and rear pastern often touching the upper body of the horse/pony. The gait is performed with piston-like quickness, suspending for a moment at the highest point.

The Hackney Registries Created

In 1883 the English Hackney Horse Society was created to preserve and develop the integrity of the Hackney lines. The first annual show was held by the society in 1885 in London. In 1891, the American Hackney Horse Society was formed.

Swedish Warmbloods-Origins

The history of the Swedish horse closely follows that of humans in the region. Archeological evidence has been found for the existence of horses in what is now Sweden dating to 4,000 B.C. The original Scandinavian horse is said to be small, 12 to 14 hands, high spirited and having good endurance. In the sixteenth century a program was began to improve the quality of the native horses. Friesians were imported from the Netherlands to increase the size of the native stock. Other importations of various saddle breeds were made but the larger draft breeds were excluded from the importations. The major centers of this breeding was at the national stud farms of Kungsör, Strömsholm and Flyinge. The horses from these farms were often used in the royal stables.

The Friesian Horse-Current Popularity

Audiences love the Friesian horse and because of their can´t-get-enough-of them crowd appeal, they are now seen everywhere, in all the major equestrian events throughout North America. And when a distinctive horse is required to set a tone in a movie the Friesian is called on to create that historical or mystical illusion.

North America is ´in love´ with the Friesian horse whether it is as an an unsurpassed carriage horse, a striking dressage mount, an amazing circus horse of simply as a beloved family pet. Because of all the growth and enthusiasm- with all that´s been accomplished in the last 25 years the four Friesian Horse Clubs spanning the West Coast are joining together to´ produce the greatest Friesian horse event in North America, ..ever. In celebration of the Golden Age of the Friesian horse...www.friesianextravaganza.com

The Sport Horse Definition

Sport horse refers to the intended use of the breed - as a competitive and recreational horse for the major international equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, 3-day event, and driving.

Pony of the Americas Breed Standard

The standards Les and his friends set up were a real challenge to any breeder. To be registered as a POA, strict guidelines were followed. The pony had to be between the height limits of 44 inches to 52 inches. The head was to be small and dished as the Arab; the body was to be muscled as the Quarter Horse; and the coloring had to be Appaloosa, visible at 40 feet. This was to be a breed for children to ride and show. Adults could only show the animals at halter or with a cart. So these equines must also be gentle and easy to train.

The Palomino Horse - Eligibility For Registration

The Solid Gold of Rodeos, Parades, State Fairs, and childhood memories of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans or Mr. Ed!

To be eligible for registration, a Palomino must show refinement of head, bone, and general structure appropriate to the breeds recognized by PHBA, and be suitable for carrying western or English equipment. The horse must be between fourteen (14) and seventeen (17) hands when fully matured and must show no pony or draft horse characteristics.

Color Requirements to Register Pinto

The color requirement, predicated on the age of the animal at time of application, is a total of 15 square inches of underlying pink skin with white hair on the body or certain designated areas of the head (i.e. eligible zone) for horses two years and older, 8 square inches for yearlings, or 4 square inches for weanlings. Minimum requirements for ponies and miniatures are 50% and 25% of those for horses, respectively. Animals with insufficient "qualifying color" to be accepted in the regular color division but with at least two or more "Pinto" characteristics OR solid colored animals with documented and registered pinto-colored sire and/or dam may be eligible for registration in the Breeding Stock Division.

The Hackney in Shows

Since the development of the automobile eliminated the demand for carriage horses for transportation, the most popular use of the Hackney has been in the show ring. Hackneys are shown almost exclusively in harness (singly, in pairs, or in tandem), but they may be shown in hand, (lead by a person on the ground).

The Oldenburg

Following selection based on conformation and type, young privately owned stallions spend approximately 100 days at the government-owned and-operated testing station at Adelheidsdorf, near Celle, or Medingen, West Germany. During this training period, under the control of a government-employed rider, the young stallion´s character, disposition, willingness to work, and temperament are carefully observed and noted. In the performance test the stallion demonstrates his endurance, speed, jumping ability, general courage, manner of going and rideability. Only after passing demanding performance tests are the young stallions finally approved for breeding. A horse that may be handsome enough to be initially approved for breeding but that does not pass the performance test can not receive final breeding stock status. Those horses, therefore, who qualify, are truly identified as the finest representatives of the breed.

The Dutch Warmblood Horse

Today in Holland there are three distinct types of horses bred.

The third type is the "Basistype" or Basic type - a stylish all-round horse reminiscent of the earlier Gelderlander, useful for riding, driving, and farm work, and important for maintaining the gene pool of the old Gelderlanders that is still used in the breeding of the Riding and Show Driving types.

The Belgian Horse - Origin

The Belgian, as the name implies, is native to the country of Belgium. This little country is blessed with fertile soil and abundant rainfall providing the thrifty farmers of Belgium with the excellent pastures and the hay and grain necessary to develop a heavy, powerful breed of horses.

The Hackney Horse/Pony Origin

The Hackney horse was developed in Great Britain in the early 18th Century from the Darley Arabian through his son, Flying Childerns, foaled in 1715, and grandson, Blaze, a renowned British Thoroughbred foaled in 1733.

The Holsteiner

The American Holsteiner Horse Association was established in 1977 to promote and support the enjoyment and breeding of the Holsteiner Warmblood horse in North America and is the registry and studbook for Holsteiners in North America. Its primary goal is to develop the Holsteiner into the world´s most successful sport horse.

The Oldenburg

In addition to the efforts of the Oldenburg rulers, the modern horses also owe their refinement in part to the introduction, during the late 18th and very early 19th centuries, of English Thoroughbred blood. The English Hannoverian King, George I, together with his successors, took an interest in the horses bred in their country of origin and sent over a great many Thoroughbreds to improve the local stock.

The Swedish Warmblood Registry in the USA

The Swedish Warmblood Association of North America (SWANA) was established in the 1980´s as breeding of Swedish Warmblood horses became more popular in United States and Canada. SWANA continues the traditions of the SWA, employing the SWA breeding committee for Inspections to maintain consistency of the breed.

The Shire Horse - Mares

Mares should conform to the stallion standards, except that they may be slightly smaller with a feminine and matronly appearance. A mare should have plenty of room to carry a foal.

The Shire Horse - Conformation - Head

Head: Long and lean, neither too large nor too small, with long neck in proportion to the body. Large jaw bone should be avoided.

The Dutch Warmblood Horse

It is a remarkable sport horse which has made a meteoric rise to prominence in the international equestrian world in recent years. The Who´s Who of international superstars includes names like Calypso, Next Milton, Big Ben, Ampere, Ommen, Zucarlos, Linky, Eastern Sunrise, Pascal, Ideaal and many more.

Breeds Combining Into The DWB

The Gelderlander, which evolved on the light sandy soils of central Holland was a stylish horse of medium stature, frequently chestnut with flashy white markings; while the Groningen evolved on the heavy clay soils of northern Holland into a larger and heavier horse, frequently black.

The Hackney Pony Conformation

The Hackney pony is expected to show distinct pony characteristics, such as small and neat ears; eyes bright, bold and alert; muzzle fine and reasonably small.

The body of a Hackney pony can be somewhat more compact than that of the horse, but the general conformation is similar. A height at maturity from 12.2 to 14 hands is characteristic of the breed.

Appaloosa Horse - Coat Colors

Base Coat Colors - The Appaloosa Horse Club recognizes the following thirteen base colors:

Bay -Dark Bay-Dark Brown-Black-White-Buckskin-Chestnut-Dun-Gray-Grulla-Palomino-Red Roan-Bay Roan-Blue Roan

It is not always easy to predict the color a grown horse will be from the shade it appears to have as a foal. Most foals are born with lighter colored coats than they will have when they shed their baby hair, with the exception of gray horses, which are born dark and progressively become lighter. Most foals will start to lose fuzzy baby hair around their eyes, nostrils and at the base of the tail fist, followed by the legs. Look for smooth hair in these areas - the color of this hair will usually indicate the foal's ermanent color. If the foal coat on the legs is replaced by chestnut hair and the mane and tail are not black, the foal will most likely be a chestnut. If the foal coat is replaced by black hair on the legs, expect a bay. Most often, a black horse is born mousy gray.

Appaloosa-Striped Hooves

Striped Hooves

Many Appaloosas will have bold and clearly defined vertically light or dark striped hooves. Vertical stripes may result from a injury to the coronet or a white marking on the leg. Also light colored horses tend to have thin stripes in their hooves. As a result, all striped hooves do not necessarily distinguish Appaloosas from non-Appaloosas. Look for other Appaloosa characteristics if any of these situations apply to your horse.

POA, Changes In Registry Requirements

The height limit of the breed increased to 46 inches and 54 inches in 1963. It was about this time the Shetland began to disappear from the POA breeding program. Larger ponies like the Welsh and small horses like the wild mustang and the Arab were combined with Indian ponies, Quarter Horses and Appaloosas by the breeders to achieve that "little horse" look. The membership voted in 1985 to again raise the upper height limit to 56 inches beginning in 1986. The age limit of a child showing went from age 16 in 1954 to 18 in 1973. In 1987, 19 and over riding classes were added with a limitation for the POAs under saddle to be only 2, 3, and 4 year olds in training. In 1988, the first national POA Convention was held. In 1990, a Hall of Fame for POAs and POA members was begun.

The POA

What intrigued Les the most were the spots on the colt´s flank that formed a definite black hand. Another idea was forming in Les´ mind as he watched the colt he named Black Hand. He called his Shetland breeder friends to his Memory Lane Ranch to discuss his idea, and the Pony Of the Americas Club was born. Les´ expertise in the law set up a solid foundation for this new breed registry.

The Shire Horse - Height

Height: Minimum 16.2 hands and upwards. Average 17.1 hands.

The Canadian Horse Influences

In the mid-1800's, the Canadian Horse numbered about 150,000 and could be found throughout Canada and the United States. The Canadian was used for crossbreeding to improve the strength and hardiness of other breeds, and helped to found other North American breeds such as the Morgan, Tennessee Walking Horse, Standardbred, and the American Saddlebred.

The Cleveland Bay

The Cleveland Bay is the oldest established breed of English Horse. It is known as the English Sporthorse.

The Dutch Warmblood Horse

Today in Holland there are three distinct types of horses bred.

The most numerous and internationally important is the "Rijpaardtype" or Riding Horse Type a distinctly modern, elegant sport horse bred for athleticism, good character and soundness. International jumpers, dressage horses, combined driving, and vaulting horses are selected from this category.

The Oldenburg

Despite its size, the well-bred, modern Oldenburg is a compact horse with relatively short legs; short cannons; powerful hindquarters; a long, strong neck inherited from its days as a carriage horse; a deep chest; and large hooves able to bear the weight of such a large animal. Oldenburgs are found in a variety of colors, but are usually black, brown or gray. Their appearance is accentuated by kind eyes that mirror the horse´s calm tractable nature.

The Oldenburg

Originally developed as a good strong carriage horse, the breed contains Spanish, Neopolitan and Barb blood, along with Thoroughbred and Hannoverian. The early Oldenburg horses were well-known for consistency in conformation, great power, and their magnificent coal black color. They were also famed for their kind character and extreme willingness to work-under saddle, in front of a carriage or in the fields. During the present century, as the need for carriage horses dwindled, more Thoroughbred and Norman blood was introduced, resulting in production of a magnificent all-purpose saddle horse.

The Swedish Warmblood Studbook

A complete register of brood mares and their foals has been kept since 1894. North American horses have their own part of the stud book, beginning with volume 50 (in 1987). Mares and stallions are listed under their dams until approved for breeding, at which time they receive their final registration number.

The Clydesdale Horse - Breed Crossing

The Clydesdale breed originated in the mid-eighteenth century, when the Sixth Duke of Hamilton (1742 - 1758) imported a flemish stallion (male horse) from Flanders (a region of Northern Europe currently encompassed by France, Belgium, and the Netherlands). It's from this stallion mating with a work horse mare that the Clydesdale breed developed.

Following contributions from Flemish and Frisian stallions, the definitive characteristics of the breed were fixed at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

The Clydesdale Horse - Origin

The Clydesdale breed originated in the Clyde Valley, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The Belgian Horse - Importation to America

In 1903 the government of Belgium sent an exhibit of horses to the St. Louis World´s Fair and the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. While this effort was attended by plenty of controversy over which type of horse best suited Americans, it also generated a great deal of interest in the breed.

The Belgian Horse - Spreading Across Europe

Stallions from Belgium were exported to many other parts of Europe as the need to produce larger animals of draft type for industrial and farm use was recognized. There was no need to import into Belgium for she was the "Mother Lode." It remained only for this ancestral home of the "great horse," by whatever name, to refine and fix the type of the genetic material she already had at hand.


The government of Belgium played a very energetic role in doing just that. A system of district shows culminating in the great national show in Brussels, which served as an international showcase for the breed, was established. The prizes were generous. Inspection committees for stallions standing for public service were established.

Registry Requirements For Paints

To be eligible for registry, a Paint´s sire and dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds). To be eligible for the Regular Registry, the horse must also exhibit a minimum amount of white hair over unpigmented (pink) skin.

The Canadian Horse Characteristics

Because they evolved under the adverse conditions of harsh weather, scarce food, and hard work, 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”.

The Cleveland Bay England Contact

Cleveland Bay Horse Society, York Livestock Centre, Murton, York, United Kingdom Y01 3UF

Telephone: (01904) 489731, fax (01904) 489782

The Oldenburg

Most of the breeding of Oldenburg horses today is in the hands of private individuals, closely controlled by the Oldenburg Breeding Society. Unlike many other Warmblood breeds, the modern Oldenburg horse is the result of utilizing the best of all European bloodstock. Private breeders are able to travel throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, while state-controlled breeding societies are limited, by funding and other restrictions, to their local stock. Ownership of Oldenburg stallions by private breeders, who can afford the best and most expensive, has resulted in many mare owners from the surrounding Hannoverian breeding area bringing their horses to Oldenburg stallions despite the fact that breeding fees are often as much as twice those offered by government owned Hannoverians.

The Oldenburg

Since the 1930s, the aim of the modern Oldenburg breeder has concentrated on production of an all-purpose saddle horse. To further this goal, additional Thoroughbred blood was introduced to the breed. Starting with the introduction of Adonis in 1959, Thoroughbreds such as Manolete, Miracolo, Guter Gast, More Magic, Vollkorn, and Makuba were used to make Oldenburgs even more elegant and refined.

The results of these cross-breedings were then combined with elegant sport-horse-type stallions from France, Trakehners, and Hannoverians. Many pedigrees of modern Oldenburgs thus contain some of the best Hannoverian sires, such as Absatz, Gotthard, Grande, Der Lowe; such famous Trakehners as Hessenstein, Herbststurm, and Gunnar; as well as Furioso II and Inshallah representative of French blood.

Appaloosa-Mottled or Partly Colored Skin

Mottled or Parti-Colored Skin

This characteristic is unique to the Appaloosa horse. Therefore, mottled skin is a basic and decisive indicator of an Appaloosa. Mottled skin is different from commonly found pink (flesh-colored or non-pigmented) skin in that it normally contains dark areas of pigmented skin within its area. The result is a speckled or blotchy pattern of pigmented and non-pigmented skin. When identifying mottled skin, it is important to not confuse it with simple differences in pigmentation, patches of light and dark skin, and pumpkin skin.

The Cleveland Bay Purity of Bloodlines

The Cleveland Bay is unique in its carefully maintained purity. While the warmbloods of France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and other European countries have produced a number of good individuals, their pedigrees are riddled with recent Thoroughbred, Arabian and other outcrosses.

The Appaloosa Horse - Coat Patterns

Coat Patterns
A remarkable aspect of the Appaloosa is the myriad of color and pattern combinations he can exhibit. The following are seven common terms used to describe Appaloosa patterns. The description used by the Registration Department differs slightly. Appaloosa patterns are highly variable and there are many which may not fit into specific categories easily.

Blanket - refers to a horse which has a solid white area normally over, but not limited to, the hip area with a contrasting base color.
Spots - refers to a horse which has white or dark spots over all or a portion of its body.
Blanket With Spots - refers to a horse with a white blanket which has dark spots within the white. The spots are usually the same color as the horse's base color.
Roan - A horse exhibiting the Appaloosa roan pattern develops a lighter colored area on the forehead, jowls and fotal bones of the face, over the back, loin and hips. Darker areas may appear along the frontal bones of the face as well and also on the legs, stifle, above the eye, point of the hip and behind the elbow. Without an apparent Appaloosa blanket or spots, a hore with only the above-listed characteristics will also need mottled skin and one other characteristic to qualify for regular registration.
Roan Blanket - refers to a horse having the roan pattern consisting of a mixture of light and dark hairs, over a portion of the body. The blanket normally occurs over, but is not limited to, the hip area.
Roan Blanket With Spots - refers to a horse with a roan blanket which has white and/or dark spots within the roan area.
Solid - refers to a horse which has a base color as is described on the proceding pages but no contrasting color in the form of an Appaloosa coat pattern. This horse will need mottled skin and one other characteristic to receive regular papers.

Brief Overview of the American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse originated in the United States in the Colonial Era. The American Quarter Horse Association was formed in 1941, and is currently the largest recognized breed in the United States. The American Quarter Horse Registry is comprised of two parts: the purebred Quarter Horse, and the Appendix, which is a Registered Quarter Horse crossed with a Registered Thoroughbred.

The Quarter Horse´s fame began with the Colonists who favored racing, and the Quarter Horse proved himself in the short, quarter mile distances over all other breeds of the day; The Quarter Horse quickly became known as the "Quarter Pathers".

Once the West began to develop, the Quarter Horse was taken along by the new Pilgrims as they made their way to the West. Quickly becoming the favored mount of the Ranchers and the Cowboys for the Quarter Horse´s keen sense working with cattle, in and out of herds.

The Quarter Horse has established himself throughout the years in the Western Circles from Trail through to Penning, Cutting, and Roping.

The Quarter Horse is fast setting his mark in the English circles of today, by establishing records in Hunter/Jumpers, Eventing and Dressage circles.

Notorious for the excessively muscular rear quarters and shoulders; both stallion and late gelded geldings exhibit those famous excessively large jowels. The average Quarter Horse stands at 14 hands to 15.2 hands in height, and is any color; with several colors indigenous to the Quarter Horse himself....such colors as Gruella, Dun and Sorrel.

Notoriously great as a family´s and children´s horse, due to the steady, and consistant temperment. This factor coupled with the athletic ability of many of the Quarter Horse bloodlines, has increased the Quarter Horse´s popularity worldwide, and made him the current number one choice today in America.

The Belgian Horse - History of Color

Along with the changes in conformation has come a color change. The original imports came in many color coats with a predominance of bay. About half of the first imports were bay and bay-brown, followed by roan, chestnut sorrel, black, and even a few greys. There was no particular Belgian color at the outset.


By the 20´s and 30´s, when the breed really hit its stride in this country the breed had pretty well become the "sorrels and roans." Now there are a few roans and even the odd bay now and then, but for all practical purposes, it is a chestnut-sorrel breed today.

The Hackney Horse/Pony

The Hackney is a dynamic, high-stepper with two branches -- the horse and the pony -- both bred specifically for their brilliant performance in harness.

The Shire Horse - Contact

Contact: The American Shire Horse Association at:
www.shirehorse.org

The Hanoverian

The Hanoverian is a noble, correctly proportioned warmblood horse with natural balance, impulsion and elegant, elastic movements characterized by a floating trot, a round rhythmic canter, and a ground-covering walk.

The Oldenburg

While many German breeding societies restrict their attempts at improvement to their own stud books, the Oldenburg Breeding Society seeks out the finest stallions from among many breeds. As a result of this effort to locate and use the finest bloodlines of France, England, Ireland, and Germany, the modern Oldenburg is slightly taller, lighter, and extremely elegant, in contrast to many other German Warmbloods.

In order for an Oldenburg stallion to be approved for breeding, the horse must first be certified by an official licensing commission from the breed society. Each year, in October, hundreds of two-and-one-half year old stallions are gathered for inspection. This group of young horses is further reduced to what must be considered the finest of the group - approximately 75-85 young stallions.

The Holsteiner

The Holsteiner initially evolved from native North German stock in the province of Schleswig-Holstein and were in high demand by the military and royalty throughout Europe. As demand grew for a lighter horse, infusions of the Yorkshire Coach Horse were used.

About the turn of the century, Thoroughbreds and Anglo-Normans were used to begin shaping the breed into a world-class performance horse. While excelling in the jumping sport, the Holsteiner has also made his mark in Dressage, Eventing and Combined Driving. Holsteiner blood is also greatly valued in other Warmblood breeds, being found conspicuously in the Dutch Warmblood horse.

The Clydesdale Horse - American Breeding Farms

One of two breeding farms for the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales is Grant's Farm, located in south St. Louis, Missouri. Approximately 15 to 20 foals (a horse under six months of age) are born there each year. Grant's Farm is the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War commander and the eighteenth president of the United States.

The second breeding farm is located near Romoland, California, about 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Approximately 15 to 20 foals are born there each year.

For the remainder of this article, go to the home site of the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales at: www.abclydesdales.com

The Hackney In Tandem

When Hackney horses are worked in tandem, the wheelers (horses closest to the wagon), should be slightly larger than the leaders. The leaders should be brighter and flashier with higher motion. The harnesses of the wheelers should be tighter than those of the leaders, showing that they are pulling the larger portion of the load. The leaders´ job is to present a bright flashy appearance.

The Hackney Pony Standard

The Hackney pony is small in stature, under 14.2 hands at the withers (58 inches). It possesses a fine, trim head, small ears with a balanced body, trim legs and feet, short back and well-arched head and tail.