Post by Izel Kravitz on Jan 3, 2015 2:30:02 GMT 2
Breeds
American Indian Horse
Also known as Cow Pony, Buffalo horse, Mustang, Indian pony, Cayuse and Spanish pony, the American Indian horse’s descendants were brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors. Many of the animals that were left behind became the feral horses of the US today, while others were adopted and bred by various indigenous tribes.The American Indian Horse Registry (AIHR) was established in 1961 to preserve and document the pedigrees of Native American horses in the hopes of preserving their unique bloodlines.
There are Five classifications for American Indian Horses:
• Class O - Bred to preserve original bloodlines (not conform to breed standards). Any horse registered since 1979 has direct bloodline connections to one of various tribes.
• Class AA - Must have at least one Class O parent.
• Class A - Have unknown pedigree, but is an American Indian Horse.
• Class M - Include modern bloodlines, one parent may be registered under another breed registry such as an American Paint, Appaloosa, Quarter horse, variety of Mustangs, and Barbs.
• Class P - For ponies of Indian horse type. These horse (technically ponies) can measure 13 -14.1 hh and can have any pony bloodline in their pedigree, but Galiceno, Pony of the Americas, Welsh and Shetland are the most common.
Conformation: Because breeding for bloodlines is often more important than conformation, this breed will vary physically. For a more thorough registration, please add you American Indian Horse's Class to the application.
Height: Average of under 15.0 hh, but can range from 13.0 - 16.0 hh.
Color: All colors and patterns are accepted.
American Paint Horse
Also known as the Oromo and Gala, the Abyssinian Horse bloodlines have been diluted with a wide variety of different breeds. However, with all of the dilution they have several characteristic features that manage to persist. The Abyssinian coat is invariably short and harsh, often with rosettes and ridges – similar to Bashkir animals, but with short hair. They also have a tendency to grow a mustache around their nose and Abyssinian’s often have green eyes (the genetic reason for this is unknown). Dedicated breeders and enthusiasts today attempt to retain these unique qualities in their animals.
Conformation: Due to the high delusion of the breed there is not a set conformation. However, they are bred for their agility and packing abilities.
Height: Average of 13.0-14.0 hh, but vary.
Color: All colors and pinto patterns accepted. Appaloosa patterns are not allowed.
American Mustang
The American mustang is said to symbolize the freedom of the wild west of the Americas. The word mustang comes from the Spanish word 'mestena' which is roughly translated as a group of wild horses.The Mustang is a descendant of Spanish horses introduced in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors. These imported horses formed wild herds after the Spanish conquests and continued to reproduce with local animals. Their bloodlines carry Barb, Jennet and Andalusian influence.The American Mustang Association (AMA) was formed in 1962 in San Diego, CA to preserve and document the pedigrees of American Mustang horses. Horses are registered to meet morphological standards and measurements in the hopes of preserving the characteristics of the original Spanish bloodlines. The specific physical attributes of registered animals are distinct and the animals cannot be registered under another breed registry.
Conformation: Head is refined with a tapering muzzle, carried high and proud,neck is crested and high set, shoulder is long and sloping, back is short and hindquarters are muscular, deep girth, low set tail, legs straight and sound without coarseness, hooves are wide at the base and dense.
Height: Average of 13.2-15 hh.
Color: All colors and patterns allowed.
American Quarter Horse
Back in the late 1700’s the colonists came across a horse breed that combined the English horses with the Chickasaw breed, which was a descendant of the Arabia and Barb, brought into the southeast United States by the Spanish Conquistadors. What they had was a small, sturdy horse that was quick and nimble and showed signs of superior intelligence and a willingness to work. As flat land horse racing became popular, this fast animal, achieving speeds of up to 55 miles per hour over short distances soon dominated the quarter mile track and was aptly named the quarter miler, or quarter horse. As the quarter horse breed continued to gain popularity, its gentle nature led it to be used as a riding horse and due to its strength was soon performing other work on many of the early farms. The breed seemed to have a natural instinct for working around cattle as well. When the settlers began surging west in the 1800’s, the quarter horse breed was the horse of choice of the early cowboys, being used for cattle round-up due to their speed and agile maneuverability and quickly became the horses that cowboys counted on for their daily duties on cattle ranches. As with most activities undertaken by the early cowboys, the duties performed by them and their horses, quickly turned into competition, setting the stage for rodeo riding, and the quarter horse breed excelled at calf roping, team roping and barrel racing. Today, these horses are still in demand for these events
Conformation: Straight facial profile, alert ears, deep and strong chest, strong sturdy legs, and well muscled and able body.
Height: 14.0 hh - 17.0 hh, the average is around 16.0 hh. Those between the height of 4.0 hh - 13.3 hh can be registered in the pony section as American Quarter Pony.
Color: Chestnut, Black, Brown, Grey, Duns, and Cream dilutions, and Roans.
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa horse is known for its spotted patterning. Spotted horses have been part of history for thousands of years, with leopard-spotted horses dating back to the stone age in Europe. The spotted horses probably arrived in America with the Spaniards in the 16th Century and they eventually reached Northern America.
Developed by the Nez Perce Indian tribe, the Appaloosa are native American horses. Their most defining feature is their spotted coat, which can be in five precise patterns: blanket, snowflake, leopard, marble, and frost. White settlers originally referred to them as the "Palouse horse", the name of a river that runs through the states of Washington and Idaho. Eventually the name turned to Appaloosa.
After the defeat of the Nez Perce Indians by the U.S. Army in 1877, the number of Appalossa declined. Of the horses captured by the army and many were shot and a few sold, though during the indians retreat some of them escaped or were left behind. In the ensuing years, settlers used them for farming, but as a distinct breed they were virtually forgotton. After about 60 years, interest in the breed was again revived, and the Appaloosa Horse Club was founded in 1938. Today the Appaloosa is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. There are over 65,000 registered horses.
Conformation: Due to other breed influences, there is no direct conformation to an Appaloosa and there are various types of builds. A sound, sturdy build and a straight profile is highly desirable.
Height: 14.0 hh - 16.0 hh
Color: Chestnut, Bay, Black, Brown, Grey, Ceam dilutions, Duns, Roans, and Appaloosa patterns. Those without Appaloosa patterns can be registered as well.
Appendix Quarter Horse
Ever heard a horse owner say, "I have an appendix horse"? What they are saying to you is that this horse has Thoroughbred in its bloodlines. Usually quite a lot of the Thoroughbred blood. The use of the word "appendix" was first used in the Thoroughbred stud book around the time of the revolutionary war. The Thoroughbred breeders started a stud reference book. There were a number of cold blooded horses that showed up under the heading appendix in the stud book. This was just a mention of a stud which was bred to a Thoroughbred and not much more. The Thoroughbred breeders stopped letting any other type of horse into the stud book not long after they started the publication. Those were simple times and there were not many rules against outside breeds. Now, only a pure Thoroughbred can register into the Jockey Club or be in the stud book.
In the 1950's, the American Quarter Horse Association started its registry and horse member association. They actually had a person travel around and look at your horse to see if the horse qualified as a Quarter horse. If the horse met their registration qualifications, then it could be registered into the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
The first Quarter horses, long before the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), were 14.2 hands and under, usually weighing 1,300 to 1,400 lbs.. They could run a quarter of a mile in less than 22 seconds. They had powerful hips and strong muscles. These horses were referred to as the colonial horses. Many were used as wagon horses or farm plow horses and then raced on the week ends at gatherings. A horse by the name of Janus was a primary stallion use for breeding these horses. They line bred to him so much that the pedigree would look like Janus to Janus out of Janus.
These horses evolved and came out west. In Texas, they were used on the ranches working cattle. Their short build and strong hip and muscles made them very quick working a cow. There bloodlines were made up of cold blooded horses.
The King ranch in Texas started crossing Thoroughbreds into their registered Quarter horses on their ranch. This and the horse racing industry brought the Thoroughbred into the American Quarter Horse Association.
The first Thoroughbred bloodlines brought into the American Quarter Horse Association were not welcomed by all the board members. They decided to bring in Three Bars because he fit the conformation description of a Quarter horse. He was small for a Thoroughbred and met the requirements. His bloodline is used as a foundation bloodline to the Quarter horse.
The American Quarter Horse Association decided to do something to prevent the Thoroughbred bloodlines from diluting the Quarter horse bloodlines. They use the classification of a coded appendix horse. This means the horse is an offspring of a Thoroughbred and Quarter horse cross, once. The horse is issued an "X" number to their registry. If you ROM (registry of merit) which means the horse runs a 81 speed index or you campaign the horse in the show ring, then you can apply for full Quarter horse papers. Then you can breed this horse to a Thoroughbred or a coded appendix producing once again an appendix coded horse in the American Quarter Horse Association. It's a continuous circle. Many appendix coded quarter horses do not ROM. Thus, they are gelded and sold without papers. Many come off race tracks. These horses in the American Quarter Horse Association are like an orphan stepchild.
So, the word appendix has been around for a long time. The Quarter horse got its name from running the quarter of a mile very fast.
The Appendix horse or the Appendix Quarter horse gets its name from being an alternative classification to a well known breed.
Conformation: A conformation cross between a Quarter horse and a Thoroughbred will be accepted. Shorter backs, long legs, straight facial profiles, long necks, and high whither are strongly preferred.
Height: 14.0 hh - 17.0 hh, the average is around 16.0 hh.
Color: Chestnut, Black, Bay,Grey, Duns, Cream dilutions, Roans, Sabino, Frame Overo, Splash Overo, Rabicano, and Dominant White colors and patterns are accepted. Champagne dilutions, Appaloosa patterns, and Tobiano patterns are not allowed.
Australian Stock Horse
Possibly the world's most versatile horse and is often referred to as 'The breed for every need'. The Australian Stock Horse is a fine working and performance animal, renowned for its toughness, endurance, resilience and strength. It also has cat-like speed and agility, giving the horse a cosmopolitan blend of attributes which have produced the world's best at work and play.
The basic prerequisites of high performance sporting horses are a quiet temperament, intelligence and an athletic ability. The Australian Stock Horse has all of these qualities, and is now regarded as the benchmark for equestrian breeding excellence.
Conformation: The head should be proportionate in size, well set;hard and clean cut; should appear alert and intelligent with a broad forehead. The neck should be good length, withers should be slightly higher than the croup with a good rein. The chest is muscular, but not too wide, and back is short and horizontal.
Height: 14.0 hh - 16.0 hh is preferred.
Color:
Camargue
The Camargue horse is one of the oldest breeds in the world and closely related to the remains of prehistoric animals that have been found in southern France. Although the breed is prehistoric in lineage their origins are still a mystery. They may come from the ancient Soutré horse (now extinct). Over the years many people have passed through and settled in the Camargue. The horses these people brought with them have all had an influence on the breed over the centuries.
These animals are left to run wild and there are no strict breeding programs, reproduction & birth are done as nature intended. In 1976 the French government set standards for the breed and in 1978 a stud book was established. Today the breed is protected to retain their prehistoric bloodlines and some have been tamed and used for western showing and agricultural work.
Due to centuries natural selection, these animals have become sturdy and adaptable, able with withstand harsh conditions and inadequate nutrition.
Conformation: Head is large and square with a straight or slightly convex profile, eyes are large and expressive, ears are short and broad, neck is short, muscular and deep at the base, back is short and straight, chest is wide and deep, legs are hardy with clean joints and strong, wide hooves.
Height: 13.0 - 14.0 hh.
Color: Always grey. Foals may be born black, chestnut, bay, or seal brown, but adults must be sold pure white/grey. Permission to edit the coat must be given to the new owners of a foal that is not pure white. Editing the coat for any other reasons than to make the horse white is strictly prohibited.
Cerbat Mustang
These animals come from the mounts brought from Spain by Conquistador explorers, whether they escaped or were set free is unknown. The horses have been in the area for as long as any of the local people and due to their geographically isolated habitat very little outside blood was ever introduced.Although they had been there as long as anyone could remember in 1971 a drought in the area forced farmers to hunt these wild horses driving them to near extinction.
A local rancher soon regretted this decision and took steps to remedy the problem. He captured around 20 of the remaining animals, branded and registered them. The captured animals were split up and taken to several locations for release and breeding.
Intense selective breeding was established to save the remaining strains of the Cerbat blood. Genetic testing has proven the markers of Spanish blood (although heavily inbred with their small numbers).
Conformation: The muzzle is either straight or slightly convex, resembling an Andalusians, ears are small and slightly curved, eyes are wide set, chest is narrow, back is short, and horse looks well balanced and powerful.
Height: Average 14.2 hh - 15.0 hh
Color: Chestnut, Black, Bay, and Roans.
Curly Horse
The origin of this breed is shrouded in mystery, which has caused debate as to whether or not ‘Bashkir’ should be part of their official name. The existence of a horse with the curly gene is a mystery on North America. Their roots are obviously connected to the Bashkir horse, native to the steppes of the Ural mountains. However they were discovered in America early in the 19th century.
Conformation: Conformation varies, though generally looks like a sturdier stock-type horse with thicker bodies and a light draft build. Curly coats are a must. (obvious Warmblood conformations will not be register-able)
Height: Average between 13.3 hh - 16.0 hh, no taller than 17.0 hh is allowed.
Color: All colors and patterns are accepted.
Donkey
Donkeys were probably first domesticated by pastoral people in Nubia, and they supplanted the ox as the chief pack animal of that culture. The domestication of donkeys served to increase the mobility of pastoral cultures, having the advantage over ruminants of not needing time to chew their cud, and were vital in the development of long-distance trade across Egypt.
In the Dynasty IV era of Egypt, between 2675 and 2565 BC, wealthy members of society were known to own over 1,000 donkeys, employed in agriculture, as dairy and meat animals and as pack animals.
By the end of the fourth millennium BC, donkeys had spread to Southwest Asia, and the main breeding center had shifted to Mesopotamia by 1800 BC. The breeding of large, white riding asses made Damascus famous, while Syrian breeders developed at least three other breeds, including one preferred by women for its easy gait.
Conformation: The neck and back are straight, ears long and round, the head can be slightly large in comparison to the body with a shorter muzzle and large eyes. Variations may occur in comparison to the size differences.
Height: There are four sizes: Miniature - 9.0 hh or below. Standard - 9.1 hh - 12.0 hh. Large - 12.1 hh - 14.0 hh. Mammoth - 14.1 hh and above. (Mammoth sizes should never exceed 17.1 hh).
Color: Colors can be described here. If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.
Kiger Mustang
Kiger Mustangs…intelligent, beautiful, versatile athletes…are considered “living genetic treasures” that embody the very essence of what it means to be called a horse.
The Kiger Mustang is uniquely different from any other horse found in North America. Most wild mustangs are of mixed bloodlines and exhibit a wide variety of colors and body styles. However the wild Kiger Mustangs possess many characteristics of the original Spanish Mustang.
When the Spaniards set out to conquer the New World in the early 1600’s, they brought with them their horses. These carefully bred descendants of the early Iberian horse had carried many a warrior into battle and proved themselves as sturdy, sure-footed and intelligent mounts.
For thousands of years, the horses of the Iberian Peninsula have been considered the ideal "essence" of what a horse should be. Throughout European history the Iberian horse was praised as the finest horse of war by the Romans and Greeks and known for its uncanny agility, courage, presence, tractability and beauty.
When these conquering steeds of European history stepped foot on to the New World soil, it wasn’t long before they were duly noted by Native Americans as an essential must-have! The influence of the ridden horse spread rapidly throughout southwestern lands. American settlers and Indians alike rapidly mounted themselves on these sturdy war horses to wage war for the land they claimed as their own. It just might be that the conquering Spanish were defeated with the very animal they themselves brought to accomplish that job!
The American cowboy and rancher used the descendants of this original Spanish import to work the land, carry them miles across the vast west and round up and drive the cattle that they raised. Escaped horses became the basis for the wild mustang herds. The word mustang was derived from the word mesteno, which meant “unclaimed sheep" in the Spanish language and later came to mean "wild" or "unclaimed" horse. Mustang came about as an English language slang term for mesteno.
As humans are apt to do, ranchers began to think
of “improving” the horses that they rode and started cross breeding new bloodlines into the original Spanish line. The basis for today’s quarter horse came from crossing what was known as Little Steeldust mares (descended from the original Spanish horses) with back East stallions carrying English Godolphin Arabian blood.
The wild mustang herds became increasing diluted in their bloodlines and it was thought that by the early 1900’s, the original pure Spanish bloodline was pretty much extinct on the open range. Imagine the surprise and delight of Ron Harding, a BLM wild horse specialist, when in 1971 he discovered a small band of horses that were to become known as the Kiger Mustangs.
By Beatty’s Butte, near the rugged Kiger Gorge, Harding had found a herd of 27 homogeneous marked horses; all had similar color, conformation and distinct markings known as the dun factor. kiger mustangs, Kiger Gorge, Kiger mustang history
It was decided to separate these special horses and have genetic testing performed at the University of Kentucky to determine their heritage. The DNA testing showed a high level of Spanish markers linking these “Kigers” to the Spanish explorer’s horses of the 1600’s which also carried the primitive gene for the dun factor.
The Kiger Mustang is truly a versatile athlete that can be found in western pleasure arenas, dressage competitions and trail classes or simply out on the range bringing in the cows. From driving, performance and pleasure to endurance and cutting….the Kiger Mustang can do it all.
Conformation: The head is medium in size, not overly refined with a straight or slightly-concave profile. Wide lower jaw, ears medium in length, wide set apart and slightly hooked at the tip. Neck should be medium length, arched and deep at the point ot the shoulder. Deep chest, short back, and muscular.
Height: 13.2 hh - 16.0 hh.
Color: Variations of the Dun factor: Red dun, Grulla, Claybank, Bay and Black.
Mule
A Mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse, typically a male donkey and a female horse. Due to the odd number of chromosomes they are sterile and unable to reproduce. Their athletic ability is dependent upon the horse and intelligence and various personalities are dependent upon the donkey parent. The mule tends to have the donkey's ears and the horse's body structure, but with more lean muscles. They can make great companions, lesson animals, performers, and competitors.
Conformation: Any obvious cross between a horse and a donkey will be accepted. Large, donkey like ears are required.
Height: All colors accepted. Overos and Tobianos are not allowed to be homozygous, it may cause fetal fatality.
Color:
Mustang
A Mustang is a free roaming horse of North America. When the Spanish came over to America they brought domesticated horses. These horses eventually became the feral Mustangs known today. However, these isolated populations can be traced back to Iberian bloodlines, but are currently mixed with the different bloodlines of the horses that are being released to allow a greater genetic diversity and decrease the chances of inbreeding.
Conformation: Conformation can vary. A stockier build as expected, however depending on the horses released around them it could include a lither, more athletically robust conformation. Remember, these horses are normally kept wild.
Height: 13.0 hh - 16.0 hh is average.
Color: All colors and patterns are accepted.
Pintaloosa
A Pintaloosa is a cross between an American Paint Horse and an Appaloosa horse. These combinations commonly created the pinto and appaloosa pattern that this breed is known for. This is a newer breed, but is increasing in popularity as their beauty is discovered more every day. Much like the Appaloosa, they are very versitile
Conformation: Due to the wide variety of Appaloosa body types the Pintaloosa's conformation is not a simple black and white detail. However, a well balanced, refined look is desired.
Height: 14.0 hh - 16.0 hh.
Color: All colors accepted. Appaloosa and Pinto pattern combinations are highly desired and preferred.
Spanish Mustang
Environmental conditions must certainly have played a role in the development of these horses over the many generations in a feral state. The feral Spanish Mustangs developed according to their environment with Nature culling out those less suited to the locale. Though the Spanish Horse was not a feral animal when it arrived on American soil, once turned loose it managed not only to survive but to thrive in the New World, which attests to the versatility and strength of the breed. Genetic imperfections, if any, were culled by the most critical judge of all - Nature. The end result is an extremely hardy and sturdy horse exhibiting the aptitude to perform in almost any equine field and perform well. The staying power and endurance of these Spanish descendants is legendary.
Frank Hopkins, the renowned endurance rider in the latter part of the 1800s, a rider of Spanish Mustangs, is quoted as saying "You can't beat mustang intelligence in the entire equine race. These animals have had to shift for themselves for generations. They had to work out their own destiny or be destroyed. Those that survived were animals of superior intelligence."
Thousands of Spanish Mustangs were used as cow horses and hundreds as U.S. Army cavalry mounts. When fighting Indians, who were riding Spanish Mustangs themselves, the option to "fight fire with fire" was brilliant, as the American bred horses of the cavalry were no match for these Spanish descended war ponies in the inhospitable and barren mountains and plains of the West.
Conformation: A slight more stocky build is common. A straight profile, well muscled body, and a deep chest are great characteristics of the Spanish Mustang.
Height: 13.2 hh - 15 hh.
Color: All colors, dilutions, pintos (except tobiano) and appaloosa patterns.