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Home , Back (horse), Grullo, Holsteiner, Irish Draught, Irish Sport Horse, Jumping (horse)

Equine MP3 Final Senior Year

Olivia Crespo American Quarter

Breed History

The AQH the first “native” to North America.

Their bloodlines originated with , Barb, and Turk breeds brought over from the east during settlement.

Select and were bred with these Eastern during the 1600’s. This breeding resulted in a compacted, strong, heavy built horse compatible for work in the field, as well as short distance racing and riding.

Breed Characteristics

The American Quarter Horse is a very compactly built horse, known most renowned for it’s broad, strong shoulders, barrel, and hindquarters. The head is typically stout and wide, as well as the width of their bodies. They can grow to be from 14.2 H to 16.2 H normally.

To be officially an “AQH” horse, according to AQHA, there are only 13 colors acceptable, with limited markings below the knees and on the face. The colors are; red , blue roan, , , gray, , , black, brown, dun, , , and red dun. American Quarter Horse

Breed Organizations

The American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA, was established 56 years ago in 1940. This organization formed to ensure the praised qualities of the AQH would not perish in years to come, and that the esteemed cattle roundup and trail blazing horses would continue to prosper in the United States. American Quarter Horse

Average Cost

Depending on where you’re buying from, and for what discipline/purpose, Quarter Horses can range in price.

The range, including any discipline or purpose, for the American Quarter Horse can be from $100 in an auction to $10 million for a performance horse. American Quarter Horse

Common Use

Quarter Horses are used for many different things:

● Cattle Herders ● Horses ● Western Pleasure ● Hunters () ● Pasture Pals ● Broodmares ● Stallions at American Quarter Horse

Ideal Conformation

When evaluating a Quarter Horse, the conformation is to be symmetrical, as well as showing off the distinct muscle of the breed.

The shoulder, back, and hip should all be equal in length. The neck is ideally the same length as the previous, while the top (crest) of neck should be twice as long. The face should be equal or shorter than the shoulder.

For the limbs, an invisible line should be able to run medially down the leg, both from a cranial and lateral view, with the leg equally split on either side of the “plumb line”. The hoof angle should mirror that of the pastern angle, and should be around a 45 degree angle. American Quarter Horse

Common Conformation Abnormalities

Conformation faults in horses are various, and not many are specific to breeds. However, because of certain attributes in certain breeds, some faults may be slightly more common than others.

For instance, a Quarter Horse may be more inclined to have a short back than other horses because of the desired build for their breed. AQH breeders desire the horses to be compact to show musculature more than other breeds, and this incentive to breeding can easily cause a horse to come out with a short back, causing major problems in motion, as well as in the horse’s health. American Quarter Horse

Common Conformational Abnormalities

A short back can to easily overreaching the hind feet to step on the front bulbs of the heal. This results in major issues, and can cause a serious injury to the feet and/or lower leg.

It also limits the gastrointestinal tract space and the lung field. Quarter Horses were originally bred to race a quarter mile, which means their lung field must be adequate to accommodate running. With a short back, the intestines and lungs are in limited space, making it hard to breath. American Quarter Horse

Common Health Issues

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic disease in Quarter Horses that was first seen in heavily muscled horses. It is a dominant disorder, where only need to inherit one gene to exhibit the disease. The disease affects the electrical impulses in muscles and causes problems with muscular contractions. If severely affects, horses will develop muscle cramping, paralysis, collapsing, or sudden death.

Breed History

The Paso was introduced to North America around 500 years ago along with horses from North Africa, such as Andalusians and Spanish Barbs. The were bred for their stamina, smooth gait, and beauty, and served as the foundations stock for remount stations for the Conquistadors.

The breed now flourishes in Puerto Rico and Columbia, as well as other Latin American countries (Cuba, Dominican Republic, etc.) Paso Fino

Breed Characteristics

The Paso is a medium breed, 13 - 15.3 H average. Because of their specific breeding, they have a gait (a way of moving that other horses can’t accomplish). There are three speeds of this gait: classic fino, paso largo, and paso corto. Paso Fino

Breed Organizations

There is an organization, the Paso Fino Horse Association, devoted to nothing but Pasos. They are organized to protect and maintain the integrity of the breed, and the natural characteristics and heritage of the Paso. This organization is international, including North and Latin America, and each horse must be DNA tested and verified by the association before it can be included as a member of their large family. Paso Fino

Average Cost

There is a very wide range of price, as with all horses, that depends on the intended use, what the use of it was before, and the bloodlines of the horse, as well as who is selling it. For Pasos, they can range from free to upwards of $100,000. For international shoe horses however, they can even potentially reach into the millions. Paso Fino

Common Use

Pasos are typically used as pleasure riding horses, and when seen in a show, they compete against other Pasos to show off their gaited strides and overall show presence to the judges. Paso Fino

Ideal Conformation

Conformation is everything for these horses. Their necks are desirably medium length, allowing for a high head carriage, while the shoulders have a very long, downward slope from the withers. Their heads are typically smaller with wider set eyes, and their backs are wanted to be shorter than their ventral abdomens. Their hindquarters are desired to be sloping as well, with round and defined semis. Their legs are liked to be straight and strong while their feet are typically small. (Bull Neck) Paso Fino

Common Conformation Abnormalities

Because of the way Pasos are built, they may have a higher tendency to become base wide, club footed, and bull necked, to name a few.

Base wide is where the base of their front legs is wider their the knees, causing the legs to slightly bow out from the humorous down.

Club footed is when the horse is born with their hoof too small. The toe is very short and it can be painful to walk because of the confinement on the coffin bone. This can also lead to many lameness issues.

Bull necked is where the horse’s neck is short and very thick, and they look as though they have no neck. It is extremely hard for a horse to present itself in the show ring with a bull neck, and it also puts stress on the neck muscles. Paso Fino

Common Health Issues

The Paso is not known to have any breed specific health issues. However, being as they are horses, they are still prone to species related health issues.

Breed History

Along with the Quarter Horse, the Thoroughbred “foundation sires” were Arabs, Turks, and Barbs. They bred with larger English mares in the 18th century to produced the renown breed.

The Thoroughbred moved across the seas to North America in 1730, where it grew over centuries to become the fastest, most prominent breed in America. Thoroughbred

Breed Characteristics

Because the Arabian had smaller, lighter bones, when they bred to larger, heavier English horses, the product was a horse that was both light on their feet, fast, and muscular. They also have two characteristics that make them unearthly good at racing.

1. Their necks move in sync with their front legs, propelling them forward faster. 2. Their hind legs have the capability to become completely vertical, allowing them to take an average 20 foot stride while galloping. Thoroughbred

Breed Organizations

There are two organizations, both associated with racing though the breed is capable of many other disciplines.

1. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders of America (TOBA) - Founded in 1961, TOBA is a national trade organization for and their owners. 2. The Jockey Club - Founded in 1894, The Jockey Club has pursued their mission of improving the breed and its racing. Horses can always be part of The Jockey Club, even if they no longer race, to gain special points in horse shows. Thoroughbred

Average Cost

As with the other breeds, Thoroughbreds have a range of price depending on many factors. For a general range, encompassing all disciplines and places of , the price is anywhere from free to 70 Million Dollars.

Fusaichi Pegasus is the most expensive horse to ever live. He is a Thoroughbred now used for breeding. He sold for 70 million dollars, and his stud fee was $150,000 at the end of 2000. It is now $7,500. Thoroughbred

Common Use

Thoroughbreds are most commonly used for racing, but can be used in many other sports, usually associated with english. One such sport that TB’s are very prevalent in because of their high speeds, agility, and stamina, is .

Lynn Symansky and OTTB Donner Thoroughbred

Ideal Conformation

Since TB’s are mainly used for racing, the conformation is ideal to be as follows:

● Long neck for breathing and propulsion ● Long, strong legs for reach ● Solid feet ● Shoulders and hindquarters angled, but not sloping ● Large nostrils

Race horses are typically raced while they are still growing, which can alter parts of their conformation, causing something to become worse or better than it originally was/is. Thoroughbred

Common Conformation Abnormalities

An experiment was performed in Europe from 1992-1999 where scientists evaluated TB yearlings for nine specific conformation faults. The three most common were toed out, toed in, and upright pasterns.

Toed out - Horse’s feet angle outward, causing there to be more stress on the medial aspect of the foot and leg.

Toed in - Horse’s feet angle inward, causing there to be more stress on the lateral aspect of the foot and leg.

Upright - The pastern angle, instead of sloping and allowing tendons and to give, they are tight and upright, creating concussion on the hoof and stress on the joints, eventually leading to ringbone. Thoroughbred

Common Health Issues

DOD, Developmental Orthopedic Disease, is a stress induced disease on bones and muscles when a horse is worked too young and hard while the body has no time to mature. This leads to brittle bones, easily torn muscles and ligaments, etc.

TB’s are also very susceptible to ulcers. Because they constantly work, they must have food in their stomachs to keep the acid from irritating the inside. Since TB’s burn calories so easily, they must be fed a very extensive diet, and if it is not kept up with, ulcers can become a serious .

Breed History

The Holsteiner is a German bred that was introduced to the world 750 years ago. It originated in a region of northern known as Schleswig Holstein. The Holsteiner has always been bred for competition and pleasure riding. In the 1950’s and 60’s, as the breed became more prevalent, select Thoroughbred stallions were brought to Holstein to breed with the , altering the breed from a heavy European built horse, to a slimmer, sportier version of the magnificent breed. Holsteiner

Breed Characteristics

Holsteiners have strong backs and very powerful hindquarters, helping them with expressive performance in and amazing agility for . Their neck’s are also arched, giving off an air of elegance other horses do not have. Along with award winning looks, the Holsteiner has a very hard work ethic, which undoubtedly comes from their Thoroughbred ancestors. Holsteiner

Breed Organization

1. American Holsteiner Horse Association: The goal of the organization is to produce a well-balanced, sturdy horse that possess the qualities and bloodlines of a German Holsteiner. 2. Holsteiner Verband: I would to tell you about them, but their entire website is in German… http://holsteiner-verband.de/front_content.php? idcat=2&lang=1 Holsteiner

Average Cost

Because of the selected breeding and specific purpose (, typically dressage, , or eventing), the Holsteiner is on the more expensive end of the . They will probably range from $3,000 - somewhere in the millions depending on how successful they become in a specific sport. Holsteiner

Common Use

The Holsteiner was originally bred for english riding, whether it be pleasure or competition. Today, they are used in most commonly Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing, but also Hunters and Equitation riding. Holsteiner

Ideal Conformation

To be considered an American Holsteiner Horse, according to the AHHA, they are judged on their topline (the muscle on the top of the neck), the front and hind legs (if the pasterns, hooves, and shoulders slope on the same ankle), as well as the depth of their body (the overall put togetherness and musculature). Holsteiner

Common Conformation Abnormalities

Because the Holsteiner is a breed from a heavy horse, and a very light horse, numeral conformational abnormalities can be observed. A fault that was not spoken of yet, and is common amongst horses, is Sickle Hocks.

Sickle Hocks: When the hocks of a horse are set under the hindquarters, putting extra stress on the plantar ligaments. This can be very detrimental for a horse, especially a Holsteiner that jumps. Holsteiner

Common Health Issues

Holsteiners are typically very healthy and do not have any sickness or health issues that may accompany them, like the Quarter Horse. However, a study was conducted 2006 on genetic disorders in breeds, and PSSM was very prevalent.

PSSM: Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy has shown to be a major cause in neuromuscular disorders in . It is a genetic disorder that renders horse tied-up with muscle damage, not allowing the horse to move.

Breed History

In the early 1900’s, the Irish began to experiment with their own type of sport horses. They took their Horse, a heavier set warmblood with a mild temperament, and bred them to Thoroughbred stallions, to create a world renowned breed in modern day Show Jumping. With the combined agility, stamina, and “hot headedness” of the Thoroughbred, and the muscular, strong bodied Irish Draught, the ISH is one of the most athletic, all around horses in the world. Irish Sport Horse

Breed Characteristics

The ISH is a larger breed, ranging from 15 - 17 H. The hefty build of the Irish Draught shows prominence in the musculature and bone structure of the horse, while the Thoroughbred ancestors carried over their speed, agility, and stamina for top performance in the ring. In addition, the temperament of the ISH is relatively calm and collected, much different from the hot and active Thoroughbred.

To be considered an ISH, they must be any color except and . and tail can be any color. Irish Sport Horse

Breed Organization

Horse Sport Ireland: Established in 2001, Horse Sport Ireland controls the following in Irelnad regarding the Irish Sport Horse and the Equestrian sport:

Interface with Government, Breeding Policy, Maintain ISH Studbook, Maintain ID Studbook, Issue Passports, Education Programmes, Online Database – CapallOir, NGB as recognised by FEI, ISC, OCI, Dept of Agriculture, Sport NI, High Performance Programmes, Select all International Teams, Approve all International Entries, Sponsorship Programme, Publicise the Rural Development Programme (RDP) Irish Sport Horse

Average Cost

As with the Holsteiner, the ISH is a performance breed and is not usually cheap. A speculative range would be anywhere from $3,500 - the millions as well, depending on the discipline, the person selling it, and the horse’s record in that specific sport. Irish Sport Horse

Common Use

ISH’s are used in many different fields of English riding, such as Dressage, Eventing, pleasure riding, and especially Show Jumping. These horses are at the top of the spectrum for these equestrian sports along with it’s cousin warmbloods. Irish Sport Horse

Ideal Conformation

In concordance with the Holsteiner, and other performance horses, the discipline affects the wanted conformation of a horse. But in general, ISH’s are wanted to have angular pasterns, shoulders, and hindquarters for maximum momentum, agility, and animation in their gaits, and a very well balanced neck. Unlike the Holsteiner that has a very large crest of the neck, the ISH has a more TB like neck, with less of a crest, to help with speed in jumping and Eventing. Irish Sport Horse

Common Conformation Abnormalities

The ISH typically has very good conformation. However, because of breeding with a Draught, they can be susceptible to a Roman Nose. The Roman Nose is not a fault, but it is uncommon among most horses and would be noteworthy to point out.

Roman Nose: This is when the horse’s nose has a convex profile (it slopes downward and seems to be smaller than a regular nostril). They are common among large breeds that were used to pull (Draught), and are genetic in some instances. It is thought that the Roman Nose warms the air as it is inhaled and may also influence aerobic capacity (which is very helpful in eventing). Irish Sport Horse

Common Health Issues

The ISH is a very healthy breed and has no breed specific health issues, as with the Holsteiner. They can be susceptible to PSSM because of being a warmblood, as well as a very, very slight relation to JEB, which is common in larger, cold blooded breeds (drafts).

Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa: JEB is a genetic disease that causes moderate to severe skin lesions on the epithelium of the mouth, skin, and hooves. It is also known as red hoof disease, and is most commonly seen in foals. The is born with the disease, and will progressively get worse as the disease takes over the skin and occupies space on pressure points. ~ The End ~