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Home , American Saddlebred, Bay (horse), Black horse, Chestnut (horse color), Crossbreed, Draft horse

A HANDBOOK OF MARYLAND ~ by Jean du Pont McConnell

APPALOOSA ARABIAN A versatile "spotted" horse whose The Arab horse, historically, is the popularity is rapidly increasing. Reg­ most completely pure , having istered in the Horse Club, structural peculiarities that distinquish Moscow, Idaho. him from all other . Present-day .registered in the ORIGIN Club of America. Spain to America about 1730. ORIGIN Desert of Arabia before 570 A.D. This horse is the result of and training by Southern CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS plantation owners who desired a strong Height -14 to 15 hands. horse that looked like a "classic beau­ Weight-BOO to 1000 lbs. ty" and was comfortable to ride. Today Co/or-generally , brown, , it is shown under and with a and gray; piebalds and skewbalds and lightweight vehicle in . other color variations not found in pure­ Registered with the American Saddle bred Arabians, but in Arab crosses. Horse Association. Sleek coat with silky-textured hair; and natural and flowing. ORIGIN Head-delicate with slightly "dished" Basic bloodlines imported from Eng­ CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS profi Ie. Ears small; large dark eyes, set land during colonial times, developed Height -14 to 15.3 hands. wide apart; fine muzzle, with strong jaw by further crossbreeding in . Weight-950 to 1200 lbs. and cheekbones. CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Color- brown, bay, chestnut, cream, Neck-well set in shoulders, slender Height- average 16 hands. black. Mane and tail natural-may be and arched. Weight-approximately 1000 lbs. of mixed colors. *Skin mottled, espe­ Body-compact with well-sprung ribs. Co/or-Usually solid colors-black, cially at nostri Is. Coat patterns vary, Legs-strong, slender and small­ bay, brown, chestnut, with a few grays. generally a "white blanket" covers boned. White markings on nose and legs onfy loins and , with dark spots that Hoofs-small. are seen regularly. Mane and tail nat­ may be oval or round-%" in diameter. ural, full-flowing. Coat fine textured. Head- medium-size, clean-cut. *Eye Head-well formed, refined, carried encircled by white; ears medium; fore­ high. head wide. Neck-long and extravagantly arched, Neck-shorter than most; set into deep proud. chest. Body-strong, well muscled, round; Body-stocky with powerful hindquar­ short. ters. Legs-long and slender; long . Legs-medium length; forearms well Hoofs-very long with weighted shoes muscled. to produce action. *Hoofs-medium size, vertically ACTION striped black and white. *Note: All Appaloosa horses have white Smooth, floating use of gaits-su­ encircling the eye, parti-colored skin, premely high stepping; capable of ACTION and parti-colored hoofs. speed. Animated, supple, smooth, with no­ ACTION DISPOSITION ble bearing. Quick, su refooted, eager, has Brilliant, intelligent, has showman­ DISPOSITION stamina. ship. Adaptable to pleasure use. Spirited, intelligent, gentle. DISPOSITION PRIMARY USES PRIMARY USES Intelligent, gentle. Riding-Show-ring competition, plea­ Breeding- and ­ sure. PRIMARY USES ing. -Show-ring competition, plea­ Breeding Riding- pleasure, hunting; showing­ sure. Riding-pleasure, hunting; showing­ flat and jumping; racing; endurance Hunting-(occasionally.) flat and jumping; . trail rides; stock horse.

18 ,AND

BELGIAN MORGAN Heaviest of all horses bred to do This seNes as a useful all-around draft work, offering massive "horse horse. Registered with the Morgan power." A descendant of the Club, Inc. horse. ORIGIN ORIGIN Breed established in Belgium- imported to America in in 1789 of mixed bloodlines. Later 1886. called "." CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Height -14.1 to 15.1 hands. PINTO Weight-800 to 1000 lbs. Co/or-dark brown, bay, black; less A colorful horse, it is becoming in­ frequently chestnut; white markings creasingly popular. There are two cate­ rarely noted. Sleek coat; mane and tail gories: and . Registered natural. with the Association of Head-fine, carried high; small ears; America. large eyes, set wide apart; small muz­ ORIGIN zle, large nostri Is. Mexico in early 1500s, thence to Neck-short and crested . Body-compact; thick barrel with power in hindquarters. CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Legs-short, heavily muscled, with Height- up to 14 hands. hairy fetlocks. Weight-600 to 800 lbs. Hoofs-small and dark. Color-two patterns: Overo is a colored horse (, dun, , bay, brown, ACTION CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS black) with large white irregular-pat­ Height -15.12 to 17 hands. Quick, able, powerful short strides. terned markings. Tail and mane dark Weight -1900 to 2200 Ibs. DISPOSITION or mixed, and face either white or bald. Co/or-Sorrel, chestnut, and roan pre­ Intelligent, gentle, eager, has great Tobiano has a base color of white with ferred; bay, black, and gray sometimes stamina. patterns of another color on coat. Mane penalized in showing. White markings and tai I always the same color as neck on head common; flaxen mane and tail, and rump. Legs usually white, head usually with light hair at fetlock. Coat and face dark. Face may be marked medium and of good texture. with a snip, star, or similar decoration. Head-large, well-rounded jaws; ears Coat of medium texture for both. medium; eyes set well apart. Head-small, well-shaped ears; eyes Neck-medium length, well crested. set wide apart; small muzzle. Body-compact; short, close-coupled Neck-nicely arched. back; deep through the barrel; massive Body- broad chest, sloping shoulders, in haunches. short back, deep gfl'ith. Legs-short, chunky, powerful. Legs- strong, straight, with good Hoofs- round and short. muscles. ACTION ACTION Short "paddling" strides without Gait agile and quick. Stride long; spring in their step. Steady, powerful. has ability for speed. DISPOSITION DISPOSITION Intelligent, docile, willing-with ex­ PRIMARY USES Intelligent, game, gentle. tremely good temper. Breeding PRIMARY USES PRIMARY USES Riding-pleasure, hunting, jumping, Breeding Breeding western stock. Riding- pleasure, , stock horse, Driving-heavy work; competitive Driving- pleasure, show harness, farm hunting, showing, jumping. weight pulling. duties. Racing

19 Bred to race in harness within a cer­ tain "standard" of speed. Any horse that has not qualified under that "stand­ QUARTER HORSE Tallest of all horse breeds, ard" may not be raced in an officially appears as a mountain of strength. recognized meeting of the U.S. Trotting A small horse, recognized by ability Association. to turn-on-a-dime, "stop dead" sud­ ORIGIN denly, as well as sprint with speed, it is From the of east-central Eng­ ORIGIN becoming one of America's most pop­ land to in 1836, then to the America -1788. ular animals. Today the world's richest United States in the early 1840s. . race is for only a "quarter" of a mile. CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Registered with the American Quarter CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Horse Association. Height-16 up to approximately 20 Height- 15 to 16 hands. hands. Weight (Size)-smaller than Thorough­ ORIGIN Weight-1500 to 2000 lbs. bred-approximately 800 to 1.000 lbs. Spain-came to America with the Co/or-Generally bay, brown, and Color-bay, brown, chestnut, black, explorers in the early 1500s. black; however, gray, chestnut, and gray, roan, dun. Mane and tail natural; CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS roan are acceptable. White markings medium coat. on face usual; with white legs from Head-neck and body similar to Thor­ Height .L 14.3 to 15.1 hands. oughbred, yet of more substance and Weight -1100 to 1300 lbs. knee or hock to hoof. Characterized by "feathers" about the fetlocks (long ruggedness. Color-Any color without spots is ac­ Legs-not as long as Thoroughbred; ceptable. Coat medium texture; mane white hair beginning just above the ankle down to the hoof). Mane and tail well muscled, with good bone. usually roached; tail usually pulled and Feet-medium size. banged. natural-tail usually tied up during Head-relatively short; eyes set wide work. Coat of medium texture. apart; small ears and muzzle; well-de­ Head-large; ears, jaw, and cheek­ veloped jaw. bones respectively proportioned; eyes · Neck-of sufficient length, fairly thick. set wide apart. Body- broad chest; heavily muscled Neck-thick and crested. shoulders; back short, close coupled; Body-not compact; chest wide; back deep girth; heavy powerful hindquar­ longer than Belgian, giving massive, ters. rangy appearance; hindquarters capa­ . Legs-set wide apart; short, fu II fore­ ble of power . arms; flat, clean knees and hocks. Legs-long and powerful. Hoofs-tough-textured feet with wide­ Hoofs -large (huge). open heel. ACTION ACTION Powerful strides; more rhythm than Quick, surefooted, low gaits that can Belgian, due to rangy build. ACTION produce instant speed in any direction. DISPOSITION Natural tendency for trotting or pac­ DISPOSITION ing. These gaits must be highly con­ Intelligent, tractable. (If it were other trolled to produce speed. Very intelligent, quick to learn, cheer­ than kind, the giant Shire would be im­ ful, kind, diligent. possible to handle.) DISPOSITION PRIMARY USES Extremely kind and tractable. Breeding PRIMARY USES PRIMARY USES Racing Breeding Breeding for sales. Riding- pleasure, hunting, showing­ Driving-farm use; heavy contest pull­ . flat and jumping; stock horse. ing; coaching; team horses. Harness horses in horse shows.

20 PONIES

WELSH A useful and all-purpose to be enjoyed by adults as well as children. The only means of transportation for many in Wales. Registered with the Welsh Pony Society of America, Inc. THOROUGHBRED ORIGIN Registered in any book recog­ Wales, British Isles. nized by The Jockey Club. CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS ORIGIN SHETLAND Height-Section "A" ponies-up to Descended from Arabian stall ions 12.2 hands. Section "B" ponies-over brought to about 1700. These ponies have undergone a 12.2 to 14.2 hands. breeding transformation in the United Weight-450 to 600 lbs. States, so that today there are two Co/or-any color except and types: the English and the American. . Mane and tail natural, well Registered with the American Shetland set on tail. Coat of medium texture. Pony Club. Head-small, slightly dished profile; ORIGIN little ears ; eyes set wide apart. Shetland Islands, British Isles. Neck-slender and lengthy, crested in . CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Body-shoulders long, sloping; girth Height-26 to 46 inches (only Shet­ deep; back,well coupled, hindquarters lands are measured in inches rather lengthy and fine. than hands.) Legs- strong forearms; flat clean Weight-300 to 500 lbs. joints. Co/or-assorted colors (mouse gray, 1-ioofs-small, well shaped, dense. bay brown, dappled, cream, gray, etc.) CONFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS Mane and tai I long and natural. Coat Height- Small: over 14.2, under 15.2112 sleek in the summer, thick and furry in hands. Other: over 15.2112 hands. winter if not stabled. Weight- approximately 1 boo lbs. ENGLISH TYPE PONY is small, resem­ Lightweight-up to carrying 165 lbs. bling a miniature . Middleweight-up to carrying 1851bs. Head- reasonably coarse, tiny ears, Heavyweight-up to carrying 205 lbs. straight profi Ie. Color- bay, brown, chestnut, black, Neck, body, and legs-short, compact. occasionally gray and roan. White Hoofs-very small. markings on face and legs common. AMERICAN TYPE PONY is small, yet Mane and tail natural. slender and supple. Head-refined, but not as small as Head- refined; ears tiny; slightly Arabian's. dished profile. ACTION Neck and body-slender; sloping Neck, body, and legs-compact, deep shoulders. chest, well-balanced. Elastic and showy, strong , proud, Legs-long, straight, well mLJscled. Hoofs-tiny and hard. smooth gaits. Feet-small; may be black or white. ACTION DISPOSITION ACTION Short little strides, quick, surefooted, Intelligent, spirited, responsive, Gait light and quick; stride low and able to pull weight and jump. gentle. long. DISPOSITION PRIMARY USES DISPOSITION Spirited, intelligent, adapts to stylish Breeding Shy, high-strung, intelligent. show appearances with pride and ani­ Riding- pleasure, hunting, showing. mation; gentle pet for child. Driving-showing, coaching. PRIMARY USES Racing-trotting, . Breeding for sales. PRIMARY USES Racehorses-flat, steeplechase. Riding- (children) pleasure, showing. Photos: Press, Sam Riding-pleasure, hunting, polo, stock. Driving- pleasure, showing, racing. Savitt "Guide to Horses"

21 BREEDS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS GLOSSARY Horses may be classified as light golden, generally have black points ANGLO-ARAB. Breeding of an Arabian horses, ponies, or draft horses, accord­ and show either "" marks on the and a Thoroughbred horse. ing to size, build, and use. Light horses limbs or a "list," a dark line along the BONE. Term used in relation to meas­ stand about 14 to 17 hands high, weigh back. Roan horses, which may be of a urement taken around foreleg immedi­ 900 to 1400 pounds, and are used pri­ "strawberry" or "bay" or "blue" color, ately below knee. "Good bone" should marily for riding, driving, or racing, or show a mixture of chestnut, or bay and measure 8V2 inches or more. When the for utility purposes on the farm. They white, or black and white hairs through­ measurement falls short of require­ ( generally are more rangy and are cap­ out the coat. A piebald horse shows ments, the horse is said to be "I ight of I able of greater speed and more action large irregular patches of black and bone," indicating his limbs are not up than draft horses. Ponies stand under white. A skewbald horse shows large to carrying the weight his body should. 14.2 hands high and weigh 500 to 900 irregular patches of white and any pounds. Draft horses stand 14.2 hands other color except black. Horses that CROSSBRED. The breeding of a to approximately 20 hands high, weigh conform to no fixed color may correctly "grade" to a stallion of any unreg­ 1400 or more pounds, and are used be described as "odd colored." The istered breed other than Thoroughbred. primarily for drawing loads and other term bay-brown is also permissible in heavy work. a horse that appears to conform partly, FEATHERS. Luxuriant growth of hair on but not exactly, to bay or brown. lower legs. CONFORMATION. A matter of pleasing appearance, good structure, and sound GIRTH. A measure of the circumfer­ proportion for the type of horse and the MARKINGS. The Head: A star is a white ence of the chest below a point back of type of work it is expected to do. Prin­ mark on the forehead. A stripe is a nar­ the withers and in front of the back. cipal areas for determining good con­ row white mark down the face. A blaze formation include: size of head; length is a broad white mark down the face GRADE. A horse of unknown or unreg­ and shape of neck; proportionate that extends over the bones ofthe nose. istered bloodlines. length of back, forearms, and cannons; A white face includes forehead, eyes, shape and muscle of rump; slope of nose, and part of muzzle. A snip is a HALF-BRED. The breeding of a "grade" shoulder and ; substance of leg white mark between the nostrils that in mare to a Thoroughbred stall ion. or "bone"; and overall appearance. some cases extends into the nostrils. A wall eye shows white or blue-white co­ . Equals 4 inches; hence a horse COLOR. The deciding factor in assess­ loring in place of the normal coloration. 15.1 hands high measures 61". ing the color of a horse or pony, partic­ The Legs: A stocking is a white leg ex­ ularly where doubt exists, lies in refer­ tending as far as knee or hock. A sock . Breeding of an Arabian and a ence to color of the "points." These are involves the fetlock and part of the can­ . considered to be muzzle, tips of ears, non . A white fetlock, white pas­ mane, tail, and extremities of legs. tern, or white coronet involves the part PADDLING. Rolling action of forelegs White itself is not a color, merely the named only. The term ermine is used at walk or . indication of lack of color. A black where black spots occur on white. horse is black with black points. A Brands: These are generally placed PUREBRED. All animals in the blood­ brown horse is dark brown or nearly either on the flat of the shoulder, the line of the same registered stock. black with brown points. A bay horse saddle region, or the quarters. Some­ is brown with black points. A chestnut times on the neck. ROACHED (hogged). Refers to mane horse is ginger or reddish color with clipped close to neck. similar main and tail. "Light," "dark," and "" chestnuts are variations. A [Note: It is important to have a thorough TYPE. Hunters, hacks, polo ponies, seldom seen red chestnut is an old­ knowledge of horse colors, markings, cobs, and vanners are types of horses fashioned "sorrel." A grey horse has and terms for accurate descriptions. as distinct from breeds. both white and black hairs throughout When registering a horse or pony with the coat. An "iron grey" is one in which the association of its breed, or with the WEIGHT. Can be estimated. However, white hairs predominate. A "fleabitten American Horse Shows Association, a averages for breeds have been deter­ grey" is one in which the dark hairs oc­ complete and detailed description is mined through use of scales. cur in tufts. A horse is never correctly necessary in order to establish owner­ described as a "." Dun ship__of, and performance privileges for, WELSH-ARAB. Breeding of an Arabian horses vary from mouse color to your animal.] and a Welsh pony.

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