Thoroughbred Horse

English thoroughbred horse is probably the world's best known horse and is now found in almost every country. The breed was started in England during the latter half of the seventeenth and the first half of the eighteenth centuries when three Arab stallions were imported: the Biyearly Turk in 1689, the Barley Arabian in1704 and the Go dolphin Arabian in 1730. These stallions formed the basic breeding sires and all thoroughbred horses can trace their ancestry to one of the three. They are horses of great beauty and courage, particularly fast and with great stamina. One of their main attributes is the ability to pass on these great qualities, with a high degree of reliability, to their progeny. Thoroughbred horses may be any co lour, but roans and multi-colors are unlikely, and the height can be from 14.3 hands up to 16.2 hands or more.

Hunting, polo, dressage, horse trials, show jumping and showing are all areas in which the thoroughbred or its influence can be found. It is not entirely suitable for all types of riding, however, and its high courage and temperament are not ideal for modern high-level dressage, although thoroughbreds are sometimes found performing well at the highest level. Their legs are not always capable of withstanding the rough and tumble of cross country riding and jumping, and many thoroughbred horses, that are superb performers in every other way, have difficulty in staying sound. As a general rule the thoroughbred is not suitable mount for a beginner or a novice rider.

The thoroughbred horse is used extensively as a cross with almost every other breed to add the best of its qualities to theirs .Regrettably, many top quality horses have been exported, which has meant the loss of an irrecoverable aspect of the national heritage and has allowed the breeding of low grade, so-called `thoroughbreds' over which the nation has no control.

Cob: The cob is not a breed but a type. It is as popular as a riding horse that its characteristics are well known and cob classes are held at most major shows. It is big-bodied, short-legged with strong quarters and gaskins. The cannons should him very shorthand strong, the back short and the girth large. The cob is a placid, docile horse making an excellent choice of hunter for the nervous, or those who are not so agile. The height is unlikely to exceed 15.2 hands.

Arab: This very ancient breed has, over the years, had a major influence on many other breeds. It is a horse of great beauty, usually having a silky coat and a full, flowing mane and tail. The Arab has great courage and intelligence, and is particularly known for its stamina — equestrian history tells many stories of its great feats of endurance. In present-day competition it is flavor of those who take part in long distance riding contests. The breed was originally chestnut or hay, and chestnut is generally preferred; they are sometimes white or gray, and blackish rare. The accepted height limits are 14.2 to 15 hands, although the modern Arab horse is sometimes a little over 15 hands high.

Cleveland Bay: As the name implies, this is always a bay horse and it is claimed to be the (eldest of the British native breeds). It Lisa particular favorite in North Yorkshire and South Durham and in the Cleveland area from which it comes. The average height for this breed is 15.3 to 16 hands. It has a large body, short legs and Allaire head with long ears on a long thin neck. The shoulder and pastern tend to him upright. Whilst this description does not conjure up an elegant image, the Cleveland Bay is a powerful horse of a beautiful rich bay. Its conformation, strength bandoleer consistency makes it an excellent carriage horse, especially where matched teams are required.

Other breeds There are many other breeds and types of horse, including the exotics from eastern Europe, Asia and the Orient. More and more European breeds — the Holstein, Hanoverian, Taken, Dutch, Swedish, Irish Draught and other 'warm bloods' — are found in their pure form or as crosses bringing their individual qualities to the riding horses that are available at sale sand on the open market.