Arabians

History:  Arabians are thought to be the oldest breed in the world; they were bred by the Bedouin tribes in the Middle East for thousands of years.  There is great controversy as to where the Arab originated.  It has, however, been around for about 5 000 years.  

Arabians have always been used to enhance other breeds.  The Byerly Turk, the Godolphin Arabian and the Darley Arabian were the foundation stallions for the Thoroughbred, the most famous racing breed in the world.

Characteristics:  Arabians have a dished face, a wide forehead, large eyes, a small muzzle, and an arched neck.  They have strong, short backs, powerful hindquarters and clean, sound legs.  The  croup is flat, and they have a high, proud tail carriage.    

Arabians are unique in that they have 17 ribs, as opposed to unlike other breeds, which usually have 18.  They also have one less lumbar vertebra and one less tail bone than other horses.  

Arabians range in height from 14.1 to 15.2 hands high (one hand equals four inches).  The most common colours are grey, chestnut, bay, and black.  Their skin is always black.

They are famous for their great stamina, intelligence, longevity, and gentle yet spirited natures.

Uses:  For centuries, Arabians have been used to improve and refine many different breeds of horses, most notably the Thoroughbred.  

They make wonderful riding horses and excel in numerous disciplines. 

Quarter Horses

History:  Quarter horses come from a combination of mustang, Arab, Spanish Barb and Morgan blood.  They were named the Quarter horse because they are blindingly fast at a quarter of a mile.  Ranchers bred them because they wanted an intelligent, fast, agile, versatile mount.  Quarter horses are also very laid-back and quiet.

The American Quarter Horse Association, or AQHA, was started in the early 1940's.  The breed continued to grow throughout the decades.  Now, over 2 million horses are registered with the AQHA.

Characteristics:  There are three distinct types of Quarter horses: the "bulldog" type, which tends to be the smallest and the most muscular; the Thoroughbred type, which is taller and leaner; and the in-between type, which has characteristics from both types.  All Quarter horses have a fine head with small, fox-like ears and a broad forehead.  Their backs are strong with good withers and a sloping croup.  The heart girth is deep and the legs are quite short and strong.  Quarter horses are famous for their exceptionally powerful hindquarters.   The average height of a foundation Quarter horse is between 14 and 15 hands; the average height of a Quarter horse with Thoroughbred blood is anywhere from 15 to 16 hands.

Quarter horses are very laid-back, reliable and willing.   They are intelligent and sensible.

Uses: Quarter horses are a very versatile breed, doing everything from team penning to jumping.  Quarter horses are known to have good cow instincts and so are often the breed of choice for competitive roping, cattle-penning and ranch work.  They make great reining horses as well because of their strong hindquarters.  They are quick and agile and have good stamina.  They also make exceptional barrel horses.  Because they are so laid-back, they make great trail horses.

Paints

History: The Paint is a recognized breed only in North America; in other parts of the world, it is only a colour or a type of horse.  As a colour, Paints have been around for thousands of years.  The actual breed is a little more recent.

When the AQHA was first started, they did not allow coloured or horses with excessive amounts of white to be registered.  These foals were usually born to all-Quarter horse parents with almost no white at all.  They became known by the AQHA as "crop-outs" and were sold without papers.  Soon, so many coloured horses had been born that their owners decided to start up their own association, to have someplace to put all the well-bred crop-outs.  The APHA, or the American Paint Horse Association, was born in 1962.  

Up until now, all crop-outs from the Quarter horse breed were sent to the APHA.  However, the rules have been changed to allow all crop-outs with Quarter horse parents into the AQHA, no matter how much white they have.

Characteristics: Paints are built much the same way as Quarter horses, as they are closely related.  Paints and Quarter horses share the powerful hindquarters and cow sense.  Paints also tend to be willing and easy-going.

Uses: Just like the Quarter horse, the Paint is a very versatile breed.  However, some judges in the show ring are still prejudiced against coloured horses, especially in the English disciplines.  This bias is declining slowly.

Shetlands

History: Shetlands come from Scotland.  Over the years, they became tougher and hardier, having to survive on rocky land with little grass to eat.  They became smaller and grew thicker manes, tails and coats.   In the early 1900's, Shetlands were used as pit ponies.  They went down into coal mines and hauled around heavy carts.  They usually lived underground, which was terribly unhealthy for them.  The ponies were just right for this job because of their immense strength and small sizes.

Characteristics:  Shetlands have very thick manes and tails, short, sturdy legs, hard hoofs, small, fox-like ears, very thick manes and tails and woolly coats.  Their short legs give them a very rough, bouncy trot that is difficult to sit.

They tend to very stubborn and hard-headed and are actually more suited to adults because of this.  Young children can be discouraged from riding when their pony is rude, has a bouncy trot and refuses to do as their owner says.

Uses:  Because of their small size, Shetlands are often the pony of choice for young children to ride.  However, most Shetlands are very difficult and like to do things their own way.  If a child can learn to master the Shetland, they can ride anything later on.

Adults can enjoy driving the Shetland in harness.  Most ponies love this and the Shetland is no exception.  

Standardbreds

History:  Standardbreds originated from the crossing of Morgans and  Thoroughbreds.  The name "Standardbred" comes from the breed needing to be able to trot a mile in a standard time of 2.3 minutes, or pace the mile in 2.25 minutes.  In a pace, a horse's legs will move in lateral pairs, as opposed to diagonal pairs, which is how most horses trot.   

Characteristics:  Standardbreds are known to have a well-proportioned head with a straight profile, a strong neck, a deep barrel, a high croup and short legs.  Their average height is between 14 and 16 hands high

Standardbreds are said to be brave, loyal, hardy and  easy-going.  They also have great stamina.

Uses:  Standardbreds are primarily used for racing, as they are the fastest trotting horses in the world.  Horses that have been retired from the track can be used for pleasure driving.  However, most horses that have been retired from racing are sold at auctions, usually to the meat buyers.  Many of these horses are perfectly sound and healthy and could live for many more years if they had a suitable home.   Standardbreds make excellent all-around horses.

Visit these sites for more information:

- http://www.digitalwave.ca/osas/new/about.htm if you live in Canada.

- http://www.adoptahorse.org/index.html  if you happen to live in the States. 

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