When people talk about riding horses, they imagine slender horses with a proud carriage of the head and a restive character. Many thoroughbred horses have been bred, differing in appearance, character, and behavior. Hence their different uses by humans. Calm and docile horses are designed for horseback riding. And to participate in sports races, animals are selected that have strength, energy, and the desire to win.
Swiss Warmblood
The history of the riding horse breed goes back to the 10th century, when Benedictine monks were breeding horses. For many centuries, selective selection of stallions was carried out, in the creation of the breed of which stallions from France, Ireland, Germany, and Sweden participated. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the creation of a universal warm-blooded horse capable of participating in eventing and dressage was completed.
Characteristics of the breed's exterior include:
- proportionally folded head;
- muscular neck;
- deep and wide chest;
- long, straight back;
- oblique shoulders;
- sloping croup
The Swiss Saddlebred Horse is of medium size. At the withers it reaches no more than 165 centimeters.
Chilean
Horses came to South America with the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors of the continent. Already in the 19th century, racehorses of Chilean selection became known in many countries around the world. The standards for a thoroughbred horse include the following:
- weighing up to 300 kilograms;
- with perfectly developed muscles;
- dense skeleton;
- resistant to diseases;
- recovers quickly from injuries.
The color of horses is often black or bay. The pure breed has no admixtures of foreign blood and is valued by agricultural producers for its ability to perform heavy work.
Kabardinskaya
Kabardian horse breeders bred riding horses by crossing local fillies with Arab, Karabakh and Persian stallions. The breed is interesting for its exterior. Along with strong bones, the horse has sufficient chest width and dry limbs. The color of the animals is dark.
By nature, Kabardian horses are lively and obedient. Horses are easy to train. They are used to overcome mountain passes.They can walk for a long time along rocky paths, covering distances of 100 kilometers, without rest, in a loaded state.
Highly popular Kabardian horse breed. The importance of the issues of preserving and restoring the number of purebred stallions is evidenced by the creation of the International Organization of Kabardian Horse Fanciers.
Karabakh
One of the valuable breeds of riding horses is divided into 2 types according to their appearance: dense individuals with strong legs and tall ones with a light body. The unifying characteristics of the Karabakh horse breed are:
- height – up to 150 meters;
- well-developed skull, tapering downward, with deep-set, protruding eyes;
- neck with a thin crest and developed muscles;
- wide chest;
- straight back;
- short, dry legs with small hooves.
The color of purebred Karabakhs includes the entire gamut of golden shades. Beautiful individuals have golden-lemon coat color or orange color with a dark mane and tail. There may be marks on the torso and stockings on the legs.
Nowadays, the number of purebred horses is being restored; They use horses in competitions and the tourism business.
Ukrainian riding
The breed was selected at stud farms after the end of World War II. S. Budyonny himself supervised the breeding of the riding horse. He supplied the factory with trophy animals exported from Western European countries.
Only in the 90s of the last century did horses appear that had the required exterior. Tall, tall, they were distinguished by a strong skeleton, bonyness, dryness, and harmony of physique. The Ukrainian riding horse combined the best qualities of sporting breeds. Along with liveliness and agility, horses are famous for their tenacity and balance.
Lipizzanian
A noble and beautiful horse, combining intelligence and temperament, was obtained by selecting the best specimens over 4 hundred years. The genes of the best representatives of Western European horses were used to create the breed. Nowadays, thousands of purebred horses continue to amaze with their success in sports competitions, taking prizes. They are also used in classical horse riding.
The animals inherited small, alert ears from Arabian trotters. The exterior of the breed is harmonized by muscular thighs with a powerful short neck, well-defined joints and tendons. The fluffy tail is raised up, and the long mane flutters, decorating light gray, piebald, bay horses. Easily adapt to harsh environmental conditions. Meek in nature, they look royally proud and majestic.
Trakehner
To breed a warm-blooded breed, Arabian and English horses were brought to Prussia. To create a horse with high athletic qualities, it was necessary to carefully select the best specimens of animals. In Russia, the Russian Traken was bred using horses exported from Prussia.
The height of thoroughbred horses is more than 160 centimeters. Together with the power of the body and the strength of the legs, the horses have a dry, broad-browed head. The predominant colors in animals are red, black and bay. Hardy stallions are bred to participate in eventing. Horses are distinguished by a rhythmic step, they are able to easily run at a gait.
Terskaya
After lengthy selection, Terek horse breeders registered a new breed, which was entered into the State Register in 1948. Among the specimens obtained as a result of crossing, those whose exterior conformed to the following indicators were adopted for the tribe:
- height – from 1.5 meters;
- muscular, slightly lean build.
The distinctive features of the Terek horse are strong legs, broad back and croup. The head is of medium shape and has a concave profile. Terek horses are recognized by their gray color, although there are specimens with bay and red coat colors.
Thoroughbred horses are bred in the Stavropol region for participation in equestrian sports competitions and tourism business. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by their peaceful disposition and endurance. Mares are fertile, which helps to quickly increase the number of livestock. Horses rarely get sick and live long.
Russian riding
The Russian riding breed, bred more than 20 years ago, is suitable for dressage. The crossbreed contains genes from Oryol, Arabian, and Akhal-Teke trotters.
The horses' physique is ideal for sporting competitions. The animals have shiny fur, black or bay. They are 165 centimeters high at the withers. The chest girth and body length are the same size - 180 centimeters. From the side, when the horse moves, the body resembles a square.
Thoroughbred horses with long and strong legs show high results in sports, participating in eventing, dressage, and show jumping. Riding horses can be seen at parades and openings of the Olympic Games. Animals are easy to train, obedient to control, and perform tasks energetically and accurately.
Marwari
Horses appeared in the Indian state of Marwar by crossing local ponies and Arabian horses. The breed is quite rare, with an amazing appearance, characterized by:
- large head shape with a straight profile;
- long neck, well-defined withers;
- straight shoulders;
- thin legs.
Horses of bay and red color are more common, and gray and pinto are less common. There are many superstitions associated with the Marwaris. Thus, a black horse is considered an animal that brings misfortune.And horses with white socks and markings on the body are valued as promising good luck. The structure of Marwari ears is interesting; they are shaped like hearts. They use unique horses universally: they harness them to carriages, carry loads on them, and ride on horseback for walks.
Kiger Mustang
A variety of wild mustang bred in America. It is impossible to choose a more suitable horse for riding and show jumping than a horse of the Kiger breed. Their intelligence is combined with endurance and enthusiasm.
The breed standard is a dun horse with a black mane. There are light stripes in the color of the fur of the legs and body. The body of a mustang is short, the neck and back are strong, with well-developed muscles. On the large head there are pointed ears. Large eyes add expressiveness to the horse's face.
Iberian
One of the oldest breeds, which Homer mentioned in his poems, is famous for its grace. In the Middle Ages, only these beautiful animals were kept in Portuguese and Spanish stables.
The characteristic features of the breed are: a large head, an elongated neck forming a right angle. The body is powerful, with a rounded croup.
The legs are muscular, with prominent bones. Animals have a well-developed sense of balance. They are valued for their excellent physical performance. The color of thoroughbred Iberians can be either gray or a rich bay tone. Iberian horses are used for the arena and military affairs, because they are smart, brave, and balanced.
Holstein
First mention of Holstein horses in the chronicles of the 13th century. Over time, the breed acquired significant changes in appearance; these horses became beautiful animals with long curved necks.The position of the horse's limbs is considered exemplary - widely spaced in the forearms, with a proportional and dense pastern, shortened hocks, and strong tendons.
Stately trotters are fantastically able to work, so they easily achieve high results in sports. Holsteins are often used in parades and ceremonial trips.
Donskaya
The breed is represented by horses with a stubborn, hot character. The Rostov region became the birthplace of Don horses, and the Nogai horse was their ancestor. For the beautiful shade horse suits called “the gold of the Don steppe”. For Cossacks, they are the most loyal, reliable animals. Horses constantly need physical activity and training. Thoroughbred horses have developed muscles and a wide skeleton. The hooves are usually strong due to constant movement across the steppe.
Representatives of the breed are short in stature. The average is 160-170 centimeters. Tall, light horses that are used for riding are especially valued. They can withstand loads for a long time due to their excellent physical properties.
Hanoverian
The improvement of the breed of local Lower Saxon mares by mating with English, Iberian and German stallions took a long time. But the result was worth the long effort. Purebred Hanoverians have the following characteristics:
- rectangular fold;
- the length of the body is greater than the height at the withers;
- long neck with high exit;
- strong back with short loin;
- colors are gray, bay, red, black.
With such an exterior, Hanoverian horses are capable of achieving prize-winning heights in sports competitions.
Budennovskaya
At first, the horse was created for the needs of the cavalry, since the initiator of its breeding was Army Commander S. Budyonny. Don mares and English stallions were crossed.The resulting purebred horses later became excellent athletes and participated in competitions in various disciplines.
You can’t take your eyes off the beautifully built horses of the Budennovsky breed. They have excellent physical characteristics:
- developed muscles, giving endurance and strength;
- powerful croup, high withers to hold the rider;
- properly positioned dry legs for fast running;
- The chest is wide and deep, capable of overcoming wind resistance.
Horses are bred of all colors: from shades of golden to terracotta, with the same mane and tail. Their ears are shaped like a lyre; stallions are very sensitive and pick up sounds well.
Akhal-Teke
Akhal-Teke horses are purebred horses bred in Turkmenistan in ancient times. Hardy and lean horses have a long, dry body, thin legs, and a flexible neck. Under the silky coat and thin skin there is not an ounce of excess fat. The slanted eyes of the horses are beautiful, the shape of the ears is ideal.
The colors of the Akhal-Teke breed are varied. There are horses with a chocolate brown body and a black mane, tail, or completely black, shining, or cognac red. Interesting animals are gray in color with black stockings on their legs and the same mane and tail, with pinkish-milky fur. Akhal-Teke argamaks are strongly attached to their owners. Active and easily excitable in nature, they are real children of the temperamental south.
Minorca horse
These synchronized dancing horses grew up on the island of Menorca, in the Mediterranean. Black horses reach 160 centimeters at the withers. They have long and dry limbs, bushy tails and manes, beautifully set heads with neat ears. Menorcan horses are used for performances in the circus and at festivals. Horses are easy to train, move gracefully, can stand on their hind legs for a long time.
Arabian purebred
One of the most expensive and sought-after horses in the world, the Arabian is famous for its high performance and graceful gait. It is not without reason that the purebred trotter was used to breed other breeds of riding horses.
Arabian argamaks come in different colors: from gray to silver-bay, karak. But the rarest horse is the black one.
The height at the withers of horses is 150 centimeters, weight is 500-600 kilograms. The speed of movement of trotters is high - 50-60 kilometers per hour. Belonging to a pure breed is indicated by:
- arched neck;
- thin bones, rounded, deflated croup;
- short, refined muzzle - the profile is concave and the forehead is wide;
- expressiveness of large eyes, miniature ears;
- slenderness of long legs with short hooves.
The horse's body is covered with silky hair. The tail is fluffy and rises up during a gallop. Arabian horses are ideal for sporting competitions.
English racing
Representatives of the English breed are classified as purebred trotters. It is considered a sport, because to win you need energy, endurance, and audacity. These qualities are present in the English racehorse.
The color of English horses can be bay, karak, or black. The proportionally folded head of the horse is in harmony with the broad chest, straight neck, and muscular long back. Thoroughbred trotters are demanding to care for, do not tolerate climatic changes in temperature, and are demanding on nutrition.
American Horse
This breed of horse can be found at exhibitions, in show programs, and in films. The animals are used for horse riding. They are called "show ring peacocks" for their beautiful gait.Riders choose thoroughbred horses for their ability to gait, walk, and rack. At the same time, riders are amazed by the smooth movement of the trotters. The animals have a dry, narrow head, a long, beautifully curved neck, high withers, and a short but strong back.
Orlovo-Rostopchinsky breed
The horse, bred at the end of the 18th century, underwent strict selection for the breed. Pedigrees were created for elite horses, where the qualities of purebred animals were prescribed. The beauty of the elite horses' forms helped them become the best among riding horses in Russia. The purity of the breed is determined by a light head with a long nape, high withers, muscular back, and straight croup. The placement of the limbs of trotters is correct. The legs are equipped with well-developed joints, broken off by tendons. The breed has all the data to perform well on the racetrack.
