The Horse Breeds - Saddlebreds, Shetland, Shire

S alphabet list of horse breeds that you may come across:(Page 1 : 2)

Saddlebreds

Saddlebreds can be traced back to the Narraganset Pacer, who had been produced from Galloway and Hobbie horses. Those horses arrived on the American continent in the 1600s. Later, Narraganset Pacers were crossbred with Thoroughbreds, which gave Saddlebreds the start in life. These horses stand 15-17 hands high, and they do well in dressage, carriage, jumping and endurance competitions. They can walk in various manners, and they are people-oriented.

Shetland Ponies

These miniature horses originated in the Shetland Islands. Their predecessors were larger in size, and they were used as pull horses. Modern Shetland Ponies stand no more than 10 hands high, and they are bred as companion horses. Shetland Ponies are very convivial and people-oriented, and they are good with children. This little horse has a dense mane and a beautiful forelock, which adds a superior charm to its appearance.

Shire Horses

Shire Horses are one of the oldest breeds, and their history can be traced back to Roman times. It was a very valuable war horse in England, and during the reign of Henry VIII, acts were passed, which banned their importation even to neighboring Scotland. These horses are large, and stallions reach 17 hands in height. They are massive and well muscled, and legs feature substantial feather.

Spanish Mustang

These horses arrived in America from Spain, many of which escaped and became feral. The breed was on the brink of extinction in the first half of the 1900s, but Robert E. Brislawn founded the Spanish Mustang Registry in 1957. These horses average 14.2 hands high; they are well muscled. Colors are not limited. Spanish Mustangs are proud and independent, but they do respond to kind treatment with love and devotion.

Spotted Draft Horse

The details of the arrival of the Spotted Draft Horse are not clearly defined, and the breed itself is currently in the stage of development. This horse is related to the Belgian, the Percheron and so forth. Spotted Draft Horses are well muscled and large, reaching 17 hands in height. Standards lay a strict emphasis on colors, which must be Tobiano, Overo or Tovero.