Horse Breeds and Classification Quiz

Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to discuss how horse breeds originated from foundation stallions.
• Students will be able to understand breed classifications and types.
• Students will be able to describe common horse height measurement.
• Students will be able to define the terms warmblood, coldblood, cob, and hack.
• Students will be able to name ten common light horse breeds and their origins.
• Students will be able to name five common draft horse breeds and their origins.
• Students will be able to name five breeds of ponies and their origins.
• Students will be able to list five common horse colors.
• Students will be able to identify five lesser-known horse/pony breeds and their origins.
• Students will be able to explain the origin of feral horses.
• Students will be able to describe the process of mule production.
• Students will be able to list ten uses for horses.
• Students will be able to describe the uses of miniature donkeys and horses.
• Students will be able to list six uses for mules.

Introduction

• Humans created horses through selection, inbreeding, and outcrossing for characteristics such as speed, strength, endurance, size, good nature, hardiness, beauty, and athletic ability.
• This chapter will cover horse breeds and the methods/terms used to classify them.

Breeds

• Overview

  • Horses with a common ancestry are considered a breed.
  • Breeds are true to produce common characteristics.
  • Characteristics often include function, conformation, and color.

• Overview

  • Recognized breeds have stud books and breeding records.
  • Foundation sires are used to maintain these records.
  • Records are managed through registries.
  • Color requirements and conformation standards are adhered to.

Classification and Types

• Overview
  • Horse types are determined by height and weight.
  • Height is measured from the top of the withers to the ground in "hands."
  • One hand equals four inches.
• Horse Classifications
  • Light, draft, or pony
  • Riding, racing, driving, jumping, or utility
  • Warmblood, coldblood, or pony

Classification and Types continued

• Overview
  • Cob - sturdy, placid, horses, not heavy or course enough for draft animals
  • Hack - enjoyable riding or driving animals

Classification and Types continued

• Overview
  • Uses
    • Riding
    • Racing
    • Driving
    • All-purpose
    • Miniature

Common Breeds of Horses

• Overview
  • Includes a table of names, origins, classifications, heights, and colors of well known horse breeds.

Ponies

• Overview
  • Types of Ponies by use
    • Welsh Pony and Cob (14.2 hands or less), sturdy, placid, not heavy or coarse enough for draft animals, good for riding or driving
    • Pony of The Americas (POA) (46-54 inches)
    • Miniature Horse (34 inches or under)
    • Shetland Pony (34-38 inches)
    • Hackney Pony, good harness horses

Miniature Horses

• Overview
  • Scaled-down versions of full-size horses; not dwarfs, nor a breed.
  • Miniature Horse Registry
  • Maximum height is 34 inches at the withers.
• Uses
  • Kept as pets
  • Exhibited as driving horses
  • Single pleasure and roadster classes
  • Multiple hitches
  • Ridden by small children

Gaited Breeds

• Overview
  • Additional gaits beyond the usual walk, trot, canter, and gallop
  • Ideal for extended riding periods
  • Can maintain gait without expending significant energy
• Examples
  • Standardbred
  • Saddlebred
  • Tennessee Walker
  • Missouri Fox Trotter
  • Paso Fino
  • Peruvian Paso
  • Icelandic

Rare Breeds

• Overview
  • Some breeds threatened
  • Agriculture changes have impacted traditional livestock breeds
  • Lost breed popularity, making them important resources for future biodiversity
• Classifications
  • Critical
  • Threatened
  • Watch
  • Recovering

Wild Horses

• Overview
  • Feral horses, once domesticated, have become wild; also called mustangs.
  • Habitats are typically public lands.
• Protection
  • Two federal laws (Public Laws 86-234 and 92-195)
  • Excessive animals made available to the public through the National Adopt-A-Horse and Burro Program.

Donkeys

• Overview
  • Registered Breeds
    • American Donkey and Mule Society
    • Mammoth jack
    • Large standard donkey
    • Standard donkey
    • American Spotted Ass
    • Miniature Mediterranean donkey
• Miniature Donkey
  • Miniature Donkey Registry of the United States
  • Governed by the American Donkey and Mule Society
  • Founded in 1958, with a height requirement of 36 inches or less.

Mules

• Overview
  • Cross between a donkey and a horse
  • Named according to parentage (Mule/Hinny)
• Classifications
  • Historical classifications: Draft and sugar mules, Farm and cotton mules, Pack and mining mules
  • Today's classifications: Draft, pack/work, saddle, driving, jumping, or miniature
• Zebra Hybrids
  • Zebroid, Zebrass, Ze-donk, Zony, Zeony

Summary

• Worldwide, roughly 300 horse breeds exist.
• Breeds with common ancestry are registered in breed registry associations.
• Mule type depends on the breed and type of donkey/horse used for the cross.

Test your knowledge on horse breeds and their origins with this comprehensive quiz. From understanding classification types to identifying various breeds and their uses, this quiz covers all aspects of horse breeding and care. Perfect for students learning about equine science.