Horse Breeds and Measurements

Breeds and Traits of Horses

• Breeds are formed through selective breeding of horses with desirable traits over several generations.
• A horse breed consists of a group with common ancestry and predictable traits in function, conformation, and color.
• "Breeding true" means offspring consistently inherit characteristics from their parents, except for color breeds which do not always breed true.

Horse Measurements and Classifications

• Height is measured in "hands," where one hand equals 4 inches, and the measurement is from the withers to the ground.
• Horse categories include Miniature, Pony, Cob, Light Horse, and Draft Horse, distinguished by size and weight.

Uses of Different Horse Types

• Light Horses are versatile, often used for riding, driving, racing, and utility work on farms.
• Draft Horses are suited for heavy work, classified by their specific uses such as wagon pulling or plowing.
• Ponies serve various roles including draft or saddle use, while Cobs are known for their sturdiness and placid nature.

Notable Breeds and Their Origins

• Foundation sires of the Thoroughbred include the Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk, and Godolphin Arabian.
• The Morgan horse breed was founded by Justin Morgan, contributing to the development of breeds like the Tennessee Walking Horse.
• The Palomino Horse Association of California was the first to establish color breed registration.

Rare and Critical Breeds Status

• The status of a breed can be classified as critical, threatened, or recovering based on annual registration numbers and global populations.
• Critical breeds include Shire and Suffolk, while threatened breeds encompass Akhal-Teke and Dartmoor.

Feral Horses and Their History

• Feral horses, once domesticated, include mustangs and are found across various states in the US.
• Managed by the US Bureau of Land Management, excess feral horses are available for adoption.

Donkeys and Mules

• American Donkey and Mule Society registers various donkey breeds, including Mammoth and Mini Mediterranean donkeys.
• Mules are hybrids of male donkeys and female horses, while hinnies are a cross between male horses and female donkeys.

hybrids Between Zebras and Other Equines

• Zebras can hybridize with horses (zorse), ponies (zony), and donkeys (zebroids), noted for distinct appearances and sounds.

General Uses of Horses

• Horses are utilized for diverse activities such as pleasure riding, farming, racing, therapy, and companionship.