Riding horse: descriptions and characteristics of the best breeds, breeding history

When they talk about riding horses, they represent slender horses with a proud fit of the head, a skittish character. Many thoroughbred horses have been bred, differing in appearance, character, and behavior. Hence the different uses of them by man. Calm and docile horses are designed for riding. And for participation 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 the Benedictine monks were engaged in breeding horses.For many centuries, selection selection of stallions was carried out, stallions from France, Ireland, Germany, Sweden participated in the creation of the tribe. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the creation of a universal warm-blooded horse capable of participating in triathlons and dressage ended.

Breed conformation features include:

• proportionately folded head;
• muscular neck;
• deep and wide chest;
• long straight back;
• oblique shoulders;
• beveled croup.

The size of the Swiss riding horse is average. At the withers, it reaches no more than 165 centimeters.

Chilean

Horses came to South America together with the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors of the continent. Already in the 19th century, race horses of Chilean breeding became known in many countries of the world. The standards of a thoroughbred horse include the fact that he:

• weighing up to 300 kilograms;
• with perfectly developed muscles;
• dense skeleton;
• disease resistant;
• recovers quickly from injuries.

The color of horses is often black, bay. The pure breed has no admixture of foreign blood, is valued by agricultural producers for its ability to perform hard work.

Kabardian

Kabardian horse breeders bred riding horses, crossing local fillies with Arab, Karabakh and Persian stallions. The breed is interesting for its exterior. Together with a strong skeleton, the horse has a sufficient width of the chest, dryness of the limbs. The animals are dark in color.

Kabardian horses are lively and obedient by nature. Horses are easy to train. They are used to overcome mountain passes. They can walk for a long time on rocky paths, overcoming distances of 100 kilometers, without rest, in a loaded state.

The popularity of the Kabardian breed of horses is high. The creation of the International Organization of Lovers of the Kabardian Horse speaks about the importance of the issues of preservation and restoration of the number of thoroughbred stallions.

Karabakh

One of the valuable breeds of riding horses is divided into 2 types according to the exterior: dense individuals with strong legs and tall, with a light body. The uniting indicators of the breed of Karabakh horses are:

• height - up to 150 meters;
• well-developed skull, tapering downwards, with deep-set bulging 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 whole gamut of golden hues. Beautiful individuals with a 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.

In our time, the stock of thoroughbred horses is being restored; use horses in competitions, tourism business.

Ukrainian riding

Breed selection was carried out at stud farms after the end of World War II. S. Budyonny himself supervised the breeding of the riding horse. He supplied the plant with trophy animals exported from Western Europe.

Only in the 90s of the last century, horses appeared that had the right exterior. Tall, tall, they were distinguished by a strong skeleton, bone, dryness, and harmony of physique. The best qualities of sports breeds were combined in the Ukrainian riding horse. Together with liveliness, agility, horses are famous for perseverance, poise.

Lippizzian

A noble and beautiful horse, combining intellect, temperament, was obtained by selecting the best specimens over 4 hundred years.The genes of the best representatives of Western European horses were used in the creation of the breed. Now thousands of purebred horses continue to amaze with their success in sports, taking prizes. They are also used in classic riding.

Animals have inherited small wary ears from Arabian trotters. Muscular hips with a powerful short neck, well-defined joints and tendons harmonize in the exterior of the breed. The fluffy tail is raised up, and the long mane flutters, decorating the light gray, piebald, bay horses. Easily adapt to harsh environmental conditions. Meek in nature, they look royally proud and majestic.

Trakehner

Arab and English horses were brought to Prussia to breed warm-blooded breeds. To create a horse with high athletic qualities, a careful selection of the best specimens of animals had to be carried out. In Russia, the Russian Traken was brought out using horses exported from Prussia.

The growth of thoroughbred horses is more than 160 centimeters. Together with the power of the body, the strength of the legs, the horses have a dry, broad-browed head. In animals, red, black, bay colors predominate. Hardy stallions are bred to participate in triathlon. Horses are notable for their rhythmic step, they are able to easily run in a gait.

Terskaya

After a long selection, Terek horse breeders registered a new breed, entered in the State Register in 1948. Among the specimens obtained as a result of crossing, they took into the tribe those whose exterior corresponded to the indicators:

• height - from 1.5 meters;
• muscular, slightly lean build.

Distinctive features of the Terek horse are strong legs, breadth of the back and croup. The head is medium in shape with a concave profile. Terek horses are recognized by their gray color, although there are specimens with bay and red coat colors.

Pigred horses are bred in the Stavropol Territory to participate in equestrian sports competitions and the tourism business. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by a peaceful disposition, endurance. Mares are prolific, which helps to quickly increase the number of livestock. Horses rarely get sick and live long.

Russian riding

For dressage, a breed of Russian riding, bred over 20 years ago, is suitable. The cross contains the genes of Oryol, Arabian, Akhal-Teke trotters.

The physique of horses is ideal for sports competitions. The coat of animals is shiny, black or bay. They are 165 centimeters high at the withers. The girth in the chest and the length of the torso are the same size - 180 centimeters. On the side, when the horse moves, the body looks like a square.

Purebred horses with long and strong legs show good results in sports, participating in triathlon, dressage, show jumping.Riding horses can be seen at parades, openings of the Olympic Games. Animals are easily trained, obedient in management, perform tasks energetically and accurately.

Marwari

Horse 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 straight profile;
• long neck, well-defined withers;
• straight shoulders;
• thin legs.

More often there are horses of bay and red color, less often - gray and piebald. There are many superstitions associated with Marwari. So, a black horse is referred to as an animal that brings misfortune. And horses with white socks and marks on the body are valued as promising good luck. The structure of the Marvari ears, shaped like hearts, is interesting.They use unique horses universally: harness them to carriages, carry goods on them, ride horses for walks.

Kiger Mustang

A variety of wild mustang bred in America. It is impossible to find a more suitable horse for riding, show jumping than a Kiger horse. Their intelligence is combined with endurance and enthusiasm.

The breed standard is a tan horse with a black mane. In the coat color of the legs and body there are light stripes. The body of the mustang is short, the neck and back are strong, with well-developed muscles. On a large head are sharp ears. Expressiveness of the muzzle of the horse is given by large eyes.

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 the Portuguese, Spanish stables.

Characteristic features of the breed are: large head, elongated neck, forming a right angle. The body is powerful, with a rounded croup.

The legs are muscular, with protruding bones. Animals have a well-developed sense of balance. They are valued for their excellent physical performance. The suit of thoroughbred Iberians can be either gray or rich bay tone. Iberian horses are used for arena, military affairs, because they are quick-witted, bold, balanced.

Holstein

Holstein horses are mentioned for the first time in chronicles of the 13th century. Over time, the breed has acquired significant changes in the exterior; these horses became beautiful animals with long, curved necks. The setting of the horse's limbs is considered exemplary - widely spaced in the forearms, with a proportional and dense pastern, shortened hocks, strong tendons.

Stately trotters are fantastically able-bodied, so they easily achieve high results in sports. Holsteiners are often used in parades, ceremonial trips.

Donskaya

The breed is represented by horses with a stubborn, hot temper. The Rostov region became the birthplace of the Don horses, and the Nogai horse became the progenitor. For the beautiful shade of the suit of the horses, they are called the "gold of the Don steppe." For the Cossacks, they are the most devoted, reliable animals. Horses need constant exercise and training. Thoroughbred horses have developed muscles, a wide skeleton. The hooves are usually strong due to constant movement across the steppe.

Representatives of the breed are small in stature. The average is 160-170 centimeters. Tall, light horses that are used for horseback riding are especially valued. They withstand loads for a long time due to their excellent physical qualities.

Hanoverian

Improving the breed of local Low Saxon mares by mating with English, Iberian and German stallions took a long time. But the result was worth the effort. Purebred Hanoverians have characteristics such as:

• rectangular addition;
• body length greater than height at withers;
• long neck with high output;
• strong back with a short loin;
• suit gray, bay, red, black.

With such an exterior, Hanoverian horses are able to reach prize-winning heights in sports.

Budennovskaya

At first, the horse was created for the needs of the cavalry, since the initiator of its removal was the commander S. Budyonny. Crossed Don mares and English stallions. The resulting thoroughbred horses later became excellent athletes, participated in competitions in various disciplines.

You can't take your eyes off the beautifully built horses of the Budennovskaya breed. They have excellent physical data:

• developed muscles, giving endurance and strength;
• powerful croup, high withers to hold the rider;
• properly set dry feet for fast running;
• wide deep chest, able to overcome wind resistance.

Horses are bred in all colors: from shades of gold to terracotta, with the same mane and tail. The shape of their ears is like a lyre; stallions are very sensitive, they pick up sounds well.

Akhal-Teke

Ahal-Tekes 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, thin skin, there is not a single gram of excess fat. The slanting eyes of the horses are beautiful, the shape of the ears is perfect.

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.Animals of gray color with black stockings on their legs and the same mane and tail, with pinkish-milk hair, are interesting. Akhal-Teke argamaks are strongly attached to their owners. Active and easily excitable by nature, they are real children of the temperamental south.

Menorcan 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 rather dry limbs, lush tails and manes, beautifully set heads with neat ears. They use Menorcan horses for performances in the circus, at the festival. Horses are easy to train, move gracefully, can stand on their hind legs for a long time.

Arab Thoroughbred

One of the most expensive and sought-after horses in the world, the Arabian is famous for its high performance and graceful gait. No wonder the thoroughbred trotter was used to breed other breeds of riding horses.

Arab argamaks come in different colors: from gray to silver-bay, karakov. But the rarest horse is the black one.

High at the withers of horses - 150 centimeters, weight - 500-600 kilograms. The speed of movement of trotters is high - 50-60 kilometers per hour. Pure breed is indicated by:

• stretched neck;
• thin bones, rounded deflated croup;
• short slender muzzle - concave profile and wide forehead;
• expressiveness of large eyes, diminutiveness of ears;
• slim long legs with short hooves.

The body of the horses is covered with silky hair. The tail is fluffy, during the gallop rises. Arabian horses are ideal for sports.

English racing

To purebred trotters include representatives of the English breed. It is considered sports, because to win you need energy, endurance, audacity. These qualities are present in the English racehorse.

The suit of English horses is bay, karakov, crow. The proportionally folded head of the horse is in harmony with the broad chest, straight neck, muscular long back. Thoroughbred trotters are whimsical in care, do not tolerate climatic temperature changes, are demanding on nutrition.

American Horse

This breed of horses can be found at exhibitions, in show programs, movies. Animals are used for horse riding. They are called "peacocks of the show ring" for their beautiful steps. Riders choose thoroughbred horses for their ability to gait, walk, wreck. At the same time, the riders are amazed by the smoothness of the movement of the trotters. Animals have a dry narrow head, a long, beautifully arched neck, high withers, a short but strong back.

Orlovo-Rostopchinskaya breed

The horse, bred at the end of the 18th century, underwent a strict selection for the tribe.For elite horses, pedigrees were created, where the qualities of purebred animals were prescribed. The beauty of the forms of elite horses helped them to 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, a muscular back, and a straight croup. The position of the limbs in trotters is correct. The legs are equipped with well-developed joints, broken tendons. The breed has all the data to perform well on the racetrack.

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