Reference Breeds

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From the AQHA website;

The American Quarter Horse is one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses in the United States. Today, with more than 6 million horses registered, the American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest equine breed registry, making the American Quarter Horse the world’s most popular horse breed.

The requirement of speed and dependability has long been a tenet of the breed. At its April 22, 1940, meeting, the AQHA Executive Committee established:

“All Quarter Horses must be able to run a quarter of a mile in twenty-three seconds, or show that they are capable of Quarter Horse Performance under ranch conditions.”

Spanish Barb (from Chickasaws) 
+ English stock (draft-type)       
+ Thoroughbred (imported from England) 
+ Mustang (from west of the Mississippi)
= the American Quarter Horse

• More than 6 million horses have been registered by AQHA, making the American Quarter Horse the world’s most popular horse breed.
• The Quarter Horse name is derived from the breed’s ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less. Some horses have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h). 
• Quarter Horses are the preferred horses of American ranchers, with the world renown King Ranch and Four Sixes Ranch – among many others – raising impressive remudas.
• Quarter Horses dominate rodeo timed events. In team roping, barrel racing, tie-down roping and steer wrestling, the top horses you’ll see in professional rodeo and at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo are Quarter Horses. 
• Quarter Horses also dominate in reining, the only western sport to have ever been added to the FEI World Equestrian Games.
• It’s not just racing, ranching and western events in which Quarter Horses excel – Quarter Horses compete in a wide range of events, from jumping to dressage. 

Read on for more Quarter Horses and AQHA facts.

The ideal American Quarter Horse shown at halter is a horse that is generally considered to be solid in color and possesses the following characteristics: 

• The horse should possess eye appeal that is the result of a harmonious blending of an attractive head.
• Refined throat latch.
• Well-proportioned, trim neck.
• Long, sloping shoulder.
• Deep heart girth.
• Short back.
• Strong loin and coupling.
• Long hip and croup.
• Well-defined and muscular stifle, gaskin, forearm and chest. 
• All stallions 2 years old and over shall have two visible testicles. 
• These characteristics should be coupled with straight and structurally correct legs and feet that are free of blemishes. 
• The horse should be a balanced athlete that is muscled uniformly throughout.

The Quarter Horse is known as the world’s most versatile horse, because it excels in such a wide range of disciplines. In show competition, you’ll find Quarter Horses competing at AQHA and all-breed events in western, English and halter. Some classes include:

• Reining
• Cutting
• Western pleasure
• Trail
• Western riding
• Hunter under saddle
• Jumping
• Working hunter
• Pleasure driving
• Showmanship
• Halter

A Native Island Pony Breed, thousands of Newfoundland Ponies freely roamed the rugged island of Newfoundland. A mix of Mountain and Moorland ponies, this Relic Landrace breed, to this day, carries the unimproved genetics of its ancestral breeds that were brought to Newfoundland by settlers over 400 years ago and naturally interbred, creating a pony that could survive on little pasture, harsh weather, and rugged terrain. Those ancestral breeds have since had their genetics changed and are no longer the same animal as the pre-registry era originals, many with genetic disorders. 

The Newfoundland Pony has no genetic issues and has a sane, willing temperament. Super easy to train! Hard-working, they are a partner breed, born instantly connected to humans, no desensitization needed. They think before they react but rarely react to anything.  We like to think that this was the way horses used to be before breeding for specific traits and registries caused the throwing out of important genetics of which their mind and temperament is paramount but usually the first trait to disappear. 
In 1949, the island of Newfoundland was acquired by Canada. Previous to that Canada had no influence on the island. In the 1960's the breed was replaced by ATVS, Tractors, Snowmobiles and other mechanical equipment. Fencing laws were enacted and breeding was discourage. The ponies were considered "mutts" and a nuisance. Many ponies were sold by owners who thought they were going to new homes on the mainland but sadly most were sent to meat processing plants in Quebec, hauled of the island in tractor trailer loads. Knowing the trusting nature of the breed, most likely they got on the trucks willingly.  

Less than 600 survive today with about 250 that are able to breed. However, what matters most is how many foals are being born every year. Annually, worldwide, there are only 10 to 30 born. There are less than 60 in the USA. 

"What you have in the Newfoundland Pony is unique, not only to North America, but to the world. Neither Canada nor America have any indigenous historic pony breeds left that remain unaltered and deliberately unimproved by outside breeds; only Newfoundland does. Listed as "Critical" on the Equus Survival Trust's Equine Conservation List, every effort should be made to preserve this delightful pony in its traditional form and to ensure the conservation of its distinct genetic package." - Victoria Tollman, Executive Director, Equus Survival Trust.

Why are breeds like the Newfoundland pony important to preserve in all species?   As breed standards go, and fads cause breeders to select out certain traits, gene pools are greatly weakened. In the long run, entire species become in danger of extinction. The Newfoundland Pony is a walking genetic time capsule. The Newfoundland pony offers health, athletic ability in all disciplines, and a sane mind like no other.  FMI - look up "100 Years of Dog Breeds"for a shocking view of what weakened gene pools cause.

From the AMHA website;

The Ideal Morgan Horse

The beauty of the Morgan horse lifts the heart. The breed exists solely because they please people. It's their heritage.

The Morgan is easily recognized by his proud carriage, upright graceful neck, blended with soundness of limb, athleticism, and stamina. In addition, Morgan thriftiness and longevity have made this breed a good bargain for more than 200 years—easy to love and affordable to own.

The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic when ridden in English style. A tractable temperament allows the Morgan to excel when driving in single or multiple hitches.

Companionable and comfortable on a quiet pleasure ride anywhere open skies beckon, working as a sensible partner in a long day of ranch work or endurance riding, waiting alert and ready to enter a show ring, or performing in formal riding disciplines, the Morgan is a versatile horse within a versatile breed. The Morgan horse agreeably adapts to his owner's lifestyle. This first American breed can be found worldwide.

Reliable, loyal, tireless, and versatile, a Morgan becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, and shares the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.

The Origin of the Morgan Horse

Justin Morgan was a teacher, composer, businessman, and horseman who had moved to Randolph, Vermont, from Springfield, Massachusetts. He acquired a bay colt, born in 1789, giving him the name Figure. As was the practice of the day, Figure became known by his owner's name, the Justin Morgan horse. This colt was the founding sire of the Morgan breed.

While his true origins remain hidden in history, Figure is thought to have been sired by True Briton, a horse widely respected for his excellence and known as a sire of quality horses. Figure's dam, was "...of the Wild-air breed, of middling size, with a heavy chest, of a light bay color, with a bushy mane and tail - the hair on the legs rather long, and a smooth, handsome traveler." His ability to outwalk, outtrot, outrun, and outpull other horses were legendary. His stud services were offered throughout the Connecticut River Valley and various Vermont locations over his lifetime. However, his most valuable asset was the ability to pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not only to his offspring, but through several generations.

After Justin Morgan's death, Figure moved on to other owners and spent a life working on farms, hauling freight, and as a parade mount at militia trainings. He spent his life working and died in 1821 from an untreated kick received from another horse. His three most famous sons--Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury—carried on his legacy to future generations of Morgan horses.

From the GVHS website;

The Gypsy Vanner Horse is a beautiful breed envisioned by the Gypsies of Great Britain. This horse was selectively bred for over half a century from a vision to create the perfect horse to pull the Gypsy caravan. In 1996 the first Gypsy Vanner Horses came to North America and the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was established as a registry for the breed. At that time the breed did not have a name, and the name Gypsy Vanner Horse was chosen, because the breed was a Gypsy’s “vanner horse”, bred to pull the colorful caraVAN.

The Gypsy Vanner is often referred to as a “people-sized” draft horse. The genetic origins of the breed include the Shire, the Clydesdale, and the native British ponies such as the Dales. The Gypsy Vanner is not a color breed. It is a body type with heavy bone and broad body like a draft, but with the majority of the breed standing 14-15 hands at the withers. The Gypsy Vanner comes in any color, solid, tobiano and splash. The first characteristic often noticed is the abundance of feather flowing from behind the knees and hocks, as well as the long free flowing mane and tail. In addition to amazing looks the Gypsy Vanner posses a temperament that is friendly and engaging.

Originally bred to pull the Gypsy wagon, these horse are now being used in all disciplines. You will see them pulling carts and carriages, ridden in the dressage ring, as well as over fences and as western pleasure horses. The Gypsy Vanner is a wonderful family horse and is popular as a trail or therapy horse due to its unflappable nature.