Lipizzan:
The Lipizzan (or the Lipizzaner as it may sometimes be called) trace their history back to the early 1560′s when the finest Arab blood was introduced and fused with the local athletic Spanish horses during the Moorish occupation of Spain. Interest in the art of classical riding revived during the Renaissance period when the Spanish horse was considered the most suitable mount because of his exceptional sturdiness, beauty and intelligence.
Maximillian II brought the Spanish horses to Austria about 1562 and founded the court stud at Kladrub. His brother, Archduke Charles established a similar stud with Spanish stock in 1580 at Lipizza near the Adriatic Sea. From the Lipizza stud farm, came the name Lipizzan. Both studs flourished, the Kladrub stud became known for its heavy carriage horses while the Lipizza stud produced riding horses and light carriage horses. However, the two studs were linked closely and on occasion exchanged breeding stock. The Kladrub stud produced Maestoso and Favory, two of the foundation sires of today’s Lipizzan.
To strengthen the original Spanish-Arab strain, several stallions were purchased during the 18th and 19th centuries for use at Lipizza and Kladrub. During the 1700′s these horses, although of Spanish and Italian origin, included sires form Denmark and Holstein, but were of pure Spanish descent. By the 1800′s, there were no longer any original Spanish horses to be had and Arabs were chosen to replenish the Lipizzan line but of the seven Arabian stallions used, only Siglavy founded a separate dynasty. Of all the sires used during the 18th and 19th century, only six of these horses were accepted to found the family lines of the Lipizzan as known today:
- CONVERSANO, black, a Neapolitan (b. 1767). Conversano’shave Arab blood, strong ram-like heads short backs, broadhocks and dignified movements.
- FAVORY, dun, a Bohemian origin (b. 1779), transferredfrom Kladrub. The Arab influence is noticeable in theFavory’s by their lighter build but the soft curve of theirnose still calls to mind their Spanish ancestry.
- MAESTOSO, white (not grey), a crossbred of Neapolitan sire and a Spanish dam (b. 1819),transferred from Kladrub. Maestoso’s are powerful horses with a long back, extremelymuscular cruppers and heavy heads.
- NEAPOLITANO, bay (brown), from another Neapolitan sire (b. 1790). Neapolitans retain theiroriginal tall, more rangy appearance and they have graceful movements and high action.
- PLUTO, grey, Danish stud (b. 1765). Pluto’s, their ancestors from Spain and Denmark, aresturdy horses with a rectangular build, ram-like heads and a high set neck.
- SIGLAVY, grey, an Arabian (b. 1810). The Siglavy’s typify the Arab Lipizzaner with aristocraticheads, a slender neck, high withers and a relatively short back.
In addition to the stallions, there are 18 mare family lines. Every stallion has two names, the sire’s name and the dam’s name. This explains the name such as Pluto Theodorosta. Grey is the dominate color of the Lipizzan today. Since white horses were preferred by the royal family, the color was stressed in breeding. As late as two hundred years ago, there were a great number of blacks, browns, chestnuts, duns and even piebalds and skewbalds. Today non-white Lipizzans are a rarity and only now and then is a black or bay found.
The Lipizzan is noted for his sturdy body, brilliant action and proud carriage as well as his intelligent and docile disposition. Born dark, black-brown, brown or mouse-grey, Lipizzans turn white somewhere between the ages of 6 and 10. As mentioned above, only in rare cases does the horse stay the original dark color. Not a tall horse, averaging between 14.3 to 15.3 hands, the Lipizzan presents a very powerful picture. The first thing noticed in the head are the large, appealing eyes. The influence of Arabian blood is found in the head, the small alert ears and the nose. The body, set off by a short powerful neck, presents a picture of strength with well-rounded quarters, heavy shoulders and short, strong legs with well defined tendons and joints. The tail is carried high and, like the mane, is thick and long.
It is impossible not to mention the Spanish Riding School when discussing Lipizzan history. The Hapsburg monarchy decided to replace the old winter riding hall and school which dated back to 1572. The new riding hall and school was built in 1735 in the imperial palace in Vienna under the auspice of Charles VI as part of the major rebuilding of that city after the repulsion of the Turks. The purpose of the school was (and still is) to perpetuate the art of classical horsemanship. This included the training of the young riders and the horses according to the principals of dressage. The second purpose of the Spanish Riding School is the breeding of the Lipizzan horses. Only the best are kept to continue the line.
Lusitano:
Also Known As: Lusitanian, Betico-lusitano, National, Peninsular, Portuguese The Lusitano is found in Portugal. These horses are very similar in conformation to the Andalusian horses of Spain. The two breed are thought to have originated from a common source but selection in the Lusitano has resulted in a more convex profile reminiscent of the old Andalusian or Iberian horse whereas the Andalusian as developed a more Oriental head shape.
Since setting up their own Stud Book, the Portuguese have been able to make great strides in monitoring and improving the breeding program. Having been sought after over the centuries as a war horse, the same genetic abilities enable the Lusitano to be the perfect horse for mounted bullfighting in Portugal. In Portugal the bulls are not killed in the bullring so the horse must be very agile and still remain calm.
Lusitano horses are generally between 15.1 - 15.3 h.h but there are some that make over 16 h.h. Often gray or bay, they may be any true color, including dun and chestnut.
Their most recognizable characteristics include-
- a long noble head, most typically with a convex profile, narrowing to a finely curved nose
- large generous eyes, inclined to be almond shaped
- a powerful arched neck with a narrow hairline, deep at the base and set at a slightly wide angle to the shoulder, giving the impression of being fairly upright
- a high wither leading smoothly from the neck to the back
- a short-coupled body with powerful shoulders, a deep rib cage and broad powerful loins
- a gently sloping croup with the tail set rather low and an unobtrusive hip
- fine clean legs with excellent dense bone- the hind leg positioned well underneath the body axis, producing the hock action so suited to collection and impulsion
- agile elevated movement coupled with a smooth and comfortable ride
- an abundant, silky mane and tail.
The Origins of the Lusitano Horse
Archaeological evidence in the Iberian Peninsula, modern day Spain and Portugal, indicates that the origins of the Lusitano horse date back to at least 25,000 B.C. in the form of its primitive ancestor, the Sorraia breed. Cave paintings in the Iberian Peninsula dated from around 20,000 B.C. depict portraits of horses and activities related to a horse culture.
Furthermore, there have been findings of small tools made of bone which were used to make rope from the hair of horses. The Sorraia is believed to have developed from crosses between native Iberian Proto Draft Horses (Equus Caballus Caballus of Western Europe) and ancient strains of Oriental/North African horses.
Looking further back into the evolution of the horse, we find that the most ancient ancestor of the horse was a small, herbivorous mammal of the genus Eohippus from the Eocene Epoch, having four-toed front feet and three-toed hind feet, which existed fifty million years ago in an area that is now the western United States.
Eohippus eventually became modified into what we know as the horse. These horses then migrated from America through the land bridge connecting Alaska and Siberia and entered Asia where they established themselves and from where they disseminated to Europe and Africa. When the Spaniards arrived in the New World however, the horse had been extinct in the American continent for about 8000 years.
The Early Ancestors:
The Sorraia remained isolated for several millennia in the southern part of Iberia, the Alentejo and Andalusian regions of modern Portugal and Spain. Noted Portuguese historian Mr. Ruy d’Andrade suggested that by the Neolithic period (4000 B.C.) the native tribes of the area may have used horses in war. Around 3000 B.C., Iberian tribes from North Africa invaded the peninsula, which would be later named after them.
They were soon to be followed by the Phoenicians and Celts, who were largely responsible for a two way exchange of horses which brought an influx of oriental breeds from Libya, Egypt and Syria to the Iberian peninsula. By the time of the first expeditions of the Greeks, in 800 B.C., the Celts and Iberians had formed an alliance known as the Celtiberians. According to Lady Sylvia Loch, “It was the horses of the Celtiberian that were to become famous throughout the civilized world.
From this period onward, we find many references to the Iberian or Celtiberian horses and riders of the peninsula by Greek and Roman chroniclers. Homer refers to them in the Iliad around 1,100 B.C. and the celebrated Greek cavalry officer Xenophon had nothing but praise for the gifted Iberian horses and horsemen”. Xenophon, in one of his books written about 370 B.C., admiringly describes the equestrian war techniques of Iberian mercenaries who were influential in the victory of Sparta against Athens in the Peloponnesian wars.
This type of warfare consisted of individual horse charges with fast starts, stops and pirouettes followed by retreats and renewed attacks. A form of riding that was made possible by the use of incredibly agile horses, curb bits and stirrups. Further invasions by the Carthaginians and Romans recognized the superiority of the Iberian horses and horsemanship to the point that the Romans adopted the Iberian equestrian style of warfare. They set up stud farms for their cavalry in the conquered Iberian territories to accomplish the expansion of the Roman Empire.
In his book, Cavalo Lusitano o filho do vento, Mr. Arsénio Raposo Cordeiro writes that, “The perfect bond between Iberian man and horse may have provided the original inspiration behind the legend of the Centaurs, a hybrid manhorse creature deemed the spring from the valleys of the Tagus River. At the time it was also believed that the mares of this region were sired by the wind, which accounted for the amazing speed with which they endowed their progeny.”
The Berber Influence
In 711 A.D. the Muslims initiated the invasion of the Iberian peninsula, at the time being ruled by the Visigoths, and in varied degrees they occupied the peninsula until the end of the fifteenth century. A lot has been written about the influence of the Arabian horse on the Iberian stock during the years of occupation. The fact is that although politically this was an Arabian invasion, ethnically the invaders were Moors.
The leader of this initial invasion was a Moslem Berber named Tariq ibn Ziyad who led 12,000 Saracens (largely Berbers from Algeria and Morocco) across the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain. These people brought some of their native Berber horses with them on the expedition. Although it is not exactly clear how many of the invaders had brought horses with them, one can speculate that because of the difficulties in transportation the number of horses was limited and that most of the Cavalry men obtained their horses from the outstanding Iberian stock existing in the south of the Iberian peninsula.
Lady Sylvia Loch states “It is now almost conclusively established that the Barb (or Berber) horse also developed as a breed from primitive Sorraia stock which gradually migrated from Spain and Portugal into North Africa in prehistoric times. Contrary to popular opinion, therefore, the Iberian horse was the likely forefather to the Barb and not vice versaÉ It would be more accurate to say that at the time of the Moorish conquest, Barb blood was reintroduced to the Iberian Peninsula.”
Regardless of the exact influence of one breed over another, it is evident that the exchange of blood was mutually beneficial and that it produced many similarities between the two breeds, to the point that the modern Barb resembles Iberian stock as well as the criollo horses of South America. In the almost eight hundred years during which Spain and Portugal were in constant war with the Moors, horse and horsemanship had become finely attuned to the war exercises.
This superb war horse was the one that the Conquistadors introduced and dispersed throughout the Americas, together with the a la gineta style of riding, which influenced the horse cultures of the Gauchos, Charros and Llaneros. By the XVII century the Iberian ward horse, or Jennet as it was beginning to be called, had become important not only in the battlefield but also in the great riding academies founded in France, Germany, Italy and Austria. In Portugal, almost 100 years before the famous Italian author Francesco Grisone, the King Dom Duarte I wrote his classic book, Livro da Ensynanca de Bem Cavalgar toda a Sela in 1435.
The Portuguese traditional interest in horsemanship seems to have always preceded their neighbors in its progressive sophistication, creating an equestrian tradition that has lasted intact to this day. When not at war, bullfighting on horseback and High School public displays were the main entertainment for the dedicated Portuguese land gentry.
The Lusitano - Classical Iberian War Horse
Today, the annual Fair of Golegã still combines, in the most spectacular way, the aspects of traditional gineta riding, classical European High School and breeding of the most exemplary Baroque horse, the Lusitano. In modern Portugal, the performance of the horse in the bullring is perhaps one of the most important factor in the breeding and selection process of the Lusitano horse.
This factor has sustained the preservation of the characteristics of the classical Iberian war horse, so esteemed in the world across the ages. In a description by Sylvia Loch, she states: “To look at, they are noble rather than pretty with aristocracy written all over their fine, slightly hawked long faces. They develop a powerful neck and shoulder which makes them look extremely majestic in front.
The quarters are not large, but the loins are wide and strong and the hocks long and wiry, giving them the power to bounce forcefully forwards with masterful impulsion. Deep flexion is obtained from the developed second thigh and the longer than usual cannons and pasterns. The same characteristics that are essential for the bullfights, also make the Lusitano extremely efficient for other sport activities, or as a working and pleasure riding horse.”
Mangalarga Marchador:
Brasil, one of the world’s largest countries, with centuries of close political and cultural ties to Portugal and the Iberian peninsula, today boasts the largest population of horses descending directly from Iberian stock. More than 50% of all registered horses in this part of South America still reflect the influence and characteristics of the famous horses of the Conquistadors, the Jennet. Here, the Mangalarga, Crioulo and Campolina breeds account for 350,000 horses, twice as many as Quarter Horses. The most popular of them is the Mangalarga Marchador, the National Horse of Brasil.
Origins:
Not unlike the horses of Andalucia or the coastal plains of Peru, the Mangalarga is the product of a rich agricultural area and its haciendas. There the farmers and ranchers have always valued an enduring horse with a smooth and comfortable ride and superb temperament. After all, they spent a large part of their work day on horseback. In 1807, when the armies of Napoleon threatened Portugal, the royal family withdrew to Brasil.
They remained past the French occupation and, in 1815, made Brasil a separate kingdom. D. João VI succeeded to both thrones, ruling the home country of Portugal through a council of regency. When D. João left Portugal, he brought with him some of the finest horses of the breeding farm Coudelaria Alter do Chão. It is said that in 1812, Prince Pedro I, who later was named Emperor of Brasil, presented one of his fine stallions as a gift to his friend Gabriel Francisco Junqueira, Baron of Alfenas and the owner of the established breeding farm Hacienda Campo Alegre. Gabriel’s father had established Campo Alegre and horse breeding seventy years earlier in the state of Minas Gerais.
With its capitol city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais was one of Brazil’s richest areas, famous for iron, gold and diamond mining, cattle ranching and extensive agricultural production. With the arrival of the stallion Sublime, the foundation of the modern Mangalarga horse was laid. Sublime was bred to the native mares of Spanish Jennet and Barb blood, many of which were fast and smooth amblers. The first offspring produced from this cross were called Sublime horses. The name Mangalarga comes from the Hacienda Mangalarga which acquired stock from Campo Alegre and awakened interest in the horse among local ranchers. They soon began to go to the south of Minas Gerais to buy their own horses from Campo Alegre.
The horses’ smooth, cadenced and rhythmic gait, the marcha, contributed the second part to the name, Mangalarga Marchador. From these early beginnings, the Mangalarga Marchador has been selectively bred for over 180 years and it is said that no other breed has been crossed in. The first breeders organization, the Associação dos Criadores do Cavalo Marchador de Raça Mangalarga was established in Belo Horizonte in 1949 with the major goals to set breed standards and to promote and distinguish the Mangalarga Marchador as a unique breed, principally with regard to its gait.
The group is now called the Associação Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Mangalarga Marchador (ABCCMM) and boasts 7,000 members and close to 190,000 registered horses. When introduced to the neighboring state of São Paulo, some blood of Arabian, Thoroughbred and American Saddlebred origin found itÕs way into the breeding programs, leading to a separate registry of Mangalarga Paulista horses in 1934.
The traditional breeding of Mangalarga Marchador horses though, has concentrated on the original pure foundation lines from Hacienda Campo Alegre. Genetic studies of these lines show many species with very little or no outside influences. These lines proved to produce horses that were sure footed, graceful, comfortable and of excellent temperament.
Breed Characteristics:
The Mangalarga Marchador is of good size with an average height of over 15 hands and weighing 900 to 1100 pounds. Horses smaller than 14.2 hands are not being accepted for registration. Most colors are represented in the breed with grays, bays and chestnuts being the most popular. The horses are well known for their keen intelligence, docile nature, undying stamina and regal bearing, but most of all, for their incredibly smooth and fluid ride even at high speeds.
The head is triangular in shape with a straight profile and rounded over the nose region, typical of the Barb horse. The coat is fine and silky and the mane and tail are full. The neck is of medium length, sufficient for the horse to be well balanced for riding and reining. It is well arched and muscular, inserted in the top third of the chest to allow for a proud, high carriage. The thorax is deep and allows for great lung capacity, one of the reasons for the legendary stamina of the breed.
The back is of medium length with short and well muscled loins. The gaskin and forearm tend to be long, well muscled and articulated and the cannons are short. The pasterns and hooves are at the slightly lower angle typical of Spanish horses. This allows him to overreach well and without excessive stress to his suspensories.
The Gaits:
The Mangalarga Marchador has two special gaits or marchas, the marcha picada and the marcha batida. Which gait is superior is always subject to debate and it seems to boil down to the personal preference of the individual breeder. In Portuguese, picada stands for a light touch and of the two marchas, the marcha picada is a bit smoother. It is a broken pace and therefore creates little vertical movement.
This gait is characterized by the movement of the animal’s legs in a lateral sequence, with periods of triple hooves support. The principal advantage of this lateral four beat gait is its greater smoothness resulting from the periods of triple hooves support and from the overreach. The gait can be sustained for long periods of time, allowing the rider hours of enjoyable riding with little discomfort. The timing of foot falls is similar to the paso llano of the Peruvian Paso Horse. Batida means to hit and describes the gait considered to be a broken trot.
It is characterized by the movements of the legs in a diagonal pattern, also with moments of triple support and a four beat sequence. This gait, unlike a trot, shows very little suspension (all the legs in the air) as the horses are always in contact with the ground. This creates stability and smoothness. The longer and more frequent the moments of triple hooves support are, the more comfortable the gait will be. On flat ground, performing the batida at a normal speed, the hind foot overreaches the track of the forefoot on the same side, adding to the smoothness of the ride. In this gait the timing of the footfalls is similar to the trocha gait seen in Colombian Horses.
Performance and Versatility:
Not unlike the Swiss army knife, the Mangalarga Marchador is very versatile and can fulfill many functions and perform a variety of tasks. They include the management of large agricultural farms and cattle ranches and a number of non specialized sports, such as cutting, endurance riding, trail and pleasure riding, jumping and polo. In 1994, two 60-year-old Brazilian men completed a 8,694 miles trail ride to prove the stamina of the Mangalarga Marchador.
For one and a half years they rode all day and rested at night, all with the same horses. This was a defiance for the breed and the feat was recorded in The Guiness Book of World Records. In its effort to preserve and perfect the essential characteristics of the breed, the ABCCMM holds annual tests and competitions where conformation and type, gait and functional performance are being judged. The national points ranking system highlights the winning horses and breeders and many competitions attract exhibitors with cash purses.
Gait classes are rigorous and normally last about an hour, during which the horse is judged for executing its gait with carriage, brio and elegance with consistent timing over a wide range of speed. Functional performance testing includes reining competitions, cross country events and endurance tests over distances from 32 to 62 miles. Top honors for breeding animals are awarded to horses with the high point score from a combination of all the above tests.
Shows and competitions for Mangalarga horses are very popular all across Brasil. In 1995, the city of Belo Horizonte alone saw 27 shows and competitions with over 1500 exhibitors and close to 4400 horses. The tack used for the Mangalarga is simple. The saddle commonly used is similar to an Australian stock saddle. The headset is clean cut and a snaffle bit is usually employed. The attire used in showing the Mangalarga in Brazil varies from region to region but it is always colorful and unique.
Expanding the Frontiers Outside Brazil, the Mangalarga Marchador has been received enthusiastically by Spanish horse aficionados and admirers of smooth four beat gaited horses alike. With its gentle temperament, stamina, comfortable ride, versatility and willingness to perform, this breed adds yet another color to the incredible mosaic of horses with Spanish ancestry around the world.
Germany was the first foreign country to be conquered by the Mangalarga Marchador breed by the end of the 1980′s. Today, there is already a well established German Mangalarga Marchador breeders association and the horses compete in many shows around the country. The breed can now be found in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Holland and many South American countries. Mangalargas finally arrived in the United States in 1991.
The Brazilians, Gabriel Andrade and Lucas Guerra have pioneered the introduction of the Mangalarga Marchador to the United States and brought some horses to Miami, Florida. With its legendary stamina, excellent cow sense, great versatility and supported by the growing popularity of smooth riding gaited breeds, the Mangalarga Marchador is sure to be a great success here as well. As the Brazilian breeders association’s motto says, it is truly a breed without frontiers.
Maremmano - Italy:
The Buttero guides its horse with a single hand, holding in the other “l’uncino”, a typical shaped stick that helps him to do his job. The horse used by the buttero belongs to the maremmana race: it is a robust horse, high to the withers over 165cm, its typical color is dark brown to black. They are extremely reliable in situations of every kind.
The typical working way to mount a horse in Italy is the Maremmana Mount.
The two types of saddles used in the Maremmana Mount belong also to the tradition: the “scafardo”, of military derivation is build on a wooden saddlebow, and the more simple “bardella”.
Marwari:
An elegant medium height, strong horse with track record of bravery and loyalty in the battle fields of medieval period. Now famous for traveling long distances, have strong feet and hoof, has his home in the area called “Malani” which is part of Barmer district of Marwari, in the villages namely Nagar, Gudha, Jasol, Sindhari, Bakhasar and some areas of Sanchor Tehsil. These areas are said to be the nucleus of the breed Marwari Horse.
The nearby Pali and Jalore districts have some famous breeders of Marwari breed. The others who are fond of Marwari Horse have taken it to the districts of Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer and even to Gujarat and Kathiawar and to other states. The horse stock, of the breed is maintained for breeding, travel, marriage ceremonies and personal interest. A good number of Marwari Horse can be seen in fairs of Pushkar, Tilwara and Naguar.
The bardic literature of Rajasthan speaks very high of Marwari Horses, of their heroic exploits, leaping up to Haudus of Elephant crossing over the high barrier walls of cities and forts. Few of the famous horses are “Chetak” of Maharana of Pabuji, and Veer Durga Dasji’s horse “Arbud.”
The world famous polo player Maharaj Prem Singh of Jodhpur has mentioned about few good polo ponies, Pig stickers, and long distance tonga ponies racing in his article “Great men and their great horses.” According to the writer the Marwari horses has participated in Pig sticking, played Polo against thorough breeds.
It is difficult to exactly trace the origin of true Marwari horse with precision but undoubtedly it has connections with “Arab” and may have mixed with Turkmenian breed the horses of Alexander’s army which were of this breed. However by selective breeding for the need of the warriors of the middle ages was evolved a breed which can survive well in difficult arid terrain. Their growing demand was in battle field of a indigenous breed for that the Marwari breed was evolved. A breed which could withstand intense heat and cold, could cover long distances with speed, and has hard strong hoof and feet.
Characteristics of Marwari Horses:
Head: The head is refined, relatively long and wide between eyes, with a medium muzzle and a shallow firm mouth.
Face: Long flat, broad with light forehead.
Ears: The medium sized ears are curved inward at the tips and often touching the length varying from 9 to 15 cm located 90 degree axis and can rotate 180 degrees.
Eyes: Large eyes, set widely and reflect intelligence and a placid disposition.
Nose: Spacious, slightly Roman, the nostrils are full and sensitive.
Jaws: Well developed jaws imply great strength.
Neck: The head joins the neck at about 45 degree angle, proportionate with good musculature, the neck blends into sloping shoulders. It is clean at the throat.
Shoulders: Long, set at an angle of about 45 degree, well muscular, the slopes of shoulder blends into the withers.
Withers: Medium high, well defined, the wither are same height or are slightly higher than croup (about 1 to 2 cm high)
Chest: Broad, deep chested, wide round girth the muscling on the inside of the forearm gives the appearance of inverted “V.”
Back: The short saddle back is powerful. The barrel or girth is deep with well sprung ribs. The underline or belly is longer than the back and does not cut high into the flank.
Rear Quarters: They are broad deep and heavy, well muscular, the croup is long slope gently from hip to the tail set. The hip muscle extends down into stifle.
Stifle: The stifle is deep; when viewed from rear extends out below the hip and above the gaskin. When viewed from the rear the stifle is the widest part of the animal.
Gaskin: It is wide and shows related thickness both inside and outside when seen from rear.
Hock: The hock is broad, clean, strong low set and free of excess tissue. The muscling lies well into the hock joint. There is no play or give in the hock joint except directly forward.
Cannon: The cannon bones are short with hock and knee joints low to the ground. The cannon bones both front and rear show a perpendicular position and appear quite broad when viewed from side. The tendon, back and below the knees and hocks appear sharply separated from the bone and from each other.
Ankle Pastern & Hoof: The ankle is well formed and strong to withstand shock and strain, the medium length pastern denote strength. They have a slightly forward slope about 45 degrees, viewed from either the front or rear. The legs cannons and pastern are straight. The hoof if oblong. Its size balances with the overall size of the individual animal, it has overall same slope at the pastern. The sole and the wall are very strong. They are seldom shod except in hills and on metal roads.
Average Height: 155 cm Stallion-(145 to 169) cm
153 cm Mares-(142 to 163) cm
Average shank measurement-20.5 cm Stallions and 20.0 cm Mares.
Colors: A wide variety of colors is observed in Marwari breed horses. The most prevalent body colors are dark brown, bay, chestnut, dun, gray, flea-bitten gray, skewbald, pie bald.
Missouri Fox Trotting Horse:
The Easy Riding Versatile Breed Developed in the Ozarks
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse was developed in the rugged Ozark hills during the 19th century by settlers who needed easy riding, durable mounts that could travel long distances at a sure-footed, ground consuming gait.
Missouri achieved statehood in 1821 and the pioneers who poured across the Mississippi River and settled in the Ozarks came largely from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Naturally they brought along saddle horses popular in those areas. It soon became apparent that horse able to perform the easy, broken gait called the Fox Trot were the most useful in the rocky, forest covered hills of the Ozarks and selective breeding for the Fox Trot gait began.
Easy gaited stock imported to our nation’s shores during the Colonial era left their genetic imprint on the Fox Trotting Horses of the Ozarks, the American Saddle Horses of Kentucky, and the Walking Horses of Tennessee. Some 19th century standouts such as the Canadian born stallion, Tom Hal, made sizable contributions to the easy gaited horses of all three regions.
The distinguished characteristic of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is the Fox Trot gait; the horse walks with the front feet and trots with the hind feet. This extremely sure footed gait gives the rider little jar since the hind feet slide into place. The Fox Trot is a rhythm gait and the horse can maintain it for long periods of time with little fatigue. The Missouri Fox Trotter also performs a rapid flat foot walk and a delightful canter.
Fox Trotters became the using horse of the Ozarks. They were the favorite mounts of cattlemen, country doctors, sheriffs, and tax assessors before improved roads and cars appeared on the scene.
Missouri ranks number two in the nation in cow-calf operations and Missouri Fox Trotting Horses are historically tied to the grazing cattle industry of the Ozarks. When automobiles made horses almost obsolete in the everyday lives of most Ozarkians, Missouri Fox Trotting Horses survived largely because the cattlemen of the region continued to use and breed them. Old Fox, one of the breed’s most influential sires, was a chestnut stallion that spent his adult life trailing cattle in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas early in this century.
Stamina, soundness, and gentle disposition were serious considerations in the breeding of Fox Trotting Horses by pioneer families in the Ozarks. Missouri Fox Trotters make excellent mounts for children and beginning riders because of their quiet dispositions and willingness to please. Their smooth gaits eliminate the “bouncing” that inexperienced riders suffer when riding hard trotting breeds.
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association was founded in 1948 at Ava, Missouri by fifteen men concerned with preserving this unique breed. After a number of horses were registered in the Douglas County area, a fire destroyed the secretary’s home along with the stud book and records. Increasing interest in Missouri Fox Trotters as show and pleasure horses brought about a reorganization of the breed association in 1958. Today there are more an 42,283 registered Missouri Fox Trotters located in the United States and Canada.
Trail riders across the nation who participated in treks through mountain ranges are rapidly discovering what U.S. Forest Rangers have known for years; Missouri Fox Trotters have no equal when it comes to delivering an easy, sure-footed, willing ride on hazardous terrain.
The breed’s national headquarters and Hall of Fame are located on a beautiful 67 acres showground nestled in the hills just outside of Ava, Missouri. The breed association annually hosts a Three Year Old Futurity Show in June and the six-day Celebration Show in the Fall. The Celebration, which crowns the champions of the breed, has been an exciting annual event since 1959.
additional info:
Characteristics of the Fox Trotting Horse:
The Missouri Fox Trot gait is basically a diagonal gait. The horse will perform this gait by walking in front and trotting behind with reach in each stride He may disfigure or overstep his track, provided he travels straight on all four legs and does a true Fox Trot. The Fox Trotting Horse is not a high stepping horse, but an extremely sure-footed one; and, because of the sliding action of the rear feet, rather than the hard step of other breeds, the rider experiences little jarring action and is quite comfortable in the saddle for long periods a time. The head and tail are slightly elevated, giving the animal a graceful carriage; and the rhythmic beat of the hooves, along with the nodding action of the head, give the animal an appearance of relaxation and poise. The ideal characteristics of the Fox Trot shall be that the animal will travel with animation, Fox Trot rhythm, and style. The horse will travel in a collected manner. The Fox Trot should carry with it rhythm. The head should nod, the ears should indicate the step and the tail should be part of the rhythm. The step should be springy, consistent and smooth. The up and down motion should not be noticeable, but rather a smooth gliding gait without swinging.
Conformation:
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse should stand 14 to 16 hands in height, be of good conformation, and able to carry weight. The animal should stand well on its feet, be erect, wide awake and alert. The neck should be graceful, in proportion to length of body, and well-joined to body. The Fox Trotting Horse should have a neat, clean, intelligently-shaped head; pointed ears that are well-shaped; good, large, bright eyes; and a tapered muzzle. The back should be reasonably short and strong; the body deep and well-ribbed. The flank should be full; and the chest deep and full. The shoulders should be properly sloped and well-muscled. The legs should be muscular and well-tapered. The foot should be well-made, strong and in proper proportion to size a horse. The hair should be soft and silky.
Performance of the Horse in Fox Trot:
The Fox Trot will be performed in stylish collected manner by walking in front and trotting behind with reach in each stride (front and rear). The back feet must exhibit a sliding action in order to keep beat of the gait. The horse will carry its head slightly elevated having as much rhythmic head motion as possible. This head motion should always be in time with the movement of the feet. The ears should be relaxed. The tail will be carried naturally elevated and should be in rhythm to the Fox Trot beat. The natural rhythm of the horse starts at the tip of the nose and goes back to the tip of the tail in one continuous motion.
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse:
“The Winning Combination”
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is known best for the comfort if affords its rider. Loved as a trail horse, 90 percent of registered Missouri Fox Trotters are owned by people who use them for trail riding, competition and endurance riding, and pleasure riding. Acclaimed as a show horse the Missouri Fox Trotting horse is also recognized for its beauty and style in the show ring.
Used by hunters and forest rangers for it’s endurance and surefootedness in rugged terrain, by ranchers for it’s versatility and intelligence, and on Hollywood movie sets for its gentle nature the breed has quickly earned its reputation as a horse for all situations.
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse has three naturally gaits: the long and easy-going flat foot walk, the smooth and comfortable fox trot characteristic of its name, and the “rocking horse” canter. No special shoeing or training is required for these horses to perform their gaits and their good disposition and trainability are among their many desirable characteristics making them one of the most versatile and loved of horse breeds within the equine registries.
Developed from horses in the Ozarks, the breed is characterized by a gentle disposition and an easy, fluid 4-beat diagonal gait. Bloodlines can be traced from early settlers coming into the Missouri Ozarks from neighboring states of Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Their horses were depended upon for their surefootedness in this mountainous region and their ability to do whatever was needed around the homestead, ranging from plowing, hauling logs, and working cattle, while at the same time able to double as a stylish buggy horse or riding horse for the family. Whatever the need this using horse from the homestead which eventually became known as the Missouri Fox Trotter proved capable and adaptable.
By 1948 a Breed Association was formed for this talented horse and in 1958 the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association, located at Ava, MO was reorganized and reincorporated. Since then breeders have worked to develop this multi-talented breed of horse into the much sought after pleasure horse and show horse of today.
Surefooted in mountainous terrain, gentle in disposition, and smooth of gait for the comfort of both horse and rider the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed motto today is “Every rider’s pleasure horse”.
Mongolian:
The Mongolian horse is one of the most important and numerous breeds found among the indigenous horse breeds of China. They are distributed widely throughout the Northeast, North China and the Northwest, mainly in the high plains and highland areas. It is a dual-purpose horse, used primarily for riding and carting, but is also used for meat and milk production. The average wither height of males is 128 cm, females 127 cm, but body size varies with environmental conditions.
Work:
Mongolian horses possess remarkable working ability. For carting, four horses, with a load of 4400 lbs, can walk 50-60 km a day.
Milk Production:
During the grass-growing season, mares are milked 4-5 times a day, producing 0.11 lbs of milk each time. Yearly production is 662 lbs.
The Morgan Horse - An American Legend:
Justin Morgan was a living legend. In the manner of so many heroes, he began as an unremarkable colt and became the father of an entire breed of horses recognized for quality and dependability.
Born in 1789, Justin Morgan started life as a small, rough-coated colt known as “Figure.” In 1791, he left his birthplace in Springfield, Massachusetts with his new owner, the soft-spoken schoolteacher Justin Morgan, by whose name the stallion eventually became known. Although his breeding was unknown (thought to be of Dutch, Thoroughbred, or Arabian breeding), the quality of Justin Morgan’s ancestry showed in his straight clean legs; deep muscling over his quarters and shoulders; and fine, intelligent head with large expressive eyes and short, pricked ears.
Add to these the quality of his movement, a thick but silky mane and tail, and a clean-cut throatlatch, and you have the conformation of the ideal light horse. Despite these fine qualities, Justin Morgan’s lack of size was such that his debt-ridden owner found no buyers on their journey north to Randolph Center, Vermont. It was simply fate that no one but, his new owner realized what a little giant he was.
Over the next 30 years, the little bay stallion worked long, hard hours in the fields and on the roads of Vermont. Gradually, the local population began to talk about the feats of “the Justin Morgan horse”. Standing just over 14 hands tall, Justin Morgan’s exploits gained him fame because he was not as big as colonial workhorses nor as tall and long-legged as racehorses, yet he consistently outperformed both. There was the time he pulled a log no draft horse could budge, the day only he had the beauty, spirit and manners to carry President James Monroe on a muster-day parade ground; and the time he outran the most winning racehorse central Vermont had ever known, at least until that day.
Doing it all and doing it well, Justin Morgan remained sound of eye, wind, and limb throughout a lifetime of two ordinary horses. That should have been enough, but the stallion added still more: showy, ground-covering gaits with speed to spare at any one of them; a gentle disposition that made him safe enough for a child to handle yet spirited enough for any horseman, beauty men would to recall decades after his death; and a rare courage that made men who lost bets on him hit their flagons of rum and say, ‘To the little Morgan!’ and drink deeply.
Justin Morgan also proved to be one of the greatest breeding horses of all time. As the saga of the little stallion grew, countless mares were bred to him. So prepotent were the genes of this stallion that no matter what type of mare he was bred to, be she of heavy draft or refined racing-type, his offspring inherited his image and abilities.
While most breeds develop by breeding horses of similar characteristics to each other, Justin Morgan’s ability to pass his characteristics to his offspring for generations to come allowed this single stallion to found an entire breed in his likeness. Today, every registered Morgan traces back to Justin Morgan through his best-known sons Bulrush, Sherman and Woodbury.
In the coming years, the offspring of these strong, willing, able light horses grew along with the young nation that was building itself upon hard work and determination. In the hands of American colonists, Morgans cleared rugged Vermont mountainsides and converted them into rich farmland. But they weren’t mere workhorses, Morgans had the style and elegance to capture the admiration of any city horseman.
While some Morgans earned their keep on the farm others were in high demand to become smart roadsters for Boston and New York financiers. When harness racing reached its heyday in the 1800s, the World’s Fastest Trotting Stallion was Ethan Allen 50, old Justin’s handsome great-grandson.
As America grew so did the feats of the Morgan. New England men answered the call of gold and headed for California on Morgans. In the Civil War, the famed Vermont Cavalry was mounted on Morgan horses. Not only did the Union’s General Sheridan ride his Morgan Rienzi, Stonewall Jackson rode his Morgan, ‘Little Sorrel,’ for the Confederacy as well! In the Indian Wars, the only survivor in the Battle of the little Big Horn was Keogh’s Morgan-bred horse Comanche. If the pathways of history are paved with the bones of the horse, surely America’s are paved by Morgans.
While the offspring of Justin Morgan were taming the wilderness and building the country, they were also creating the standards by which other American breeds would become known. The stamina and vigor of the Morgan together with his excellent conformation and way of going helped make other American light horse breeds what they are today.
The great speed of today’s racing Standardbreds was produced by crosses to the fastest Morgan blood. in the 1860s, the Morgan stallion Shepherd F. Knapp was exported to England where his trotting speed became a byword. Today, many English Hackneys carry his name in their pedigrees. In American Saddlebreds, such famous champions as Edna May, Bourbon King, Rex Peavine, and Wing Commander trace to Justin Morgan.
The foundation sire of the Tennessee Walking horse, Allen F-1, was a grandson of the Morgan stallion Bradford’s Telegraph. In addition, many good Morgan mares were sent to Texas only to lose their breed identity in Quarter Horse bands, and to make the breed greater for it. The oldest of all American breeds the Morgan was strong enough to contribute greatly to almost every other American light horse breed while retaining its own identity across two centuries.
Present-day Morgans differ little from their mighty progenitor. The average size of a Morgan today is between 14.2-15.2 hands, with some individuals over or under. Morgan coats are predominantly chestnut, bay, or brown, although many black, palomino, buckskin, and even a few grays appear in the breed.
The breed’s tremendous courage, disposition, substance, and type has remained as important to breeders today as it was 200 years ago. Whether you visit farms in New England, California, or any state in between, you can see bands of Morgans with the same deep bodies, lovely heads, and straight clean-boned legs. In barns and show rings across the country, the Morgan show horses flash by with heads high, eyes bright, and nostrils wide - Morgan quality showing in every hair on their gleaming, muscular bodies.
Today, Morgans have few wildernesses to conquer or wars to win, but they still accomplish great deeds. They are loved and revered as dynamite performers in Morgan shows across the country, and as loyal, sensible mounts on America’s beautiful trails and pathways; they are treasured by mounted police squads and therapeutic riding programs for their intelligence, soundness, and gentleness; they are winning awards in driving, dressage, reining and cutting competitions against horses bred specifically for these jobs; and no matter what they may be doing or the tack they wear, knowledgeable horsemen see them and know, ‘That’s a Morgan!’
A bit of the hard-working, determined Morgan legend is with us whenever a Morgan carries a saddle-weary cowhand down a Montana mountain, pulls a carriage around a grueling obstacle course in record time, quietly carries children along a wooded path, or flashes around show rings with a style that causes spectators to cheer. The Morgan, our country’s first breed of light horse, is as much a part of America today as it was two centuries ago.’
The Morgan legend has also spread around the world. Morgan owners and dubs can be found in Canada, England, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South America. The beauty, intelligence, and willing personality of the Morgan will win you over too!
Information Sourced From:
International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds by Bonnie L. Hendricks,
