The Rare Canadian Horse is the National Horse of Canada

The Canadian Horse or Cheval Canadien was developed in Canada and has been relatively unknown in recent times due to its scarcity, but it has influenced many other North American breeds, including the Morgan, Tennessee Walking Horse, American Saddlebred, and Standardbred, and the Canadian Pacer, which had a profound impact on several gaited breeds of today. It is a recognized horse breed, indigenous only to Canada. It is so rare that several times the breed almost went extinct, but now the Canadian Horse has many supporters both inside and outside of Canada and is Canada's National Horse.

The Canadian Horse originated from the Norman and Breton horses sent by King Louis XIV of France in the late 1600’s to the New World. These French horses are believed to have been of Arab, Andalusian and Barb ancestry since many traits of those breeds can still be recognized in the Canadian Horse today. Over several hundred years, the French horses were bred amongst themselves with little influence from outside breeds and eventually developed in the distinct breed known as the Canadian Horse or Cheval Canadien.

Since the breed was developed under the adverse conditions of harsh inclement weather, scarce food, and hard work, they became tough, strong, tolerant horses that are extremely easy keepers. The Canadian Horse is considered to be the sturdiest and most acclimatized horse in Canada and their strength was legendary. It has been rumored that the Canadian Horse was capable of generating more power per 100 pounds of body weight than any other breed and is often referred to as “The Little Iron Horse”.

In the mid-1800’s, there were about 150,000 Canadian Horses and the breed could be found throughout Canada and the United States. The Canadian Horse was used to improve the strength and hardiness of other breeds and as founding stock for several North American breeds. Canadian Horses were exported out of Canada for many purposes and the number of horses began to drop rapidly. When mechanized farm machinery came to the country, the Canadian Horse almost became extinct and during the 1860-1870’s there were fewer than 400 horses left with 20 or less being registered per year. By the late 1870’s the danger to the breed was finally recognized and efforts were made by diligent breeders to try to bring the Canadian Horse back from the dead.

Their efforts resulted in the first stud book in 1886 but progress was slow and it was not until 1895 that the Canadian Horse Breeders Association (CHBA) or, Société des Éleveurs de Chevaux Canadiens, was formed in the province of Quebec. The Canadian Livestock Records Corporation has been the administrators of the breed registry since 1904. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture set up a breeding program at Cap Rouge in 1913 where one of the foundation studs for the recovery effort, Albert De Cap Rouge, was foaled. Other breeding programs were set up in Quebec at St. Joachim and La Gorgendiere. After World War II, the Canadian Horse was on the verge of dying out again the 1950's with the breed having disappeared from every Canadian province except Quebec, and this time the breed was resurrected by opening the stud books to previously unregistered, but known to be purebred Canadian horses.

Despite these efforts, the Canadian Horse once again nearly disappeared during the 1970's when the numbers dropped to 400 horses again with fewer than 5 registrations per year and by 1979 all horse training programs were dropped since few foals were being produced. In 1981, the administration closed its Canadian Horse breeding program and auctioned off the remaining stock to private breeders.

The number of living registered Canadian Horses in existence in 2006 was estimated to be 5746, down from the 6374 that were surveyed in 2005, but if you combine the number of stallions and geldings registered the total comes to considerably less than the number of existing mares. Since males vs. females traditionally have a roughly equal registration ratio, it may mean that a significant number of male horses have never been registered or reported. This could be due to geldings not being registered because of the cost of registering a non-breeding horse, and because gelding-only owners often do not become breed association members so there would be no way to report their horses. It is hoped that the total number of existing Canadian Horses has been under-reported.

Some breeders feel that it is a disservice to the breed when horses are not registered because there is no way of accurately tracking the population, nor of being able to track specific individuals to see if which ones are producing exceptional animals that may be particularly suited to one discipline or another. In spite of this, the breed is continuing to gain in numbers and popularity, but the Canadian Horse is still classified as “rare” on the American Livestock Conservancy list which has only recently been upgraded from "critical".

The Canadian Horse stands 14 to 16 hands high, weighs between 1000 and 1400 pounds and black is often seen although chestnut, bay, and dark brown are also available. The overall impression is of power and agility from a well-balanced and proportioned conformation and graceful carriage. The finely chiseled head of the Canadian Horse is rather short and thin with straight lines, carried high and slanting on a medium length arched neck that is fairly arched. Eyes are large, moderately convex, bright, kind, and active. Ears are set well apart and are rather short. Both mane and tail have an abundance of fine wavy hair with tail being large at the root and attached rather high and carried well. Their short cannon bones often exceed 9” in circumference and the gait of the Canadian Horse has a free and vigorous movement with, hocks, knees, fetlocks, and pasterns bending well in higher harmonious movements. The hooves are exceptionally tough and rarely require little more than routine trimming.

The breed has an energetic and spirited temperament without nervousness and is very calm and docile. It has been renowned for their sensible, sociable natures, high intelligence and willingness to please, but they have also been described as having a tendency to be "in your face" and quite "opinionated" to the point of encroaching on your own physical space which can be an issue for someone who feels intimidated by horses. The Canadian Horse is considered to be a general utility horse and from the very beginning, it was valuable not only for plowing, but also as a carriage horse. The breed is long-lived and still useful even at an advanced age. The mares are extraordinarily fertile and able to reproduce regularly until the age of 20 or older.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

Stock Up on FREE Stock Video Footage of People

Well, friends, the Footage Firm (see link in title) has outdone itself with its latest FREE offering of talent released video clips of people in a variety of different settngs. These video clips are high quality, both in clarity, and in shot angles. There are 10 DVD's available in this special free promotional collection, and the clips are provided in high definition (HD) format (1920x1080p resolution), as well as standard definition (SD) format (720x480 widescreen resolution) at 29.97fps.

But best of all... they are giving these royalty-free, licensed stock video clips away FREE! AND they are including the model release info for the clips so that you can use them in any production, anywhere in the world, with no additional fees, forever. That's right...the actors and actresses featured in these clips have all signed model/talent releases which are provided on the DVD along with the footage. You have the right to use their images and likenesses in all types of video or print productions.

All you pay in order to get this fantastic value is shipping and handling! Just $8.41 per disk. No, it's not a scam! I own the entire collection of 84 DVDs, and I have used quite a lot of the video clips and free sound effects in my productions. I was skeptical at first, but there is no catch! They just want you to keep them in mind for future stock footage needs as they try to get themselves established in the marketplace and known to video editors everywhere, both professional and amateur, and what better way to do it than offer these collections free?

But hurry! They only have a limited number that they are going to give away...after that, they will be charging their regular price of $349 for them, so don't miss out getting them for the price of shipping! I certainly wasted no time after watching the previews. Those of you who know me, know that I know a good value when I see it.

In fact, the Footage Firm also has a variety of full-priced collections that are easy to browse, along with previews of what is on each disk. And many of those used to be free, so even I missed the boat on those. Keep in mind, that you also get a money-back guarantee whether you purchase full-priced collections, or the free collections.

So, what is in the talent released video people collection? Well, these are the titles on the disks, and they are all fantastic, but I personally just LOVE the People Montages. You have to see that one!

Business Concepts
Career Professionals
Corporate Settings
Everyday People
Health and Beauty
Kids and Families
People Montages
Couples & Relationships
Social Life
Travel and Leisure

You know, I just re-read this article, and it sounds so much like a sales pitch, I was about to discard it and start over. But you know, there really is no way to write about something you really have a passion for without it sounding like a sales pitch anyway, and I just LOVE these Footage Firm People video clips!

And even at just the price of shipping, they are a real bargain when you consider individual clip prices off the usual stock footage sites.

Ok, so it still sounds like a sales pitch...so shoot me.
And I hope you can shoot me in the same quality and intriguing angles and locations as these shots were done in.

Cheers!

About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. The Footage Firm is an online provider of royalty-free licensed stock video footage, sound effects and royalty-free music.

The Big, Bold and Beautiful Belgian Draft Horse

The Belgian horse is a large, heavy, powerful draft horse that is native to the fertile pastures of Belgium. Called the Great Horse in the Middle Ages, these horses carried knights into battle in medieval Europe. They have provided the genetic background from which nearly all the modern draft breeds originate today.

The familiar Belgian draft horse that we see in the United States has its ancestral genetic roots in the Brabant, which is also known as the Belgian Heavy Draft. The name has been shortened to Belgian for general usage, but it is also referred to as the European Belgian when comparing the breed with the American Belgian. During the Middle Ages the Brabant was known as the Flanders Horse, after the region of Europe in which it originated, it has had great influence on the development of other draft horse breeds, such as the Suffolk Punch, the Clydesdale and the Shire.

The European Brabant draft horse is the foundation horse for the American Belgian and until around 1940, the Brabant and the American Belgian were pretty much the same horse. After World War II, the breeds diverged into two different types. The Brabant was bred in Europe to have a thicker body and a more draft-type style, with heavy feathering on the legs; while in the United States, the American Belgian was being bred to have a taller, lighter looking body and clean, featherless legs.

Stallions from Belgium were exported to many other parts of Europe as the need to produce larger animals of draft type for industrial and farm use was recognized. The government of Belgium played a very energetic role in helping this need to be recognized by utilizing a system of district horse shows that finished off with the great National Show in Brussels. This event served as an international showcase for the breed and the prizes were quite generous. It was here that the inspection committees for stallions standing for public stud service were established.

The result was a rapid improvement of the breed into a fixed type. Soon the draft horses of Belgium came to be regarded as both a national heritage and a national treasure with all the money their export brought to Belgium. In 1891, Belgium exported stallions for use in the government stables of Russia, Italy, Germany, France, and the old Austrian-Hungarian Empire and the export of horses out of Belgium for breeding purposes was so large in scope that it was very financially rewarding for the breeders for years to come.

In 1903 the government of Belgium sent an exhibit of horses to both the St. Louis World's Fair in Missouri and the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. While this exhibit generated a lot of controversy over which type of horse was best suited for Americans, it also generated a lot of interest in the Belgian Draft horse breed. But many of the breed's first imports to the United States were strongly criticized for being too thick, too low headed, straight shouldered, and round boned. There was even an expression for it; they called it "the Dutchman's Type." This kept the breed from becoming very popular in America, but now American Belgians outnumber all other draft breeds combined in the United States.

So what have the American breeders done to change the Belgian?

In 1914, World War I brought all importations to a complete halt and American Belgian breeders were on their own with no new horses from Europe to breed to. Fortunately, they had plenty of horses already in the U.S. with which to develop their own style of Belgian horse, which they did. The post war depression in agriculture slowed the purebred Belgian business for a few years but by 1925, annual registrations rose to over 1,000 horses. On the 50th anniversary of the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America (BDHCA), a pre-World War II high of 3,196 Belgians was recorded in 1937. But with World War II, importation again stopped.

Today's American Belgian is a big, powerful horse that stands 16.2 - 17 hands high, and retains the draft style, with a deep, strong foot, a lot of heavy bone and muscling. They have developed a horse with far more style, particularly in the head and neck, with the head being comparatively small and refined with an intelligent facial expression.

The Belgian Draft seen in the United States these days is not as "massive" as the Brabant, but still retains the proportions of the Brabant. The body is compact with a short, wide back and powerful loins. There is more slope to both shoulder and pastern, and the good clean, flat bone that goes hand in hand with such qualities. The quarters are massive, with a characteristic "double muscling" over the croup. The gaskins are heavily muscled and the legs are short and strong. The hooves are medium sized, for a draft horse, with only limited "feathering".

And along with the changes in conformation, a color change also occurred. The original imports to America were available in many colors. About half of the first U.S. imports were bay and bay-brown, followed by roan, chestnut sorrel, black, and even a few grays. There was no particular color to the Belgian in the beginning, but by the 1920's and 1930's, the breed had pretty well become just sorrels and roans. Now, however, the American Belgian horse has become a one-color breed, and it is the chestnut-sorrel color that is preferred by Americans. A chestnut or sorrel team with snow-white manes and tails, with a white blaze in the face and four white stockings is the ultimate in draft horse style to the American Belgian owners.

The modern American Belgian draft horse is still a great worker, and a willing one, and they have become great wagon horses. They are equally effective in pulling competitions as in hitch competitions. The qualities as an easy keeper and a good shipper, as well as having a kind temperament and amiable disposition make the American Belgian easy to handle, in spite of the size.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

Los Caballos de Paso Fino – The Horses with the Fine Walk

The Paso Fino horse has a proud past and is one of the oldest native breeds in the Western Hemisphere. During the 500 years that they have been selectively bred in the Western Hemisphere, the Paso Fino has participated in the conquest of the Americas, and then in the exploration and development of both North and South American continents. Today they are show horses, pleasure trail horses, and have a host of versatile uses in all equine disciplines. But it is the lateral four-beat gait that distinguishes the Paso Fino. This exceptionally smooth motion makes it an excellent choice for people with spinal injuries or arthritis, as well as for therapeutic riding programs for the handicapped.

The origins of the Paso Fino began in Spain where a chance mix of breeds created offspring that would one day become one of the world's finest riding horses. When the Moors occupied the Spanish countryside they brought with them the Berber horse, also known as the Barb. Interbreeding with native Spanish stock produced the delicately gaited Spanish Jennet (which is now extinct, but being re-created). These were subsequently bred with the Andalusian. The resulting offspring had the hardiness of the Barb; the natural pride and presence of the Andalusian; and the extremely comfortable saddle gait of the Spanish Jennet.

In 1492, Columbus discovered that the New World had no horses, so with his second voyage, he brought the first horses to Santo Domingo, a select group of mares and stallions from Andalusia and Cordela of the above mixed bloodlines. The result of the blending of these horses and the isolation of them to such a small area assured that these bloodlines would eventually evolve into the Paso Fino horse.

The offspring of these isolated horses were dispersed through the various lands that the conquistadores invaded. Centuries of selective breeding by colonists in Latin America and the Caribbean produced variations of the "Caballo de Criollo," (native horse). Among them was the small, extremely muscular, very refined Paso Fino that flourished initially in Puerto Rico and Colombia, and later, in many other Latin American countries (primarily Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Venezuela) that were suitable for ranch work throughout Central and South America. But most treasured was the incredibly smooth gait of the Jennet which was quickly recognized as a desirable trait and actively perpetuated. This gait became the genetic stamp of the Paso Fino.

Awareness of the Paso Fino didn’t spread outside Latin America until after WWII. It was after American servicemen came into contact with the stunning horse while stationed in Puerto Rico that Americans began importing them in the mid-1940s. In the 1960's, Paso Finos started to be imported from Colombia. But which country produces the "true" Paso Fino? There are "purists" who advocate for one or the other country, but the American Paso Fino is often a blend of the best of the Puerto Rican and Colombian bloodlines.

The Paso Fino ranges in size from 13.0 hands to 15.2 hands. Weight ranges from 700 to 1100 lbs but full size may not be attained until the fifth year. Every equine color, from solid to pinto, can be found in the Paso Fino, with or without white markings.

The head should be refined and in good proportion to the body, neither extremely small nor large with a preferred straight profile. Eyes are large, well spaced, expressive and alert. Ears are short, set close, and curved inward at the tips. The impression should be of an intelligent face. The neck should be gracefully arched, medium in length and set on at an angle to allow high carriage. Mane, tail and forelock should be as long, full and luxurious as possible and no artificial additions or surgical alterations are allowed. The tail is carried gracefully when horse is in motion. Standing slightly under in the rear is a typical pose.

One cannot talk about a Paso Fino without focusing on their extremely smooth gait, even their name, Paso Fino, means "Fine Step". The basic gaits of the Paso Fino in order of speed are the paso fino, paso corto, and paso largo and they are capable of executing other gaits that are natural to horses, including a relaxed walk and lope or canter. These are not trained gaits, but are natural to the horse and are displayed at birth. Newborn foals struggle to their feet and take their first faltering steps in the gait. Owners pride themselves in the naturalness of their horses since artificial training aids are not necessary to bring out this genetically instinctual gait.

The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds with varying degrees of collection. At all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse's croup. Demonstrations show the rider holding a full glass of water, not spilling a drop, and barely moving the water in the glass at all.

The Classic Fino, also known as the Fino Fino, Paso, or Paso Fino gait, exhibits full collection with a very slow forward speed. It is an evenly-spaced four-beat lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken and extremely regular 1-2-3-4 rhythm. Executed perfectly, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider. The footfall is extremely rapid with the steps and extension exceedingly short. Although the horse steps extremely rapidly, it takes only small strides; so the speed is somewhere between a walk and a canter. This gait is usually only used in show because it strains the horse, although they can sustain the Paso for an extended period of time without resting. It is quite a remarkable sight since the horse appears to be dancing.

The Paso Corto has a forward speed that is moderate with full to moderate collection. The footfalls are ground-covering but unhurried and are executed with medium extension and stride. It is a comfortable medium-speed gait similar to the trot in speed. The corto is the average trail gait and a well conditioned Paso Fino can travel at the corto for hours. Since it is very energy efficient, it is ideal for long days of riding.

The Paso Largo is the fastest speed of the gait, almost like a canter, and is an even more extended version of the same footfall. It is executed with a longer extension and stride with moderate to minimal collection. The forward speed varies with the individual horse since their top speed should be in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence. A horse at the largo can cover ground at a breathtaking speed, extending its legs much more to cover more ground, while still providing a secure and balanced seat for the rider.

Some Pasos develop the Trocha, which is a diagonal variant on the Paso. This is often discouraged except in parts of Colombia. Although it is a natural gait, it is not as desirable as the Paso. Some horses develop this diagonal version when they are stressed or tired, so it can be a signal that a horse is overworked or simply picking up bad habits.

The Paso Fino has a lively yet controlled spirit and is a gentle horse that is intelligent, sensible and tractable. It is an extremely willing horse that truly seems to enjoy human companionship and strives to please with its very responsive attitude when under tack. They are often trained in both English and Western style and many owners choose stylish tack from one of the countries of the horse's origin. They are lightly shod or go unshod when away from rocky or paved surfaces.

In 1972, the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) was founded. It is a member governed, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and improving the breed. It is unclear from their website if they are a breed registering body as there is no reference to the official or historic studbook or any other registration information that you would expect from a registry. Its 8,500 members are represented by 24 regional groups in the United States, Canada, Europe and South America who all sponsor shows and other events, but do not register Paso Finos.

Another website called Paso Registry (PFR) likewise is "not THE registry" as one blogger has written, but it does have a pedigree lookup for the foundation stallions. A link on their site to "register your horse" leads nowhere, and there is no registration information that one would expect on a registry site. A glance at the pedigrees listed shows that Paso Fino names are usually Spanish or Spanish "flavored" but whether this is an official registration requirement (as in some breeds), or just traditional preference is unclear when registration rules are unavailable.

The Paso Fino horse is versatile, able to adapt to a variety of climates and purposes and demonstrates its remarkable versatility not just in the show ring, but on competitive trail and endurance rides, in dressage, rodeo, and working cattle. They continue to grow in popularity, as one-by-one, converts are won over through the experience of the ride.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on http://www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. http://www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

A Horse of Their Own - The Pony of the Americas - For Young Riders Only

The Pony of the Americas, more commonly referred to as the POA, is a popular and growing breed that was designed as a mount especially for young riders who were too big for a small pony but not ready for a full-sized horse. The small size of the POA makes it easy for parents to match a child to the proper pony. The Pony of the Americas is a distinctive pony breed that looks more like a small horse and possessing the attractive coloration of the Appaloosa. Their quiet disposition and gentle nature make them highly competitive in all equine disciplines. It is a rugged, athletic pony with the speed for games and jumping; strength for driving small carts; and the intelligence and patience for showmanship and equitation.

Les Boomhower, of Mason City, Iowa, was a Shetland pony breeder and an attorney with his own practice and in 1954 one of his neighbors offered him an Arabian/Appaloosa mare who had been bred to a Shetland stallion that was due to foal in the spring. Les waited until the foal was born before he bought the mare. The resulting colt born was white with what looked like black paint smears all over his little body. What intrigued the lawyer the most were the spots on the colt's flank that formed a definite black hand, which was the basis for the colt's name, Black Hand.

Mr. Boomhower had an idea to provide a pony breed between 44" and 52" tall that would be good for children to ride and show and that had the beautiful head of an Arab; a body muscled for speed like the Quarter Horse; and coloring distinguishable as an Appaloosa from a distance of 40 feet along with good stamina. He invited his Shetland breeder friends to his Memory Lane Ranch to discuss the idea and that was when the Pony of the Americas Club (POAC) was born. Mr. Boomhower's expertise in the law set up a solid foundation for the new breed registry of this distinguished pony's off-spring. As the foundation stallion for the Pony of the Americas breed, his colt was given the first registration number and is now known as Black Hand #1.

Among the breeds influencing the original POA were the Arab, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Welsh Pony, and Shetland Pony. In 1963, the height limit of the breed increased to between 46 inches and 54 inches and the Shetland started being phased out of the POA breeding program. Larger ponies such as the Welsh and small horses such as the wild Mustang and the Arabian were combined with Indian ponies, Quarter Horses and Appaloosas to achieve a "little horse" look rather than the pony look of the Shetland. In 1986 the upper height limit of the breed was again increased, this time to 56". Today, the Pony of the Americas is created by crossing registered POAS; by crossing a registered POA with a registered horse or pony of an approved breed (see POAC for list); or, by crossing a registered POA with a grade horse or pony that has been identified with the POAC as being acceptable for breeding purposes. By 1996, the POAC had over 45,000 registered ponies.

The Pony of the Americas Club, Inc is now an international organization that it is the only equine breed organization devoted to youth riders. From the original Club came more than 40 POA state clubs and chapters throughout the United States and Canada that offer, state shows, regional shows and sales, a world class international show and sale and a world championship show in addition to Play Days and other events year round. The age limit of a child showing a POA changed from age 16 in 1954 to age 18 in 1973 and in 1987, age19 and over riding classes were added with a limitation that the POA under saddle is to be only 2, 3, and 4 year olds in training. Since the shows are designed around youths, adults are limited to showing the animals only in halter or pleasure driving classes. However, this makes the breed a pony for the whole family.

The Pony of the Americas should show style and substance, beauty and symmetry, being a balanced individual regardless of size and correct in all aspects of conformation, exhibiting approved color patterns and characteristics. At maturity, the POA is between 12 and 15 hands inches in height at the withers and typically weighs 750 to 950 pounds.

In addition to the refined head with dished, Arab-like nose showing mottled skin about the nostrils and lips, the Pony of the Americas has expressive eyes and fine ears. The chest is deep and broad, the back is short and the shoulders are sloping. The quarters are substantial, and the legs should have ample bone. The POA is a strong, fast, and durable pony capable of performing a wide variety of tasks.

The POA is most commonly recognized by their variety of colorful coat patterns that are similar to Appaloosas, from blankets to leopard spots; mostly white over their loins and hips with dark, egg-shaped spots, although the spots may vary in size from specks to spots four inches in diameter. Spots may be dark in the middle with a lighter ring surrounding it, called a halo. White over the hips without dark spots is known as snow-capped. Ponies that have white hairs mixed in with the base coat color are said to be roan. Ponies with Paint, pinto or albino parentage or markings cannot be registered.

The POA also has other distinctive characteristics such as mottled skin; white sclera around the eyes; and vertical black-and-white striped hooves in the absence of white leg markings. It is possible a POA will not have any striping on its hooves, so for this reason, the other characteristics of mottled skin and white sclera are the primary ones to look for in identifying the POA. The mottled or parti-colored skin is a unique trait found in the Appaloosa and POA and therefore it is a basic decisive indicator of a POA and it should show good contrast between the dark and light areas. All horses and ponies can show white around the eye if it is rolled back, up and down, or if the eyelid is lifted. The POA sclera is white and usually readily visible when the eye is in a normal, relaxed position.

POA has 4 gaits. The walk is straight with a long, easy stride that is true and flat footed. The Western Jog Trot is soft, relaxed, and quiet with a definite two beat gait. The English Trot is a free-moving stride, executed in a long, low frame with no excessive knee or hock action. The Lope or Canter is rolling and comfortable with a natural three beat pattern.

Since Appaloosa and Quarter Horse have been used in the development of the POA, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a possible genetic defect that could occur. HYPP is inherited as a dominant trait and is characterized by intermittent seizures of uncontrolled muscle tremors (shaking, trembling or twitching) or profound muscle weakness, and in severe cases, may lead to collapse and/or death. To date, HYPP has been traced only to descendants of a Quarter horse named IMPRESSIVE, #0767246. Additionally, with the POA having Appaloosa in their ancestry, it is important to be aware that Appaloosas have a highest risk of any breed of developing spontaneous Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) or "moon blindness", which can lead to blindness if not treated.

The POA is easy to train, senses what is required and readily obeys the demands of its handler and shows good manners in the ability to stand quietly, and back readily. Kids and POAs develop special bonds and these gentle child-size equines can give a child the confidence and the responsibility that will serve them well later on in life. Children cheer for each other even though they are competing against each other. . The gentle disposition, durability and intelligence of the Pony of the Americas serve it well.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The 1 Tricky Weird Old Scam of a Tiny Belly

Hey, friends!

Ever wonder what is behind those "1 weird old tip to a tiny belly" ads that seem to be on every webpage you have hit in the last year?

Well, here's the skinny:

It's yet another weight loss scam that preys on those who are overweight, desperate and gullible and who refuse to believe that proper diet and exercise are the ONLY way to get out of that situation.

Surprised?

You shouldn't be by now if you've been paying attention to the true experts in the weight-loss business. Those are the ones who have NO weight-loss business at all! Yes, you read that correctly. The experts in weight-loss have nothing to sell you. They have your best interests at heart and are not after your money at all. Listen to the real experts, not the sham artists who are only in the weight-loss business for their own monetary gain, and your monetary weight-loss, which is only from your bank account. Yes, people with thinner wallets weigh less than those carrying fatter wallets, but it doesn't make them any healthier.

Anyway, check out this other blog that I stumbled upon today that exposes the true story in detail of that one weird old trick of advertising that traps you into an ongoing subscription for shipments of useless acai berry drinks that they apparently won't let you cancel without a hassle.

But to confuse matters further, some of those ads lead to training and nutrition programs, so there are some who think that the scammers have hijacked legitimate ads. So which weird old trick is the correct ad?

And remember that when you want to make an informed decision about anything, pay attention to this one old weird tip: FOLLOW THE MONEY!

If an "expert" has something to sell you, then s/he will say anything to get you to buy the most useless product, tape, book, food, concept, etc, possibly based on twisted statistics of "proven" studies at prestigious institutions that either don't exist at all or were paid for by the industry trying to sell it to you. So, put your money on the REAL expert, who will be helping you to keep your money in YOUR pocket, not theirs.

In a nutshell...use common sense, folks! If it's too good to be true...it probably isn't true at all and someone just wants your money.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. Her personal webpage is a popular website filled with wonderful, wickless warmer gifts whether you like common scents, or uncommon fragrances, and has nothing to do with weight-loss products whatsoever.

Oldenburg Warmblood - The Small Town Horse with the Big Time Success

Of all the horses that were registered in 1987 with the German Equestrian Federation, approximately 8 percent were Oldenburg horses but that 8 percent represents one of the top lines in Germany. The percentage is small because the Oldenburg Warmblood is bred in a small area near the modern region of Lower Saxony surrounding the city of Oldenburg and few horses are available. This breeding area is historically confined to approximately 5,400 square kilometers in the center of the Hanoverian region. However, even though it represents the smallest breeding area in Germany, the Oldenburg horse is nevertheless one of the most important.

The early Oldenburg horses were developed as carriage horses and were well-known for consistency in conformation, great power, and coal black color. They were also famed for their gentle character and extreme willingness to work under saddle, in front of a carriage or in the fields. But breeders wanted a bit more from this horse, and so they combined the best of the best bloodlines from many elegant breeds, with the result being the production of a magnificent all-purpose saddle horse. Today, due to natural athletic abilities, the Oldenburg Warmblood is used for show-jumping, dressage, and three-day-event as well as occasional driving.

Unlike many other Warmblood breeds, the modern Oldenburg horse is the result of utilizing the best of all European bloodstock; and starting with Graf Johann XVI von Oldenburg (1573-1603), nearly every successive ruler has added at least one additional breed of horse to the Oldenburg Horse pedigree which was originally based on the German Friesian Warmblood horse. Graf Johann XVI von Oldenburg started the breeding farms in the Oldenburg region for the purpose of producing war horses. They were given as gifts to important rulers and war heroes. He used Turkish, Neapolitan, Andalusian, and elegant Danish stallions to improve his stable of Friesian horses, which were described as being large and strong.

When Graf Anton Gunther von Oldenburg (1603-1667) came into power, he became even more famous than his predecessor and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He brought back many elegant stallions from Naples, Spain, Poland, England, Tartary, and Barbary, but the breeds of these stallions are not on record. Unlike Graf Johann XVI, Graf Anton Gunther permitted commoners to use his stallions for breeding, and soon the 17th Century Oldenburg Warmbloods were in great demand throughout Europe. They served as elegant riding horses and tall, attractive carriage horses. King Leopold I, of the Holy Roman Empire, rode a black Oldenburg stallion through Vienna on his wedding day. His wife followed in a splendid carriage drawn by eight white Oldenburg horses. Graf Anton Gunther himself was famous for traditional dressage riding, most notably on his famous Oldenburg stallion, Kranich.

Along with the additions to the bloodlines from the Oldenburg rulers, the modern Oldenburg horses also owe some of their refinement to the introduction of the English Thoroughbred, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The German-bred Hanoverian King, George I of England (1714-1727), together with his German successors to the British throne, took an interest in the horses that were bred in their country of origin and sent a large number of Thoroughbreds to Oldenburg to improve the local stock.

During the year 1820, a law was enacted that stated that only government-approved stallions could be used in a breeding program, and all stallions were forbidden. The first of the stallion testings was held that year, and as part of the performance tests, they were to pull a heavy sledge at the walk; trot before a light carriage; and work at least 1,000 meters under saddle. In current performance tests, the stallion demonstrates his endurance, speed, jumping ability, general courage, manner of going and rideability. A horse that may be handsome enough to be initially approved for breeding but that does not pass the performance test can not receive final breeding stock status. Therefore, those stallions who do qualify are truly the finest representatives of the breed.

The year 1861 brought about the founding of the Oldenburg studbook; and the requirement of hip and neck branding with a "Crowned O" for the identification of approved, registered horses. The foundation of two horse breeding societies by the Horse Breeding Act of April 9, 1897 was another major milestone. These two societies merged in 1923 to form today's Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes e.V (literally: Society of the Breeders of Oldenburg Horses or Oldenburger Horse Breeders Society). By 1922, the Oldenburg registry contained 3,250 stallions and 34,000 mares.

By the 1930s, the aim of the Oldenburg breeder was to produce an all-purpose saddle horse. In 1950, the French Anglo-Norman stallion, Condor, (who was 62.5% Thoroughbred), was added to make Oldenburg horses even more elegant and refined and founded a new stallion line. This line produced a very consistent type of heavy, well-moving, mostly black in color, well-tempered Oldenburg mares. No other breeding area was able to achieve the success that Oldenburg reached with stallions of French origin; and the results of these cross-breedings were then combined with even more elegant and famous sport-horse-type stallions from France, along with Trakehners and Hanoverians.

Most of the breeding of Oldenburg horses today is in the hands of private individuals, but closely controlled by the Oldenburg Breeding Society. Private breeders are able to travel throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, while state-controlled breeding societies are limited by funding and other restrictions to their local stock. Many mare owners from the surrounding Hanoverian breeding area bring their horses to Oldenburg stallions despite the fact that breeding fees are often twice as much as those offered by government-owned Hanoverians.

Currently there are around 409 actively breeding stallions in the breeding area in 122 breeding stations with approximately 7,300 registered broodmares producing 4,100 foals per year, which makes Oldenburg one of the largest German Verbands.

As a result of using the finest bloodlines of France, England, Ireland, and Germany, the modern Oldenburg is slightly taller and extremely elegant in contrast to many other German Warmblood horses. But despite its size, the modern Oldenburg is a compact horse with relatively short legs; yet a long, strong neck inherited from its days as a carriage horse; and large hooves that are able to bear the weight of such a large animal. Oldenburg horses are accepted in a variety of colors, but usually black, brown or gray are seen. The Oldenburg has kind eyes that mirror the horse's calm tractable nature. With so many different bloodlines and breeds that make up the Oldenburg Warmblood, precise confirmation takes a backseat to overall performance quality.

The secret of the horses with the "Crowned O Brand" lies in knowing that in Oldenburg, quality is the only breed standard that counts.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Foundation of All American Gaited Breeds - The Mountain Pleasure Horse

The Mountain Pleasure Horse is the gaited breed that existed in Kentucky over 160 years ago and from which breeders developed Tennessee Walking Horses, American Saddlebred Horses and Rocky Mountain Horses. Long before these other gaited breeds, the Mountain Pleasure Horses quietly existed and were being bred on the steep hillsides in Eastern Kentucky, where they were being selected for gait and disposition with an eye towards working in the fields and for riding. They were known as Mountain Horses or Kentucky Saddlers or Country Saddle horses and were the pride of the region for their hardiness, smooth gait and sweet, willing dispositions. But just as importantly, these rugged, reliable, smooth-gaited horses came to be the foundation of other breeds in the United States.

There are several breeds of Mountain Horses that have been developed in the Appalachians of Kentucky and sorting them out can get confusing when all the breed association sites say much of the same thing, but in different ways. For example, in writing this article, I came across this comment from the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association (MPHA) website: "Horses registered in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association are often referred to as Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. Several gaited breeds of horses are included in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association's registry, the Mountain Pleasure Horse being one of them. Whereas, the Mountain Pleasure Horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse are "breeds" of horses, the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse normally refers to the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association registry. [...] many horses registered with the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association are also doubled registered with the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association." However, on the website of the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA), it states that "the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse and the Spotted Mountain Horse breeds, each with their own distinctive characteristics and genetic DNA markers, are recognized by the University of Kentucky, Equine Parentage Testing and Genetic Research Center as their own unique breed of Horse."

The Mountain Pleasure Horse breed existed 100 years before the existence of the Rocky Mountain Horse, even though neither registry existed until 1989. Blood typing research by the University of Kentucky has shown that the Mountain Pleasure Horse is the parent stock of all other American gaited horse breeds, including the Rocky Mountain Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and American Saddlebred. In 1994, Brereton C. Jones, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, recognized the Mountain Pleasure Horse to be the oldest gaited American breed of horse through a Commonwealth of Kentucky Proclamation based on this blood typing information.

There are 17 different genetic markers which, along with their variations, total 125 specific items that indicate EXACTLY the type of horse that the blood sample came from and the parents it had. A chart has been developed by Dr. E. Gus Cothran, geneticist in charge of blood typing - parentage verification at the University of Kentucky's Pathology Department, that clearly shows the linkage between all the gaited horse breeds and the full chart traces all the way back to the Przewalski horse. Additional information, generated by worldwide testing, has outdated this particular chart for some breeds, but the Caspian is shown to be the ancestor to all modern horses, with the exception of the Przewalski.

Sam Tuttle tapped into the Mountain Horse Heritage by crossing native Mountain Pleasure Horse stock with Tobe, a stallion carrying an unusual chocolate color, and his descendants eventually spawned the Rocky Mountain Horse Association breed registry, and the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse.

But the key difference between the Mountain Horse registries is the genetic foundation. Fewer than 17 percent of the foundation horses of the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association carry any trace of the Tobe bloodline, which is also present in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse. Aside from the chocolate color, there are also various physical characteristics and slight variations in gait among the horses descended from Tobe bloodlines that generally are not present in the Mountain Pleasure Horses.

But in spite of the Mountain Pleasure Horse being behind so many other breeds, it is a rare breed in itself. There are approximately 3,000 Mountain Pleasure Horses registered in the United States and it is considered rare enough that the American Livestock Breed Conservancy has listed its status as "Watch", along with the Rocky Mountain Horse.
The Mountain Pleasure Horse ranges from 14.2 to 16 hands and weighs 900 to 1100 pounds. The head should be medium sized with a broad face which is neither dished nor protruding. The breed has bold eyes and well shaped, medium-sized ears. The neck is gracefully arched and medium in length with a naturally proud carriage. The horse should have a wide and deep chest and an ample mane and tail to round out the appearance.

Any coat color is acceptable, including bay, black, chestnut/sorrel, roan, gray cremello, buckskin, palomino, and chocolate and in some lines, golden-coated horses predominate. While there is no restriction on white markings, spotted coats are not encouraged by the MPHA for either breeding or showing, but color is not considered a criterion of quality either.

In showing the Mountain Pleasure Horse, two gaits are used in the ring. The Mountain Walk is a flat walk, such as a trail walk and is used for entering and exiting the show ring. The Mountain Pleasure Gait is a lightly collected, low, moderate rack, evenly spaced four-beat, square, lateral gait with moderate speed and extension and without exaggerated knee or hock action. The gait can be heard as the horse moves such that one can count four distinct hoof beats that produce a cadence of near equal rhythm, and the gait is initiated by the hind leg. It is a natural pleasure gait such as a single-foot or mountain running walk, though neither is more desirable than the other as long as it is performed naturally and consistently. The gait is smooth and easy to ride, and from the saddle it feels relatively action-free with only a slight front to back motion. It is a surefooted gait because each foot moves independently and separately -- the horse always has one foot on the ground and three in motion.

Unlike some gaited horses, no action devices, aids or harsh training methods are necessary or allowed. The gait is natural and is bred into the horses through many generations of selective breeding.

Today, the MPHA registration books are closed. Any offspring resulting registered Mountain Pleasure Horse parents is eligible for permanent registration provided that parentage is confirmed by blood typing. In addition, all horses submitted for registration must demonstrate that they possess gait by sending a videotape to the MPHA.

The Mountain Pleasure Horse has a superb memory and once trained, remembers their lessons well. Veteran trainers are amazed at how fast this breed can learn. But then, the Mountain Pleasure Horse is a very intelligent horse with a willing disposition that also loves attention.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

America's Favorite Shetland Pony

Perhaps the oldest breed of horse in the United Kingdom is the Shetland Pony that was named after the Scottish islands where the breed originated. It is one of the most popular and well-known ponies in the world today and is recognized as the strongest Equid relative to its size in existence. The Shetland Islands lay off the northern coast of Scotland and are mostly barren with a harsh climate. For centuries the Shetland Pony lived in the open islands, protected from the weather only by shaggy thick hair, long mane, and forelocks. The harsh environment also contributed to the Shetland having a thick neck, short ears, and strong hooves. The Shetland Islanders domesticated the ponies and used them to carry peat from the bogs that was used as fuel in the cottages; and to haul seaweed from the shore to the fields that was used as fertilizer.

Americans fell in love with Shetland Ponies the minute they arrived from the islands over 120 years ago and that love affair continues today.

The Shetland Pony’s origin goes back to equines that were larger than the modern breed and that lived in the Shetland Islands as early as the as the 8th and 9th centuries, during the Bronze Age. When the Norsemen invaded the Shetland Islands, they brought ponies with them which were the ancestors of the modern Dole Pony. These ancestral ponies were crossed with native stock which created the Shetland Pony that is similar to the breed as known today. The isolation of island life allowed them to become a distinct breed all on their own.

When the coal mining industry became extensively developed in Britain in the 1800’s, Shetland Ponies were imported in great numbers to haul coal cars in the pits. Many of these ponies were born in the mines, lived underground and died in the mines. Some never saw daylight. Many Shetlands were subsequently exported to the United States to work in the coal mines but by the mid-1900's mechanization rendered the pony inefficient. In the American Midwest, Draft Shetlands are still common and compete in weight-pulling contests at the county fairs similar to those in which heavy draft horses compete.

There are four varieties of Shetland Ponies in the United States. The American Shetland Pony Club recognizes two distinct types of Shetland Ponies: the Classic Shetland Pony and the Modern Shetland Pony. Additionally, there are registries for the two types of allowable Shetland pony crosses: the American Show Pony and the National Show Pony. The ASPC's goal is to have a pony suited to almost everyone's needs. Overall, Shetland Ponies are athletic, quick learners and extremely hardy. They generally have excellent hooves.

The Classic American Shetland Pony is the original breed that dates back to the Shetland Islands. These ponies were brought to the United States in the 1800's and were first registered by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) that was founded in 1888 to preserve the bloodlines of the Shetland Pony, while improving and refining the breed. After having been in the United States for more than 120 years, it has been selectively bred for refinement which resulted in a sturdy, versatile, yet elegant, pony.

No larger than 46" (11.5 hands), the Classic American Shetland is the perfect starter size pony for a child. In contrast, the British Shetland is smaller and stands an average of 9.3 hands, and does not exceed 10.2 hands. Since the ponies were bred to pull ore carts in the coal mines in the mid 1800's, Classic Shetlands excel at driving and halter classes. Classic American Shetland Ponies have been used in therapeutic riding programs for the physically and mentally challenged. The love and devotion that a Shetland Pony can offer is giant-sized.

The Modern Shetland Pony combines the hardiness of the Classic Shetland Pony with an outcross of an animated and superiorly refined breed. However, just what this "superiorly refined breed" was has not been mentioned in the literature. Whatever this cross was, it produced a long shapely neck and a fine-boned sophisticated pony with extreme action and spirited that works well in the show ring. Like all Shetlands, the Moderns come in all colors. They can be no taller than 46" and are shown in two height divisions: the under 43" class; and the 43" to 46" class and in breeding/halter classes along with performance classes, which include roadster, harness and pleasure driving.

The Modern Shetland is agile and quick thinking, and can be used for everything from gymkhana ponies to hunter/jumpers. This equine has the high action and elegance of a carriage horse and the hardiness of a pony.

American Show Pony are similar to the Modern Shetland Pony, however the American Show Pony is allowed to be a maximum height of 48" (12 hands) at the withers and are the result of a cross with the Hackney. The American Show Pony can be of either Shetland or Hackney breeding or a combination of both. These larger, flashy ponies are especially suited to driving and tend to draw a lot of attention in the shows.

The newest equine in the Shetland Pony family is the National Show Pony. These are required to have one purebred Shetland parent and can measure up to a full 14.2 hands at the withers. Again, there is no mention of the breed(s) used or allowed in the cross that creates the National Show Pony. Show divisions for hunters, western, and driving are currently being developed and integrated into Shetland Pony shows and these larger National Show Ponies will enable growing children to enjoy riding a pony with Shetland attributes over a longer period of time in their lives. The National Show Pony can be used by adults as a larger carriage pony.

Because of their small size and hardiness, Shetland Ponies are often the choice for young children to ride.  But their short legs give them a very rough, bouncy trot that is difficult to sit. Moreover, most Shetlands can be very difficult, stubborn and hard-headed; they like to do things their own way, and in their own time.  So, young children can be discouraged from riding when their pony is rude; has a bouncy trot; or refuses to do as their owner says. This all makes them more suited to adults, but it has been said that if a child can learn to master the Shetland, they can ride anything later.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Walkaloosa Horse - A Splash of Color And a Rainbow Of Gaits

Walkaloosa horses are gaited horses with the same exotic coloring of the Appaloosa, but contrary to what the breed's name implies, a Walkaloosa does not have to have Walking Horse ancestry. Any combination of naturally gaited horse with Appaloosa coloring qualifies as a Walkaloosa and the many accepted gaits include the Fox Trot, the Running Walk, the Rack, and the Stepping Pace or basically any smooth saddle gait somewhere between a trot and a pace. Even Gene Autry owned a gaited Appaloosa and he delighted in showing off El Morroco's smooth gait by putting a glass of water on his saddle horn and riding swiftly without spilling a drop.

Even though the Walkaloosa breed registry itself is fairly new, the breed itself has been around for centuries. Appaloosa breeders claim to have the oldest recognizable breed known; a claim that can backed up by the drawings of spotted horses in the prehistoric ice caves of France. The Paso Fino breeders claim that their breed is the oldest breed in the Western Hemisphere since their ancestors came to the New World with Columbus on his second voyage from Spain and some of the Conquistador's Paso Fino horses also carried the spotted coat patterns of what is known as the Appaloosa today. These spotted horses made their way via various means throughout the Americas and the Nez Pierce Indians eventually claimed them as their own when they turned up in the north. They were one of the only tribes to practice selective breeding. They were very proud of their spotted horses and extremely pleased with the smooth, rolling gait called the Indian Shuffle, because they could move their belongings quickly without jarring of either the rider, or their belongings. In an age when the average horse could be bought for as little as $2, cowboys were willing to pay up to $50.00 or more for a good Appaloosa Shuffler. Not only was it a mark of prestige, but the comfortable gait was as easy on the cowboy and his belongings as it had been for the Spaniards and the Indians before him.

But as wonderful as the Shuffling horses were, early breeders did not try to keep the Shufflers in their Appaloosa herds and with the large percentage of non-gaited Quarter Horse, Arabian, and Thoroughbred in today's Appaloosas, many breeders had never even heard of a Shuffler. With so much Quarter Horse influence in the breed now, the current emphasis on stock horse performance has all but erased the gait that had been so carefully bred into the horses centuries ago. In fact, breeders shy way from including the naturally gaited horses in their breeding programs because any intermediate gait, other than a trot, is cause for disqualification in the Appaloosa show ring, yet that gait is exactly what the Walkaloosa show ring is looking for to put back into their horses.

The Appaloosa horse had already been a distinct breed for over a hundred years by the time the Appaloosa Horse Club (AHC) was formed in 1938. At that time, no distinction was made between the many gaited and non-gaited Appaloosas, so they were all registered as Appaloosas. But now the AHC will no longer register any Appaloosa colored foal that has a parent from a gaited breed. However, gaited Appaloosas can still be registered as Appaloosas if they qualify under normal AHC rules (ApHC, AQHA, AHR, JC parentage only) but that gene pool is so small that these horses are extremely rare. A related breed is the Tiger Horse, a gaited Appaloosa with no added gaited breeds, but rather an attempt to find and register the original gaited Appaloosas to preserve them before they are lost completely.

The earliest recorded registration of a Walkaloosa was from 1965, but there is no other information available regarding that comment, or just when the Walkaloosa name was chosen, since the Walkaloosa Horse Association (WHA) wasn't formed until 1983. The WHA maintains the records of horses that have both Appaloosa coloring or heritage and the smooth saddle gait. In order to qualify as a Walkaloosa, a horse must meet one of three criteria: it must have both registered Walkaloosa parents; or show Appaloosa coloring and demonstrate an intermediate gait, other than a trot; or have both verifiable Appaloosa and gaited horse blood.

Because the registry is currently open to so many different breeds of gaited horses, the Walkaloosa comes in many body types, but it is the combination of the coloring and the smooth, natural gait that makes them unique. Horses of Walkaloosa breeding that do not display either color or gait at registration time are registered with a Breeding Stock number since gait often develops as the horse matures and may be passed along to offspring even if not seen in the parent. As for color, it is know that Appaloosa color just does its own thing, and if the horse does develop a gait and/or color, it will be acknowledged on the papers. The complete pedigree is not necessary to register a horse, but it looks better on the certificate.

But even with so many conformation types possible, there is a breed standard that is designed to promote the ideal look for the breed, with the goal being to create a horse that combines beauty with functionality and a docile temperament along with smooth and brilliant gaits. Walkaloosa horses are to be bred for balance of movement and harmony of form with the ideal Walkaloosa traveling in a smooth solid gait with animation, rhythm, and style. They should have radiant coloring, intelligent minds, good conformation and the genetic ability to transmit all these traits to their offspring. Breeders of Walkaloosa horses should keep a special adherence to a breed standard that ensures soundness and versatility, with conformation adhering to standards that promote a sound, hardy horse with longevity.

The Walkaloosa ranges between 13 and 17 hands with 14.2 to 15.3 hands being average and they can weigh from, 600 to 1,300 pounds, additionally, the Walkaloosa horse should be able to perform three gaits: walk, their special gait and the canter, all with equal ease. The overall physical impression of the breed should have stallions displaying masculinity and mares displaying femininity. The thickness and type of muscling pattern will vary between the gait types, but the muscling should be ideal for the specific gait that the individual horse is best suited for.

The Walkaloosa is meant to be an outstanding pleasure and trail mount, but also a working cattle or show horse and therefore they should show a kind disposition with a willingness to work and learn.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The European Trakehner Warmblood Horse Is On Track to Glory

The Trakehner is a European warmblood horse that is the oldest and most highly-bred of all the German warmblood breeds. It is today's only purebred riding horse breed that was systematically created from the indigenous Prussian horses. The breed's name comes from the world-famous royal main stud farm that was established in 1732 in Trakehnen by King Friedrich Wilhelm 1 in what used to be East Prussia (Germany) but is now part of Russia. This was where the foundation for the breed was laid and all bloodlines can be traced back to this source.

King Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia wanted his soldiers to have reliable transportation that was faster, sounder and with more endurance than that of his contemporaries, so he opened the stud farm in 1732 where he established the Trakehnen stud by using the indigenous Schweiken horse as a base. In the beginning, these Prussian horses were plain, stocky, yet strong and hardy, but they needed some added size and refinement. This Schweiken, or Schwaike, is a larger descendent of the Konik pony which is a direct descendent of the primitive Tarpan and the Schweiken, which flourished for many centuries in the region, shows the Tarpan's extraordinary natural vitality, hardiness, strength and powers of endurance.

When Count Lindenau took over the stud management in 1787, he eliminated 2/3 of the stallions and 1/3 of the broodmares and began allowing private breeders to bring their mares to be serviced by the royal stallions. Later, during 1817 to 1837top quality English Thoroughbreds and purebred Arabians were introduced in small quantities to the small native Schweiken mares; a practice that is still followed today under strict approval conditions by the West German Trakehner Verband. Various other breeds were tried, but eventually the breeding directors limited themselves to Thoroughbred and Arabian crosses to the Schweiken since the results were exactly what the King Wilhelm I was looking for: a balance between the size, nerve, spirit and endurance of the Thoroughbred to the bulk, stability and nobility of the native breed with further refinement coming from the Arabian. The selection process for the King's cavalry mounts was strict and allowed only the best to be bred, while the average horses, the culls, was sold as riding horses.

Before World War II, the Trakehners were the most successful sports horses and hunters and the 1936 Olympics saw Trakehner Warmbloods win six gold medals and one silver medal. But by the end of 1944, horse breeding in East Prussia came to a sudden end when families fled westward in the face of the Russian invasion and the survivors owed their lives to their Trakehner horses carrying them there. From the main stud Trakehnen only 27 broodmares could be saved ahead of the invasion, but fortunately the breed continued to live on with the primary breeding area now in West Germany.

The Trakehner was first introduced into North America only in the late 1950s when the breed was first imported to Canada and later into the United States. By 1956, there were only 602 mares and 45 stallions left in the world and the Trakehner population had reached rock bottom.

Trakehner Warmbloods were then imported into Great Britain in 1960 by the Muschamp Stud and have steadily gained in popularity since. In fact, Trakehner Breeders Fraternity (TBF) is licensed by the Trakehner Verband GmbH in Germany to brand registered horses with the distinctive double Elk horn emblem with an inverted ' V ‘beneath it to denote “British Bred ".

Today however more than 5000 broodmares and 300 stallions are registered with the Trakehner Verband GmbH in Germany which makes the Trakehner one of the most significant German riding horse breeds.

American Trakehner Association, (ATA) was founded in 1974 and not only registers the American bred Trakehners, but also brands them. Purebred Trakehners are eligible to receive the double moose antler and curved under-bar, while part-bred Trakehners are eligible for the ATA design. If the horse already has a brand from another registry, however, it cannot have ATA brand. Branding is optional, but is encouraged as a way to showcase the Trakehner breed and as both identification and as a theft deterrent.

The Trakehner Warmblood Horse is a large equine, standing 15.3 to 17 hands, with the average at 16-16.2 hands. It has great substance and boning, yet shows a surprising refinement; more so than any other European Warmblood. It has an attractive head perched on a long neck with high withers and a deep chest. It is a superb performance sport horse with a natural elegance and balance that excels in dressage because of its elegant way of moving. It has a light, springy, "floating" trot and soft, balanced canter, both made possible by its deep, sloping shoulder, a moderately long back and medium length pasterns. The breed also produces excellent jumpers due to the powerful hindquarters, good feet, strong joints and muscling. The Trakehner is bred in only solid colors.

The Trakehner horse has grace, power, magnificent movement with natural balance and fantastic athletic ability, but the most outstanding characteristic of the Trakehner is its friendly, accepting, eager-to-please temperament. They are keen, alert and intelligent and have a level headed ability to undertake intense work and concentration when asked. With all these characteristics, the Trakehner Warmbloods continue to excel in most equine disciplines, though most especially in show jumping and dressage.

However, the European Trakehner Warmblood should not be confused with the Russian Trakehner Warmblood, which is a slightly different breed. The Russian Trakehner is rangier and lighter in weight and its legs have generally cleaner lines, especially the cannons and the fetlocks. It is an excellent mover, and since the Russian Trakehner Warmblood horse is used to being kept in herds, it is more economical to keep. Although it is not as enduring as the endemic Russian horse breeds, the Russian Trakehner Warmblood horse does compares favorably with its European warmblood cousin.


About Crystal Eikanger
Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on http://www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. http://www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Kentucky Appalachian Bred Rocky Mountain Horse®

When the Rocky Mountain Horse® originated in the United States in the late 1800's in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky, there was no comprehension of the need to document anything about them. Therefore the history of this horse from 1890 to the late 1900's has little or no documentation. The inhabitants of this region were unaware that their utility horses might someday become the foundation of a special breed. In fact, the existence of these horses was mostly a secret for many years to all but the locals. Few facts can be proven beyond the shadow of doubt since everyone who personally witnessed the breed's beginnings in the 1800's is now deceased. Only a verbal history passed down from generation to generation exists, so all that can be recorded are the stories remembered by living descendants of those witnesses.

A horse was a necessity, had to be versatile and had to earn its keep by working hard daily. Even so, the families of this poor area could not afford the upkeep, so their horses received no special care, and had to withstand the harsh winters in Kentucky with minimal shelter. They were fed a kind of rough silage and some ate the bark off trees when they were hungry. Only the horses that survived these extreme conditions lived to reproduce their kind.

The traditional belief is that around 1890, a young, gaited colt appeared in eastern Kentucky that was the foundation to a line of horses that has been treasured in the area ever since. He was called "the Rocky Mountain Horse" by the local Appalachian people because of the area he had come from. Little is known about this foundation stallion, but the oral history indicates that he was chocolate-colored with a flaxen mane and tail, and that he possessed a superior gait.

This stallion was out-crossed to the local Appalachian saddle mares in this relatively small geographical area but the basic characteristics of this strong genetic line continue. A medium-sized horse of gentle temperament with an easy ambling four beat gait that made it the horse of choice on the farms and rugged foothills of the Appalachians was created. This versatile horse had natural endurance, could plow, work cattle, be ridden, or drive the buggy. Because of the gait, they could cover a greater distance without tiring. For these reasons the breed was preserved and this prized line of horses gradually increased in numbers. Today it is known as the Rocky Mountain Horse® and is used as a pleasure horse, for trail or endurance riding, and as a show horse, is rapidly gaining popularity because of their unique way of moving in the ring. The calm nature is ideally suited for working around cattle and for 4-H projects.

In Spout Springs, Kentucky, Sam Tuttle was the most prominent breeder of Rocky Mountain Horses for nearly 75 years and is considered to be the person most responsible for the survival of the breed. He used these horses for many years in the 1960's to haul inexperienced people over rough and rugged trails in Natural Bridge State Park. His favorite stallion, Old Tobe, was also his primary breeding stallion and sired foals until the age of 34, and lived to age 37. He had the perfect sure-footed gait and a calm, gentle temperament and was the one that carried the young, the old, or the unsure over the mountain trails for 10 years without faltering, even though he was a breeding stallion. Everyone who rode the stallion fell in love with him and his offspring were always in demand. He passed on his gait, disposition, and other great qualities to his offspring but one outstanding trait passed on was longevity, and many of his offspring are still breeding in their late twenties and early thirties. It has also been said that his offspring followed in his perfectly-timed footsteps. Many of the present Rocky Mountain Horses® can trace back to Old Tobe.

When roads improved and new means of travel were created, gaited horse populations in the United States started to decline. One exception was the less-developed area of the Appalachian Mountains where gaited horses were still necessary for travel where there were no roads, and so breeding continued. Even through the hard times of the Depression and World War II years, Sam Tuttle kept a sizable herd of thirty to forty horses on his farm. In the 1950s, when the horse populations in general were rapidly declining due to tractors and farm machinery available, breeders still bought their mares to Old Tobe from several different states and he was always in demand for stud service.

It became obvious that a haphazard and unorganized maintenance of this breed could eventually result in its loss and so a systematic preservation of the characteristics of the Rocky Mountain Horse® was necessary. So, from 1980 through 1985, Rea Swan of Lexington, Kentucky, diligently worked on locating the few remaining breeders who were interested in preserving this unique strain. In total, 26 people, representing only 33 horses, attended the first meeting in May 1986 in Winchester, Kentucky to form the Rocky Mountain Horse Association' (RMHA) for the explicit purpose of preserving, promoting, breeding, and developing the Rocky Mountain Horse®. The breed has since been issued a Registration Certification mark by the U.S. Patent Office and only those horses registered by the RMHA may be called a Rocky Mountain Horse®. Of all the "mountain horse" breed registries, the first breed-specific registry to be formed was the RMHA and there are now over 12,000 registered Rocky Mountain Horses®.

In October 1986, people who were concerned with keeping the breed alive came from 7 different counties to the first open meeting of the RMHA and 30 horses that met breed standards were registered that day, for a starting total of 63 horses. But for the next few years, members had the daunting task of locating and determining which horses qualified for registration as foundation stock. After locating a horse that qualified, the process for determining and recording its lineage was a difficult task due to the lack of prior documentation of parentage, so it was a bit like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. But after talking to enough people, much of the missing information was found and the RMHA was able to fill in the rest of the pieces. Today, any vague or unsubstantiated information about lineage is denoted by the letters “STBB", on the registration papers, which stands for "said to be by", and in 1989, the books were closed for registrations of foundation stock to preserving the traits of the breed by limiting further unknown lineage. The Rocky Mountain Horse is one of the few American breeds that require certification before breeding to produce offspring eligible for registration and it is a unique concept used for culling undesirable traits before they get into the gene pool.

The Rocky Mountain Horse® is from 14.2 to 16 hands high, but the only exception to this is for mares that can be certified at a minimum of 14 hands under certain conditions. The breed comes in only solid colors, but facial markings are acceptable if not excessive, and there cannot be any white above the knee or hock. The horse must have a natural ambling four beat gait, either a single foot or a rack, with no evidence of pacing. When the Rocky Mountain Horse® moves, you can count 4 distinct hoofbeats which produce a cadence of equal rhythm in this order: left rear, left front, right rear, right front. This gait is naturally present from birth and does not require training aids or action devices. Each individual horse has its own speed and can travel at 7-20 miles per hour.

The Rocky Mountain Horse® is known for its gentleness and its ease of handling and training. It is a wonderful surefooted and comfortable riding horse with a strong heart and natural endurance.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

Rocky Mountain Horse® is a registered trademark of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association.

That High Perch You're On Might Be a Percheron - the French Draft Horse

The Percheron is a very ancient breed of French draft horse that many people are familiar with, though perhaps not by name. These gigantic horses can't help but be noticed, and are often used for novelty carriage rides, and there's usually a few in harness at state and county fairs. They have also appeared in advertisements and company logos in the United States many times.

The breed derives its name from the Perche Valley of the Le Perche province in northwest France, 50 miles southwest of Paris; a region long famed for its horses. From the earliest known times the people of Le Perche have been producers of horses, but not often buyers of them, so in terms of breeding stock, they are an isolated equine population.

However, the mysterious origins of the Percheron have been lost over time because the breed pre-dates documented pedigrees and organized breeding in Europe by several centuries. Some believe the Percheron descends from the original horses that were found in France during the Ice Age. Others say that the breed is closely related to the French Boulonnais draft horses that were used in the Roman invasion of Brittany.

Another theory is that the breed is from Abd el Rahman's Arab stallions or from some of the horses that were used by the invading Moors during the battle of Poitiers that were eventually divided among the victorious French forces. What is known is that twice in the history of the breed, native mares of the Le Perche region were mated with Arab stallions first during the 8th century and later during the Middle Ages, when historical records show that Percherons were used as military horses. By the time of the crusades, the Percheron was widely recognized as outstanding for size and soundness, as well as for beauty and style.

By the 17th century, these horses produced in Le Perche had a widespread reputation that put them in demand for a number of heavy duty uses. After the invention of gunpowder, heavy warhorses were no longer needed. The Percheron then became the choice for pulling heavy French stagecoaches called diligences and became known as diligence horses. With the invention of the railroad, Percherons switched from stagecoach driving to farm duty and other heavy labor.

In the early 19th century, the government in France established a stud at Le Pin for developing mounts for the French army. In 1823, a horse named Jean Le Blanc was foaled in Le Perche and all of today's modern Percheron bloodlines trace directly to this stallion.

Percherons were first imported to the United States in 1839 with thousands more imported during the last half of the 19th century. The Percheron is especially well suited to the U.S. because it can handle a wide variety of weather conditions and it quickly became the most popular horse of both the American farmer and the teamster who moved freight and cargo on the nation's streets. The Percheron was such a popular horse that by 1930, the census showed that there were three times as many registered Percherons as the other draft breeds, Shire, Belgian, and Clydesdale, combined.

When horses were replaced by cars, this led to a decline in demand for draft horses and then following World War II, this ancient horse was almost lost when the invention of the modern farm tractor nearly made the breed extinct. The low point came in 1954 when just 85 head were recorded. Fortunately the Percheron was rescued by a handful of farmers, including many Amish; along with fans abroad and in France; all of whom were dedicated to the preservation of the breed and managed to keep it alive through the next twenty years of the draft horse depression.

The 1960's saw a resurgence in the draft horse business as Americans rediscovered its usefulness. Percherons are now back on small farms and are also working in forests as logging animals that can take out a few trees without ruining the rest in the smaller woodlots. They can work on terrain where even the most modern tractors and four-wheel-drive vehicles fail and can work in mud and snow better than man-made machines.

Today, Percherons are used primarily as show horses, and they are sometimes seen pulling carriages for big city tourism and used for recreational driving such as hayrides, sleigh rides and parades, often in teams of dappled gray or black. They are still widely used for farm work in France and some parts of rural Europe.
Old paintings and crude drawings from the Middle Ages traditionally show that the Percheron has been a breed of mostly gray horses. The French knight is almost always shown on a grey or white horse of considerable substance for that time. Nowadays, Percherons are generally black or gray, but there are also chestnut, sorrel, bay, roan, and other colors possible. Some registries only accept those black and gray, though chestnut, and bay are acceptable for registration in the US if accompanied by a DNA test confirming parentage. Some horses have white markings on the head and feet, but excessive white is undesirable.

Like other draft horses, the Percheron has a very compact, muscular build which is designed to generate a lot of power. These horses have very heavily muscled hindquarters and short backs which is the best combination for power. They also have long, thick necks, and blocky heads with wide-set full prominent eyes. The strong jaw and refined ears suggests Arabian ancestry. Their tails tend to be clipped for farm work, but when allowed to grow, they are long, wavy, and surprisingly silky. Stallions should have ruggedness about the head and mares should have a feminine look.

Lately, modern show Percherons have been bred for a longer, thinner neck, a longer back, and longer, smoother-looking muscles. However, these types of Percherons are used mainly as show horses and not for the really heavy work of their predecessors. They are shown in competition hitching and halter classes at many state and county fairs across the United States. Percherons can be ridden and some have even been trained into fine jumpers.

Percherons range in height from 15 to 19 hands high, most are between 16-2 and 17-3 hands high. Weight ranges from an average of 1,900 pounds up to 2,600 pounds. One of the tallest horses recorded was a Percheron named Dr Le Gear, born in 1902, that was 21.1 hands high (7 feet) and weighed just over 3,000 pounds. In spite of their size, their life-span is over 25 years.

Just as with other draft horse breeds, the Percheron has a very pleasing disposition; gentle, amiable, friendly and curious around young children. The breed is proud, alert, intelligent, easily trained and willing to work. They will stand patiently without being tethered and can tolerate boring conditions and inexperienced handlers well.

The Percheron is very versatile and adaptable breed. These horses also have incredible endurance, and they are remarkably agile and surefooted for a draft breed. Their imposing size demands the respect of all who view them. Yes, it is a high perch you are on if you are riding a Percheron.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

Westfalen or Westphalian - A Wonderful Warmblood Horse by Any Name

The Westphalian or Westfalen horse is a breed of German warmblood that is similar in physique to the Hanoverian Warmblood on which it has been based since 1920. The Westphalian stands 15.2 to 17.2 hands high, but averages 16.1 hands and like most warmbloods, is always presented in a solid color such as brown, black, gray, chestnut, or bay. Other colors exist, but they are rare, though not discriminated against. They weigh between 1000 and 1300 pounds.

The Westphalian horse is probably one of the most well-known warmblood breeds, next to the Hanoverian Warmblood. Its studbook population is second only to that of the Hanoverians in size, and like the Hanoverian, it features only those horses which meet its exacting standards. After Hanover, the region of Westphalia has the largest number of registered broodmares in Germany. Second to Lower Saxony, Westphalia is the second most important horse breeding region in Germany with 10,000 broodmares, approximately 120 state stallions and many private stallions available. Also, like its bordering state of Hanover, Westphalia has a jumping horse on its coat of arms, and in both states, horse breeding has been a long-standing tradition.

The roots of the Westphalian go back to the 1700s, when the German nobility, most notably, King Frederick Wilhelm I established several breeding programs under the Prussian Stud Administration in 1713 to improve Germany's horse stocks, while creating several state-owned studs which were maintained for the benefit of Germany's citizens.

Many random attempts by breeders were made to create a new breed, and these wasted efforts to form a unique or stable breed lasted until the turn of the 19th Century. It was not until the founding of the state stud that a planned breeding program actually began. The state stud at Warendorf, "Landgestuet Warendorf" was founded in 1826 to serve the North Rhine-Westphalian region. The first stallions to stand at Warendorf were from East Prussia, and were similar to the Trakehners of the time. This was when the form of the modern Westphalian began to emerge in the stud at Warendorf, in western Germany. They were originally bred as working animals, testing under saddle and in agricultural pursuits. The annual stallion parade at Warendorf has since become a traditional gathering point for thousands of horse enthusiasts.

By 1888, the first studbook for the horses in Westphalia was founded, and the following year the first evaluations of stallions and mares were carried out. Horses which met the strict breed standard were branded as foals with the Westphalian crest: a crowned shield containing the letter "W" which they receive when they are awarded their registration papers at a foal show.

The Westphalian Warmblood was based on Oldenburg blood and also on Anglo-Normandy stallions starting in 1900 when the noble East Prussian Trakehners stallions were replaced with the heavy warmbloods from Oldenburg and East Frisia. In 1905 the first performance tests were held, and now stallions had to not only fit a conformation model, but also had to prove themselves under saddle and in front of a plow before being allowed to breed.

But those breeding efforts ended with World War I, since those breeds were not suitable for the Westphalian soil. After the war, in 1920, warmblood breeding was started again and the Westphalian Warmblood became based on the Hanoverian Warmblood with some Thoroughbred and Trakehner influence. This turned out to be very successful, but sadly, many of the old breeding records that had been kept so carefully were destroyed in the political turmoil in Germany during World War II. Today, the exterior of the Westphalian Warmblood is very similar to the Hanoverian.

They are large horses, and typically have long necks, high muscular withers, long sloping shoulders, and noble, intelligent heads. Their legs are strong with massive joints. Like other German warmbloods, Westphalians are very calm and quiet tempered and do well in training. They perform dependably under saddle and are well known for having a naturally bold, expansive and elastic springing gait. The breed has evolved from a working animal into a sport horse, with finer boning than its predecessors, and is bred to be naturally friendly and athletic.

In the United States, Rhinelander Warmbloods are sometimes misrepresented as Westphalian Warmbloods to buyers. While the two studbooks have the same standard, the same approval process, and share a state stud facility, they remain as two distinct studbooks, and the brand on the left hip should help to distinguish the difference between them.

The Westphalian Warmblood is an outstanding general-purpose sport horse that excels at driving and riding, both for pleasure and for competition. They are well suited to equestrian sports, especially dressage and jumping, three-day eventing, hunt field, and the Westphalian horses have shown their high quality with many of the breed's members competing in Olympic events.

A well trained Westphalian Warmblood is suitable for riders at all skill levels and for young riders who are considering the pursuit of equestrian sports as a career; a Westphalian can be a valuable and dependable companion.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.

The Moorland National Heritage of the Dartmoor Pony

The Dartmoor pony is a very rare breed with only a handful left in the world. For many centuries these ponies have lived, bred and run free on Dartmoor in the United Kingdom; a wild upland area of moorland and granite tors, rising in altitude to over 2,000 feet. The Dartmoor Pony is an ancient breed originating on the moorlands of Southern Devon in southwest England and is closely related to the Exmoor Pony. Through the centuries, the rough, rocky terrain, sparse grazing, and the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, have produced a sure-footed, small yet strong and particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina that is capable of excelling in any number of equine disciplines.

During the tin mining era, the Dartmoor Pony was used extensively between the 12th and 15th centuries to carry tin from the mines across the moors to the stannary towns. Its original genetic purity suffered greatly from the inclusion of Shetland pony blood between 1789 and 1832 when breeders tried to produce a suitable coal mine pit pony. Following the closure of the mines, some Dartmoor ponies were kept for agricultural uses, such as driving and shepherding for which they were particularly well suited, but most of the ponies were turned loose and left to roam free on the moors.

Nowadays, it lives in a feral or "wild" state in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. All the ponies that are born and bred on the commons of Dartmoor are called Dartmoor Hill Ponies. There are 3 main types that vary in shape, color and size. The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) does not financially support either the non-local Shetland type or the Colored type of Dartmoor Hill Pony, but they do support the Indigenous type (both wild and pedigree).

The Wild Native Dartmoor Pony roams the open moor and represents the foundations of the original Dartmoor Pony breed. The DPHT sponsors 24 herds of wild ponies across the Dartmoor moors to aid in their future survival. Money that is donated to the DPHT is invested towards preserving the irreplaceable gene pool. These ponies can be found all over Dartmoor and are usually bay with long flowing manes and little or no white on them.

The Pure-bred Dartmoor Pony or Registered Dartmoor Pony is similar to the wild Native Dartmoor Pony. However, since the registered pony has a known pedigree it also tends to be more refined than the native breed. These ponies can be seen at pony breed shows and on stud farms. There are a few pedigreed herds out grazing on the commons. Some of the Dartmoor ponies on the moors are owned and protected by farmers and these animals are usually identified by their brands.

But despite this protection of the herds, their numbers have declined from an estimated 25,800 ponies in the 1930's to around 5,000 today.

The ponies are rounded up annually in the fall; the foals are weaned and some are offered for sale. If you purchase a pony from the commons at Dartmoor you will have a pony of good temperament. The Moorland ponies are semi-feral and have rarely been handled so this makes them potentially unsuitable for inexperienced people. Ponies that are sold at markets are under one year of age and cannot be ridden until they are at least four years old.

The earliest documented mention of the Dartmoor Pony is in the will of Awifwold of Crediton, a Saxon Bishop who died in 1012. Between 1535 and 1541, King Henry VIII passed laws to eliminate the keeping of small horses under 14 hands and fines were imposed on anyone breeding to a small stallion. This was due to the weight of the armor worn by the knights which made it necessary to breed a horse capable of carrying the weight. Small "stoned horses" were considered unprofitable and smaller ponies than 15 hands were caught and destroyed. Fortunately, in remote areas like Dartmoor, this law was mostly ignored.

In 1893, the National Pony Society was formed and for several years was known as The Polo Pony Society. In 1898, a breed standard was created and a committee was set up to inspect ponies into a new stud book. Soon afterwards, in 1899, the Mountain and Moorland sections opened in The Polo Pony Stud Book and agreement was made to accept Dartmoor Pony registrations through a committee that was appointed to select suitable ponies. In 1924-25 the Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) was formed in the United Kingdom and the maximum height of 12.2 hands was set.

The Dartmoor Pony was first introduced to North America in the 1930's but due to extensive cross-breeding, the pure bloodlines began to disappear. Through the dedicated efforts of Mrs. Joan Dunning of White Post, Virginia, the purebred Dartmoor Pony was preserved in the United States. The Dartmoor Pony Registry of America (DPRA) was founded in 1956 and keeps the official studbook. Although still considered a rare breed, the Dartmoor Pony population has been growing steadily in the United States. Recently there have been many quality imports from England. Dartmoor Ponies now are bred in Britain, Europe, and in North America, and are often used in the development of the Riding Pony.

One unusual bit of evidence that has been uncovered is that miniature horse dwarfism and congenital defects are more prevalent in the US miniature horse breeding programs than in foreign countries. In Britain, many smaller Dartmoor Ponies are within the height requirements of US Miniature Horse Registries, yet dwarfism is virtually unknown in the breed.

Dartmoor Ponies can be used for many purposes. They break well to harness and make intelligent driving ponies. With an exceptional mental attitude, the Dartmoor Pony is perfect as a child's riding and show pony and can compete in many disciplines with ease. They are brave with powerful rear quarters that make them solid and safe jumpers; ideal for small children just learning to jump. The Dartmoor Pony is reliable, sensible, kind and quiet.

The Dartmoor Pony is sturdily built with a small head, strong neck, strong back and high quarters. It ranges in height from 11 hands to no more than12.2 hands and is bay, brown, black and occasionally gray, chestnut or roan. White markings on the head and legs are to be minimal. Piebald and skewbald exist but are not recognized by the breed society as they are the result of interbreeding. The laid back shoulder and the long, low stride provide a smooth and comfortable ride for showing, hunting or trail riding. It is hardy, strong and versatile, with good stamina and long lived; up to 40 years.


About Crystal Eikanger

Crystal Eikanger is a freelance writer, web designer, video editor and voice talent working as Ei-Kan Productions on www.rentacoder.com as well as other freelance sites. www.HorseClicks.com is a popular website filled with classifieds of horses for sale, horse trailers, tack, and horse related properties.