by MarilynJane under CC BY  with wpseopix.com

Dream Horse

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So you want to find your dream horse!

 I’m sure you can find your dream horse and make him your own. But there’re a few questions you  need to ask yourself in the process.

A horse is a beautiful animal that can rival dogs – which are arguably the most popular choice for a pet – in terms of companionship and value in various aspects of your life. But if you’re still reading this article what you want is to find and purchase your dream horse.

Here are the questions you should answer:

1.Why are you buying a horse?
2.Who is going to ride your dream horse?
3.How old should your dream horse be upon purchase?
4.What about gender of your dream horse?
5.Do you have any color preference?
6.How much are you willing to spend to get your dream horse?
7.What breed should you dream horse be?

Now down to the nitty-gritty detail for your dream horse.

1.  WHY ARE YOU BUYING A HORSE?
This question tackles the appropriate breed or type of horse you should select. Are you interested in owning a horse for recreational purposes? Are you interested in competing? Do you wish to engage in the business of breeding horses? Are you going to use a horse as an all-around work animal on your farm or ranch?

2.  WHO IS GOING TO RIDE YOUR DREAM HORSE?
This mostly concerns individuals who are simply riding enthusiasts and wish to own a horse they can ride whenever they wish. If you are the only one who’s going to use the horse then you have your preferences alone to consider.

If, however, you’re purchasing a horse that will be of use to the whole family then you need to take into account the riding level, size, and weight of all possible riders. You need to select a horse that can easily accommodate the biggest rider among you but won’t be inclined to throw an inexperienced rider off his back.

3.  HOW OLD SHOULD YOUR DREAM HORSE BE UPON PURCHASE?
A slightly older horse may be “house-broken” already but this also means that it also had the time to get used to certain routines. A slightly older horse for instance may be used to being able to graze free in a large area and being handled by competent riders. If you only have a small stable and little riding skills to be speak of, such a horse is obviously not the ideal choice for you.

A foal, on the other hand, may not have any such considerations but it will however require efficient care and professional training from its owner. As the foal’s owner, it’s your responsibility then to ensure that it’s comfortable with its quarters, being fed regularly, and with a gentle disposition that will allow people to ride it safely.

4.  WHAT ABOUT GENDER OF YOUR DREAM HORSE?
Gender is mostly a concern of would-be horse breeders. Owning a mare will allow you greater rights in all future offspring. Having a stud is mostly suitable for experienced riders. Geldings on the other hand are ideal for riders with skills at the beginner level.

5.  DO YOU HAVE ANY COLOR PREFERENCES FOR YOUR DREAM HORSE?
The skin color of horses is generally any of the three: black, brown, or white. Skin color is only a factor if you’re particularly concerned with aesthetics.

6.  HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND TO GET YOUR DREAM HORSE?
Expect to spend a considerable amount of money whether you wish to purchase a horse for riding or working purposes. Make sure that you consider the costs of feeding, caring and grooming as well. If you don’t have a sufficient budget and space at home to build a stable for your horse, you will have no choice but to use the services of a boarding stable.

7.  WHAT BREED SHOULD YOUR DREAM HORSE BE?

Here’s a brief guide to some of the more popular breeds of horses to guide you in your selection of a dream horse.

ARABIAN – One of the oldest and arguably the most beautiful breeds in the world, Arabian horses are primarily bred by the Bedouins, a roaming Arab tribe, and mainly used for competitive and recreational riding. Expect to pay expensively if you wish to acquire an Arabian horse. This particular breed led to the development of Thoroughbreds.

QUARTER HORSE– The United States is the proud and original breeder of quarter horses, and they can can be used for riding, racing, and work purposes. Most of the photos you’ll see around featuring cowboys are mounted on quarter horses.

ANDALUSIAN – Also referred to as the Spanish horse, the Andalusian breed originates from the Iberian Peninsula and has a considerable influence over almost all other horse breeds except for the Arabian.

BELGIAN HEAVY DRAFT HORSE– This breed is one of the most popular choices for working horses.

MUSTANG OR BRONCO – These horses are also known as Indian ponies. They are essentially intelligent and capable of enduring long hours of work.

AMERICAN SADDLEBRED – The American Saddlebred horse today is one of the most recognized show ring horses and he is a very intelligent horse that is relatively easily trained. Having a sweet disposition  makes the breed a favourite with horse owners and riders everywhere.

FRIESIAN  – Along with their genuine beauty, these horses are sturdy, dependable animals who have routinely functioned both for “harness work” that is, as hitched to a wagon or plow for farm work or other device, or “saddle work,” being ridden as seen at shows and horse races.  Well disciplined, these horses are able to perform well in both types of use.

PERCHERON – My favourite, but I’m biased as my horse was a Percheron/Thorobred cross.  The Percheron is proud, alert and has an in-built intelligence and a boldness of character combined with a gentle willingness to perform well under almost all conditions. The encylopedia,Wikipedia, describes Percherons as”easy keepers and easy to work with and train”.

As a last note, please don’t forget to test any horse you have your eye on to be your DREAM HORSE  before closing the transaction.

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 The Beautiful American Saddlebred Horse

American Saddlebred Horse

The More I learn about horses the more I want to know about them. I’d seen American Saddlebred horses, but I wasn’t aware of exactly what they were or of their rich history until recently. This may be due to my being in Australia where we have the Standardbred horse, but very few American Saddlebred.

After a bit of investigation I learned that what we call the American Saddlebred horse today was once called the Kentucky Saddler, because the horse actually evolved during the 1800s in Kentucky by plantation owners. The breed evolved further in other American Southern states as well during that period, but mainly in Kentucky – hence the name.

It seems that the American Saddlebred horse is the result of selective breeding of the Canadian and Narraganett pacers, the Morgan horse, and the Thoroughbred.  The latter two breeds were apparently added to give the breed more substance and action

A bit of research showed that the horse gained popularity in the 1840s. The stallion Denmark, born in 1839, became the foundation sire, with a reputed more than 60% of today’s Saddlebreds tracing back to this one horse.

The American Saddlebred as a cavalry charger!

Historically, American Saddlebreds were the most popular cavalry chargers during the American Civil War and were highly sought after by cavalrymen and officers of both armies due to their good sense, endurance, and striking appearance.

Then later on, American Saddlebred horses went to every section of the country with returning Civil War Veterans. They could be seen on the bridle paths of New York’s Central Park, as well as herding cattle on the Texas plains.

Then later, when breeders started to promote the American Saddlebred it gained the affectionate nickname, “The Peacock of the Horse World”. One of the most famous Saddlebreds in the show world was Wing Commander (1943 – 1969). A six-time World Grand Champion, he became a leading sire of Saddlebred show horses.

Going back a bit, I can imagine that during the 1800s, the horse would have looked positively elegant as he pulled the family carriage to church on Sunday, as they were used primarily as a harness horse in those earlier times.

The American Saddlebred horse today is one of the most recognized show ring horses and he is a very intelligent horse that is relatively easily trained. Having a sweet disposition  makes the breed a favourite with horse owners and riders everywhere.

 Characteristics of the American Saddlebred horse

Characteristics of the American Saddlebred horse are a full tail and mane and that he has five distinct gaits. As you would expect, the American Saddlebred performs a walk, trot, and canter. But then it gets interesting.

The American Saddlebred also performs the slow gait that is a prancing four-beat motion with a deliberate (almost delicate) pause before each footfall. It’s fascinating to watch!

Then the Saddlebred also performs the “rack”, which is a full-speed, ground-covering, flashy four-beat gait with the horse snapping his knees and hocks up quickly. This gait is always a show-stopper.

In describing the American Saddlebred horse, I’m quoting from Wikipedia …
“The ideal  American Saddlebred is well- proportioned and presents a beautiful overall picture. Large, wide-set expressive eyes and gracefully shaped ears set close together are positioned on a well-shaped head. The neck is long with a fine, clean throatllatch and is arched and well-flexed at the poll.”

“The American Saddlebred sports  well-defined and prominent withers, while the shoulders are deep and sloping. Well-sprung ribs and a strong level back, also characterize the breed. The legs are straight with broad flat bones, sharply defined tendons and sloping pasterns. Saddlebreds are usually black, bay, or chestnut, but grays, buckskins, palominos, pintos and occasionally roans are also seen. The average height is 15 to 16 hands”.

Lordosis in the American Saddlebred

I recently posted an article on lordosis and was interested to read that it has been found to have a heredity basis in American Saddlebred horses and a recessive mode of inheritance. However then precise mutation has not yet been located.

American Saddlebred Horse Association

For those looking for further information on the American Saddlebred horse I suggest that you go to the American Saddlebred Horse Association at  http://www.asha.net/

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE:

Natural Horsemanship Training videos

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My dream horse, a true black beauty.

Like many in the early years of their riding career I had this great desire to own a big, strong and beautiful pure black horse. Are you the same? Circumstances were in my favour and I found Midnight , a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross who turned out to be just what I knew I really wanted.

In those days, now some years past, I’d never heard of a breed known as a Friesian. Had I known what I know now, the Friesian would probably have been the first on my list.

Their origin.

I should mention here that as I have personally had little contact with owners of Friesians, I’ve drawn some of the following descriptive information from Wikipedia.

The Friesian (also Frisian) is a horse breed originating in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Although the breed’s conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are extremely graceful and nimble for their size. During the Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages, their size enabled them to carry a knight in armour. In the Late Middle Ages, heavier, draft type horses were needed.

It’s interesting to note that although the breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity. They are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often now used today for dressage competition, pleasure riding, and driving. Friesian horses can do well in dressage competition due to the breed’s movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control. The breed is particularly known for it’s brisk, high-stepping trot.

The purebred Friesian

A hallmark of a purebred Friesian horse is its black color.  While small numbers of them are known to occur in additional colors such as chestnut.  Although the typical purebred Friesian horse does not bear any markings, some have a small star shape located on their foreheads.

Others have more elaborate white markings.  Typically only plain, unmarked black ones or the ones wearing only the small star are selected for registration.

These handsome horses have, in addition to their typical gleaming black coats, a thick mane and tail, and “feathered” hair on the lower legs.  This distinctive hair is not cut, but left on the legs to feather gracefully, giving the horses an attractive and unique look.

Along with their genuine beauty, these horses are sturdy, dependable animals who have routinely functioned both for “harness work” that is, as hitched to a wagon or plow for farm work or other device, or “saddle work,” being ridden as seen at shows and horse races.  Well disciplined, these horses are able to perform well in both types of use.

Friesian horses were typically raised with dairy animals.  Part of their early work was to help with the dairy farms.  When mechanization became a way of life on the old farms, replacing the use and dependence on the horses, these elegant horses began to fall out of use.  However, their well-known attributes enabled them to survive and continue as a viable breed.

Where to locate a Friesan horse.

While these beautiful animals are of European extraction, and enjoy a good market on the continent, there’s a booming Friesian sale market for the breed and you can usually find a local Friesian horse sale at well-advertised breeding farms that can be found on the Internet.  This online listing of Friesian horses gives a comprehensive amount of detail of  well-known horse farms and the horses they breed at those farms.  The farms also share additional information about the breed, such as Friesian Sale

Breeding developments.

Friesian in a playful mood.

The breed continues to flourish today both as its conventional durable form, and with at least two new breedings, both of which are lighter, agile, attractive horses in the same form as the traditional purebred Friesian horse, which has graced the horse world for ages.

These newer breeds of the horse may be found under the names of the “Friesian cross” and the “Friesian Sportbreed.”  These two outstanding horses are imbued with both the most valuable attributes of the well-loved Friesian breed but now carry the benefits of newer genetics from a well-chosen cross breed.   However, that being said, ‘true’ Friesian enthusiasts will only own and invest in an ‘approved’ Friesian.

Should you think that a Friesian horse could be what you’re looking for, you could start your search at Friesian Sale  Or you may care to email karen@FallsvaleFarms.com

Recommended reading:  Torden, Hear the Thunder by Christy Kirkham

“This book is both timeless and ageless and very heart warming. I found myself going back to my childhood and my love of horses and reading the adventures made me feel as though I was there living them with each page. I applaud C. Kirkham for bringing the history of the Friesian horse into such a GREAT read and look VERY forward to the sequel. I highly recommend this book to everyone, young and old, it’s OUTSTANDING !”    Ronda

Sipke’s Son – The Story of a Friesian Colt  by Ruby Wooten and Rebecca Dennett

“This heartwarming, so wonderfully written & illustrated book is by far one of the best new books for children I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. I bought a copy as soon as they were available as my Grandson’s first book & will soon be ordering one for my very own. The love Ruby & Rebecca have for these amazing horses shines through in every page. I feel such joy every time I read it to my grandson & will have to buy him another copy too because this book will be well-worn! Thank you so much Ruby & Rebecca!”

Review by Lora L. Brewster

Related posts:

1. Remembering “Black Beauty”.

"Midnight" ~ my Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross.

Given the opportunity of owning a Percheron horse, or a horse with strong Percheron genetic signs (i.e. a Percheron cross), I’d say, based on my experience, “go for it”!  I’m possibly slightly biased in my opinion of the breed as, of the three horses I’ve owned my Percheron/thoroughbred cross, Midnight (“Middie”) stands out as my absolute favourite and a horse I truly came to love.

What makes a Percheron horse so special?

I’ve listed a few of the facts about Percherons that I see as being special …

• An extremely placid and relaxed personality. I found Middie to be what I can only describe as an absolute gentleman. Over the period of nine years of ownership I learned to have absolute trust in Middie and he appeared to have the same regard for me. There were numerous occasions at my Saddle Club when we were requested by the instructor to ride with a club member who was having a very difficult time with a very ‘frisky’ horse. Middie’s presence seemed to have a magical calming affect on the ‘frisky one’.
• The Percheron is proud, alert and has an in-built intelligence and a boldness of character combined with a gentle willingness to perform well under almost all conditions. The encylopedia,Wikipedia, describes Percherons as”easy keepers and easy to work with and train”.
• The Percheron is almost maintenance free, largely due to lack of feathering, a quality coat and excellent feet. In regard to the feet, they are large in size,  are extremely hard, and need minimal input from a farrier.  I found I could leave Middie unshod for most of the year with no ill effect on his feet.
• It’s a breed with exceptional strength and staying power. It’s said that a Percheron can trot from 7 to 10 miles per hour and has the stamina to do it day in and day out. Not that I ever asked this sort of effort from my horse, Middie!

Background on the history of the Percheron horse.

“The Percheron is a breed of draft horses that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. The Percheron is usually black or grey in colour, often with a white flash on the head, are well-muscled and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. The ancestors of the breed were present in the Perche valley back in the 1600s. They were originally bred for use as a war horse, but over time, they began to be used for pulling stage coaches, and later fror agriculture and hauling heavy goods.  In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Arabian blood was added to the breed.

“In World War I, Percherons were used extensively by the British. In the 1930s, Percheron horses accounted for around 70% of the draft horse population in the United Sates, but their numbers declined substantially after World War II.  However, the population began to recover, and as of 2009, around 2,500 horses are registered anually in the United States alone. (It’s interesting to note that in the late 1800′s the Percheron became America’s favourite horse and almost 5,000 stallions and over 2,500 mares were imported into the USA from France, mostly from the Perche valley area).  Today, the breed is still used extensively for draft work. They have been crossed with several light horse breeds to produce lighter horses for range work and competition including such riding disciplines as dressage and show jumping.” *

Portrait of Midnight, courtesy of Jill Miller ~ www.jillmillerart.com

What’s the availability of the Percheron horse, and what about price?

You’ll find the Percheron’s price range varies tremendously. It will be dependent largely on the availability in your country and the breeding and training of each individual horse.  For example, do you want a pure bred Percheron, probably for heavy working activity, or a Percheron crossed with a lighter breed for everyday sporting or pleasure riding.

There are over 290,000 Percherons registered with the Percheron Horse Association of America and they should be able to direct you on where to find Percherons for sale in your area.

In my country, Australia, I’d suggest you contact the Horse Breeders Association of Australia. There will be similar Associations in many other countries to whom you can go for advice and assistance.

  * Modified from Wikipedia

Recommended DVD for children who love horses:   Saddle Club: Season 1 DVD

Related posts:

1. Horseback Riding ~ Avoid the Mistakes I Made When Buying a New Horse!
2. A Black Beauty – For Character, Strength And Elegance, You Must Look At The Friesian Horse.