If you haven’t heard about all this, it’s not surprising. The concept is fairly new. The first person to enlist the aid of a seeing-eye pony was Dan Shaw. Due to a rare disease, Dan became totally blind several years ago. He was determined to continue living an active life, so he enrolled at a school for the blind. He understood that a seeing-eye dog was an option, but he didn’t want to get attached to a dog only to lose it in a few years.

Dan heard about a new program that a North Carolina couple, Don and Janet Burleson, were experimenting with – miniature horses for the blind. When he learned that these equine typically live for more than 30 years, he was intrigued. He made the trip to the Burlesons’ to meet and work with Cuddles, a miniature mare.

Miniature Guide Horse

Dan and Cuddles hit it off, and now the man and his young horse are exploring the world on their terms. Cuddles has helped Dan navigate the streets of New York City, and she’s even accompanied him on a commercial flight. In fact, she was the first horse ever to fly in the cabin of a plane.

Dan also enjoys long walks in the woods with his little equine, and he states that she’s very calm and well behaved. She knows more than 25 voice commands, and when she needs to go outside for a bathroom break, she taps the door with a hoof.

There’s a lot of controversy regarding miniature horses as assistant animals. Those who support the practice cite that horses are her animals, so the miniatures naturally stay in step with its master. Tiny horses are also less aggressive and less threatening than large dogs. Also, they’re a good option for people who are allergic to canines. The horses are also strong enough to pull a wheelchair and to help a mobility-limited person rise from a sitting position. And as already stated, the miniature horses live much longer than dogs.

Miniature horses also have their disadvantages. For one thing, they eat, urinate, and defecate more often than dogs do. They also take up more room than a dog on public conveyances like taxis, subways, and planes, which can sometimes present a problem. Another issue surrounding the service minis is the legality. Laws can’t decide whether to categorize the small equines as companion animals, exotic animals, or in their traditional role – livestock.

Some urban and suburban areas are reluctant to identify the horses as assistance animals, although they are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some owners have filed lawsuits to protect their rights, and with more and more seeing-eye horses being put into service, many people are realizing their unique value. One thing seems sure: The blind who use and depend on these horses for their day-to-day activities are not about to give them up.

Pony of the Americas

Today’s POA has added new blood to the mix. As the pony standard has gotten taller, the Shetland has been largely phased out, and the Welsh has replaced it. Quarter Horses, mustangs, and Indian ponies were also added. The result is a breed that, ideally, has a small Arabian-like head, a muscular body, horse-like conformation, and the coloring of an Appaloosa.

Several coat patterns are acceptable on a POA. These include leopard, few-spot leopard, roan, blanket, snow-capped, and marble. POAs must have white sclera of the eyes and mottled skin, usually found on the muzzle, the sheath, the anus, the vulva, or around the eyes. In addition, most POAs have striped hooves.

An adult POA must stand between 46 and 56 inches tall at the withers. The association is unique in that it’s the only equine organization to specifically devote itself to youth riders. For years, showing in a POA event was limited to riders age sixteen and under. Adults were allowed to show in driving and halter classes only. In 1973, the age restriction was raised to eighteen. Beginning in 1987, riders over nineteen began being allowed to show the ponies in riding classes restricted to two, three, and four-year-olds in training.

Since the POA is bred specifically for children to show and ride, temperament is a major concern. Reputable breeders strive to produce ponies that are gentle, intelligent, and willing. The ponies should also be hardy and durable. The POAs are extremely versatile and can be used for practically any discipline. Because of their disposition, athleticism, trainability, and good looks, they’re often chosen as a child’s first mount or as a 4-H pony. A well trained POA is just as comfortable in a Western saddle running the reining pattern as it is in an English saddle crossing fences.

The POA organization has more than forty state clubs and provides numerous shows and events for its members. The club awards high point standings and Register of Merit Awards for halter, gaming, and performance. These ponies are so diverse and talented that a single individual sometimes earns all three ROM awards, thereby earning the Supreme Champion Award. Numerous breeder awards are also offered.

Typical events offered at a POA show include halter, costume, Native American costume, huntseat over fences, open jumper, hunter hack, huntseat equitation, hunter under saddle, leadline, pleasure driving, bareback horsemanship, Western pleasure, Western horsemanship, Western riding, reining, stock seat equitation, goat tying, showmanship, most colorful, trail, pole bending, figure 8 stake, single pole, go go, keyhole, cloverleaf, flag race, straight barrels, Texas rollback, handy horse, and longe line.

Not only does the POA make a great show pony for a young rider, it’s also a wonderful all-around family horse. Most members of this breed are very quiet and calm on trail rides and are sometimes used as pack ponies on long trips.

The horse as a species developed in North America but disappeared about 10,000 years ago from the continent. Most people think Cortes was the first European explorer to bring horses back to what is now America. He did, in fact, bring horses with him on his conquest of Mexico in 1519, but it was probably several years before the horse made its way north.

The man credited with bringing the first horses to what is now the United States is Juan Ponce de Leon. On his second voyage from Spain to Florida, in 1521, Ponce de Leon brought with him a small herd of Andalusian horses, along with cattle. Subsequent explorers to Florida brought horses with them, including Hernando de Soto, Don Diego Maldonado, and Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Some of these Spanish steeds were traded to Native Americans, some were stolen, and some escaped to form small herds of feral equine which came to be called “mustangs” – derived from the Spanish word for stray animals, mestenos.

Meanwhile, out West, horses had made their way to the Great Plains and drastically altered the lives of the Native Americans who became the “horse tribes.” These tribes did not generally have secure enclosures for their horses, so some of the stock escaped and survived on their own, breeding and growing their numbers.

The Mustang Horse

As the Eastern US became more populated, the wild herds of the East were pushed westward. They eventually crossed the Mississippi River and joined the western herds of feral horses. Most of these horses were of Andalusian, Barb, and Arabian blood.

With westward migration and cattle ranches being established in the 1800s, more horses joined the feral herds – some by accident and some purposely released. Many ranch owners released much of their horse herds to roam free in the winter and graze on wild grasses. In the spring, when the ranch horses were rounded up, Mustangs would often be among their numbers. A few ranchers, in an effort to improve the feral herds, shot herd stallions and replaced them with purebred horses.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, North America was home to about 2 million feral horses. Since that time, the population has suffered greatly. Many of the horses were captured and trained for cavalry units, some were caught and used as ranch horses, and thousands were slaughtered for dog food. Some of these animals were poisoned, and others were chased with airplanes until they were exhausted, making easy targets for rifles.  In 1959, the first law offering the feral horses some protection was passed. In 1971, The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act was passed, offering more protection. Today there are more than 33,000 feral Mustangs, more than half of which are located in Nevada.

Mustangs of today vary greatly from herd to herd. Some have obvious draft horse lineage, some indicate Friesian blood, while a few isolated herds have been proven by blood tests to be almost pure descendants from the old Spanish horses.

Many Mustangs have been adopted from the Bureau of Land Management. It usually takes an experienced horseman and trainer to handle a Mustang. Once the animals receive sufficient handling and training, however, many become as gentle and dependable as any other horse. Some Mustangs make excellent endurance mounts because of their stamina and hardiness from generations of natural selection.

Percheron

After the invention of gun powder and the long bow put an end to the knights and their war horses, a large, powerful breed was needed to pull heavy coaches. The horse breeders of Le Perche responded by creating such a horse. They became known as Diligence Horses.
As the populations and commerce of cities like Paris grew, large horses were needed to pull omnibuses and to haul heavy loads of grain and other produce. The Le Perche horsemen again answered the call by breeding larger, more muscular steeds.

At first, these horses were called Norman Horses. Later, the name changed to Percheron-Norman, and by the end of the nineteenth century, the horse was simply called the Percheron. By this time, the breed had earned the respect of horsemen all over the world, and by the 1880s, they were the most popular breed in the US. In that decade alone, more than 5,000 stallions and 2,500 mares were imported to America, mostly from the birthplace of the breed.

Percherons are usually between 16 .2 and 18 hands tall and weigh between 1,700 up to 2,600 pounds. Although they’re usually gray or black, other colors are sometimes seen and are permissible in some registries. These are rugged animals, with heavy thigh muscles and wide, deep chests. The arms, forearms, and gaskins should be well muscled, and the hip should be large and round. The withers should be well defined.

The breed has a fairly thick neck and an attractive head with wide forehead, large eyes, and a straight facial profile. The ears should be small in relation to the size of the head. Most Percherons have thick manes, but the tails are commonly docked.

Percherons are known for their outstanding temperament. They’re calm, gentle, and intelligent and are amazingly easy keepers for their size. A good Percheron is a willing worker and a willing learner, and it is very adaptable to different climates. Its gait should be balanced, with clean action.

For years, Percherons were popular in circuses, especially for standing bareback riders. A rider would leap onto the big horse’s back and ride in an erect position as the Percheron trotted or cantered around the ring, never breaking stride. Sticky pine rosin was often placed on the animal’s back to help the rider stay on, and the breed was sometimes referred to as “rosin backs.”

Percherons excel in several disciplines today. They’re strong enough for pulling heavy loads, yet elegant enough for pulling fancy carriages. They’re often used as an all-around work horse on farms and as saddle horses.

Some modern breeders have developed a sort of Percheron sport horse, with less bulky muscling, a longer back, and a longer, thinner neck. These horses are often used for jumping. Horses of lighter bone are often crossed with Percherons to produce large jumpers with substantial bone.

Horse Breeds for the Novice Adult

Written by: Holle Abee

Horses are just like people: Every group has its good and its bad members. I’ve had Morgans, generally regarded as extremely gentle, that were totally unmanageable. On the other hand, one of the sweetest, calmest horses I’ve ever handled was a Thoroughbred, a breed usually regarded as high-strung and nervous. With that said, it is true that that certain breeds overall are quieter and easier to handle in general than other breeds, so a good place to begin your search for a reliable mount would be these breeds:

• Quarter Horse – The most popular breed in the US, the Quarter Horse is usually calm, gentle, and willing. Those of foundation bloodlines generally are better for beginners than their appendix-registered cousins are. A typical foundation-bred Quarter Horse is short, stocky, and muscular, and if properly trained, can excel in practically any discipline.
• Tennessee Walking Horse – These horses have an attractive, flashy appearance and a smooth comfortable gait. They generally have a sweet temperament and are easy to train. They are of average size, with a lot of action. They excel in gaited show classes, and because of their rocking-chair smoothness, they make excellent trail and pleasure mounts.
• Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse – This fairly new breed ranges in height from 13 hands to 16 hands. They’re medium boned and hardy, with long mane and tail. Because of their smooth four-beat gait, they’re often recommended for riders with back problems. They have a calm disposition and make a good all-around horse, especially for trails and driving.
• Missouri Fox Trotter – The trotter stands 14.2-16.2 hands, with a short back, sloping shoulder, deep chest, slender body, and powerful legs. Their fast, comfortable gait, along with their surefootedness, makes them excellent trail mounts. They cover the equine color spectrum, except for Appaloosa markings. Most trotters are docile and willing.
• Arabian – Arabians run the gamut from high spirited to dog gentle. An older, gentle Arabian is hard to beat for a beginning rider. They’re one of the most beautiful breeds, and they often form close bonds with their owners and handlers. Arabians excel in all disciplines and dominate endurance riding competitions.
• Appaloosa – These colorful spotted horses are of average size and hardy build. The breed has been influenced by many other breeds, so you might find an Appy with a “bulldog” Quarter Horse body or one with the long legs and body of a Thoroughbred. Foundation Appaloosas have a small, lean body and a sparse mane and tail. Most Appaloosas are intelligent, gentle, and surefooted. Depending on their body type, they can compete successfully in any discipline, including racing. They make great trail horses, too.

If you’re planning on competing in a certain discipline, this should have an impact on your choice of breeds. If you’re just looking for a good pleasure horse or trail horse, consider the animal’s age. An older horse that has been exposed to a wide variety of situations generally makes the best mount for a beginner. Gender is also a factor. Stallions are definitely not for beginners. Mares can be gentle, but they can also be moody. A gelding is the most dependable. As many experience horsemen say, “A good gelding is the same horse every day.”

All draft horse breeds carry traits that are desirable to most people. These traits include perseverance, power and a mild disposition, all of which have made them very important to farmers since the pre-industrial age. Draft horse breeds these days are being employed for a wide variety of reasons such as farming, show and other competitions.

Draft Horse

Draft horse breeds are renowned for their very muscular structure and lofty height. Normally, they have a more vertical shoulder, encouraging more upright motion and conformation that is most appropriate for pulling. They typically have short backs with extremely strong hindquarters, again most fitting for the task of pulling. Moreover, the draft horse breeds often have weighty bone, and a considerable amount of feathering on their lower legs. Several have a straight or curved (Roman nose) profile. Draft horse breeds vary from about 16 hands tall to 19hh and from 1,400 to 2,000 lbs.

Draft horses crossbred on light riding horses enhances the height and weight to the resulting offspring, and may enhance the strength and range of motion of the horse. Several horse breeds are utilized as draft horses, with recognition of a particular breed usually closely associated with the geographic location. Some known draft horse breeds are the American Cream, Ardennes, Avelignese, Australian Draught Horse, Auxois, Cludesdal, Belgian, Dutch Draught, Boulonnais, Dole Gudbrandsdal, Shire, Pinzgauer Noriker, Trait Du Nord, Percheron and Suffolk Punch.

Top Draft Horse Breeds

There are just a few draft horse breeds that have become extremely popular over the decades. These include the Shire Horse, Clydesdale, Belgian and Percheron. These horses have been utilized for pulling cargos and other vehicles in previous times and in fact are still being utilized for the same purposes.

The Belgian derived from the small country of Belgium. The lowlands by the sea required a larger horse for tasks that had to be done around their weightier soils. But there were also lighter tasks that had to be done in the wooded uplands of Ardennes. These varied requirements motivated the government to promote the endeavors of large and small breeders to develop certain types of breed. Belgians make exceptional wagon and doughty work horses as well as for horses in pulling and hitch competitions. The Clydesdale derived from Scotland and was bred not only for the farms but also for the coalfields and hefty haulage on the streets. This is an energetic horse. The Shire is well known as the largest horse breed in the world. They are renowned for their muscular strength as well as gentle temperament. Finally, the Percheron is said to have a mix of Arab blood left behind by the fall of the Moors caused by the French at Tours. This probably describes the mixed style and essence of the gray and white chargers so abundant in the middle ages.

Feeding, shoeing and caring for a heavy purebred horse draft breeds is expensive. The draft horse’s metabolism is usually like that of ponies wherein draft horses have reduced requirements per bodyweight compared to light horse breeds.  As a result of their size however, they are generally fed a large amount of feed and hay each day.

Jumping Horses

An Overview of Jumping Horses

Show jumping is an equestrian sport that entails following through a set of jumps organized within a ring. Show jumping is also being merged with several combination competitions, like the modern pentathlon and eventing. Jumping horses go through a variety of challenges within this sport. In an event, jumping horses need to have the speed as well as the stamina and flexibility to perform adequately. Additionally, jumping horses need to be able to work will with their rider. Competition rankings are based on how many faults are built up and the overall rate at which the course is accomplished.

Faults are built up in several ways, and it is nearly impossible to finish an entire course without mistake. If jumping horses kick or throw off a jump, this is already a fault. Based on the type of show jumping, the course may either be organized as simple or complex. The Grand Prix is known to be the highest level of show jumping, and it displays complex and daunting hindrances such as a wide spread: hedges and ditches. Jumps may also be organized so that they are complicated and even more challenging to beat. Jumping horses in this case have to be highly skilled and adaptable.

Jumping horses need to have the capacity and as well as the courage to jump big fences. They also need to have the athletic ability to deal with sharp turns and sudden acceleration in speed needed to travel through the most challenging courses. Several breeds of horses have been winning jumping horses, and even some horses of unsure breeding have been winners. Most jumping horses are lofty horses, measuring up to over 16 hands. Most are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred breeding, although horses that are 14.1 hands have been included in Olympics teams from different nations, and have become champions.

It is said that there is actually no association between the size of a horse and its athletic capability. It is also being said that taller horses do not necessarily hold “more advantages” when jumping. However, taller jumping horses may make a fence look less intimidating to the rider.

Choosing Your Own Jumping Horse

Most horses are actually able to become jumping horses especially when the obstacles are small. But if plan to seriously pursue competition, then it is really important to take time in choosing a jumping horse of your own. While certain breeds do appear to fair better in general, you should focus on analyzing the individual set of skills of each potential jumping horse. Novice riders need a horse that has already been trained to jump a minimum of about 3 feet, while more experienced riders may opt for a horse with the basic skills, but without extensive training. Jot down your top breeds of preference and narrow to just one. Good jumping horses include thoroughbreds, lusitanos and hot-blooded horses. Call local jumping stables and ask for inventory, as it’s simpler to review many horses in one barn than having to go to several barns to look at just one horse each time. Ask owners to “test ride” their horses to observe any lameness or lack of experience in jumping. Ask to test ride the horses yourself. Make an appointment for vet tests to determine the fitness of the horse.

Cutting horses are often referred to as quarter horses. However, Morgans, Paints, Appaloosas and Arabians can also be cutting horses. Cutting horses are usually smaller horses. Successful cutters are usually about 15.1 hands.

Cutting Horse

Canadian Cutting Horses

There are several types of cutting horses and these include Canadian cutting horses. The Canadian cutting horse has some similarities in appearance and temperament with the American quarter horse. They have been bred to be athletic, speedy, composed, eager and clever. Both horse’s heads are well-balanced and have gentle and bright eyes. Their ears are attentive, and their necks are curved and sit well on the shoulders. The chest is wide and deep. The back is even and the quarters strong and brawny. The legs are stout but powerful, tendons tough and feet outstanding. These horses are about 15.2 to 16.1 hands high.

The Quarter Horse

The quarter horse is deemed as the most popular of all cutting horses. It is a full sized horse and is termed for its capacity to dash a quarter of a mile quicker than any other horse worldwide. It is also recognized for its brawny build, well balanced temperament and athletic capability and adaptability.

The American Quarter Horse

The American quarter horse derives from the Turk, Arab and Barb breeds that were transported to North America by Spanish voyagers and merchants. The real start of the breed was in 1611, when a first-rate set of stallions from Spanish breeds where transported to England. The ensuing combination developed a new kind of horse that was very muscular and able to sprint short distances quicker than any formerly recognized breed.

Over selecting for certain traits such as performance, speed or cutting ability in Thoroughbreds can have undesirable effects on other traits. The lean and fine boned conformation of a number of racehorses may be unintentionally associated with an exceedingly reactive nervous system and fretful disposition. Over selecting may also have an effect on mothering capability. Cutting horses that display obvious faults are likely to be the result of dangerous levels of inbreeding. While all purebreds are inbred to an extent, many are inbred to a point that it compromises the welfare of the breed.

Misconceptions About Cutting Horses

First of all, cow horses aren’t necessarily cutting horses Just because a horse chases a goat or dog around in the backyard doesn’t mean it is a potential cutting horse. Cutting horses need to work well with their rider, and horses that chase animals around or engage in play don’t always have a rider with them. Next, riding a colt and guiding and grouping cattle will not necessarily be enough for competitive cutting. Whether a horse is fearful of cattle or not does not determine its future as a great cutter. It takes individual training to train a horse to become a good cutter.

Another misconception is that foundation bred horses could make them future champion cutters. The truth is, old foundation horses were actually cow ponies. While these horses could cut cows, they may not be able to keep up with modern day cutting competitions. Finally, having an “expert” train a horse and expecting it to automatically become a good cutter in just a few months is unrealistic, unless if you are struck with luck. It often requires a minimum or 18 months of training for most to become good cutting horses.

The Wild West reminds us of many things like cowboys, broncs, ranchers, cattle, horses and roping! Cowboys and their horses paint a picture that is particularly unique in our Western History. Aside from branding, working the ranch, and checking fence, riders out on the field also like to rope their next calf. Thus, roping horses hold a special place not only at ranches but also now in modern competitions.

Roping Horse

Calf roping is known by many people to be the ultimate test of a horse’s cow work skills and experience. This is due to the fact that roping calls for the highest level of partnership between the rider and his horse. The horse must stay facing right ahead toward the calf constantly! In calf roping, riding good roping horses is a must just as in ranch work, and this is enhanced by the intuitive partnership that progresses between the rider and his horse, who have to both move persistently as a single entity with one goal. In this case, roping horses need to be as clever and willing as their riders.

Quarter Horse

There are several kinds of roping horses available today. The quarter horse could definitely make a good roping horse. As the quarter horse breed continued to increase in popularity, its temperate character resulted in it being used as a riding horse. Their strength proved them to be very good riding horses as well as “work” horses that can do all sorts of tasks in several of the early farms. The breed appeared to have a natural ability for working with cattle, too. When settlers started raiding west in the 1800s, the quarter horse breed was the horse of preference of the first cowboys. Quarter horse breeds were being trained to help round up cattle, as they were quick and nimble. Soon cowboys started using this breed more and more for everyday tasks on cattle ranches. Just like with many other activities conducted by the early cowboys, the tasks done by them and their horses eventually shifted into a contest, building the foundation of rodeo riding. Quarter horses had become excellent roping horses, as they performed barrel racing and team roping. These days, quarter horses are still well sought after for these affairs.

Andalusian Roping Horses

Andalusian horses have also been known to be great roping horses. Andalusian is the term coined in the United States and other countries for the breed referred to as “Pura Raza Espanõla”, which means “The Spanish Horse.” This name is attached to horses who have succeeded the strict Spanish prerequisites for documented bloodline and conformation. Andalusian horses today are admired all over the world for their versatility and set of highly desirable traits, which include athleticism, endurance, agility, lightness, trainability and willingness, intelligence, courage, gentle disposition and loyalty. These horses can work in bullrings, dressage arenas and cattle ranches of Spain (and other parts of the world) as roping horses.
When conditioning roping horses, there is no easy answer. There are several things to think about first. For instance, elements such as age, level of training and current musculoskeletal issues should all be evaluated in creating an individual scheme.

Gaited horses are breeds that have the innate penchant to gait, which means the capacity to execute one of the intermediary speed four beat horse gaits, known as ambling gaits. Breeds of gaited horses include the American Saddlebred, Paso Fino, Icelandic horse, Missouri Foxtrotter, Mangalarga Marchador, Racking horse, Peruvian Paso, Spotted Saddle horse, Rocky Mountain Horse, Walkaloosa and Tennessee Walker.

Nearly all breeds that are “gaited” happen to have an ambling gait as a genetic trait. Although, one should realize that in rare cases a supposedly gaited breed may not necessarily gait. Several horses can both trot and amble, and other instinctively trotting horses may have ambling capabilities, especially with specific methods of training. Some horses pace besides amble, rather than trotting. But pacing in gaited horses is usually not preferred. Some horses do not have the natural ability to trot or pace without difficulty, and they favor their ambling for their conventional intermediate speed.

The Four Major Gaits

There are four major gaits, and these comprise of the walk, trot, canter and gallop. The type of gait depends on how many beats there are in each gait. For instance, the walk involves a four beat gait, where each of the horse’s foot touches the ground one at a time. On the other hand, the trot involves a two beat gait, where diagonal feet touch the ground simultaneously. There are horses that can conduct one or more other gaits instinctively on their own. Many of these gaits are esteemed since they provide the rider with an exceptionally smooth travel. This is one reason why many gaited horses are still being used as modes of transportation in the modern world. Competitions are held to assess which gaited horse performs the smoothest.

Gaited Horse - Peruvian Paso

Breeds of Gaited Horses

The Peruvian Paso is a popular breed of gaited horses. This breed is outstandingly smooth and has great stamina. It isn’t a large horse nor is it skittish, thus making it a fitting mount for anyone. Another popular breed is the Icelandic horse. This horse often excels in the “tolt”, which is similar to the foot series of the walk, except that it is more emphasized and amazingly smooth. Standardbreds, which are those usually found in racetracks dragging the carts, do extremely well performing the “pace”, which is similar to the trot except that it is the set of legs on the same side that hits the ground simultaneously. A rare breed from Brazil is the Mangalarga Marchador, which is a breed of gaited horses that excel in a strange four beat gate called the “Marcha,” where three feet hit the ground for just a split second at a time. The Andalusian, another breed of gaited horses, can be trained unconventional methods of traveling like the Spanish Walk, where certain natural gaits may be exaggerated.

Gaited horses are generally more efficient since no energy is wasted combating gravity and free fall. Also, the smooth travel is a benefit for the rider. However, these skills don’t always come naturally. In fact, what makes a good gaited horse is through good breeding as well as training. Consistency is key to training your gaited horse well.