{"id":108,"date":"2010-08-08T22:54:09","date_gmt":"2010-08-08T22:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=108"},"modified":"2025-02-17T16:37:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T16:37:57","slug":"american-thoroughbred","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/american-thoroughbred","title":{"rendered":"American Thoroughbred Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The first Thoroughbred horse imported to the American colonies was Bulle Rock in 1730. From that point the colonies began a grand love affair with horse racing and its robust athletes.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

The Thoroughbred<\/a> was originally established during the 17th century in England and has since been independently developed in several different countries worldwide. Upon their arrival in America, the colonists quickly began developing their own breeding programs, importing more English animals and breeding them with local stock (likely of Iberian ancestry).<\/p>\n

Late in the 18th century two important stallions were imported to America. Messenger (father of the American Standardbred<\/a>) and Diomed who’s son (Sir Archy) had a significant impact on the American Thoroughbred. Sir Archy was eventually retired from racing for lack of suitable opponents.<\/p>\n

After the Wars<\/h3>\n

After the Revolutionary war, the center of Thoroughbred breeding began to move west to Kentucky and Tennessee. After the Civil War, racing formats in America began to change from long races to shorter ones. This meant a change in breeding practices to produce animals better at shorter distances. It was during this time that American Thoroughbreds made their way back to Britain for racing.<\/p>\n

These breeding practices continued into the 20th century. However, after WWI the US saw in influx of English Thoroughbreds<\/a> again. After WWII ended the center of Thoroughbred breeding was on the move again. It didn’t leave Kentucky, but a strong racing culture also emerged in California, New York and Florida. <\/p>\n

Good Stock<\/h3>\n

Thoroughbreds in the US have also been used to improve other breeds, such as the Standardbred<\/a>, American Quarter Horses<\/a> and Morgan<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 15.2 hands
\nFast and active
\nBrave and built for endurance
\nLow, flat movement<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Alert, refined head
\nLong and graceful neck
\nLong, sloped shoulders
\nLong, lean body
\nStrong hindquarters
\nLegs are fine and long with well-formed joints<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

Solid colors<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Bold
\nBrave
\nSpirited<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Racing
\nShow horse
\nCompetition horse
\nPleasure\/ trail horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nThe Jockey Club<\/a>
\nThoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association<\/a> (US)<\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"American\n<\/div>\n
\n\"American\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"American\n<\/div>\n
\n\"American\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n