Horse Basics Category

Horse Breeds From The Netherlands

The Netherlands FlagThe end of the week is a great time to visit another exotic location and learn about the majestic horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from The Netherlands.

Athletic Champ

The Netherlands are in the north so many of their breeds tend toward the more robust side. Originally they bred two similar types of athletic horse, the Gelderland (a coach horse with natural jumping ability) & the Groningen a charming riding horse with stylish action. More recently the Dutch Warmblood was developed and the two breeds were absorbed into a warmblood registry.
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Horse Breeds From Morocco

Morocco FlagThe end of the week is a great time to visit an exotic location and learn about the majestic horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from Morocco.

The Big Debate

When it comes to the start of it all, Morocco has a heavy hitter in the horse world. There is a debate about whether Barb or Arabian bloodlines came first and if they are, in fact, connected at all. Both breeds exhibit wildly different characteristic dominant traits, which they tend to pass on. The Barb is more solidly built for mountainous desert climates and credited as the foundation for the mighty Iberian breeds.
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Horse Breeds From Mongolia

Mongolia FlagAnother Friday and a great day to visit a new exotic location and learn about the interesting horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from Mongolia.

The Last of The Wild Horses

The Mongolian Wild Horse is the only surviving species of truly wild horse. All of the mustangs we refer to as ‘wild’ are actually feral. They may be untamed, but their ancestors were domestic horse. Similar to zebras and wild asses, Mongolian horses are actually wild and have never been tamed or domesticated.
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Horse Breeds From Lithuania

Lithuania FlagFriday again and time to visit another exotic location and learn about the interesting horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from Lithuania.

Ancient Strains

There aren’t very many breeds from Lithuania, but the few that exist are important. This country is home to a member of the Konik family, the Zhumd. These forest types have been in the area for centuries and have been traditionally used for farming and transport. The original bloodlines have been influenced with a variety of exotic stock over the years which has resulted in two types, a heavier forest-type and a lighter animal with Arabian refinement.
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Horse Breeds From Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan FlagFriday again and time to visit another exotic location and learn about the interesting horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from Kazakhstan.

Ancient Strains

Most of the breeds from Kazakhstan have ancient origins, and have been traditionally bred by local people for thousands (& thousands) of years. The Adev, part of the Kazakh breed dates back to the 5th century BC. This area is known for horse culture and the people have always been dependent on the equine animal, for transport as well as nourishment. Harsh environments make for sturdier animals and the native animals are quite hardy and adaptable beasts.
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Horse Breeds From Japan

Japan FlagAnother Friday and time to visit an exotic location and learn about the interesting horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is a fascinating ride, & today a peek at the breeds from Japan.

Island Ponies

Japan is an island nation and one with a variety of island geographies. These pockets of isolation make for relatively pure bloodlines in what are primarily small horse and pony breeds of Mongolian descent. Many of the pony breeds are revered and protected under Japanese law, continuing already incredibly pure bloodlines.
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