Sport type ponies have been a staple in Europe for centuries, so it is no surprise that they made their way to the states.
The American’s quickly started their own breeding programs to establish bloodlines that suited their specific needs. Soon they had developed their very own American Sport Pony bloodlines and they have had their own registry since 1997.
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A large part of understanding horses is knowing the lingo, whether it’s the terminology of anatomy, horse tack, showing or just the basics.
Recently I’ve been using Saturdays to take inventory of the site and revisit some of The Equinest’s archives.
Here is a list of educational posts designed to put equine terminology into layman’s terms. This is an ever-growing list, and I will add to it as I post more.
Glossary of basics | Bridle Terminology | Leg Equipment
Anatomy | Foot Anatomy | Hoof Anatomy
English Show Lingo | Dressage A-E | F-O | P-W
Western Show Terminology | Reining | Cutting | Roping
I know I don’t have everything yet and this is a good chance to take inventory. Don’t be shy, leave me a comment and let me know what I’m missing.
The original Shetland Pony came to the Americas from Scotland late in the 19th century and is quite different from the American Shetland. The imports quickly became popular among the people in North America and breeding programs were put in place to enhance desired characteristics.
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Also called the Kentucky Saddler, the American Saddlebred is one of the flashier American breeds, an animal developed specifically as a utility animal for plantation owners of the south.
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The American Paint Horse is a color breed which is bred and registered based on their color. However to add an animal to the registry their lineage must be of either Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse bloodlines.
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The American Mustang horse is descendant from Spanish horses (mostly Andalusian & Barb) brought to North America by Spanish Conquistadors. These animals were likely the first horses many indigenous people had ever seen and sadly played a large part in the Spanish conquests of those people.
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The American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey breed originally comes from the small Italian islands of Sardina & Sicily. During the 18th century the size of these animals made them handy for pulling grain wheels inside & as pack animals for mountain shepherds.
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Image from Diamondback Mules
American Mammoth is the largest breed of ass and was developed through the need for larger & stronger animals in the US.
Breeding began by the selective crossing of imported European breeds to local Native American & Mexican animals.
Informal breeding of the mammoth began more than 100 years before they became official.
A registry was formed in 1888 to track and register the animals & originally close attention was paid to bloodlines. The intention was to preserve desired traits and produce black animals over 15 hands tall.
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The Altwurttemberg is a recent add to the breeds list. Unfortunately there isn’t much information online about them (in English anyway). Fortunately I had some help & here is what we know.
The breed comes from Germany and was started by the Wurttemberg Prince House. Normandy horses were crossed with English Thoroughbreds, Holsteins & Oldenburgs, without an obligatory breeding goal.
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The Abstang is a relatively new breed and one that doesn’t have much published information available. However the mix of Arabian & Mustang blood is an interesting one indeed.
Both bloodlines have incredibly old roots which have been shaped over hundreds of years, one by environment and the other through selective breeding.
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How soon after you rescue are the animals available for adoption?
Adoption of the horses depends on their condition when they come in – not only physically, but mentally as well. There may be training issues but there may be emotional issues that need to be dealt with as well. A horse that comes in healthy physically may need a specific type of person to work with them – both temperment wise, and riding wise.
What types of horses do you have available?
HorseNet Horse Rescue has many horses available for adoption. Some are ridable, and some are companion only. We don’t sell horses, but rather adopt them out to suitable and approved homes.
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*Click on image for a larger view
Recently I delved into the exciting world of public domain and found some great images to modify and make my own. So I wanted to write a quick post to let everyone know that I’ve updated the horse anatomy page with a clearer image & additional parts.
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