Morgan Horse

Morgan Colt

The Morgan Horse is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States, dating back to the late 18th century. They are small, strong horses that often toe the line between being of horse size (over 14.2 hands) and pony size (under 14.2 hands). They come in a wide variety of colors, though black, chestnut, and bay are the most common.

The breed dates back to 1789, when a Massachusetts businessman named Justin Morgan bought a young colt that he named "Figure." Figure was known for his expressive nature, athleticism, gentile nature, and his endurance. When Morgan died, Figure was passed to different owners, and was eventually renamed Justin Morgan after his first master. He became the foundation sire for an entire new breed, and was able to pass on all of his defining traits to his offspring

The breed took off, and by the Civil War it had become a very popular mount for the cavalry, because of their ability to work under pressure and because of their incredible endurance. Several prominent generals on both sides of the conflict rode Morgans, including Stonewall Jackson and his mount "Little Sorrel," and Philip Sheridan's "Rienzi."

The Morgan breed has also been influential in the creation of other American horse breeds. Around 90% of all Saddlebreds carry Morgan blood,  and Standardbreds, Tennessee Walkers, and Quarter Horses all have Morgans in their ancestry.

Morgans continue to be used as riding mounts for all sorts of disciplines. They have their very own breed-specific competition circuit, and they perform in several different events including jumping, dressage, and driving. Morgans are the state animal of Vermont, and are the state horse of Massachusetts.

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Status : Endangered
Location : Developed in the United States
Size : Height up to 15.2 hands (1.6m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus -- Species : E. ferus -- Subspecies : E. f. caballus

Hipparion

Hipparion

Hipparion is the name given to an entire genus of now-extinct, yet successful horses that roamed throughout most of the world. They first evolved around 22 million years ago in North America, and from there they spread to Africa, Asia, and Europe over the next 20 million years.

If you looked at Hipparion, you might think it was a small modern horse or pony. They were about the same height and weight... but the legs were a bit... off.

You see, horses didn't always have a single hoof. They are odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyls) which means that their weight is distributed through a single toe on each leg, rather than between two toes (think of a cloven deer hoof). Early horses started out having several toes, and gradually they lost them all except for that single, central digital. Horse speed can be attributed to the fact that they have longer stride lengths, as they are actually running on a fingernail!

Hipparion moved a lot like a modern horse, which is something we know from looking at fossilized hoof-prints. But even though Hipparion ran on one hoof, it still had some of its other toes! These toes were placed slightly higher up on the leg, one on either side of the hoof, and they did not touch the ground. Modern horses have lost these vestigial toes all together.

The last of the Hipparion species went extinct around 2 million years ago. Though these early equines belonged to the same subfamily as the modern Horses, they are not their descendants.

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Status : Extinct for around 2 million years
Location : North America, Europa, Asia, Africa
Size : Height up to 13.3hands (1.4m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : †Hipparion

Percheron

Percheron Horses

Ever since yesterday's Abyssinian Cat, I've been in a bit of a domesticated animal mood. So today let's learn about one of the most distinct draft horses out there, the Percheron. (And don't be shocked if you see another domesticated breed tomorrow...)


The breed is best known for its grey coloration, and in France and Britain only grey and black horses are allowed to be registered. The United States is a bit more lenient on color-- chestnut, bay, and roan are also allowed. They are strong horses, know for their ruggedness, hard-working attitude, and adaptability.


Percherons are named for Le Perche, a region in France located about 50 miles southwest of Paris. Horses have been breed there for hundreds, if not thousands of years. But like many other ancient breeds, the exact details of the Percherons' ancestry is unknown.

There are a couple of different theories regarding the origins of the Percheron. Some suggest they descend from Roman horses brought in to Brittany around the time of Ceasar. Others argue that their ancestry lies with horses captured by Clovis I in the 5th century, or with Moorish horses taken from the defeated 8th century invaders. That last origin theory may actually be true, as it appears that Arabian blood was brought to the horses of Le Perche twice during the middle ages. The early Percherons were used as horses of war, but as heavy cavalry fell out of style they found other uses in agriculture and transportation as well.

Percheron Team

The decline of heavy cavalry did not diminish the Percherons' role in warfare. In fact, the desire to create swifter army mounts in the late 1700s actually led to the creation of the modern form of the breed, when additional Arabian blood was added to the line. Unfortunately, the horses nearly died out completely during the French Revolution. In the early 1800s breeding continued, and now every single Percheron can trace its ancestry to a foundation sire named Jean Le Blanc, born in 1823.

Percherons were first imported to the United States in 1839, and they flourished there as cart and agricultural horses. By 1930, 70% of all purebred draft horses in the United States were Percherons. They are actually the most popular French Draft breed in the world, and have helped to establish a handful of other draft breeds. They continue to be used in farming and forestry, as well as for advertising, carting,  parade work, dressage, and even jumping!

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Status : Domesticated
Location : Developed in France
Size : Height up to 18hands (73in, 1.85m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus -- Species : E. ferus -- Subspecies : E. f. caballus

Miniature Horse

Miniature Horse

The term "Miniature Horse" is often thought of as more of a designation than a breed, though in the last few decades a few organizations have popped up to make Miniature Horses an actual, standardized breed that is separate from other small equines like Falabellas and Ponies.

Miniature Horses were developed from all sorts of different horse and pony breeds, both large and small. Shetlands and Dartmoors are among those ponies that can be found in their history. There is some argument over whether Miniatures are Ponies or small Horses. The definition of a Pony is a horse under 14 hands (56in). As Miniatures are under 34-38in (depending on registry), they fall within this category. However,  if you look at the basic body shape of many Miniatures, the proportions are more horse-like. Different organizations prefer different looks, as there is no universal standard.

Guide Horse

Miniature Horses serve many different purposes. They are companion animals, they can be ridden by children, and they can compete in shows relating to things like jumping and obstacle maneuvering. They can even be trained to pull carts!

Did you know that some Miniature Horses are being used as guide animals? They can be trained to assist visually impaired individuals due to their focus, excellent vision, calm attitudes, and great memory. One additional plus is that they are able to live 25-35 years, much longer than a dog, which makes their training more cost effective. The practice has only been around since 1999, but it has been growing over the years. (My favorite feature is that the horses wear tiny tennis shoes, so that they don't slip while walking on tiled surfaces)

And just for good measure, watch some foals!

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Status : Domesticated
Location : Worldwide
Size : Height up to 38in (97cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus-- Species : E. ferus -- Subspecies : E. f. caballus

African Wild Ass

Today we're going to learn all about the ancestor to the modern Donkey: the African Wild Ass. These members of the Equus genus were domesticated 6,000 years ago, and while Donkeys can now be found worldwide, their wild relatives have drastically dwindled in number.

Somali Wild Ass mare and foal in captivity

Though they were once found throughout the northern parts of the continent, African Wild Asses are now found only in scattered parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. They are regionally extinct elsewhere. The climate in these areas is rocky and arid, and the Asses have evolved to survive in dry climates. They can live through water loss that amounts to 30% of their overall body weight, and can rapidly gain those fluids back when water is available. African Wild Asses are most active during dawn and dusk, and they remain in the shade during the hottest parts of the day.

The Asses live in very loose herds that can number up to 50 individuals. The only strong attachments are between mothers and foals; the rest of the herd comes and goes based on the available supply of food and water. Adult males often hold on to large territories near water sources, and mate with females that come in to that range. The males actually mark their territory using dung heaps, which are excellent visual markers in flat landscapes.

The African Wild Ass in general, and two of its subspecies, the Somali and Nubian Wild Asses, are all listed as Critically Endangered. The animals have been hunted for food, and have been crossbreeding with domestic Donkeys for several millennia. They are also forced to compete for food against livestock. As a result of these threats there are only a few hundred left in the wild.

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered

Location : Northeast Africa
Size : 14hands (1.45m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus -- Species : E. africanus

Kiang

Equus kiang

The Kiang is the largest species of Wild Ass in the world, and can be found in the Tibetan Plateau where it lives in the mountainous grassland steppes and meadows. There are three location-based subspecies, with the Eastern Kiang being the largest of the group.

Kiangs stand at around 13.5 hands, which makes them about the size of a large pony. (Horses tend to be designated as Equines over 14.2 hands). Despite this, they are still the largest Wild Asses, standing over 6in taller than their smallest relative- the Somali Wild Ass. They have coats that change with the season-- darker and shaggier in winter, and sleeker and more chestnut-colored in the summer. During all times of the year they have pale underparts and a thick, dark brown dorsal stripe.

Kiangs live in herds that can grow to incredibly large sizes-- up to 500 individuals! These groups are typically led by a older female, and they travel in tight, cohesive groups while searching for food. The breeding season takes place in August and September, and at that time males will fight each other over breeding rights, and will fiercely guard their females. Gestation lasts about a year, and females will breed again not long after giving birth.

In nature, the Kiang has only one predator-- the wolf. Humans have long hunted them as well, using the Asses for their meat and skin. This hunted as reduced the overall range of the Kiang, but the population size is large enough that it is listed as being of Least Concern for the time being. Additional conservation concerns include habitat loss and competition from livestock.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : China (Tibet), Nepal
Size : Shoulder height up to 13.5hands (54in, 1.4m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order: Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus-- Species : E. kiang

Poitou Donkey

Poitou Donkey

We've talked about several Horse breeds in the past, but today just might be the very first Donkey breed. And what an interesting breed it is!

Like many equine breeds, the precise origin story of the Poitou Donkey is unknown. They date back at least a few centuries though, and we do know they were established in Poitou, France by 1717, as a memoir of a French royal official discussed the breed.

They are large Donkeys, just about Mule-sized, and traditionally could be easily identified by their long shaggy coats. Their hair is finer than that of other Donkeys, and if left to grow it will form long cords (like dreadlocks). Modern Poitou Donkeys are sometimes shorn for hygiene purposes, but such a thing was not allowed for showing in the past.

Poitou Donkey and Foal

Poitou Donkeys were developed for one purpose, and no, it wasn't their hair style! Because they are so large and sturdy, they were important in the creation of very large Mules. The male Donkeys were bred to Mulassier Horse females, and the resulting Mules were large, powerful, and highly prized.

The downfall of the Poitou Donkey came about when Europe began to industrialize. Their was less of a need for Mules, and so Donkey husbandry fell into a decline. By the 1970s there were only 40 of them left, but careful conservation has now increased that number to around 200 (which an equal number of hybrids). They are still a very rare breed, and are listed as Critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

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Status : Domesticated, listed as Critcal by the ALBC
Location : Originated in France
Size : Height up to 14.3 hands (1.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus-- Species : E. africanus -- Subspecies : E. a. asinus

Fjord Horse

Fjord Horse

I found a really old copy of one of those CD-ROM encyclopedias the other day, and while browsing around in its 13 year old database I stumbled upon the Norwegian Fjord Horse. I remembered the breed as a model in the Breyer Horse catalogs that I had drooled over as a child and decided to do some long overdue reading on the breed. (Upon further research that Breyer model, “Henry” was retired 6 years ago…)

Fjord Horses with Foals

Fjord Horses are one of the oldest domesticated breeds around, and have retained many of the same characteristics held by the Horses that roamed about Scandinavia after the last Ice Age. The dun coloration and primitive markings like stripes on the legs, down the back, and (rarely) on the withers cause them to resemble the earliest modern horses, including the rare, wild Przewalski’s Horse.

Horses were domesticated in Norway over 4,000 years ago, and archaeological evidence shows that Fjord Horses specifically have been selectively bred for two millennia! They are a very interesting breed appearance wise. They have powerful arched necks, stocky but strong bodies, and thick manes that are kept cropped. They come in only one color type- Dun, which has six recognized shades. Dun horses have lighter colored bodies with darker manes and tails, as well as dark points, typically on the faces and hooves. 

Fjord Horses have a mild temperment and have variety of uses. Their strong size allows them to do pulling work, and they can be used to pull plows and carts. However, they are also small and agile enough to be used for riding, and are surefooted enough to use in mountainous areas.

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Status : Domesticated

Location : Originated Norway

Size : Height 13-14.3 Hands (52-59in or 1.3-1.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus-- Species : E. ferus-- Subspecies : E. f. caballus

Trakehner

Trakehner Horse

I've been watching a lot of Olympics coverage lately, and this morning was the start of the team Dressage competition. Without writing an essay, Dressage is an Equestrian Sport where a horse and rider perform a series of moves within an arena. "Horse Ballet" is a term sometimes used, and it's not far off. The horses perform very practiced moves, and there is a huge amount of training involved in the discipline. The sport even dates back hundreds of years.

Most horses involved in Dressage are "Warmbloods," including today's breed. The Trakehner's roots date back to 1732, when Fredrick William I of Prussia established a stud farm at Trakehnen. These early representatives of the breed were stockier than their modern counterparts, but that all changed in the 1800s when Thoroughbred and Arabian blood was added to the line. The result was ultimately a large, intelligent, stable horse with great endurance that could be used for both farm work, and for cavalry purposes.

Trakehner doing Dressage

Trakehners continued to be bred in East Prussia until World War II, when approaching Russian forces forced an evacuation. The breed was reduced to only 600 broodmares and 50 stallions. Trakehners have since rebounded, and their governance in Germany is overseen by the federal government, including the Trakehner Verband. Pureblooded Trakehners are often branded with the emblem of their national association.

The Trakehner stands between 16 and 17 hands tall, and had strong hindquarters and a springy "flaoting trot" gait. Today they are used for farm more than just military and farm work, and they excel at a number of Equestrian sports, including Jumping and Dressage. The breed is often used to refine other Warmblood breeds. Because Trakehners have Arabian and Thoroughbred blood, breeding them to other Warmbloods allows for the traits of those "Hotblood" breeds to enter the gene pool, but without the need for risky direct crosses.

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Status : Domesticated
Location : Originated in Prussia
Size : Height up to 16hands

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus -- Species : E. ferus -- Subspecies : E. f. caballus