♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
Introduction:
Most Standardbreds are bred for harness racing. But Standardbreds also make great riding horses. Because most are well handled, trained to drive and have been exposed to many situations the transition to riding horse is not difficult. Retraining a Standardbred might not be the ideal introduction to horse ownership. But more experienced riders may enjoy the task of retraining. Horse owners are beginning to appreciate the Standardbred as a horse suitable for any sport. Some shows exist for Standardbreds to show off their abilities and some shows have classes that gaited Standardbreds may be shown in.
Body Type:
The racy body type of the Standardbred is clearly indicative of the task it was bred for. Some Standardbreds have delicate, almost Thoroughbred type heads, but often their heads are rather common with longish ears and a flat or slightly Roman nosed profile. Their legs are long and the muscles flat and strong. Their chests are deep and their haunches appear slightly higher than their withers.
Size:
The average height of the American Standardbred is about 15HH although some individuals may be several inches shorter or taller.
Uses:
Primarily bred for racing, the American Standardbred can often hold it's own against any light horse breed in any discipline. You'll find Standardbreds in sports like speed games, distance riding, jumping and competitive carriage and pleasure driving.
History and Origins:
This breed began in the New England states in the mid 1880's . The name Standardbred comes from the qualifying standard time a horse had to cover in one mile (1.6km) in to be considered for the breed registry. The breed developed from a melting pot of horses that trotted, paced and raced under saddle and in harness. A horse named Messenger is regarded as the foundation of the breed. Many other breeds where introduced, each contributing their desirable racing characteristics. Among these horses were Thoroughbreds, Morgans, and now extinct pacing and trotting breeds.
Unique Characteristics:
There are two distinct types of Standardbreds, trotters and pacers. A pace is when both legs on the same side move together. The speed of pacers in harness is faster than trotters and in North America pacers tend to outnumber trotters. Pacers often 'amble', or 'singlefoot'. This gait is comfortable to ride. The pace can be ridden too, and a friend of mine says her son comes to ride her pacers to relax his sore back. Pacers can be encouraged to trot, making them a very versatile horse for show or pleasure.
Champions and Celebrities:
Research almost any Standardbred's pedigree and you'll likely find a horse named Hambletonian.
Most Standardbreds are bred for harness racing. But Standardbreds also make great riding horses. Because most are well handled, trained to drive and have been exposed to many situations the transition to riding horse is not difficult. Retraining a Standardbred might not be the ideal introduction to horse ownership. But more experienced riders may enjoy the task of retraining. Horse owners are beginning to appreciate the Standardbred as a horse suitable for any sport. Some shows exist for Standardbreds to show off their abilities and some shows have classes that gaited Standardbreds may be shown in.
Body Type:
The racy body type of the Standardbred is clearly indicative of the task it was bred for. Some Standardbreds have delicate, almost Thoroughbred type heads, but often their heads are rather common with longish ears and a flat or slightly Roman nosed profile. Their legs are long and the muscles flat and strong. Their chests are deep and their haunches appear slightly higher than their withers.
Size:
The average height of the American Standardbred is about 15HH although some individuals may be several inches shorter or taller.
Uses:
Primarily bred for racing, the American Standardbred can often hold it's own against any light horse breed in any discipline. You'll find Standardbreds in sports like speed games, distance riding, jumping and competitive carriage and pleasure driving.
History and Origins:
This breed began in the New England states in the mid 1880's . The name Standardbred comes from the qualifying standard time a horse had to cover in one mile (1.6km) in to be considered for the breed registry. The breed developed from a melting pot of horses that trotted, paced and raced under saddle and in harness. A horse named Messenger is regarded as the foundation of the breed. Many other breeds where introduced, each contributing their desirable racing characteristics. Among these horses were Thoroughbreds, Morgans, and now extinct pacing and trotting breeds.
Unique Characteristics:
There are two distinct types of Standardbreds, trotters and pacers. A pace is when both legs on the same side move together. The speed of pacers in harness is faster than trotters and in North America pacers tend to outnumber trotters. Pacers often 'amble', or 'singlefoot'. This gait is comfortable to ride. The pace can be ridden too, and a friend of mine says her son comes to ride her pacers to relax his sore back. Pacers can be encouraged to trot, making them a very versatile horse for show or pleasure.
Champions and Celebrities:
Research almost any Standardbred's pedigree and you'll likely find a horse named Hambletonian.
