Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines

University Town, Northern Samar
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Module 4.1

EQUINE

PRODUCTION

AND

HEALTH

MANAGEMENT

JENNYLYN P. DONCILLO, DVM

Module 4.1

Breeds, types, and classes of horses

Introduction
Trough selection, inbreeding, and outcrossing, humans created horses for speed,
strength, endurance, size, good nature, hardiness, beauty, and athletic ability. Today, over 300
breeds exist. These breeds represent numerous types and classes. The various breeds and types
of horses are also bred to donkeys to produce different types of mules. This chapter acquaints
the reader with the breeds of horses and the methods and terms used to group the breeds.

Learning outcomes
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
• Understand the concept of breed, types, and classifications
• Define the terms warmblood, coldblood, cob, and hack
• Explain the origin of feral horses
• Describe how mules are produced
BREEDS

Through selective breeding, people learned to develop specific desirable

charac- teristics in a group of horses. After a few generations of selective
breeding a breed of horse was born.

A breed of horses is a group of horses with a common ancestry that

breed true to produce common characteristics such as function,
conformation, and color. Breeding true means that the offspring will
almost always possess the same characteristics as the parents.

Recognized breeds of horses have an association with a stud book

and breeding records. Many recognized breeds have certain foundation
sires and all registered foals must trace their ancestry back to these
stallions. For example, the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred
are the Darley Arabian, the Byerly Turk, and the Godolphin Arabian. Justin
Morgan is the foundation sire of the Morgan horse breed. Allen F- 1, a
Morgan stallion, is the foundation sire of the Ten- nessee walking horse.
Morgan horse stal lions also contributed to the development of the
Standardbred, quarter horse, American albino, and the palomino breeds.

People who found particular colors appealing established registries

with color requirements. Some of these registries require only color for
registration, but others have conformation standards as well.

The Palomino Horse

Association of California was the first
color breed registration. Other color
breed registries now include the
Appaloosas (see Figure 3–1), albinos,
paints, pintos, buckskins, whites,
cremes, and spotteds. Color breeds do
not breed true.

FIGURE 3–1 Appaloosa.

(Courtesyof Appaloosa Horse
Club, Inc., ID
CLASSIFICATIONS AND TYPES

In addition to breed, horses can be classified several different ways.

For example, horses can be grouped as light, draft, or pony, according to
size, weight, and build. Within these groupings horses can be further
divided by use, for example, riding, racing, driving, jumping, or utility. They
can also be classified as warmblood, coldblood, or ponies.

Horse classifications depend on the height and weight of the horse.

The common measurement of horse height is the hand. The height of a
horse is measured from the top of the withers to the ground. A hand is equal
to 4 inches. So a horse that is 15 hands is 60 inches. A horse that is 15.2
(15 hands 2 inches) is 62 inches tall from the top of the withers to the
ground.

Light Horses
Light horses are 12 to 17.2 hands high (hh) and weigh 900 to 1,400
pounds. They are used primarily for riding, driving, showing, racing, or utility
on a farm or ranch. Light horses are capable of more action and greater
speed than draft horses.

Draft Horses
Draft horses are 14.2 to 17.2 hands high and weigh 1,400 pounds or more.
They are primarily used for heavy work or pulling loads. Historically, when
draft horses were bought and sold for work, they were classified according
to their use as draft, wagon, farm chucks, or southerners.

Ponies
Ponies stand 14.2 hands high or less and weigh 500 to
900 pounds. Ponies possess a distinct conformation on a
reduced scale. They are either draft, heavy harness, or
saddle type (see Figure 3–2).

Warmblood
FIGURE 3–2 A Welsh pony Warmblood does not relate to horses with a certain blood
stallion. (Photo courtesy of temperature. It refers to the overall temperament of
Welsh Ponyand Cob Societyof light-to- medium horse breeds.
America, Winchester, VA)
 Warmblood horses are fine-boned and suitable for riding. In some
countries, the warmblood is distinguished as a horse having a strain of Arab
breeding. Some groupings classify all light horses as warmbloods.
According to some, all breeds that are not definitely Thoroughbred, draft, or
pony are classified as warmblood.

Coldblood
Coldblood horses are heavy, solid, strong horses with a calm temperament.
This term is probably best thought of as another way of describing draft
horses.

Types and Uses

Types of light horses include riding,
racing, showing, driving, all-purpose,
and minia- ture. Riding horses are
generally thought of as the gaited
horses (three- and five-gait), stock
horses, horses for equine sports, and
ponies for riding and driving. Racing
horses are running racehorses,
pacing/trotting race- horses, quarter
racehorses, and harness racehorses
(see Figure 3–3). Driving horses include
the heavy and fine harness horses,
ponies, and the roadsters. All- purpose
horses and ponies are used for family FIGURE 3–3 Standardbred
enjoy- ment, showing, ranch work, etc. trotter “Colonial Charm.”
Miniature horses and donkeys are used (Courtesy of United States
for driving and as pets. Trotting Association, OH)

Obviously, some breeds fit better

into some of these types than other
breeds.

The terms cob and hack are also used to describe types of horses. A
cob is a sturdy, placid horse. It stands 14.2 to 15.2 hands high and is not
heavy or coarse enough to be classified as a draft animal. A hack is an
enjoyable, good riding or driving horse, sometimes considered a small
Thoroughbred in Europe or a saddlebred in America.
COMMON BREEDS OF HORSES
Table 3–1 briefly describes some of the more common breeds of horses,
their ori- gin, classification, and height. Table 3–2 lists some of the less well-
known breeds of warmblood or light horses and their origin. Table 3–3 lists
some other breeds of draft or coldblood horses and their origin, while Table
3–4 provides the name and origin of some lesser-known breeds of ponies
and their origin.

FIGURE 3–4 Miniature horse pulling a cart at the Boise Horse Show.

MINIATURE HORSES
Miniature horses are scaled-down versions of a full-size horse and are not
dwarfs. Miniatures are not a breed but can be registered with the Miniature
Horse Registry. The maximum height for registration is 34 inches at the
withers.
Miniatures are often kept as pets. Some are exhibited as driving
horses in single pleasure and roadster driving classes. Also, some people
exhibit miniature horses in multiple hitches pulling miniature wagons,
stagecoaches, and carriages. Because of their size, only a small child can
ride them (see Figure 3–4).
RARE BREEDS
Some breeds are threatened because American agriculture has
changed. Many tra- ditional livestock breeds have lost popularity and
are threatened with extinction. These traditional breeds are an
essential part of the American agricultural inheri- tance. They evoke
our past and represent an important resource for the Earth’s bio-
diversity in the future. Rare breeds are classified by the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy.1 A breed is considered rare if there
are fewer than 1,000 North American registrations and fewer than
5,000 estimated worldwide on an annual basis. According to this
definition the following horses are considered rare breeds:

• Canadian
• Dartmoor
• Hackney
• Lipizzaner
• Rocky Mountain

A breed is classified as “critical” by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy when

that breed is on the verge of being lost. The critical category means there are fewer than 200
North American annual registrations and fewer than 2,000 estimated worldwide. Horses
classified as critical breeds include the following:

• Akhal Teke
• American Cream
• Caspian
• Cleveland Bay
• Exmoor
• Florida Cracker
• Mountain Pleasure
• Spanish Mustang
• Spanish Barb
• Suffolk

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy also classifies breeds as “watch” and
“study,” which represent progressions toward the rare or critical classifications. Breeds are
classified as “recovering” when individuals or organizations have taken initiative to save a rare
or critical breed.
 TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses
Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Akhal Teke Turkmenistan Light 15–15.2 hh Gold with Less than 2,000
metallic purebreds in world;
sheen; also, Marco Polo said
bay, cream, foundation sire was
chestnut Alexander the
Great’s horse,
Bucephalus
Albino United States Light No height White only Foals born white
requirements
Alter-Real Portugal Light 15–15.2 hh Mostly bay or High-strung
brown; some temperament;
chestnuts and does well in
gray dressage; carries
Andalusian
breeding
American United States Light 14 hh Four color Descendants of
Buckskin patterns Norwegian Dun
accepted and Spanish
Sorraia
American Cream United States Light Varied from Three Color breed
12.2–17 hh variations of
cream
accepted
American United States Light 15.2–16.1 Any solid Oldest of American
Quarter Horse hh color; breeds; most
mostly versatile horse in
chestnut the world; largest
equine registry in
the world; natural
cow-sense
American United States Light 15–16 hh Black, bay, Formerly Kentucky
Saddlebred brown; saddler, amiable;
white can perform several
markings gaits; very showy
 on face and
legs

American United States Light 14–16 hh Any solid Developed as

Standardbred color, mostly trotter/pacer;
brown, bay, direct line can be
black, traced to one
chestnut male, Messenger
American United States Light Varies Any color Relatively new
Warmblood breed; common
crosses are
Thoroughbred/draf
t or
Thoroughbred/war
mblood
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
American United States Light Varied from Snow or milk Color breed; not
White 12.2–17 hh white hair, true albino
pink skin,
brown, black,
or hazel eyes
Andalusian Spain Light 15–16.2 hh Gray, born Oldest and purest of
dark and all horses after
becoming Arabian; breed
lighter over founded in 710 A.D.;
years almost became
extinct in 1830s;
saved by monks;
used by mounted
bullfighters in Spain;
no Arab blood used
in development
Appaloosa Spain, United Light 14–15.3 hh White Bred by Nez
States schelera, Perce Indians;
striped third largest
hooves, breed registry in
mottled skin world; popular in
and coat United States
pattern and Australia
Arabian or Arabia Light 14.3–16 hh Bay, brown, Large nostrils and
Arab chestnut, long eyelashes
gray, black adapted for desert
conditions; one less
vertebra than any
other breed; has
influenced the
foundation of all
light breeds; can
carry more weight
over longer
distance than
Thoroughbred or
quarter horse;
characteristic
dished face; oldest
purebred, dating
5000 B.C.
Barb North Africa Light 14–15 hh Dark brown, One of great
bay, chestnut, foundation horses;
black, gray used to strengthen
other breeds;
considered
forerunner of
Thorough- bred
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Bashkir Curly Russia Light 13.2 hh All colors Noted for long, curly
average coat of hair, milking
ability, cold-hardy
Belgian Belgium Draft Up to 17 hh Mostly roan Descendant of
with black medieval great
points, horses;
chestnut, magnificent
sometimes animal; one of
bay, brown, most powerful of
dun, gray horse breeds
Chickasaw United States Light 13.2–14.7 Bay, black, Developed by
hh chestnut, gray, Native Americans
roan, sorrel, of Tennessee,
palomino North Carolina,
Oklahoma; used as
cow ponies
Cleveland Bay England Light 16–16.2 hh Bay, Very versatile
mahogany and hardy;
with black easy keepers
points mane,
tail; feet blue in
color
Clydesdale Scotland Draft 16.2–18 hh Bay, brown, Displays action;
black, roan; popular in big
much white on hitches; much
face and legs feathering on foot;
and sometimes regularly exported
body from Britain to
wherever horses
are needed for over
100 years.
Connemara Ireland Pony 13–14.2 hh Gray, black, Hardy, sure-footed
brown, dun
Dales England Pony 14.2 hh Mostly black Very hardy; good
maximum for children; used
as workhorse
Dartmoor British Isles Pony 11.2–11.3 Bay, brown, Used for pack
hh black ponies in the mines
 of England; good
for children

Dutch Holland Warmblood 16 hh Any color Mix of Groningen

Warmblood and Gelderland
breeds; willing
temperament
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Fell Pony England Pony 14.2 hh Black, Very hardy, all-
maximum brown, bay, purpose horse
gray, no
white
markings
French Saddle France Light 15.2–16.3 Usually bay Descended from
Horse or Selle hh or chestnut Anglo-Norman
Français studs; developed
as a competition
horse
Friesian (West Holland Draft 15 hh Black Used by knights of
Friesian) old; have heavily
feathered legs;
breed lighted for
carriage and sport
horse; tail and
mane may touch
ground
Gotland (or Sweden Light 12–14 hh Dun, black, One of the oldest
Skogsruss) brown, bay, breeds; excellent
chestnut, youth horse,
palomino jumper, trotter
Hackney England Pony 14 hh Dark brown, Trotting horse; good
maximum black, bay, carriage horse
chestnut
Hackney England Light 14.2–16 hh Black, Flamboyant
some taller brown, pacers, usually
 chestnut, used in shows and
bay harness;
distinctive trotting
action
Haflinger Austria Pony 14.2 hh Chestnut; All of today’s
white mane Haflingers are
and tail traced back to
foundation sire,
249 Folic; family
horse
Hanoverian Germany Warmblood 16–17.2 hh Any solid color Dominate in
international
competition;
stable and
willing
temperament
TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)
Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Highland (or Scotland Pony 14.2 hh Various Very versatile;
Garron) maximum shades of sturdy, sure-footed
dun; dorsal eel
stripe, black
points or
silver hair in
tail and mane;
also, gray,
chestnut, bay,
black
Holstein Germany Warmblood 15.3–16.2 Any solid One of the oldest
hh color, mostly warmbloods from
black, brown, great horse types;
bay competes well;
good carriage horse
Lipizzaner Austria Light 15–16 hh Mostly gray Famous horses
from Spanish
Riding School of
Vienna, performing
haute ecole riding;
 great athletic
ability, performing
airs-above-the-
ground
Lustiano Portugal Light 15–16 hh Usually gray Bred from
Andalusian stock;
used for
bullfighting
Missouri Fox United States Light 14–17 hh Any color, Natural ability for
Trotter usually specialized gaits;
sorrel comfortable ride
Morab United States Light 14.3–15.2 Usually solid Cross of Morgan
hh and Arabian
breeds only
Morgan United States Light 14–15.2 hh Bay, brown, One common
black, foundation sire,
chestnut Justin Morgan of
Massachusetts;
works very well
under harness or
saddle
Mustang United States Light 14–15 hh All colors Original cow pony;
feral horses of
American West;
small but tough;
Native Americans
used extensively
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
New Forest England Pony 12–14.2 hh Any color Very hardy;
except piebald good family
or skewbald pony; allowed to
run wild most of
year; easy to
 train

Norwegian Norway Pony 13–14 hh Dun with Primitive-looking

Fjord Pony black eel horse, resembling
stripe down Przewalski’s horse;
center of hardy and sure-
back; zebra footed; still used as
stripes on farm ponies in
legs Norway; gentle
Oldenburg Germany Warmblood 16.2–17.2 Any solid color Tallest and
hh heaviest of
German
warmbloods;
based on
Friesian
breeding
Paint United States Light Variable Black and All paint horses
white in bold must be sired by a
patches all registered paint,
over body quarter horse, or
Thoroughbred
Palomino United States Light 14.2–15.3 Gold coat; Not possible to
hh white mane breed true to color;
and tail; no first color registry
markings
Paso Fino Caribbean, Light 14.3 hh All colors Shows the
Puerto Rico, natural lateral 4-
South beat gaits
America
Percheron France Draft 15.2–17 hh Gray, black Most popular cart
horse in world;
slight Arab features
in face
Peruvian Paso Peru Light 14–15.2 hh Mostly bay Has unique gait; can
and carry rider long
chestnut distances not
becoming too tired
Pinto Spain, United Light Variable Black and Associated with
States white in bold Native Americans
patches all
over body
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (continued)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Pony of the United Pony 11.2–13 hh Appaloosa Cross between
Americas (POA) States color Appaloosa and
pattern Shetland; one of
newest breeds;
very good for
young riders
Shetland England Pony 11.2 hh Variable Popular with
maximum children; very
hardy, gentle
Shire England Draft 17 hh Bay and Very docile; can
average brown most be trusted with a
common with child; tallest
white horse in the
markings world; heavy
feathering on
foot; descended
from great
horses; popular
as team horse
Spanish Barb Spain, Light 13.3–14.1 Varied Three strains
United hh recognized:
States scarface, rawhide,
and buckshot
Spotted United Light 14–16 hh Spotted Good all-
Saddle States coloring around horse;
good
disposition
Suffolk (or England Draft 15.2–16.2 Chestnut Developed as
Suffolk Punch) hh workhorse; not as
big as other draft
breeds
Swedish Sweden Warmblood 16.2 hh Usually Outstanding
Warmblood or chestnut, saddle horse;
Halfbred bay, brown, competes very
gray well in dressage
Tennessee United Light 15–16 hh All solid colors Well known for two
Walking Horse States unique gaits— flat
walk and running
walk; bred for
comfortable ride;
good for beginners
Thoroughbred England Light 14.2–17 hh Any solid Bred mainly for
color, white racing; must be
markings handled
allowed carefully
(continued)

TABLE 3–1 Well-Known Breeds of Horses (conclude d)

Name Origin Classification Height Color Comment
s
Trakehner Germany, Warmblood 16–16.2 hh Any solid color Very versatile,
Poland considered most
handsome of all
German
warmbloods;
competes well in
all sports
Welsh Pony Wales Pony 13.2 hh Any solid color Very hardy; very
(Sections A, B, maximum good trotting
C, D) (height ability; good
determines jumper;
which influenced
section) trotters all over
the world
Württemberg Germany Warmblood 16 hh Black, bay, Developed to do
average chestnut, work on small
brown mountain farms

TABLE 3–2 Lesser-Known Breeds of Warmblood and Light Horses

Name Origin Name Origin
American Remounts USA French Trotter France
Anglo Arab Britain, Furioso North Star Hungary
France,
Poland,
Hungary
Anglo-Argentine Argentina Gelderland Holland
Bavarian Warmblood Germany German Trotter Germany
Beberbeck Germany Gessian Germany
Brandenburg Germany Gidran Hungary
Brumby Australia Groningen Holland
Budyonny Russia Hispano Spain
(Spanish
Anglo-Arab)
Calabrese Italy Iberian Iberian Peninsula
Campolina Brazil Iomud Central Asia
Charollais Halfbred France Irish Hunter Ireland
Criollo South America Jaf Iran/Kurdistan
Dølegudbrandsdal Norway Kabardin Russia
Danubian Bulgaria Karabair Uzbekistan
Darashouri Iran Karabakh Azerbaijan
Don Central Asia Kladruber Czechoslovakia
East Bulgarian Bulgaria Knabstrup Denmark
East Friesian Germany Kustanair Kazakhstan
Einsiedler Switzerland Latvian Harness Latvia
Horse
European Trotter France, USA, Libyan Barb Libya
Russia
Fox Trotting Horse Ozarks Limousin Halfbred France
Frederiksborg Denmark Lokai Uzbekistan
Freiburger Saddle Horse Switzerland Malapolski Poland
(continued)

TABLE 3–2 Lesser-Known Breeds of Warmblood and Light Horses (concluded)

Name Origin Name Origin
Mangalarga Brazil Salerno Italy
Maremmana Italy Sardinian Sardinia
Masuren Poland Shagya Arab Hungary
Mecklenburg Germany Sokolsky Poland/Russia
Metis Trotter Russia Spotted Saddle USA
Horse
Murgese Italy Tchenaran Iran
Native Mexican Mexico Tersky Russia
New Kirgiz Kirgiz/Kazakhstan Toric Estonia
Nonius Hungary Waler Australia
Novokirghiz Central Asia Westfalen Germany
Orlov Trotter Russia Wielkopolski Poland
Plateau Persian Iran Yorkshire Coach Ireland
Pleven Bulgaria Zweibrucker Germany
Rhinelander Germany

TABLE 3–3 Lesser-Known Breeds of Coldblooded or Draft Horses

Name Origin Name Origin
Ardennais France/Belgium Dutch Draught Holland
Auxios France Finnish Finland
Boulonnais France Irish Draught Ireland
Breton France Italian Heavy Draught Italy
Comtois France Jutland Denmark
Døle Trotter Norway Lithuanian Heavy Baltic States
Draught
(continued)
TABLE 3–3 Lesser-Known Breeds of Coldblooded or Draft Horses (concluded)
Name Origin Name Origin
Mulassier French Schleswig Heavy Germany
Murakov Hungary Draught
Schwarzwälder Germany
Noriker Pinzgauer Austria/Germany
(Oberländer, South Soviet Heavy Draught Russia
German)
Swedish Ardennes Sweden
North Swedish Sweden
Trait du Nord France
North Swedish Trotter Sweden
Vladimir Heavy Russia
Poitevin France Draught
Rhineland Heavy Germany Woronesh Russia
Draught
Russian Heavy Draught Ukraine

TABLE 3–4 Lesser-Known Ponies of the World

Name Origin Name Origin
Acchetta Sardinia Burma (Shan) Burma
Ariège France Camarguais France
Assateague USA Caspian Iran
Australian Australia China China
Avelignese Italy Chincoteague USA
Balearic Balearic Islands Costeno Spain, Peru
Bali Indonesia Dülmen Germany
Bashkirsky Russia Exmoor England
Basuto South Africa Falabella Argentina
Batak (Deli) Indonesia Fjord (Westlands) Norway
Bhutia India Fjord-Huzule Czechoslovakia
Bosnian Yugoslavia/Bosnia- Galiceño Mexico
 Herzegovina (continued)
TABLE 3–4 Lesser-Known Ponies of the World (concluded)
Name Origin Name Origin
Garrano (Minho) Portugal Mongolian Mongolia
Gayoe Indonesia Native Turkish Turkey
Huçul Poland Peneia Greece
Huzule Romania Pindos Greece
Icelandic Iceland Sable Island Canada
Java Indonesia Sandalwood Indonesia
Kathiawari India Skyros Greece
Kazakh Kazakhstan Spiti India
Konik Poland Sumba Indonesia
Landis France Sumbawa Indonesia
Leopard Spotted England Tarpan Eastern Europe
Macedonian Yugoslavia Tibetan (Nanfan) Tibet
Manipur Assam-Manipur Timor Indonesia
Marwari India Viatka Russia
Merens France Zemaituka Russia
FERAL HORSES
Horses that were once domesticated and have become wild are called feral horses. No one
knows for sure where, when, and how the first horses escaped from or were stolen from the Spaniards
in America. During the 1700s and 1800s, the number of feral horses in America could have been 2
to 5 million. Most of these were located in the Southwest.
Currently, habitats for feral horses are found in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. These habitats are public lands administered by the
U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Some horses on these lands have
been feral for many generations but oth- ers have been recently released.

FIGURE 3–5 Feral horses from the Wyoming Red Desert

penned up at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, dairy farm.
Note height of fence.

DONKEYS

The breeds registered by the American Donkey and Mule Society, which was founded in 1968,
are the mammoth (or American standard) jack, large standard donkey (Spanish donkey), standard
donkey (burro), miniature Mediterranean donkey, and American Spotted Ass.
The mammoth breed is a blend of several breeds of jack stock first imported into the United
States in the 1800s from southern Europe. It is the largest of the asses, with the jacks being 56 inches
or more high. The foundation sire was a jack named Mammoth. His name was given to the breed.
The large standard donkey (Spanish donkey) is between 48 and 56 inches high, while the
standard donkey (the burro) is between 36 and 48 inches high. The miniature Mediterranean donkey,
originally imported from Sicily and Sardinia, must be under 36 inches (down from the original 38
inches) to qualify for registration. The height restriction is the only requirement for registration by the
American Donkey and Mule Society (see Figure 3–6).
 The American Spotted Ass is a trademark of the American Council of Spot- ted Asses,
founded in 1967. It can be registered as either white with colored spots or colored with white spots.
However, the spots have to be above the knees and hocks, and behind the throat latch. Stockings
and face markings do not qualify.

FIGURE 3–6 Two wild jacks registered as standard donkey/wild burros,

owned by Elmer Zeiss of Valley, Nebraska. (Photo courtesyof American
Donkeyand Mule Society, Lewisville, TX)

Miniature Donkey

The Miniature Donkey Registry of the United States, founded in 1958, is cur- rently governed
by the American Donkey and Mule Society. Color and other considerations, such as ancestry, do not
define the miniature donkey. The only requirement is that it be 36 inches or less in height.
The original imported donkeys had the typical gray-dun color, in which the hairs are all gray
and not mixed with white hairs. All shades of brown are also common, and black, white, roan, and
spots are possible. True gray is extremely rare in donkeys of any size, and is distinguished from gray-
dun because true gray don- keys are born with a dark coat that lightens to almost white over the
years. One other characteristic of the donkey is the cross, consisting of a dorsal stripe from mane to
tail, and a cross stripe between the withers. In black animals the cross marking may be difficult to
detect.
The miniature donkey with good conformation should give the impression of being small,
compact, and well-rounded, with four straight strong legs, and all parts in symmetry and balance. The
coat of the miniature donkey is not as thick in winter as the coat of larger donkeys, probably because
of its ancestry from climates in the Mediterranean.
Although the most obvious use of these little donkeys is as pets, they can also be used as
companions to foals at weaning time to relieve foal stress. Their calm also serves when they are used as
companions for nervous horses or horses recovering from surgery. They do not take up too much room
in the stall, but have a great calming effect.
MULES

A cross between a donkey and a horse is called a mule or a hinny, depending on its parentage.
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack), and a female horse (mare). It is like the horse in size
and body shape but has the shorter, thicker head, long ears, and braying voice of the donkey. Mules
also lack, as does the donkey, the horse’s calluses, or chestnuts, on the hind legs (see Figure 3–7).
The reverse cross, between a male horse (stallion), and a female donkey (called a jennet or
jenny) is a hinny, sometimes also called a jennet. A hinny is similar to the mule in appearance but is
smaller and more horse-like, with shorter ears and a longer head. It has the stripe or other color patterns
of the donkey.

Classifications of Mules
Historically, mules were classified as draft, sugar, farm, cotton, and pack and mining.
Draft and sugar mules were the largest being 17.2 hh (hands high) to 16 hh and 1,600 to
1,150 pounds. Farm and cotton mules were intermediate in size (16 hh to 13.2 hh and 1,250 to
750 pounds). Pack and mining mules were smaller, but could range from 16 hh to 12 hh and
1,350 to 600 pounds.

Today mules are classified as draft, pack/work, saddle, driving, jumping, or miniature. The type
of mule produced depends on the breed or type of horse and breed or type of donkey used to
produce the mule.

Summary

Worldwide, about 300 breeds of horses exist. They range in size from the gentle giant draft horses at
almost 6 feet in height to the miniature horses at barely 3 feet in height. People have bred and selected
horses for specific, common characteristics such as function, conformation, and color. Horses breeding
true or with a common ancestry are registered in breed registry associations. These horses meet the
standards defined by the registry. Besides breeds, horses are classified by type, such as light, draft, and
pony, and by use such as riding, driving, harness, sport, gaited, stock, and all- purpose. Some breeds
have specific purposes while other breeds serve a variety of uses. Five breeds of donkeys are recognized.
Donkeys are crossed with horses to produce mules. The type of mule that results depends on the
breed and type of donkey and horse used in the cross. Both donkeys and horses have miniatures.
These miniatures are used for pets and exhibition hitches and as companions to sick or nervous
horses.
Activity 4.1

1. Define a breed.
2. Describe 10 uses for horses.
3. Discuss some of the uses for the miniature donkeys and horses.
4. Compare light horses to draft horses.
5. Compare a mule to a horse.

Additional resources

1. American Youth Horse Council. (1993). Horseindustry handbook: Aguidetoequine care

and management. Lexington, KY: Author.
2. Davidson, B., & Foster, C. (1994). The complete book of the horse. New York: Barnes &
Noble Books.
3. Dossenbach, M., & Dossenbach, H. D. (1994). The noble horse. New York: Cres- cent
Books (Random House).
4. Ensminger, M. E. (1999). Horses and horsemanship (7th ed.). Danville, IL: Inter- state
Publishers.
5. Evans, J. W. (1989). Horses: A guide to selection, care, and enjoyment (2nd ed.).
6. New York: Freeman.
7. Knight, L. W. (1902). The breeding and rearing of jacks, jennets and mules.
8. Nashville, TN: Cumberland Press.
9. Mills, F. C. (1971). History of American jacks and mules. Hutchinson, KS: Hutch- Line.
10. Silver, C. (1993). The illustrated guide to horses of the world. Stamford, CT: Long- meadow
Press.