E Q U I N E A S S I S T E D A C T I V I T I E S A N D L E A R N I N G

HORSE
BREEDS
S P R I N G 2 0 2 0
It's important that we continue

growing together even when

we cannot spend time

together! Our team compiled

this book of horse breeds to

keep you engaged and learning

all about our equine friends!

- THE MADISON FIELDS TEAM

 Welsh Cob

Tap Dance is a Welsh Cob

Read about the breed

The breed originated in Wales and Great Britain in the 1600's and were later used

in Great Britain's Coal Mines! Welsh Cobs were introduced to the United States in

the late 1800's and were used in the agriculture industry. These beautiful equines

make wonderful companions. They're seen across the country today in many

different disciplines including show jumping, fox hunting, therapeutic riding, and

competitive driving. Welsh Cobs can come in any solid color you can imagine!

Bay, Chestnut, Black, Grey, you name it! Our Welsh Cob, Tap Dance, is a flea-

bitten grey!

Discussion:
Look up pictures of Welsh Cobs. What are some features that make them

different from other equine breeds?

 Arabian

Stinky is an Arabian

Read about the breed

Arabians are one of the oldest breeds of horses. They have been around for about

4,500 years! Known for their beautiful head-set and high-set tail, these horses

have been a source of inspiration for artists all over the world! Arabian horses

were first bred in the Middle East, and were brought to regions in Egypt and

Rome to be ridden in the calvary. Arabians are known for their speed and

endurance. The breed was introduced to America in the 1600s. Almost every other

breed in America has some Arabian bloodlines! Arabians are used today in many

disciplines including endurance riding, dressage, and barrel racing. Arabian

horses are typically black, chestnut, grey, or white. Our Arabian, Stinky is a former

15 time Virginia Western Pleasure State Champion!

Discussion:
Why would an Arabian horse be a good addition to a Therapeutic Riding center?
 Thoroughbred

River is a Thoroughbred

Read about the breed

Thoroughbreds are direct descendants of Arabian horses! This breed was

developed selectively to promote horse racing in England. The whole breed can

be traced back to three "foundation" horses. Thoroughbreds are usually larger

than Arabians and some of their key features include a broad chest, tall and

lanky stature, and a lot of muscle! This breed was designed to run very fast for

short periods of time. American Thoroughbreds come in just about any color you

can imagine! Although they were primarily bred for horse racing, they are in high

demand in other disciplines like show jumping, cross country, and barrel racing!

Our Thoroughbred, River used to compete in 3 star eventing!

Discussion:
Can you name 3 famous Thoroughbreds?
 Quarter Horse

Lovey is a Quarter Horse

Read about the breed

Quarter horses, like thoroughbreds, were bred to run short distances. The name

"Quarter Horse" was coined because this breed can frequently outrun others in

races under a quarter mile! Quarter Horses were introduced to the United States

in the early 1600's and took over the horse racing industry. Quarter Horses were

bred with Thoroughbreds to give them a "leg up" in the horse-racing world.

Quarter Horses still race in many breed-specific races, but they are one of the

most common breeds to see in lesson programs teaching new riders because of

their laid-back demeanor and their study build. The American Quarter Horse is

the most popular breed in the United States today, and the American Quarter

Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world. Quarter horses come

in nearly all colors. Our Quarter Horse Lovey is paint colored!

Discussion:
What are some other horse disciplines Quarter Horses are used for today?
 Appendix

Jasper is an Appendix

Read about the breed

An Appendix is a cross between a registered quarter horse and a registered

thoroughbred. The ideal result is a horse with the quarter horse's calmer

disposition and the thoroughbred's athletic ability. One of the best

characteristics of Appendix horses is their versatility. With the proper training they

can excel in any discipline. Their appearance and height can vary based on

bloodlines, it is not unheard of to have a 17 hand Appendix, and there have been

some as little as 14.2 hands! Appendix horses can also come in any color! Our

Appendix, Jasper is 16 hands tall and dun colored!

Discussion:
Due to their laid back personality, why do you think Appendix horses would be a

good addition to a therapeutic riding program?

Pony of the Americas

Dixie is a Pony of the Americas

Read about the breed

The breed "Pony of the Americas " is often abbreviated "P.O.A." The breed was

first introduced in the 1950's when a shetland pony breeder bought an

Arabian/Appaloosa cross mare that was bred with a Shetland pony stallion. The

result was the first P.O.A. stallion, born with appaloosa markings, a beautiful

Arabian face, and a petite build! This breed has grown significantly in the last 70

years. P.O.A.'s are often seen in English and Western riding programs featuring

western games, trail riding, and English pleasure. Despite having the size and

name "pony", the breed has the physical characteristics of a small horse. Their

characteristics are more like a Quarter Horse, or Arabian, and not like a true pony

breed. Our P.O.A. Dixie has the build of a small horse, and the personality of a

spicy pony!

Discussion:
Look up Apaloosa color patterns! What is your favorite and why?
 Paint

Dakota is a Paint Pony

Read about the breed

The term "Paint" can refer both to a horse's color pattern, and their breed! The

breed was originally developed in Spain before the colonization of America. The

American Paint Horse shares a common ancestry with the Quarter Horse and the

Thoroughbred. Quarter Horses were later used for transportation and work

because of the horse's inherent strength, agility, and stamina. The Paint Horse is

used in a variety of equestrian disciplines, most commonly Western

pleasure, reining, and other Western events, although it is now common to see

Paint horses in all equestrian disciplines! Paint horses are known for their unique

color patterns and their stocky build. Paint horses can either be Piebald (black

and white) or skewbald (brown and white).

Discussion:
Is Dakota a Skewbald or Piebald Paint pony? Why?
 Miniature Horse

Ginger and Peter Pan are Miniature Horses

Read about the breed

Miniature horses are horses defined by their small height. They can be found in

many nations, particularly in Europe and the Americas, and are the result of

centuries of selective breeding. Depending on the particular breed registry

involved, the height of these horses is usually less than 34–38 inches as measured

to the withers. Miniature horses are bred to be friendly and interact well with

people. For this reason they are often kept as family pets, but must be treated

like an equine, even if they primarily serve as a companion or service animal.

Miniature horses are also trained for driving, equine agility, and other competitive

horse show type events.

Discussion:
What activities are not listed above that our minis get to participate in?
 Percheron

Polly and Shay are Percherons

Read about the breed

The Percheron Horse originated in France, and was introduced to the United

States in the 1800's. This breed has been the most influencial in the American

Agriculture industry. Percherons were bred to do a tremendous amount of farm

work in one day. They are able to pull giant loads and carry heavy farm

equipment. Percherons are a draft breed, but they typically staybetween 16 and 17

hands, making them one of the shorter draft breeds in the horse world. Most

commonly, Percherons are black or grey in color. Because of their docile

temperament, many people refer to them as "Gentle Giants!" Today, Percherons

are used in many disciplines like fox hunting, vaulting, and competitive driving.

When crossed with lean breeds like thoroughbreds, they make fantastic eventing

horses!

Discussion:
We have 2 resident Percherons at Madison Fields. What do you think some of their

past jobs included? Hint: some are listed in the decription above!
 Trakehner

Schatzie is a Trakehner

Read about the breed

Trakehner is a light warmblood breed of horse, originally developed at the East

Prussian state stud farm in the town of Trakehnen from which the breed takes its

name. The Trakehner typically stands between 15.2 and 17 hands. They can be any

color. Trakehners are athletic and trainable, with good endurance, while some

are more spirited than horses of other warmblood breeds. While Trakehners

compete in nearly all equestrian disciplines, they are particularly prized

as dressage mounts, due to their sensitivity, intelligence and way of going. Our

Trakehner, Schatzie competed all over Montgomery County in her previous career

as a hunter jumper.

Discussion:
What is the name of the Trakehner on the United State's show jumping team that

brought home a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics?

 Oldenburg

Lua is an Oldenburg

Read about the breed

The Oldenburg is a warmblood horse from the north-western corner of Lower

Saxony, what was formerly the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. This breed was

originally bred from Friesian horses to pull carriages for transportation. This

breed began to grow when the need for carriage horses declined in the 1970's

and these horses started to be bred to be sport horses. Oldenburg's are tall sport

horses with excellent gaits and jumping ability. The modern Oldenburg can best

be identified by the "O" and crown brand on the left hip. You can find Oldenburg

horses in Olympic horse sports today, and they usually excel in dressage.

Oldenburg horses have been know to rank as one of the most successful breeds

in the dressage ring.

Discussion:
Why might breeders cross carriage pulling horses with Thoroughbreds to build a

more athletic breed?

Canadian Warmblood

CC is an Canadian Warmblood

Read about the breed

Bred throughout Europe for over 200 hundred years, the Warmblood horse's

history has been recorded all over the world since the times of Monarchies and

Dukedoms. Warmblood horses combine the athleticism of the Thoroughbred with

the movement, substance, power, and trainability of the early military horse.

Today's Warmblood has evolved from the farm/military horse of the 19th century.

Modern Warmbloods can be found competing in nearly all equestrian disciplines

and are known for being popular Olympic mounts. CC is considered a

"Canadian" Warmblood because she was born in Canada! CC is personally

owned by Madison Fields Program Director Jessica Oyarzo!

Discussion:
Look up 3 Olympic horse sports! Challenge: Name 3 Olympic Warmblood mounts!