The Akhal-Teke is a true desert bred horse directly descended from the wild steppe horse known as "the Turkoman" or "Turkmene". It is the legendary horse from Fergana and Bactria where it was called the "Bactrian" or "Turanian horse", and used by the great leaders Darius and Alexander. In Chinese legends the Akhal-Teke was known as "the Heavenly Horse" and the "horse that sweats blood" and the Han Chinese felt it well worth 80,000 soldiers to obtain only 20 of these horses, such was their reputation. In appearance they exhibit a light, elegant build and a distinctive conformation: long tapering, aristocratic face; beautifully shaped mobile ears; wide nostrils and large expressive eyes having a proud fiery gaze. The neck is straight, long and often thin, set high on excellent sloping shoulders. The Akhal-Teke is long, lean, and, typically, narrow through the chest, making him an extremely comfortable ride. A characteristic feature is the sparse, short mane and forelock and absence of feather on the legs. The skin is very thin with a short, fine and silky coat. The overall effect is of the long, lean grace of a greyhound. Magnificent action, free and flowing; in all paces a soft, gliding, elastic stride. Quiet temperament, but easily aroused. Bold, alert and intelligent; responding well to sensitive training. Normal height is between 15 and 16 hands, with horses both larger and smaller, weigh between 900 to 1100 pounds. Breed information courtesy of The Akhal-Teke website. - WP 8/2000

The Curly has been said to be sacred horses to the Native American Indians. They were called Buffalo Ponies since they were used for hunting the bison, and were often owned by Chiefs and Medicine Men. A Native American artist depicted Curly horses at the battle of Little Bighorn of 1876. Curly horses were found at the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, and also at the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota & at Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Curly horse is quite hardy and has the ability to withstand colder temperatures than many other breeds. Their winter coat has curls in the form of tight ringlets to a marcel type wave. Interestingly, the hair is generally soft and has been found to resemble mohair. It is also hypoallergenic - the only breed to claim such an unusual trait. The athletic ability of the Curly has taken him to the dressage ring, endurance rides, cow pony work, driving, Western peasure, and all-round family pleasure horse.
Breed information courtesy of The American Bashkir Curly website. - WP 8/2000

Warmblooded ancient breed and close relative to the Arabian. Originally from the coastal belt of North West Africa, the Barb has influenced countless modern breeds, with its fine skin, great endurance, and fiery temperament. Today it is in very low numbers, and is considered rare.

"The original and most purebred Barbs could be found in central parts of the desert in Tripoli, Tunis and Algeria. The Roman nose type Barbs could still be found in Tripoli, while on the coastlines was found mostly the Arabian type. In the mountain parts of Algeria and Morocco is bred a smaller type of Barb named Spahis, whose most treasured qualities are his endurance over longer distances and his sure foot on a rocky terrains. - Horsecare

Legend has it that these ponies originated from small Spanish ponies who were shipwrecked when their Spanish ship foundered off the coast of Virginia in around the 1600's. These hearty equines quickly learned the art of survival on this remote islands - with little more than sea water to drink and scrub grass to eat.

Today there are two groups of these ponies descended down from the only 17 original Arabian Horses in which survived the famous shipwreck. The two groups are "The Maryland Herd" and "The Virginia Herd". The Virginia Herd consists of approximately 130 head and is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Dept. The ponies graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. The Maryland Herd consists of approximately 40 Head and is owned by the Maryland Park Service.

The famous annual "Pony Round-up" and "Pony Swim" is held each year during the month of July. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman herd the ponies off their island at slack tide, through the sea water channel to Virginia. On the last Wednesday of every July, the ponies are gathered for the sale the next day. Here the baby foals are auctioned off to the highest bidder. In 1998, the highest bid ever for a pony was $7000.

The breed is characterized by a strong, muscular body, size under 14 hands, pinto coloring (although bays and browns are also found), and a hearty constitution. They are loving and sweet animals when raised with a kind hand, and are a wonderful child's mount or harness pony for an adult.

Their durability and strength were not lost on the farming community who used these ponies extensively in the fields until the need for horses that could go the distance pulling the heavy mail coaches soon brought about a change in the breed. A mixture of Yorkshire for the trot, a dash of Arabian for the flash, and a healthy dose of Thoroughbred for the speed quickly transformed the Dales pony into a premier driving and riding pony - abilities that the breed exhibits to this day.

The relative resurgence in the past decade for the carriage horse has resulted in the recovery and blossoming of several almost extinct breeds. One such breed is the Dutch Harness horse, who is generating quite an interesting in the driving world, especially in the show ring and in combined driving.

Colors are generally paint, piebald, and skewbald -- ovaro or tobiano.

The Lusitano Horse, is the name of the modern breed created from the Andalusian Horse in Portugal. Currently the breed is administered worldwide by the Associacao Portuguesa De Criadores Do Puro Sangue Lusitano (APSL) in Portugal.

To be registered as a Lusitano horse, both parents must be registered in the Adult/Breeders Book of the APSL. The offspring must be submitted for Inscription in the Book of Births, microchipped and DNA typed. At the age of at least 3, the Lusitano Horse must pass a strict inspection to achieve Breeding Book status. The Lusitano horse can be of any color.

The Morgan Horse is an extremely versatile, and sturdy breed with great stamina. Influences stemming from the Tennessee Walker, Standardbred, and Sabblebred.
Below are the four main families in the Morgan breed.

There are also smaller families which are horses descended from one horse or breeding program.

ref: American Morgan Horse Association

One of the largest horses in the world, this breed originated in the 'Shires' of England and is a descendant of the Old English Black Horse whose ancestors were the 'great horses' of mediaeval times. It stands up to 19 hands, and may be bay, brown, black or grey in colour. Immensely strong, big-barrelled, and with long legs carrying much feather at the feet, it nevertheless has a fine head in comparison to its overall size. Despite its great size and strength (an average Shire will weigh 1 tonne and is capable of moving a 5-tonne load) it is the gentlest of beasts and is a good worker in agriculture and as an urban draught horse.

With the ever increasing mechanization of the twentieth century, the Shire among other heavy breeds, began a decline and came close to dying out. Fortunately, a revival of interest took place in these magnificent animals, and no show classes are more popular with spectators than those for the 'heavies'.

Shires still work the land in some parts of the country and several brewers use them to pull drays in the city streets of the UK. In the US they are used principally in Draft shows and as foundation sires for the new American Warmblood breed.

Thoroughbreds

As one of the most popular breeds of sport horses in the world, the thoroughbred has found a niche in almost every aspect of riding in the equestrian world today. As a breed it is relatively new, emerging from a combination of the Arabian blood and English horse in the 1730s in England. Fame came quickly to the elegant breed, however, as it showed outstanding speed and endurance on the 4 to 5 mile racetracks of 18th century Europe. It was bred with enthusiasm, migrating into North America with the colonists shortly thereafter to become an influence on almost every other breed - Morgan, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse - that would evolve.

The Thoroughbred today is still primarily used for the sport of racing, and remains in the majority of the breeds competing in the hunter and jumper ranks around the globe.

The Trakehner of today is a large horse, standing generally between 16 and 17 hands. The breed is characterized by great substance and bone, yet displays surprising refinement, perhaps more so than any other European warmblood breed. It is a superb performance horse with natural elegance and balance. It excels in dressage because of its elegant way of moving-the light, springy,"floating trot," and soft, balanced canter, made possible by a deep, sloping shoulder and a correct, moderately long back and pasterns. With its characteristic, powerful hindquarters and strong joints and muscles, the breed also produces outstanding jumpers.

From the ATA history of the Trakahner Warmblood WP