“To help preserve the breed, individuals should prioritize continuing to register purebred livestock,” says Stacie Lynch, PHAOA executive director. “This investment is crucial for maintaining the breed’s integrity and ensuring the ability to trace pedigree and breeder information.

“It’s important for breeders to recognize the broader impact of registration, extending beyond just mares and stallions to include geldings,” she continues. “By registering all horses, regardless of their roles, breeders contribute to the breed’s welfare, support the registry, and safeguard the legacies of exceptional horses. This proactive approach ensures that each remarkable individual is duly recognized and remembered for generations to come.”

And the Percheron is definitely a breed worth remembering. Not many breeds can go from energetic high-stepping show horses to calm, quiet stable ponies, but the Percheron can. It’s one of the reasons lovers of the breed are so dedicated to them.

The Ames Percherons

“I grew up with draft horses,” says Jacqui Shaw, manager at Ames Percheron Farm, Inc., in Minnesota. “My dad, Jim Westbrook, bred Percherons when I was young and then became a professional hitch driver. It’s a family tradition. It just gets in your blood.” Jacqui’s husband Travis is also hitch driver for Ames Percheron Farm. He got his start in middle school with his neighbor’s draft horses.

The Ames family has a long history with the breed, starting with John and Eliza Ames, who immigrated to America from England in 1874 and farmed with Percherons. In the early 1900s, they began to show them.

As time went on, showing became their focus. In the early 1990s, brothers Dick, Butch, John and Ron Ames decided to invest in a team of driving Percherons to be sponsored by their company, Ames Construction. It was a way to keep their family tradition alive, and Dick had a real passion for the horses.

Showing a Big Hitch

Today, the Ames Percherons show in six- and eight-horse hitch configurations year-round, attending between 10 and 15 shows annually. And they have it down to a science. A team of five to six people can get the team ready in as little as 45 minutes, though the average is 90—still a speedy time!

And getting to the show? That takes two 53-foot big rigs: One that holds the harnesses and cart, and one that hauls the 10 horses. The trailer has space for 15 horses, but Jacqui says they never take that many.

Ames used to show teams of dapple grays, but Jacqui says the color is getting harder to find as it fell out of fashion, and some of the main breeders of gray Percherons were PMU farms in Canada that are now closed. So, they switched to an all-black team, for the most part.

“We still have a couple grays that get dyed to match the blacks for shows,” says Jacqui. (They use animal-safe cattle dye, and it’s legal at the shows they compete at.) “It’s all about appearance at these shows, and we even dye the blacks to make sure their coats really shine. Some get bleached by the sun, so we need to cover the brown. Almost every team at our level dyes their horses, in all breeds.”

A Dual Personality

Since 2000, Ames Percheron Farm has won the North American Classic Series six-horse Championship four times, and has multiple national titles in both the six- and eight-horse hitch. But Jacqui says that even if they couldn’t show, she and her husband would be content to just take care of the horses.

“These guys, the big horses, have a real gentle demeanor in the barn,” she says. “We train them to be flashy when they are showing, so you hook them up and they have a whole different personality. They are a powerful athlete that gives their all.

“But then you take them back to the barn and they put their heads down and just want to be petted,” she continues. “I’ve had a lot of riding horses, but they don’t have that split personality, where they can turn off the ‘hot’ when they aren’t showing.”

This sweet personality makes them a fan favorite, as crowds of people gather around to meet and pet them at shows.

“We get people saying they want one when they are ready for retirement, because they are so sweet and gentle,” Jacqui says.

This article about the Percheron appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Percheron appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Draft Horse Hoof Care

Gentle Giants Draft Rescue is a 300-plus acre facility in Mt. Airy, Md., that rehabilitates and re-homes draft horses. They are currently home to more than 150 drafts. Executive Director and founder Christine Hajek says the most common problem seen in draft breeds is hoof neglect.

One misconception about drafts is that due to their size, they wear down their feet on their own. This is not true; as with other horse breeds, drafts require regular hoof trims. However, given their size, “Expect to pay more for the farrier,” she says.

Drafts can have a reputation for being stubborn about picking up and holding up their feet. This is in large part due to their background. Many drafts come from Amish and Mennonite farms, says Hajek. There, feet are trimmed in wooden restraints called stocks, so many drafts haven’t been taught to stand while having their feet held by a person.

However, this can be overcome by patient, consistent training. Staff at Gentle Giants use clicker training to accustom drafts to having their feet handled.

Skin Beneath the Feathers

Along with the beautiful feathers some draft breeds have comes extra work in keeping the skin underneath healthy. Long hair on the lower legs can create an environment that is ideal for bacteria and parasite proliferation. Many drafts that arrive at Gentle Giants have a skin condition called scratches, mite infestations, or both, says Hajek.

Scratches, also called mud fever, is a dermatitis of the pastern and heel. Overgrowth of microorganisms on the skin’s surface results in localized inflammation, causing these areas to appear greasy. The skin will be red, thickened, and scabby, and may be sensitive to touch.

Mange mites, specifically chorioptic mites (Chorioptes species), commonly take up residence along a draft horse’s lower legs. Infestations result in intense itching that can cause a horse to stomp and yank his foot away when held. Some owners may misinterpret this as a behavioral issue; however, when the underlying condition is treated, this issue resolves.

Managing these skin conditions involves a delicate balance between moisture and dryness. Yes, those beautiful feathers will likely have to be shaved off (but they grow back!) in order to expose the mites and dry out any bacteria present. Initially, regular leg bathing will help fight these infections, followed by thorough drying.

Keeping the horse’s legs clean and dry then is key in keeping these skin issues at bay. Work with your veterinarian to determine the best shampoo for your draft and any other medications needed, such as an antiparasitic or antibiotic for severe infections.

Belgians, specifically, are at risk for a different type of condition in the legs called chronic progressive lymphedema, or CPL. Belgians with this condition develop swelling in their lower legs, which can lead to thickened skin and lesions. Not much is currently understood about this disease, but it is progressive and there is no treatment. Anyone interested in a Belgian should carefully inquire about the horse’s background and lineage, if known.

Feeding Fat

Most adult draft horses in little to light work and general good health are relatively easy keepers, meaning they can maintain a good body condition on quality forage, such as hay or pasture. In fact, if fed according to the guidelines on many feed bags based on body weight, owners may accidentally over-feed their draft, leading to obesity and associated metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance and laminitis.

Inappropriate diet is a common issue in many of the draft rescues rehabilitated at Gentle Giants.

“They were fed based on light breed horse guidelines,” Hajek explains.

When a draft horse does require a higher level of nutrition than what simple forage can provide, they may need more fat as opposed to the high starch seen in grain mixes.

“A lot of people don’t realize drafts may need a higher-fat diet,” says Hajek.

If your draft horse requires a high-calorie concentrate in addition to good quality forage, work with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to ensure he is getting a balanced diet appropriate for his metabolic needs, age, and workload.

Possible PSSM

One serious nutrition issue common in draft horses is a metabolic disorder called equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM or EPSM). Horses with PSSM are unable to properly metabolize and store carbohydrates, which becomes an issue when a horse is fed a high-carbohydrate diet (such as grain) and then exercised.

Mild signs of PSSM include muscle weakness, twitches, and gait abnormalities, but severity of the condition varies, and can escalate to colic-like signs, refusal to move, severe muscle cramping, and kidney issues due to muscle cell death.

PSSM is diagnosed via bloodwork, muscle biopsy, and, more recently, genetic testing. While there is no cure, PSSM can be managed successfully by switching to a diet high in fat instead of carbohydrates and a consistent exercise regimen. Careful management should be overseen by a veterinarian.

Neurologic Conditions

Draft horses are also more prone to some neuromuscular disorders than can look like PSSM.

Shivers and stringhalt are two neurologic conditions that typically result in an abnormal gait, most notably in the hind legs. These conditions aren’t lethal, but they can make a horse reluctant to lift his feet for a farrier.

Some horses with shivers or stringhalt can still be ridden or driven. Severity and management of these conditions varies by horse.

Eye Health

Some breeds of drafts with wide white markings on their faces, such as Belgians, Clydesdales and Haflingers, are predisposed to a locally invasive type of cancer in the eye called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

SCC can range in severity. A small lesion on the third eyelid can be relatively straightforward to remove. But in extreme cases, removal of the eye may be necessary, or possibly euthanasia if the underlying bone is involved.

Owners of Belgians and any breed with excessive white on the face should regularly monitor their horse’s eyes for any unusual coloration, irregularity, or signs of irritation. If something is abnormal, have your veterinarian conduct a closer examination. The earlier SCC is diagnosed, the better the prognosis.

Heat & Humidity

Due to their larger frames and associated musculature, draft horses can struggle to dissipate heat, which can lead to heat stress. When you add to this the challenges of keeping heavily feathered legs dry in humidity, it can be difficult to keep a draft breed comfortable in the summer.

For this reason, if you live in the southeastern United States, Hajek cautions against getting a draft. At the very least, she advises, avoid getting a draft horse from a northern climate and transporting him south, where he isn’t acclimated to the heat and humidity.

Key Takeaway

At the end of the day, a draft horse is still a horse, with the same training needs, personality quirks, and general care requirements.

“They train the same way [as a lighter breed],” says Hajek. “People tend to treat them like they’re different. The worst stereotype of drafts is that they’re dull and slow. That’s not the case at all.”

With proper care and consistent training, just like their smaller counterparts, draft horses make excellent mounts and companions. There’s just a bit more of them to love.

This article about draft horse health and care appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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In 1807, when Pedro IV of Portugal migrated to Brazil due to Napoleon’s invasion and became Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, he brought with him the best of the royal cavalry. These horses were the Alter Real—an Iberian breed closely related to Lusitanos and Andalusians that were reserved for royalty.

Alter Real stallions were crossed with local Brazilian mares to create the Mangalarga Marchador. Known for being docile, intelligent, and extremely comfortable to ride, the breed grew quickly in popularity.

There are over 700,000 Mangalarga Marchadors in Brazil today. In 1992, a Brazilian family moved to Florida and brought their beloved Mangalarga Marchador with them. Today, the U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association works to preserve the breed in the United States and currently has 425 registered horses.

Special Gaits

The marcha gait is when the feet move alternately laterally and diagonally. The marcha picada gait has more lateral movements in a step, and is generally considered the smoothest of the gaits. The marcha batida has more diagonal movements in a step and is described as a broken trot.

Another, not-yet-recognized gait may occur, called the marcha de centro, where lateral and diagonal movement happens equally. In all these gaits, one foot is always touching the ground, so the horse is never suspended off the ground like in the trot or pace, creating a more comfortable and secure feeling for the rider.

A Noble Steed

“I had been told that Mangalarga Marchadors were very smart, but I didn’t believe it until I owned one for myself,” says Randy Gassett of Phoenix, Ariz.

Gassett had a business deal with a friend that breeds Mangalarga Marchadors, making her part owner of an unborn foal. When that foal ended up being a colt, not a filly, the plan was to sell him. But Gassett knew the colt wasn’t going anywhere once he got to her ranch.

“I fell in love with the colt and knew he was going to be as nice or nicer than my Fox Trotter,” Gassett shares. “So, I bought out my friend’s share, and Nobre do Summerwind [nobre is Portuguese for ‘noble’] was mine. He is the only Mangalarga Marchador that I have owned and is an exceptional horse!”

Now 5, Nobre is 15.2 hands and performs the marcha batida as well as the walk and canter. Gassett trained Nobre herself, competing him in in-hand trail competitions as a yearling.

“He has such a wonderful temperament, loves people, is curious and full of play, and has never tried to buck or rear while under saddle,” she says.

Now that he is older, Nobre competes in dressage and working equitation. They have qualified for the Working Equitation Zone Championship in Missoula in 2023, finishing 5th in level two.

He has many champion and reserve champion titles at both schooling and rated shows, and is now competing at level three. Gassett says Nobre has the smoothest canter she has ever ridden.

Plenty of Charisma

Carolina Peterson, who lives in Friday Harbor, Wash., has known the Marchador breed since childhood, having grown up in Brazil. She owns two geldings, Tigre do Summerwind and Kharisma do Summerwind. Tigre performs the marcha picada and is a fantastic trail horse that also does working equitation. Kharisma performs the marcha batida, and aside from trail, excels in eventing.

“Kharisma came to San Juan Island, Wash., and started his development with eventing trainer Servando Garcia, who soon introduced Kharisma to jumping,” says Peterson. “It’s easy to say it was ‘love at first sight.’ Kharisma loves to jump, loves the challenge, and trusts his rider. He is still young, but should have a great career in eventing or whatever job he chooses to do.”

While a gaited horse in eventing could normally be a challenge, Peterson says Kharisma shines.

“He has successfully competed at Novice level, quite a challenge for a gaited horse, but with Servando’s endless efforts and Kharisma’s willingness to work, he is moving toward being successful at a higher level,” she says. “Kharisma is the only Marchador participating in eventing competitions in the U.S.”

Peterson explains that dressage is difficult for gaited horses, but Kharisma is taking that on too.

“We believe quality, ambitious and well-trained Mangalarga Marchadors will perform well in any job,” she says. “Tigre and Kharisma are kind, docile, coachable and intelligent horses with big personalities.”

This article about the Mangalarga Marchador breed appeared in the October 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Owners of these tough horses share that they can do pretty much anything you ask of them—and excel at it.

Stewie

If you ask a Haflinger owner why they own one, one of the main reasons is because they are safe and dependable.

“As a ‘middle-aged’ woman with an equestrian hobby, having a horse that’s gentle, intelligent, and can do it all is important,” shares Kendal Vaitkus. She went to a Haflinger show in 2011 and became hooked on these horses, as well as the kind, inviting atmosphere of the other owners.

“In 2018, I had an opportunity to purchase a Haflinger, and I haven’t looked back since,” she says. “I can’t afford to have one horse that trail rides, one horse that drives and another to ride dressage. The Haflinger is a great solution for me!  This breed generally likes to keep busy, so they don’t mind learning all sorts of fun and interesting things. To me, the Haflinger is a perfect, versatile pony wrapped up in a beautiful golden package. I’ll admit, they’re like potato chips … you can’t have just one.”

True to her words, Vaitkus owns two Haflingers. Will Beat the Storm of 2s (“Stewie”) was her first Haflinger. Now 15, Stewie takes her out on the trails and into the dressage, western, halter and driving rings. He has won numerous high points and is currently schooling Second Level in dressage. Her other Haflinger is a gelding named Northstar LLRH.

Rollie

Sometimes a love and appreciation for the breed is passed down through the generations.

“Grandpa Bill was searching the internet for the perfect family horse he could share with his young grandchildren,” shares John Ellingson. “He quickly learned that the Haflinger was known for being very sensible and was a great choice for young families.”

Ellingson’s grandfather drove eight hours to buy his first Haflinger, a daughter of the famous Aristocrat. That was 20 years ago. Since then, the Ellingsons have bred and trained Haflingers.

“Not every Haflinger is suited for children, but on average they are calmer, less reactive and more cold-blooded than most breeds,” says Ellingson. “We try to identify very calm individuals at a young age. We give them plenty of age-appropriate training. You can create a very special horse that is relaxed and gentle.”

One of their current horses is N-Rollie TVS, a 15.1-hand gelding, who started life working on an Amish farm. Rollie is now shown and co-owned by 16-year-old Talayna Steiner, a neighbor of the Ellingsons and part of their 4-H Club.

Aside from being an excellent farming horse, Rollie excels at many disciplines in the show ring, including winning state 4-H jumping, hunter and equitation over fences, and English pleasure. Outside of 4-H, he has many wins in pleasure driving, hitch, obstacle driving and halter. He is now taking the western rings by storm.

Von

Tara Williams, who sits on the board of directors for the American Haflinger Registry, first rode one just to keep the mare trained up for her young sister. A self-professed big bay Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred girl, she wasn’t expecting to fall hard for the Haflinger.

“As I rode my sister’s horse, I then had offers to catch ride others, and I realized that they are remarkably athletic and smart,” she says. “Von was one of those catch rides, who I then purchased. He was my gateway Haflinger!”

Wil-Von Mikas RVH (“Von”) is a 14-year-old, 15-hand gelding Tara still owns and shows. He is a multiple national champion, 2018 Reserve Versatility Champion and 2023 Versatility Champion.

“I love a horse that can make good choices and has the athleticism to back it all up,” says Williams. “They are a very hardy breed that generally stays sound and performing well long into their golden years. One of the other things I love is how versatile they are. I can grab the same horse to go trail ride one afternoon, drive at a competition the next, and go jump a hunter pace the next.”

When not in the breed ring, Von drags her arena, goes on trail rides, competes in Second Level western and classical dressage, and even does ranch classes. Previously, they were members of the High Flying Haflingers Jumping Drill Team, performing at events like Equine Affaire’s Fantasia show and the Mane Event in Canada.

Roush

The Haflinger stands his ground when put up against horses that may be much larger in stature.

Roush, owned by Anika Sadler, has taken his owner to many wins. Some of his many accomplishments include qualifying for the Great American Insurance Group/U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) Regional Championships, winning the Idaho Dressage & Eventing Association (IDEA) Adult Amateur USDF Freestyle Champion, Adequan/USDF All-Breeds Adult Amateur Freestyle Champion, and Reserve Champion at the Rainier Northwest Championship.

He is an IDEA Adult Amateur U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Beginner Novice Champion, and has top-10 placings with the Western Dressage Association of America’s International Challenge multiple years in a row.

When he isn’t in the show ring, you can find him skijioring in the winter and gaming in the summer. He has even been used as a model by Kastel Denmark, Outback Trading and more.

“He is an excellent ambassador of the breed, their wonderful character and versatility,” says Sadler.

Haflingers Can Do It All

Williams says Haflingers were bred to be this versatile, having to traverse the terrain of the southern Tyrolean Mountains and be the work horse, children’s horse, riding horse and haul-the-crops-to-town horse.

“It resulted in a low-maintenance horse with a varied job description, and that lends them very well to a lot of modern jobs, from hitch horse to hunter,” she adds.

This article about the Haflinger breed appeared in the September 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Haflinger appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The breed performs three distinct gaits. The flat walk is a brisk, long-reaching walk that ranges from 4 to 8 mph. A nodding head motion, along with overstride, are unique features of the gait. The running walk is an extra-smooth gait like the flat walk except faster, at 10 to 20 mph, giving the rider a feeling of gliding through the air as if propelled by a powerful machine. The canter is performed in much the same way as other breeds, but with lots of spring and rhythm, giving an easy front end rise and fall referred to as a “rocking chair” canter.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) currently has 234,418 registered Walkers, and many of them hit the trails annually through TWHBEA’s trail programs. In 2023, riders logged 13,438 total hours in the distance program.

Hours in the Saddle

Via’s Sugarfoot, owned and ridden by Glory Redmond of Lowell, Ind., was the TWHBEA Trail Horse of the Year for 2023, logging 387.5 hours.

Sunday Morning Rain and owner Susan St. Amand have logged more than 3,000 hours on trails, more than any other Tennessee Walking Horse in TWHBEA’s program.

“We ride on the hundreds of miles of ATV public trails in the Northern Maine woods, and witness plenty of wildlife,” says St. Amand.

“The Tennessee Walking Horse has long been recognized as a superior trail mount because they are smart, strong, surefooted and smooth,” says Paige Liggett of TWHBEA. “The Tennessee Walking Horse was originally bred to be a utility horse capable of carrying a rider over the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee in comfort and style. This inherent ability translates perfectly to most any terrain or situation.”

From Trails to Mounted Archery

Lila Corey of Youngsville, N.C., owns three Tennessee Walking Horses that she uses for trail riding and mounted archery. Her 9-year-old mare, Patience; 9-year-old gelding, Lakota; and 18-year-old gelding, Aston, are all skilled on the trail as well as the archery track. They carry both her students and her granddaughter with ease and care.

“I trail ride for fun and relaxation,” says Corey. “Tennessee Walking Horses are very smooth, and that makes them easier to shoot off of when cantering. The hunt course, being like a trail ride with targets at a canter, is so much fun on a gaited horse.”

Kristin Munson from Sandia Park, N.M., grew up riding Tennessee Walking Horses.

“I can’t post worth a darn,” she laughs. “That’s a pretty necessary skill for most long-distance riders, unless they are lucky enough to ride gaited!”

Now, Munson rides Cruise Until Midnyte, aka “Cruze”, a 5-year-old gelding, on endurance rides. (The pair are featured on this month’s cover.)

“Tennessee Walking Horses are known for being level-headed, considerate of their riders, gentle, and comfortable for long periods of time,” she says. “Because they were bred for riding on extensive plantations in the south, especially Heritage Walkers [these have no or limited high-stepping breeding lines] are famous for traveling long miles without complaint and being a joy to ride.”

Since Cruze is young, Munson is competing in the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) limited-distance races, ranging from 25 to 35 miles. As he grows up, her goal is to complete the 100-mile Western States Trail Ride (also known as the Tevis Cup). She says that Arabians and Mustangs tend to win endurance rides, but she and Cruze enjoy the time together.

“I believe the AERC motto that ‘To Finish is to Win,’ and I wouldn’t want to spend 35, 50, or even 100 miles on any other breed!”

Mounted Orienteering

Pushers Phoenix Sun, affectionately called “Nacho,” is a 12-year-old Walking Horse gelding owned by Laurie Heffington of Winlock, Wash. She purchased Nacho sight unseen from British Columbia because she had been searching for years for a gaited horse.

A friend of hers got her into competitive mounted orienteering (CMO) a few years ago. In mounted orienteering, a team or individual uses a compass to find hidden objects—usually a paper plate with a letter on it—on a trail. The event is timed. Heffington has found Nacho to be the perfect partner.

“From what Nacho has shown, they have wonderful personality and grit,” says Heffington. “He can go and go. My husband calls him ‘The Bulldozer,’ because he will plow through anything I point him at, regardless if there’s a path. That is great when we’re searching around in the brush for a plate!”

Heffington and Nacho placed first in the Washington Chapter of CMO for the short course and second in the nation in 2022 and 2023.

Although Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their fast running walk, Heffington says that Nacho has no problem slowing down, and will even keep pace with her son’s 12-hand pony on the trail.

This article about the Tennessee Walking Horse breed appeared in the August 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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An original American breed, the Sugarbush Harlequin Draft is a composite breed hailing from both the Appaloosa and the Percheron.

The opposite of “random” breeding, the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft was the well thought-out brainchild of Everett Smith, who sought to create a versatile horse that was well-built, smart, easily trainable, good- moving, kind and agile.

The Beginning of a Breed

Born at the end of the Great Depression, Smith witnessed the country’s transition from draft horsepower to mechanized horsepower as World War II ended. Though the jobs of many draft horses became obsolete, some draft horse fans transitioned them from corn field to carriage in an attempt to keep them relevant.

In love with the original mode of horsepower, Smith owned The Sugarbush Hitch Company in Willow Wood, Ohio, where he used purebred Percherons to pull his carriages and wagons. Dedicated to breeding the best Percherons he could, it wasn’t until he met Mike Muir that Smith began to reconsider his breeding strategy.

Muir was selectively breeding for a heavy warmblood Appaloosa sport horse he called the Stonewall Sport Horse, and Smith was intrigued with the idea that flashier horses might bring in more business.

In 1998, Smith used artificial insemination to breed a Percheron mare, Sugarbush Felina del Noche, to Muir’s Stonewall Rascal, who was 3/4 Percheron. The next year, the first Sugarbush Harlequin Draft horse was born and named Sugarbush Harley Quinne.

The 7/8 Percheron colt boasted a loud, leopard-spotted coat and embodied everything Smith had sought: he was patient, kind, athletic, beautifully conformed and had an incredible coat pattern.

Smith then bred Felina to another of Muir’s stallions, Stonewall Domino, and produced Sugarbush O Rosamunde. The beginning of an incredible breed was born, with Felina del Noche as matriarch.

Smith continued to carefully choose breeding stock to retain the loud coat patterns and quality draft horse conformation, and soon people began requesting his company—and his horses—by name. The Sugarbush breed was born.

The American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Association

As the breed began to grow in popularity, it became apparent that the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft needed an association that would oversee the purity of breed’s lineage.

In 2013, a group of passionate Sugarbush Harlequin breeders and enthusiasts gathered to create the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Association (ASHDA). Governed by a Board of Directors, the ASHDA is dedicated to diversifying the breed’s gene pool to limit the risk of genetic defects while maintaining the qualities and characteristics that have made the breed so beloved.

The Board ensures that each horse accepted into the Association meets a breed standard and adheres to strict genetic and conformational requirements.

A Versatile Horse

Though Smith’s personal passion was driving, the breed he created excels in any arena. Sugarbush Harlequin drafts are fantastic riding and driving horses. They compete in eventing, dressage, foxhunting and myriad other events, and are incredible lesson mounts and therapy horses.

The breed is gentle enough to give courage to the most timid rider and sturdy enough for the stoutest of riders to feel safe.

American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Fast Facts

As the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft is a new breed, the ASHDA Board of Directors is quite specific in what genetics they want to see.

To be registered with the ASHDA, all horses must be approved by the ASHDA Board of Directors. To ensure that a healthy, conformationally correct and quality animal is promoted and reproduces, the ASHDA has taken a proactive stance on genetic defects, requiring testing for all breeding stock animals in addition to the pedigree assessment and conformation analysis.

◆ Height: Typically 15.2 to 16 hands

◆ Color: Any base, with leopard pattern preferred. Solid-colored horses are acceptable. Unacceptable colors include pinto-type, excessive white markings, frame overo, tobiano, splash, and dominant white.

◆ Conformation: The chest should be wide and deep; hips should be wide with a rounded croup. The tail should be attached high, and the horse should have short, heavily muscled gaskins. Feathering is apparent but is not as long or thick as in other draft breeds.

◆ Movement: American Sugarbush Harlequin Drafts should have suspension and extension, with no pacing or gaited movement.

This article about the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft appeared in the July 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian Horse Registry were subsequently established by IAHA for the purpose of registering, transferring, and maintaining the official registration records concerning Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. The Half- and Anglo-Arabians are treated as different breeds within the registry.

The Anglo-Arabian is a cross between a purebred AHA or Canadian Arabian Horse Registry (CAHR) Arabian and a Thoroughbred registered with the Jockey Club or other approved foreign source, or two registered Anglo-Arabians. They cannot be more than 75 percent Arabian blood or less than 25 percent. Those over 75 percent can be registered as a Half-Arabian.

A Half-Arabian is a cross between an AHA- or CAHR-registered Arabian and another breed of horse. The number before the A in the registration number indicates the percentage of Arabian blood in the horse.

The AHA says the two most popular Half-Arabian crosses are American Quarters Horses (for western and working western disciplines) and American Saddlebreds (for English, country English, park and saddle seat equitation).

Current registration numbers as of 2023 are 357,119 Half-Arabians and 10,096 Anglo-Arabians.

All-Around Half-Arabians

Amy Pike had always ridden purebred Arabians and says she didn’t make the switch to Half-Arabians consciously. A trainer offered her a Half-Arabian gelding (75 percent Arabian and 25 percent Saddlebred), Megas Four Onthefloor+++/ (aka “Four”), after the tragic loss of a young purebred Arabian she owned.

“I’d ridden some wonderful Half-Arabians previous to Four and had great experiences,” she shares. “I had ridden and shown a National Show Horse (Saddlebred cross) named Rohara Marc Twain for a few years in the mid-2000s and loved him. After Marc, I was open to a nice horse to ride and show, whether purebred or half. These days, though, I find I really love my Half-Arabians, and they’re very special.”

Pike also owns a 3-year-old 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian named Johnny Paycheck+ (aka “Whalen”), and is part owner of Uncle Buck Dunit, a 16-year-old 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian.

With her Half-Arabians, Pike has done a bit of everything, including showing in reining, dressage, western dressage, hunter, western, ranch horse, cow sorting, trail, backwoods trail riding, and camping.

“I even packed out an elk from a hunting trip with Four,” she says. Four has several national titles in dressage and sport horse in hand.

“But I think the most special thing about him is his love of people,” Pike adds. “He went to the Oregon State Fair and carried a young lady to several placings in her State FFA Horse competitions this last summer. She lost her horse just weeks prior to fair, and Four was able to step in and carry her. They practiced three times before hitting the show arena.”

Drill Team

Marlene Manuel was looking for a purebred Arabian that would be a smooth ride for her bad back when she saw Joe Fabulous G, a 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian, at a drill clinic.

“I fell in love with his way of moving,” she says. “Although he was big and had a Quarter Horse build, he moved like a graceful Arabian.”

Being a drill team member herself, Manuel needed a horse with a lot of athleticism and stamina.

“His athleticism allows him to easily accelerate, decelerate, and quickly change direction, all very smoothly,” she says. “This has not changed over the years, and you would never know he is 18. He’s got that hardy Arabian blood, yet is sturdy and strong, like a Quarter Horse.”

Reining In Wins

Melissa Shaver, DVM, grew up showing purebred Arabians, but now she competes in reining with her Half-Arabians. Why did she make the switch?

“Having always been drawn to the working western events, especially reining, the Half-Arabian and Quarter Horse cross is perfect,” she says. “They are pretty, strong, and athletic, and we can show in the open reining shows as well as the rated Arabian shows and be competitive in both.”

Her mares, Bee My Bucks+/ and Megas Dunnit in Gold, have both been shown to National Reserve Champions in reining and multiple regional titles.

This article about appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: The Half-Arabian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

After World War II, the travelers (also called Gypsies) of the United Kingdom and Ireland needed a horse that could do everything: be strong enough to pull their ornate vardos, the wagons the families live in; gentle enough for the children to lead and look after, and comfortable enough to ride when needed.

Decades of mixing native breeds like the Clydesdale and Shire with various native ponies, including the Dales and Fell, created a small, colorful draft horse with a sound mind and willing nature.

The cob-type horses went unnamed for decades until Americans Dennis and Cindy Thompson fell in love with them. After much research, they imported the first ones to the U.S. in the mid-1990s.

In 1996, with input from the travelers in Europe, they named the breed the Gypsy Vanner as a nod to the families who had created the breed. The Thompsons then founded the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society.

Today, the breed continues to grow in popularity throughout the world for its beauty, versatility, good mind and gentle temperament.

Meet GG Kiss Me Kate

Born in May 2013, GG Kiss Me Kate (aka “Kate”) is a black and white Gypsy mare owned by David and Samantha Crook of Ardmore, Okla. After purchasing her as a 3-year-old, they brought her along slowly, showing her in-hand at first.

“We were committed to letting her grow and mature before we began riding her,” Samantha says.

Their plan worked. As Kate matured, she flourished in the show ring. Her title of “Winningest Gypsy Vanner in the History of the Breed” means that in her 10 years of showing, she has won more titles than any other registered Gypsy horse in the U.S.

“Since it’s difficult for a mare to compete against a stallion, we are extra blessed to have a mare that can prove her character again and again against all sexes and all ages in all divisions,” Samantha shares.

When not showing, Kate loves a relaxing trail ride, to boss and groom her gelding pasture mate, or a good head hug and a peppermint from her people.

“What I love most about the Gypsy Vanner breed is their heart,” Samantha says. “Whether you have a pet or a world class show horse, they simply give you all they have. A Gypsy Vanner would rather be with you and share your affection than anything else. Yes, Kate is pretty special, but the Gypsy Vanner breed is special, too.”

A Gypsy Vanner as a 4-H Dream Horse

Amanda Ableidinger is the 4-H leader of the Ravenna Riders in Clark County, Wash. Her unique 4-H program is made up almost entirely of Gypsies. She provides free lessons to members of her 4-H group, who show her Gypsies, including Hopkin’s Infinite Perfection (“Infinity”), a 2015 black tobiano mare. Infinity began her journey as a 4-H horse at the age of 2 with in-hand competitions.

“From a very young age, Infinity’s ability to quickly pick up new concepts and her love for learning was astounding,” says Ableidinger. Due to growth spurts, Infinity really wasn’t trained under saddle until she was 4.

“Once again, she picked up the training so quickly that she entered into the riding part of our youth 4-H program only a few short months later.”

Since then, Infinity has been ridden by several members of the 4-H club, finding success in whatever discipline the kids want to try, from dressage freestyle and drill team to hunt seat and western.

“Over time, we’ve introduced several other new riders/handlers to her life,” says Ableidinger. “Not many other young horses could be patient enough to work with the newest beginner rider all the way through to the advanced. She is the type of horse that caters to each of their individual skill levels and allows her rider to learn and advance in their skills with confidence.”

True to the Gypsy breed, Infinity can take four youth riders to the same show, compete in their different age divisions, and earn high points for each of them.

“Without breaking a sweat,” adds Ableidinger.

These two Gypsies demonstrate the rule, not the exception, when it comes to the versatility and willingness of the Gypsy Vanner breed.

This article about the Gypsy Vanner breed appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Gypsy Vanner appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The oldest of all draft breeds, the European Brabant has been known by many names over the centuries. Once called the Flanders Horse, Dutch Draft and Brabander, the horse known today as the European Brabant has the same basic personality and physical characteristics as it did 2,000 years ago when Julius Caesar mentioned the breed in his diaries and when King John of England imported 100 studs to his private livery in 1199 AD.

Thanks to the efforts of those who cherish this breed, the European Brabant is still part of the horse world. Though rare (the Livestock Conservancy is currently studying them for possible inclusion on its critical list), the breed is still valued by those who appreciate its massive strength, kind disposition and fascinating history.

U.S. Preservation

Known in Europe as the Belgian Draft Horse, the European Brabant was first imported to America in the 1880s. Over time, American breeders began breeding for a lighter draft horse, and the American Belgian became distinctly different from the European strain. Today in the U.S., the Belgian and the European Brabant are two completely separate breeds.

In an effort to preserve the ancient European Brabant, breeders and enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada recently banded together to form the European Brabant Registry of America (EBRA). Since its founding in October 2021, the EBRA has concentrated its efforts on preservation by establishing the European Brabant and Brabant Stock Studbooks, as well as the critical “Breed Up”  Program, which is designed to expand the breed’s gene pool.

The EBRA also offers draft horse educational clinics to the general public as a means of promoting the positive attributes of all heavy horse breeds. Ultimately, the EBRA wants to ensure the original gentle giant—the European Brabant—and its descendants remain intact for future generations. 

Across the globe, European Brabants are still hard at work in a myriad of jobs. Because they are such strong and tractable work horses, they are still active in the timber and farming industries. They also work chest-deep in water, dragging fishing nets and pulling barges next to canals in Europe. 

In the U.S., European Brabants are often ridden. They are used in equine therapy programs, backcountry packing and trekking outfits, as school horses, and in dressage and show jumping. They also compete in single and teams driving, vaulting and circus acts.

European Brabant Breed Facts

◆ Height: 15 to 18 hands; average is 16.2 hands

◆ Color: Chestnut, bay, black, blue roan, red roan, strawberry roan, bay roan and gray. Some white markings on the face and legs are permitted. 

◆ Overall Appearance: Balanced and slightly rectangular in shape; ample, robust leg bone and a double-muscled hindquarter with a wide, long, slightly sloped croup. Well-muscled neck and a straight profile with a proud head carriage. The head should appear slightly smaller and refined for a horse of such large proportions. The eye is large and kind.

◆ Association: European Brabant Registry of America

Key Takeaway

According to those who love this breed, European Brabants are much more than draft animals; they are loving companions who want nothing more than to be with their humans, whether it’s on the trail under saddle or cuddling in the pasture.

This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Profile: European Brabant appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Trote y Galope inherited the spirit and sensitivity of the Paso Fino with the height and power of the Lusitano. And as a bonus, the Paso Fino and Lusitano gaits managed to combine to create something truly unique in the Trote y Galope: a smooth diagonal gait. 

Common History of the Trote y Galope

As a close cousin to the Paso Fino, the Trote y Galope has its roots in Colombia. The Paso Fino was developed there in the 1500s from horses brought to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica by Spanish conquerors.

Christopher Columbus helped establish a breeding program there with the goal of supplying Spanish soldiers with horses. These carefully bred horses were then brought to both Puerto Rico and Colombia.

The horses in this breeding program carried the DNA of the Jennet, a now-extinct gaited Spanish horse. The Jennet passed along its gaits to early Paso Finos, who were also the result of crossings with Barbs and Andalusians.

The Lusitano, the other breed that provided the foundation to the Trote y Galope, is descended from early Spanish horses that lived on the Iberian Peninsula during prehistoric times. The blood of these Spanish horses became mixed with that of breeds that arrived from other parts of Europe during times of war and migration. The Lusitano descended from this mix of bloodlines and continued its development in Portugal.

Because of their strength and agility, Lusitanos became the favored breed of Spanish and Portuguese bullfighters.

Diagonal vs. Four-Beat

The Paso Fino is famous for its lateral, four-beat gaits: the classic fino, the paso corto and the paso largo. Each of these gaits results when the horse places one hoof down at a time in a four-beat rhythm. The Trote y Galope also provides a smooth ride, but they do it differently: with diagonal footfalls.

The Trote y Galope gets its name from its signature gaits: the trote and the galope. The trote is a diagonal two-beat gait without the suspension present in a standard trot. Even though it’s not a four-beat gait, it is comfortable to sit because there is no suspension. When watching performance of this gait, it looks as if the horse is marching. A 1-2, 1-2 rhythm is created when this gait is performed.

The breed’s other signature gait is the galope, which is essentially a canter with diagonal propulsion in three beats. First one hind leg strikes the ground, followed by the other hind leg and the foreleg that is diagonal to that hind leg. Finally, the other foreleg hits the ground. The sound of this movement creates a 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm.

The Trote y Galope in America

The Trote y Galope is popular in Colombia and can be seen at Paso Fino shows throughout the nation. But in America, the breed is still growing.

The small numbers of Trote y Galopes here in the U.S. are being shown in western, English, jumping, trail obstacle, dressage and Paso Fino events. They also make great mounts for recreational trail riding.

The Paso Fino Horse Association considers Trote y Galope horses a separate breed from laterally gaited Paso Finos, grouping them with two other diagonally gaited breeds related to the Paso Fino: the Trocha Pura and the Trocha y Galope.

Horses registered as Paso Finos have only Paso Fino horses in their pedigrees, while the diagonally gaited horses have other breeds mixed with Paso Fino blood.

Key Takeaway

Next time you visit a gaited horse show, keep an eye out for a laterally gaited Trote y Galope. Thanks to their dramatic stature and fascinating way of going, it won’t be long before these horses are a common site in the gaited horse world.

This article about the Trote y Galope appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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