1. AFFIRMED: Although small at birth, Affirmed soon proved he was a great racehorse, growing into a handsome chestnut-coated force that won Thoroughbred racing’s 1978 Triple Crown. What made him even more awesome was his heart. He bested his undeniably more royally bred rival, Alydar, in each of the three classic races.

2. AHLERICH: Already a revered dressage master, Reiner Klimke found his equine soulmate at a Westphalian auction in Germany. The hot-blooded Ahlerich and Klimke soon soared to great heights in international dressage competition, including claiming the 1982 World Championship title. In both 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, Klimke rode his stunning bay partner to individual and team gold medals for Germany.

Ahlerich and Reiner Klimke in 1980. Photo by Bob Langrish

3. BALLY COR: Legendary three-day eventing rider Tad Coffin recalls that the lanky bay Thoroughbred mare Bally Cor “was not thought to be supremely talented.” On top of that, Coffin was a young rider whose résumé lacked international experience. But under the tutelage of U.S. Equestrian Team eventing coach Jack Le Goff, both Coffin and Bally Cor earned worldwide respect. At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, the determined pair won team and individual gold medals.

4. BALOUBET DU ROUET: Bred from proven sporthorse lines, this tough Selle Français stallion was not the sort of horse everyone could ride. But Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa’s quiet touch got the best out of the firey chestnut. For three consecutive years (1998-2000), the dauntless duo won the World Cup Finals in show jumping. But the big red horse’s incredible career also includes an Olympic team bronze medal (2000) and individual gold in Athens (2004).

5. BIG BEN: reportedly too big and ugly to make it as a show hunter, the rangy red horse from Canada eventually earned more than $1.5 million as an international show jumper. His regular pilot, owner Ian Millar, learned to put up with the horse’s quirks: he was notoriously spooky, headstrong, and accident-prone. Nonetheless, Big Ben and Millar won the World Cup Finals in 1988 and 1989 and represented Canada in three Olympic Games over a career that spanned 11 years.

Big Ben and Ian Millar formed a legendary partnership. Photo by Bob Langrish

6. BRENTINA: The lovely Hanoverian mare Brentina is one of the few dressage horses to capture the hearts of American riders from all disciplines. She was purchased as a 3-year-old in Germany after displaying fabulous gaits and an unflappable temperament. The mare and rider Debbie McDonald’s major wins include the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the 2003 World Cup and a team bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. In 2005, Brentina was chosen as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year.

Brentina and Debbie McDonald at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

7. CHARISMA: Small, muddy, hairy, and scraggly were the words that 6’2″ New Zealander Mark Todd supposedly used to describe the 15.2-hand Thoroughbred cross (1/16th Percheron) the first time he saw him. Yet the gelding’s expressive dressage performances and courageous jumping efforts made him an unbeatable force in three-day eventing. Charisma and Mark Todd won back-to-back individual gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

Charisma and Mark Todd at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

8. CUSTOM MADE: Dressage scores often determine the placings in three-day eventing, and at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this 17.2-hand Irish Thoroughbred had a near-flawless test, giving Custom Made and American David O’Connor the score needed to win the individual gold medal—albeit after a memorable panic for spectators when O’Connor appeared to momentarily forget the course during the show jumping phase. (As of this update in 2026, it was the last Olympic eventing gold medal, either team or individual, won by the USA.)

Custom Made and David O’Connor at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

9. FRENCH FLASH HAWK: Considered skittish and spooky as a baby, the flashy bay American Quarter Horse nicknamed “Bozo” was sold to Kristie Peterson for a mere $400. That turned out to be a bargain, as Bozo and Peterson earned more than $1 million in professional barrel racing, including three National Finals Rodeo championships. Ultimately Bozo had the last laugh, winning the 1995 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) award for Rodeo Horse of the Year.

10. GEM TWIST: An elegant gray Thoroughbred, Gem Twist was bred and trained by Olympian Frank Chapot. After demonstrating jumping talent at an early age, Gem Twist was paired with rider Greg Best. The two won individual and team silver medals in show jumping at the 1984 Olympics. Even more noteworthy, the stylish jumper is still the only horse to win a trio of American Grand Prix Association Championships (1987, 1993, and 1995), and he did it with three different riders in the saddle.

Gem Twist and Greg Best at the Stockholm WEG in 1990. Photo by Bob Langrish

11. GIFTED: Undeniably, Gifted was a handful to train as a young dressage horse. Once the flashy bay started his own dressage career with rider Carol Lavell, he proved he truly was gifted. He was named U.S. Dressage Federation Horse of the Year at five different levels (1985-1991). On the world’s biggest stage, the Olympic Games, Gifted and Lavell helped the U.S. Dressage Team win a bronze medal in Barcelona (1992).

Gifted and Carol Lavell at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

12. GILTEDGE: Seventeen-hand Irish Sport Horse Giltedge and rider David O’Connor amassed an impressive list of accomplishments. There was team silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and team bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and a win at the 2001 Rolex Kentucky CCI****. Plus the courageous clear round—one of only two—in the show jumping phase of the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez to secure the U.S. team gold.

Giltedge and David O’Connor at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

13. HOLLYWOOD DUN IT: The tawny stallion possessed near-perfect American Quarter Horse conformation, a large expressive eye, and a gentle disposition. Moreover, Hollywood Dun It, who descended from proven working cow horse royalty, demonstrated athleticism and trainability under saddle. When he died in 2005, he left behind a legacy as the all-time leading sire of reining horses, with offspring earning more than $4 million in winnings.

14. KEEN: When asked to recall her partner for the Olympic bronze medal dressage win at the 1976 Games in Montreal, Hilda Gurney remarked, “Keen wasn’t an expensive horse. He was an off-the-track Thoroughbred, trained at home.” While expensive warmbloods now completely dominate the dressage ranks, Keen will always have a spot in the hearts of dressage enthusiasts. The flashy, firey chestnut, tall as a redwood, was America’s first four-legged ambassador for the sport.

15. KHEMOSABI: This legendary Arabian show horse and sire almost wasn’t registered. According to his breeder and owner, Ruth Husband, when she observed the newborn colt’s abundant white markings, “I wasn’t thrilled.” Fortunately, her husband was more diplomatic and horse-savvy, and Khemosabi went on to not only be registered, but to become a Legion of Excellence Champion and Legion of Masters Champion. He also sired over 1,300 foals, making him the most popular Arabian stallion of all time.

16. MILTON: This huge, milky white gelding had his own fan club in Great Britain. He was beloved for his show jumping prowess and his celebratory leaps into the air after a glorious round. Although he never made it to Olympic competition, Milton—whose name bore the prefixes Henderson, Everest, and Next, depending on his sponsor—won two World Cup show jumping championships (1990, 1991) and numerous grand prix events with his rider, John Whitaker.

Milton and John Whitaker take a walk with this article’s photographer, Bob Langrish. Photo by Bob Langrish

17. MURPHY HIMSELF: When petite European three-day eventing champion Ginny Leng purchased this gray Irish Sport Horse, she ended up with more horse than she wanted. Although she won England’s famed Burghley Horse Trials on the powerful gelding, she struggled to control him. Fellow eventer Ian Stark took over the ride, which turned out to be a better match, as Stark and Murphy won individual and team silver medals for Great Britain at the 1990 World Equestrian Games.

Murphy Himself and Ian Stark at the Stockholm WEG in 1990. Photo by Bob Langrish

18. PIEARAZ: Called “Cash” because he cost the whopping sum of $500, the little gray Arabian went on to prove he was worth his weight in gold by winning successive World Championships in endurance. He did this with owner/rider Valerie Kanavy in 1994, then again in 1996 with Valerie’s daughter, Danielle. Although a gelding, Pieraz has reproduced: he was the second horse in the world to be successfully cloned.

19. R.O. GRAND SULTAN: Another American superstar in the sport of endurance, “Rio” won three consecutive world championships (1988, 1990, 1992) with his rider Becky Hart. By using Centered Riding techniques and natural horsemanship methods, Hart developed a bond with the independent-minded Arabian.

R.O. Grand Sultan and Becky Hart at the Stockholm WEG in 1990. Photo by Bob Langrish

20. REMBRANDT: Rembrandt was purchased as a green 3-year-old for Germany’s Nicole Uphoff to ride. At just 21, Uphoff zoomed to dressage stardom aboard the bay Westphalian, winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 1988 (Seoul) and 1992 (Barcelona), plus two world dressage championships. Although she was offered outrageous sums of money to sell the horse, she could never part with him, and he spent his retirement years on her family’s farm.

Rembrandt and Nicole Uphoff at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Photo by Bob Langrish

21: ROX DENE: One name that still elicits respect in the hunter world is Rox Dene, a gray Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred mare who ruled the 1990s with a string of championships in both working and conformation hunter divisions. That earned her the title of Hunter Horse of the Century. Co-owner Chanda Boylen said, “Rox Dene had the entire package: the conformation, the movement and the jump. I think that’s what set her apart.”

22. ROYAL KALIBER: Imported from the Netherlands, the Dutch Warmblood stallion Royal Kaliber was described as having the personality of a teddy bear. After a string of major wins in American grand prix events, “Roy” and Chris Kapler won team silver and individual bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Unfortunately, the 12-year-old horse was injured there, suffered a severe bout of colic, and was humanely euthanized before he could return home.

23. RUGGED LARK: The winner of the AQHA Superhorse title in 1985 and 1987, this handsome bay stallion demonstrated his versatility in a variety of performance events, most notably dressage. He also proved he was potent, siring both the 1991 and 1999 Superhorse winners. But Rugged Lark was also known for the tour he and his trainer, Lynn Palm, took around the country, performing bridleless at major events. The sweet-tempered American Quarter Horse embodied the larger-than-life qualities cherished in an all-around riding horse.

Rugged Lark was an outstanding performer and sire, known in his later years for bridleless demonstrations with Lynn Palm. Photo by Bob Langrish

24. SCAMPER: This little bay American Quarter Horse came to owner Charmayne James after being booted from work at a cattle feedlot, where he had a reputation as a rank rogue. But when James was just 14, she was able to begin training Scamper into the world’s most successful barrel racer. Together they won an unequaled 10 straight barrel racing world championships, and Scamper became the first barrel horse ever inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

25. SEATTLE SLEW: One of the greatest bargains in horse racing history, Seattle Slew was purchased as a yearling for a mere $17,500. His right front leg turned out, accounting for the relatively low price tag. He traveled so awkwardly down the track as a youngster that his trainer nicknamed him Baby Huey after a clumsy cartoon character. Yet he grew into one of Thoroughbred racing’s most unforgettable champions, winning the 1977 Triple Crown.

26. SMART LITTLE LENA: No bigger than a German Shepherd when foaled, Smart Little Lena grew to be one of the world’s greatest cutting horses. The Texas-bred cow horse won over $740,000 in just eight cutting contests, including the famed “triple crown” of cutting: the National Cutting horse Association Futurity, the Derby, and the Sweepstakes. He has also established a dynasty in the realm of cutting and working cowhorses, siring 17 AQHA World Champions and countless “cowy” sons and daughters.

27. SUPREME SULTAN: The American Saddlebred stallion Supreme Sultan won numerous championships, but even more impressively became the only American Saddlebred to sire World Grand Champions in every show division that the breed association offers.

28. TOUCH OF CLASS: She was small but mighty. After a brief flirtation with a racing career, Touch of Class carried the hopes of the United States into the 1984 Olympics before a home crowd in Los Angeles. There, the fancy bay Thoroughbred and Joe Fargis made the tough show jumping course look like a hunter round. The mare earned the United States a team gold medal and then survived a grueling two-round jump-off to also capture individual gold.

Touch of Class, a diminutive Thoroughbred mare, dominated the show jumping world with Joe Fargis. Photo by Bob Langrish

29. WINSOME ADANTE: As a young horse in Great Britain, “Dan” jumped out of his paddock for a bucket of treats. Sold to America for Kim Severson to ride, the Thoroughbred/Arabian/Irish cross went on to become one of the most successful three-day eventing horses in history, winning team bronze and individual silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics and, perhaps more notably, the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** three times (2002, 2004, 2005).

Winsome Adante and Kim Severson at the Aachen WEG in 2006. Photo by Bob Langrish

30. ZIPPO PINE BAR: Rancher Norman Reynolds was looking for a working cow horse, so he bought Zippo as a weanling for just $1,000 in 1970. But when the colt won in the show pen, Reynolds realized he had more than a cow pony. Zippo Pine Bar spent more than a decade as the AQHA Leading Sire of Performance Horses, and his foals won more than $2 million in western pleasure prize money. His bloodlines continue to be an influence in Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas.

As you can see, great horses come from all sorts of beginnings. Maybe you have a future unforgettable horse standing in your stall right now!

This article was originally published as part of Horse Illustrated’s 30th anniversary in 2006, and was reprinted in our 50th anniversary special issue. Click here to order!

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If you’re both horse-obsessed and a history buff, horse museums were made for you. Museums dedicated to the grandeur of horses can be found throughout the U.S., celebrating breeds, disciplines and the legacy of equines in our country.

While it might be hard to personally visit all the horse museums in America—they span from Maine to Idaho—you can learn a lot about horses and their amazing history by just checking out their websites. Pay a virtual visit to these museums to learn more about horses, shop their online souvenir stores, and if you like what you see, make plans to see them in person.

Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center

The Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center.

The Appaloosa Horse played an important part in the history of the Pacific Northwest, and the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center in Moscow, Idaho, pays tribute to this colorful breed.

The record of the spotted horse, going back to prehistoric times, begins your journey on the museum’s website, featuring historical artwork showing the origins of colorful-coated equines. You can get a sense of the exhibits at the museum on the Museum Features page, and get details on how to book an in-person tour.

Don’t leave the site without stopping at the museum store, where you can buy everything from Appaloosa posters to jewelry.

Learn more at appaloosamuseum.com.

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.

The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed of horse in the world, and the museum dedicated to it in Amarillo, Texas, reflects that popularity. This grand museum features galleries, halls and theaters, all dedicated to the what the American Quarter Horse Association has dubbed America’s most versatile horse.

On the museum website, you’ll find photos and exhibit details, along with information on how to visit the museum in person. Bring your wallet if you make the trip—the museum has a great gift shop.

Learn more at aqha.com/museum.

American Saddlebred Museum

The American Saddlebred Museum is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

The American Saddlebred Museum, dedicated solely to the American Saddlebred Horse, is located in Lexington, Ky., on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. It houses the largest collection of Saddlebred horse artifacts in the world. 

The museum website provides images from the John P. and Dorothy Lenore Gallery Wing, which houses the museum’s temporary exhibitions, as well as the gift shop.

For in-person visitors, the Elisabeth M. Goth History Wing features interactive areas covering early history and formation of the breed; a mare and foal sculpture; a movie about the breed in the American Saddlebred Experience Theater; a children’s area where kids can color and put together puzzles; a section where visitors can try on show clothes and check their riding posture; and an interactive display where visitors can experience the feeling of being on a horse.

Learn more at asbmuseum.org.

International Museum of the Horse

The International Museum of the Horse is also located at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The largest and most comprehensive of all horse museums is the 64,000-square-foot International Museum of the Horse, located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Dedicated to exploring the history of all horses and their impact on human civilization, the museum maintains an ever-growing library and archives, and serves as a resource for scholars and researchers throughout the world.

The museum’s website contains a searchable collection, which allows you to view museum items online based on keywords. You can also get a glimpse of exhibits inside the museum, which will whet your appetite for an in-person visit.

Learn more at kyhorsepark.com/explore/international-museum-of-the-horse.

Kentucky Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby Museum is fittingly located at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The most famous horse race in America has its own museum! Located at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., home of the race itself, the Kentucky Derby Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary of the race with new exhibits, track tours and a History of the Kentucky Derby book release.

A visit to the museum website provides you with a peek at the new exhibits (including a “Long Shots” exhibit and a display dedicated to Secretariat), a review of the museum’s permanent collection, and a chance to shop online at the Derby Museum Store.

Learn more at derbymuseum.org.

National Morgan Horse Museum

The National Morgan Horse Museum is located at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center in Maine.

Located at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center in New Gloucester, Maine, the National Morgan Horse Museum is run by the American Morgan Horse Association, and is dedicated to the history and development of the Morgan Horse in the United States.

The museum website includes historical photographs and articles about Morgans, plus promotional videos about the museum, which provide a look into what the museum has to offer to in-person visitors.

Learn more at morganhorse.com/about/museum.

National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

The National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame is located in scenic Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

You can learn everything you need to know about Thoroughbred racing in a fascinating series of exhibits at the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, located in historic Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Paintings from the collection of 20th century racing enthusiast Charles H. Thieriot, an exhibit on the famous racehorse Ruffian, and a juried racing photography exhibit are all currently on display at the museum. The permanent collection includes sculptures, trophies, racing memorabilia, an assortment of paintings and photographs, and of course the Hall of Fame.

Visitors to the website can learn more about what the museum has to offer, as well as buy select items at the online gift shop.

Learn more at racingmuseum.org.

National Sporting Library & Museum

The National Sporting Library & Museum is located in Middleburg, Va.

Founded in 1954, the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) is located in Middleburg, Va., the heart of Virginia’s beautiful foxhunting country.

The inviting six-acre campus, world-class research library, and fine art museum highlight the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. Angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechase, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife are among the subjects you can explore in the institution’s general stacks, rare book holdings, archives, and art collection.

The NSLM also offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year.

Learn more at nationalsporting.org.

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

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October 20th on the ride out of Dehi, Afghanistan, heading north toward the fight. Photo courtesy ODA 595

Just weeks earlier, America had been attacked. The country was reeling from the shock and devastation of 9/11.

The mission for ODA 595? Team up with local Afghan warlords and resistance fighters to defeat the Taliban. The operation: Task Force Dagger.

It was a dangerous insertion. The unknowns far outweighed the known.

On the Chinook that night were several 50-pound bags of oats. How that grain figured into the mission would soon become clear. About 48 hours before insertion into Afghanistan, the team was informed that they should “be prepared to use indigenous animals for transportation.”

Turns out those “indigenous animals” were native Afghan horses. Stallions, to be precise.

The Green Berets’ Horseback Mission

At sunrise the next morning, about 60 Afghan men arrived mounted on horses. Accompanied by outriders and scouts, they were led by General Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Uzbeck warlord.

The first full day in Afghanistan, a 595 team member and one of the Northern Alliance commanders ride to the initial command post. Photo courtesy ODA 595

ODA 595 was tasked with coordinating with Dostum, other warlords, and Afghan resistance, collectively known as the Northern Alliance, to take the fight directly to the Taliban.

The Special Forces team was led by Captain Mark Nutsch, the only man of the 12 who had any serious riding experience, thanks to his early years on a Kansas ranch.

Taken in the morning of October 21, 2001 at the Dostum initial command post as soldiers get ready to break up. The team wouldn’t be together again until November 11. The area in the middle is where the horses bedded down for the night. Photo courtesy ODA 595

It was soon obvious that some of the Green Berets would be riding out that very morning.

“This wasn’t a cavalry unit; these horses were owned by the Afghan men who rode with Dostum,” recalls Staff Sergeant Will Summers, who became a Green Beret in 1996. “He literally pointed out six men and told them to get off and let the Americans ride their horses.” The Afghan horses were light-boned and hardy, relatively short, and barefoot.

Tack Challenges

Unlike the tack North American riders take for granted, most of the Afghan saddles were made of thin wood, or even bone, covered by wool carpeting held together with nails and glue. There was a blanket on the horse’s back and a single cinch.

“The ‘saddle’ I rode in was the pelvis bone of a cow flipped upside-down, covered with carpet and held onto the horse with a braided rope,” says Summers, who had only ridden once before.

A camp established within the Darya-e Suf gorge just prior to the final push that began November 4. You can see some of the horses with blankets and feed bags. Photo courtesy ODA 595

In the six years he’d been a Green Beret prior to Task Force Dagger, it never crossed the mind of Sergeant First Class Vince Makela that he might ride a horse onto the battlefield.

“The stirrups couldn’t be adjusted, and that was really uncomfortable,” says Makela. “We learned this the hard way the first day—our knees were way up there.”

He adds that they soon improvised with parachute cord to lengthen the stirrups.

“The bridles were handmade leather with some fabric ornamentation,” says Makela, adding that horses were trained to “plow rein,” not neck rein.

“I didn’t see any horses that weren’t being treated well, but we, on the other hand, had plenty of saddle sores,” says Summers. “There were times we had to get up in the morning and pour water into our pants to loosen up the blood and pus that had dried and stuck to our pants overnight.” He says that their sores never totally healed during the mission due to the hours spent riding.

Captain Nutsch put in a request for lightweight McClellan-type saddles to better accommodate his men. The saddles were air-dropped in mid-November, but by then their mission was completed, so the men of ODA 595 never rode in them.

The Green Berets Ride Into History

As the mission unfolded, two special operations airmen from the Air Force joined ODA 595. They broke into teams of three or four men, advising and calling in airstrikes for Dostum and other Northern Alliance commanders.

At times, the Special Forces teams were scattered as far apart as 12 or more hours riding. And those were not easy riding miles.

“Some of the gorges were very steep with up to 1,000-foot drop-offs,” says Makela. “The trails were very narrow with exposed rock. My horse was pretty sure-footed; one time his back legs slid out from under him, but he caught himself. Some of the other horses did slip and fall.”

Summers adds that sometimes they had to form a switchback to zigzag down the mountainside.

“There were places that were sheer rock and others where I never knew God could stack dirt that high,” he says.

Because all the horses were stallions, they were constantly vying for dominance.

The men of ODA 595 learned it was a status symbol to have a horse, and that Afghan men only wanted to ride stallions—not geldings or mares.

“My horse would be biting and kicking at the horses in front of and behind us, and those horses were doing the same to us,” recalls Summers, adding that it was “very unnerving” to have the horses doing this along mountain passes with plunging drop-offs.

Heavily loaded donkeys accompanied the teams, packing in equipment and supplies. The men themselves carried crucial equipment in their vests, backpacks and wool saddlebags purchased in local villages.

Making it Happen

Green Berets are known as “the quiet professionals,” highly skilled men who aren’t outspoken about their abilities, but readily adapt to each situation and do whatever is needed to make a mission succeed.

A photo showing the terrain running north before it descends into Mazar-e Sharif. Photo courtesy ODA 595

Makela vividly recalls standing with General Dostum and hundreds of Northern Alliance horsemen overlooking a huge gorge and seeing the Taliban forces below.

Their on-site presence allowed the men of ODA 595 to radio coordinates to U.S. pilots in the area to drop JDAMs (bombs that use GPS for increased accuracy) on the enemy’s locations.

“Having eyes on the ground after we arrived made a big difference in the accuracy of these bombs because we could get them better coordinates,” says Makela. “We’d prep the battlefield with bombs and then General Dostum and his men had a better time of it.” He notes that the horses were safely held back during the bombing runs.

“It was like watching history to see this many horsemen fighting. It was an overwhelming experience to witness,” he adds.

Makela will never forget the first village they rode through.

“We got word the Taliban was trying to get out the other side of town, so we were going in at a full gallop,” he says. “The villagers were coming out of their houses and cheering us.”

Horse Care

Depending on where they were needed, the men of ODA 595 rode as long as 10 hours a day and stayed in one place for a day or two.

At night, the Afghan fighters who owned the horses took care of them, but some of the Green Berets offered to help.

“The Afghan horsemen would try to teach us; we saw it as we were all in this together,” says Makela. “Just like taking care of our weapons, we wanted to take care of the horses.”

In late November near Mazar-e Sharif at the team compound, one of the horses ridden for recreation, named Cleve, wears a blanket typical of the ones used during the mission. Photo courtesy ODA 595

Grain was put into burlap nose bags for each horse, and the animals were staked out near where the men camped.

The Afghans put handmade blankets on their horses as the windy nights dropped temperatures into the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit.

The horses were tired. Makela remembers pulling guard duty one night and seeing all of them lying flat on their sides to sleep.

The rigorous physical demands of the mission took a toll on men and horses, who all dropped significant weight. Summers started the mission weighing 185 pounds and was down to 143 when he left Afghanistan five weeks later.

Mission Accomplished

A major objective of Task Force Dagger was to capture the Taliban stronghold of Mazar-i-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s largest cities. Wresting control of the city from the Taliban would allow the U.S. to use its airport for transport of supplies and troops.

On November 10, 2001, ODA 595 and the Northern Alliance succeeded in liberating the city.

After the capture of Mazar-i-Sharif, the men of ODA 595 stayed in safe houses there before shipping out of Afghanistan.

This link-up took place November 10, south of Mazar-e Sharif. The river winds close to the roadway about 10 kilometers north of the town of Shulgara, Afghanistan. Photo courtesy ODA 595

During that short time, some of them watched a buzkashi game. The country’s national sport is a fast-paced, dangerous game in which men on horseback battle for control of a goat carcass, attempting to score points by dropping it into a designated spot on the field of play. To call it a rough version of polo is an understatement.

Hollywood Version of the Green Berets’ Mission

The 2018 movie 12 Strong was promoted as “the declassified true story of the Horse Soldiers.” The movie was based on the New York Times bestseller, “Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan,” by Doug Stanton. (Pseudonyms were used instead of team members’ real names in both the movie and book.)

The movie version of the story, starring Chris Hemsworth, was only about 50 percent accurate, with added X-Men type scenes, according to the actual soldiers.

Although the movie packs an emotional punch, according to the men of ODA 595, it was perhaps 50 percent accurate.

“We led the greatest unconventional warfare campaign of all time, and they turned it into an X-Men video,” says Summers. “The Afghans did ride and shoot off their horses, but we didn’t.” He notes that the climactic scene in which Chris Hemsworth gallops, shooting into the Taliban stronghold, was totally Hollywood, and didn’t go down that way.

“They superimposed a lot of the Afghan deeds on us,” Summers explains. “Our whole job was to take command, utilize the Afghan men, and call in the air strikes. The movie dramatized everything, but the violence towards civilians and women was true; that part was underplayed. The Taliban were intentionally savage.”

In real life, none of the men of ODA 595 were seriously injured or almost died, as the movie portrayed.

The Horse Soldiers have their own book (release date May 17, 2022). Written by team veterans Mark Nutsch and Bob Pennington with Jim DeFelice, “Swords of Lightning: Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America’s Response to 9/11” tells the true story of the mission from men who were there.

Even by Green Beret standards, Task Force Dagger was a unique campaign, combining 21st century technology, communications and weapons with centuries-old horsemanship skills, hand-to-hand combat, and primitive conditions.

“It was like making it to the Super Bowl for us, being in an unconventional warfare environment and not only surviving, but winning,” recalls Summers. “It was amazing seeing the men on my team taking all their skills, talents and strengths and using them for a common good.”

This article about how horses played a role in the Green Berets’ historic mission as horse soldiers appeared in the July 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Role Horses Played in 12 Green Berets’ Historic Mission appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo by Arthorse/Shutterstock

Akhal-Teke’s Fascinating History

The ancestors of the Akhal-Teke were treasured in ancient times and used as war horses throughout Eurasia. The Scythian warriors of Central Asia rode Turkoman horses hundreds of years before Christ was born.

Later, the ancient Greeks prized the Turkoman. In fact, some historians believe Alexander the Great’s famous horse Bucephalus carried the blood of this exotic breed.

The Akhal-Teke is well-known for its talents in endurance. Courtesy Akhal-Teke Association of America

In the 13th century, Mongol invasions divided the Turkmen into small clans and pushed them into the desert, northward to the plains of Kazakhstan and eastward to the shores of the Caspian Sea. Along with a group of Turkmen, some Turkoman horses became isolated in southern Turkmenistan, far from trade routes.

The Akhal, an isolated oasis surrounded by the Karakum Desert and the towering Kopet Dag mountains, located between Turkmenistan and Iran, became home to the Teke tribe. Here the Teke tribesmen developed the Akhal-Teke, a breed of ancient lineage and great purity derived from the Turkoman horse.

In the centuries that followed, the Akhal-Teke breed remained virtually unchanged as it made its way throughout Central Asia and Russia. The Teke’s nomadic lifestyle required a horse that could travel long distances at a fast pace.

Though the breed may be small in numbers in the U.S., they have caught attention in many sports, including eventing. Courtesy Akhal-Teke Association of America

In the 19th century, these horses were incorporated into the Russian Empire, and the Akhal-Teke became treasured for its beauty and athletic abilities.

In 1935, a group of Turkmene people organized to create a long-distance ride that would bring more attention to the Akhal-Teke breed. Mounted on Akhal-Teke stallions, the group rode more than 2,500 miles—from the capital of Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) to Moscow—in 84 days. The desert segment of the ride was 225 miles in length, and the horses completed it in three days with very little water.

By 1941, the first Akhal-Teke studbook was issued by the All Russian Institute of Horse Breeding. The breed was embraced in Russia, and at the end of World War II, Soviet General Zhukov rode an Akhal-Teke stallion named Arab during the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the Akhal-Teke gained the attention of the rest of the world. In 1960, a black Akhal-Teke stallion named Absent—a son of Arab—won an Olympic gold medal in dressage for the Soviet Union. With his rider Sergei Filatov, Absent went on to win medals in two more Olympic Games.

Akhal-Teke In the USA

The exotic Akhal-Teke did not find its way to the United States until 1979, when Phil and Margot Case of Shenandoah Farm in Virginia imported an Akhal-Teke stallion and mare they had purchased at a Moscow auction.

Some Akhal-Teke riders also enjoy showing the breed off in native costume. Courtesy Akhal-Teke Association of America

The Cases used the pair to start their American breeding program, and also created the Akhal-Teke Association of America. The purpose of the association was to establish, maintain and operate a non-profit organization composed of owners, breeders and friends of the Akhal-Teke. Its goal was to preserve and promote the breed in North America.
These many years later, the Akhal-Teke Association of America estimates that upwards of 300 living Akhal-Tekes are currently registered in the U.S. The most popular use for these horses in North America is endurance.

In fact, Akhal-Tekes are making themselves known in endurance and limited-distance rides all over the world. They also compete in eventing, show jumping, dressage, western events, trail and polo.

Although less often seen in western disciplines, the breed is equally adept in the show pen as it is in an English saddle. Courtesy Akhal-Teke Association of America

Akhal-Tekes have a unique metallic sheen to their coats, the result of the structure of the breed’s hair, which bends light as it hits the horse’s coat, giving it a golden cast.
The astounding history and exotic good looks of this breed make it worth exploring. Through the efforts of the Akhal-Teke Association of America, the breed will continue to capture the attention of horse lovers throughout North America.

This article about the Akhal-Teke originally appeared in the September 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Akhal-Teke appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte head to the track for the Belmont Stakes. Photo by Bob Coglianese

“He is moving like a tremendous machine!”

This moment of Chic Anderson’s call of the 1973 Belmont Stakes is forever etched into history. Under the blue and white checkered silks of Penny Chenery’s Meadow Stables, Secretariat was widening his lead on his rival Sham along the vast final turn at Belmont Park. Having just won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Secretariat was just moments away from an elusive Triple Crown win.

It had been 25 years since American racing had seen a Triple Crown winner. The roar of the crowd was deafening as their hopes rested on “Big Red.” And with each passing stride, the crowd grew louder with confidence as the colt continued to put lengths between him and the rest of the field.

In another iconic moment, Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte, looked back over his shoulder to see just how far ahead he was of the other horses. It was clear there would be no catching the red colt. To the cheers of an overwhelmed, dazzled crowd, Secretariat crossed the finish line 31 lengths in front – a performance that has never been replicated.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of that historic day. On June 9, 1973, Secretariat stamped himself as the greatest of all time and earned his place as a lifelong favorite in the hearts of racing fans and horse lovers alike. Those titles still stand 50 years later.

Secretariat retired to stud in late 1973, after a career that saw 16 wins from 21 starts – a multitude of graded stakes wins among those victories. In 2023, he still holds the stakes record for the fastest times ever achieved in all three Triple Crown races. His Kentucky Derby time of 1:59.40 for 1 ¼ miles still stands as the track record at Churchill Downs, as does his Belmont Stakes time of 2:24.00 for 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park.

While Secretariat’s career at stud did not quite replicate the brilliance of his racing career, his effect on the bloodlines of the Thoroughbred racehorse is still felt in modern-day breeding. In fact, all nine horses in this year’s Belmont Stakes trace back to Secretariat.

But it remains Secretariat’s racing achievements that are talked of year after year. That has been especially true throughout this year’s Triple Crown, as racing fans celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic accomplishment. Five decades later, and the impact of Big Red still resonates.

This article about the 50th anniversary of Secrerariat’s Triple Crown is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The Cleveland Bay breed originated in England but nearly became extinct by 1960 with only six stallions remaining. Today, there are perhaps as many as 1,000 worldwide, with 180 in North America. Pictured: Cleveland Bay stallion (and Breyer Horse model) Tregoyd Journeyman. Photo courtesy Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America/The Livestock Conservancy

Without equines, we would not have the America we know today.

This is not at all exaggeration. Without the horses, mules, and donkeys that first came to North America, the early colonists would not have been able to survive the harsh climate, the West would not have been settled, farmers in the Midwest would not have been able to survive, and Native Americans would not have developed equestrian-based methods of hunting and warfare without the use of the mighty horse.

The equines of early America were hardy creatures that often had to fend for themselves. The rugged landscape and challenging climates, combined with scarce food and lack of veterinary care, shaped these horses and donkeys into tough, resilient breeds.

The Wilbur-Cruce is a strain of the threatened Colonial Spanish horse breed. Pictured: Wilbur-Cruce horse Lorenzo in trail class competition. Photo courtesy Alana Carden/The Livestock Conservancy

Hundreds of years later, the so-called “heritage” equine breeds are under threat. Competition from the tractor and automobile, along with two World Wars, helped wipe out equine populations around the world early in the 20th century. While a number of them survived the industrial age, some fared better than others. The heritage breeds that remain are some of the rarest and hardiest equines in the world.

Today, a handful remain in North America, representing what’s left of the original animals that worked alongside our ancestors, providing them with transportation, help on the farm, and even companionship.

Fight to Preserve

In 1978, an organization called The Conservancy was formed with the purpose of preserving these once common equines, along with other North American livestock. This nonprofit membership association works to protect endangered livestock breeds from extinction and is currently trying to save 150 breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry, horses, and donkeys. Of those 150 breeds of livestock, 37 are equines.

The Poitou is a French donkey breed valued for the production of mules for over 1,000 years. Fewer than 80 Poitous lived in 1980, but numbers rebounded to 2,500 by 2012. Poitou donkeys Babette and foal Kenny pictured. Photo by Patrick Archer, Texas Poitou Donkeys/courtesy of The Livestock Conservancy

In 2006, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization estimated that an average of two domestic animal breeds are lost worldwide each week. In the U.S., The Livestock Conservancy is fighting to stem this tide. One of these efforts spawned the creation of the Endangered Equine Alliance, which held its first summit in 2018.

“The Endangered Equine Summit came about in response to a decades-long decline in horse breed registrations, not only for rare breeds, but also for more popular breeds, like Arabians and Saddlebreds,” says Charlene R. Couch, Ph.D., senior program manager for The Livestock Conservancy. “The economic challenges for all equine breeders are significant, but they are even more so for those who breed endangered horses and donkeys.”

The Baca-Chica is a strain of Colonial Spanish horses, which were nearly extinct by 1950. Baca-Chica mares pictured. Photo courtesy Annette Garcia/The Livestock Conservancy

According to Couch, ancient breeds such as the Akhal-Teke and Caspian, which have been human partners for thousands of years, are now gravely endangered.

“Even the iconic Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale, and Lipizzan horses are rare,” she says. “In our lifetime, we may bear witness to equine breed extinction.”

The gaited Mountain Pleasure Horse was developed in the Appalachian Mountains for riding and driving over rugged terrain. Photo courtesy Robin Little/The Livestock Conservancy

If the history of these breeds isn’t enough to inspire their preservation, their ability to contribute to modern equine gene pools should be.

“Heritage-breed horses are not just useful and beautiful—they are an irreplaceable reservoir of equine genetic diversity,” Couch says. “These animals offer valuable traits that were developed over centuries, such as stamina, unique gaits, hardiness, sound feet, and good skeletal structure. Many were important in the formation of America’s more popular breeds, like the American Quarter Horse. In many cases, the ancestral sources of these heritage breeds no longer exist, and that breed cannot be recreated. They are a true genetic treasure, and every loss could be significant for the future of the horse industry.”

The Endangered Equine Alliance

Shortly after the 2018 Summit, more than 50 equine breed associations, plus scientists, sporting groups, and horse industry representatives united to form the Endangered Equine Alliance. The Livestock Conservancy facilitates the exchange of information among Alliance members and serves as a central outlet for educational resources that support equine breed conservation.

So far, the Alliance has accomplished some significant goals, according to Couch.

“We have created a germplasm bank for endangered horse breeds,” she says. “The collection is a sort of ‘doomsday’ vault of genetic materials for breed conservation emergencies. Through the Alliance’s network, we facilitated the banking of semen from Newfoundland Ponies, the Marsh Tacky, Akhal-Teke, and Caspian horses so far, with other breed collections on the horizon.”

The Marsh Tacky is a critically endangered breed of Colonial Spanish horse from South Carolina, with only about 400 individuals remaining. Pictured: David Grant ring jousting on his Marsh Tacky. Photo courtesy Carolina Marsh Tacky Association/The Livestock Conservancy

The Alliance has also worked to provide breeders with discounts from companies for semen and tissue collection of endangered equine breeds; published the Manual of Methods for Preservation of Valuable Equine Genetics, designed to help owners learn more about new reproduction technologies and how to use them to save breeds and bloodlines; hosted webinars and question-and-answer sessions with equine experts on DNA testing, advanced reproduction techniques, and marketing; and developed an Endangered Equine Alliance website for sharing articles and links, and a Rare Equine Breeds Facebook group that now has more than 2,000 followers worldwide.

“July has been designated as National Horse Month by The Livestock Conservancy, and throughout the month, we provide social media content and interviews with key individuals in the rare horse breed community,” Couch says. “Since 2018, The Livestock Conservancy has given out seven microgrants for rare horse and donkey-related projects.”

Help from Grants

The first National Endangered Equine Summit was made possible in large part by a grant from the USA Equestrian Trust, which is affiliated with U.S. Equestrian, the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States.

“The grant enabled The Livestock Conservancy to bring together representatives of approximately 50 endangered horse breed groups for the first summit,” Couch says. “The delegates to the Summit represented thousands of horse owners, and included participants from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The group was tasked with identifying the leading causes of equine breed population declines, and deciding [upon] actions that could be taken to stabilize the loss of breeds.”

The Canadian Horse has slowly rebounded from fewer than 400 individuals in 1976 to 2,000 today. Pictured: Canadian Horse doing mounted archery. Photo courtesy Kimberley Beldam, Heritage Stone Farm/The Livestock Conservancy

Through the support of the USA Equestrian Trust, experts from the greater horse community, including sporting groups, equine-assisted therapy providers, university scientists, and national associations participated in the Summit. Panelists included partners at the American Horse Council, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, Uppsala University, the American Endurance Ride Conference, Natural Lifemanship Equine-Assisted Therapy, Rare Breeds Survival Trust/Stallion AI Services (U.K.), the Arabian Horse Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and the National Driving Society.

“The vision and support of the USA Equestrian Trust was crucial in bringing together such a wide representation of members of the equine industry,” Couch says. “Together, the participants saw the potential to accomplish great things by uniting in their efforts to conserve endangered equine breeds.”

Ongoing Support

In addition to work by the Endangered Equine Alliance, The Livestock Conservancy conducts an annual census of horse and donkey breeds to monitor their population growth and declines.

“We encourage registration of horses so that their numbers can be counted,” Couch says. “We maintain a large list of breeders and breed associations to help owners and enthusiasts connect with each other, share herd genetics, or collaborate on projects.”

The Irish Draught has roots as far back as 500 B.C., numbering fewer than 8,400 purebreds globally in 2011. Pictured: Irish Draught stallion at Bellwether Farm. Photo courtesy Jeannette Beranger/The Livestock Conservancy

The Conservancy also offers a competitive microgrants program to all heritage livestock and poultry growers, including horse and donkey breeders, to help boost their capacity for breeding, raising, and selling animals. They also assist owners in saving germplasm of valuable, rare bloodlines and individuals from breeds on the Conservation Priority List through discounts, networking, and other resources.

Some current research projects include genetic studies for Suffolk Punch, American Cream Draft horses, and Poitou donkeys, with the goal of uncovering genetic information that will help guide efforts to reduce the risks of inbreeding and support effective conservation.

“The Livestock Conservancy is all about education, research, and networking of owners and breeders so that we can safeguard the future of important breeds,” Couch says. “Together with owners, breeders, and the equine community, we want to move the needle for each breed, and make a meaningful contribution to its long-term survival.”

For more, visit www.livestockconservancy.org/aboutus/endangered-equine-alliance.

Breeds Needing Conservation

The Livestock Conservancy has placed the following horses on its list of critical and threatened endangered breeds:

◆ Akhal-Teke
◆ American Cream Draft
◆ Baca-Chica
◆ Banker
◆ Canadian Horse
◆ Caspian
◆ Choctaw
◆ Cleveland Bay
◆ Clydesdale
◆ Colonial Spanish Mustang
◆ Dales Pony
◆ Dartmoor
◆ Fell Pony
◆ Florida Cracker
◆ Galiceño
◆ Hackney Horse
◆ Highland Pony
◆ Irish Draught
◆ Lipizzan
◆ Marsh Tacky
◆ Newfoundland Pony
◆ Puerto Rican Paso Fino
◆ Rocky Mountain
◆ Santa Cruz
◆ Shire
◆ Suffolk Punch
◆ Sulphur
◆ Wilbur-Cruce

The Dartmoor pony originates from southwestern England. It was customary to turn ponies loose when they were not being used for riding, agricultural work or coal mining, resulting in a breed that could thrive on rough terrain and poor forage. They nearly disappeared in the early 1900s but are now estimated at 2,000-3,000 worldwide. Photo by Nicole Ciscato/Shutterstock

This article about endangered equine breeds appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Efforts to Save Endangered Equine Breeds appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Deep History of the Arabian Horse

Perhaps the Arabian horse’s legendary history is part of what has contributed to its popularity.

“The Arabian horse was used as an ambassador and was often given as a treasured gift to royalty or important political figures,” says Susan Meyer, vice president at large of the Arabian Horse Association, vice president of the Arabian Jockey Club and a trustee of the Purebred Arabian Trust. She and her husband, Jim, have owned and operated Meyercrest Arabians in North Carolina for 39 years, and have owned, bred and shown horses to championships at the local, regional and national level. They have also owned, bred and raced purebred Arabians across the United States.

“Arabians were also prized as spoils of war, and many governments established purebred breeding programs of their own,” continues Meyer. “As a result, almost all Arabian pedigrees can be traced back to a horse that was part of a historical event or figure. This link with history is a fun and exciting part of owning an Arabian horse.”

Despite the Arabian horse’s long and alluring history, it’s incredible that the breed has remained so true to its original physical traits, and that it has been able to perpetuate those qualities for so long.

Although the specific area of the Arabian Peninsula where the breed originated can’t be pinpointed, it is widely accepted that around 2500 B.C., the Bedouin people were responsible for developing the desert horses that became the ancestors of the Arabian horse. The nomads’ keen horse sense and meticulous attention to proper care and breeding created an animal that could withstand the harsh environment of the desert, surviving extreme heat and cold with little water and the food they shared with their handlers. A life of travel also required horses with great lung capacity, endurance and stamina.

Fascinating Facts

Many of the Arabian’s characteristics have an ancient religious or superstitious belief attached to them. These traits were highly sought after and became the focus of the Bedouins’ selective breeding practices.

• Jibbah: The bulging forehead was considered a blessing from God. The Bedouins believed that the larger an Arabian’s forehead, the more blessings he brought with him.
• Mitbah: The area where the head attaches to the neck—behind the ears along the topline of the neck and the throatlatch. The Mitbah symbolized courage.
• The Arabian was also prized for a petite, refined muzzle that could “fit into a teacup.”

In addition to wealth and good luck, most of the Arabian’s traits have a significant physical benefit. For instance, the short, dished head and flaring nostrils promote optimum oxygen intake. Furthermore, the Mitbah’s long, fine characteristics prevent the windpipe from being constricted when the head is in a collected frame, which promotes the free flowing of oxygen to the lungs at all times. And the deep chest and wide ribcage permit lung expansion.

• The breed’s Arabian name “Kohl-ani” is a reference to its eyes and skin. The smooth skin is the color of Kohl, a bluish-black substance that was used in Egypt in ancient times as eyeliner and eye shadow.
• Mares were prized over stallions because they perpetuated the breed. They were also preferred for war because they wouldn’t nicker to the enemy’s mounts during raids. Mares were so valued that they were rarely sold. If they changed owners, it was considered a very honorable gift

“The Bedouins and their horses depended on each other for survival, and this interdependency created a very strong human-animal bond,” says Meyer. “Also, only the soundest, most trainable and hardiest individuals survived and bred on. The Bedouins recognized the importance of preserving the attributes that they depended on so much, and their selective breeding practices concentrated on the positive attributes of individual lines. Because of this concentration of blood, even today’s Arabians are able to consistently and predictably pass on their abilities to their offspring. This makes them highly prized as breeding animals.”

Cultural Influence

The Arabian’s physical traits and ability to pass them on to other horse breeds became a major force behind its appeal to other societies in history. About 3,500 years ago, the Arabian helped expand empires such as Egypt and shaped cultures by influencing the horses that were used to settle nations, fight wars and grow economies.

When Arabia worked to spread Islam in 600 A.D., the Arabian horse carried Arab warriors throughout the Middle East and as far as North Africa, Spain and China. Through this effort, and as a result of the expansive Christian Crusades during the 11th and 13th centuries, the Arabian horse began leaving its mark on European horses. It added refinement to heavier draft breeds and height to smaller ponies.

However, its greatest influence was likely that of developing the English Thoroughbred. Three stallions—the Godolphin Barb, Darley Arabian, and Byerly Turk—are credited with being the foundation sires of the Thoroughbred breed between the late 1600s and mid-1700s. Today, the majority of Thoroughbreds can be traced to one of these sires. In turn, the Thoroughbred added to the influence of the Arabian by passing on the traits it inherited from this ancient horse to many other breeds, particularly the American Quarter Horse.

“The Arabian has demonstrated a unique ability to consistently pass on its desirable traits,” says Meyer. “For centuries, nearly all light horse breeds and some draft and warmblood breeds have used the Arabian horse to develop or improve their breed. The Arabian’s ability to influence other breeds is well demonstrated by today’s Thoroughbred racehorses. Genetic testing has proven that 95 percent of all modern Thoroughbred racehorses trace to [one of these foundation] stallions. The mighty Secretariat traced to all three of the foundation stallions.”

Rise and Fall of the Arabian Horse in History

In the 1800s, influential Arabian stud farms were established all over Europe. The historic Crabbet Arabian Stud in England, founded by 15th Baroness Wentworth Lady Anne Blunt and her husband, Wilfred Blunt, produced horses that contributed to the spread of the Arabian breed to Russia, Poland, Australia, Egypt, and North and South America.

In the United States, Randolph Huntington started what is considered to be the first purebred Arabian horse breeding program in history, established in 1888. Later, 45 Arabian horses exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair inspired further interest in the breed in America. This led to the formation of the first stud book and the Arabian Horse Club of America registry in 1908, now known as the Arabian Horse Association. Subsequent breeding farms and importations in the early and mid-1920s led to further growth of the breed in the United States. Davenport Arabians and Kellogg Ranch, which was established by cereal tycoon W.K. Kellogg, were two of the breeding farms that moved to the forefront of the industry at that time.

“In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several wealthy American entrepreneurs became enthralled with the history, beauty, athletic ability and unique human-animal bond that the Arabian horse represented,” says Meyer. “They began importing Arabian horses from the Middle East and Europe. These horses were not only used to cross with indigenous horses, but they were also used to establish herds of breeding stock to preserve a source of purebred Arabians here in the United States.

“In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the large inventory of purebred Arabians that were the result of these breeding programs enabled the Arabian to become affordable for the average American family, and the same attributes that attracted the early breeders to the Arabian made them extremely attractive to American families,” continues Meyer. “During that time period, more than 30,000 purebred Arabian foals were born every year. These were unprecedented numbers that far exceeded any other country, and as a result, there are as many registered Arabian horses in the United States as nearly all other countries combined.”

An unfortunate result of this boom in the U.S. Arabian population was a severe downturn in its popularity during the 1980s. Changes in the economy and indiscriminate breeding gave rise to misconceptions that left reputable breeders and promoters disheartened and struggling to pick up the pieces.

“After the breed became extremely affordable, it was also embraced by many celebrities, and the most valued breeding stock and show horses sold for astronomical amounts,” says Meyer. “These were the horses with the highest profiles and the stories that were most often publicized, so the perception that Arabians are extremely expensive still persists. However, Arabian horses run the gamut of price ranges, and the vast majority of them are as affordable as any breed.”

Making a Comeback

A new focus in the 1990s on ability and promoting the Arabian as an all-around performer and family horse helped launch a resurgence for the breed after its rich history. Because of this, Arabian horse owners enjoy participating in various equestrian sports today, from reining to dressage. The breed particularly excels in endurance and trail riding.

“Many people in the modern dressage world value Arabian blood to bring lightness and suppleness to their horses,” says Meyer. “Even working western disciplines appreciate the endurance that Arabians can add to their horses that must work long hours over rough terrain. And in distance riding events, the Arabian is king. All of the major distance events are dominated by Arabians.”

The Arabian also continues to fight an enduring misconception about being high-strung, which has a lot to do with the breed’s past, says Meyer.

“The most prized horses of the Bedouins were the mares that were used in raiding other tribes,” explains Meyer. “A mare not only had to be unfailingly loyal to her master, but she also had to be fierce and courageous in battle. The uninformed can believe Arabians are naturally aggressive, when in fact, these traits are learned behaviors.

“The natural brilliance that the Arabian displays while at play has been emphasized in the show-ring in the halter division,” adds Meyer. “This learned behavior has only perpetuated the myth that the Arabian is flighty and nervous. This isn’t the way the Arabian deports itself day in and day out. The Arabian was the original family horse and is still an ideal horse for families today.”

A Bright Future

With so many qualities and rich history to admire about the Arabian horse and an exhibit such as the Arabian Galleries to promote it, the breed can look forward to maintaining its popularity in the horse community, according to Meyer.

“The same qualities that propelled the Arabian horse throughout the world are what ensure its longevity and continued popularity,” she explains. “The Arabian has proven that it has the ability to adapt and be successful. One horse can serve as a mount for [adults] and children in multiple disciplines. In today’s economy, with ever increasing pressures on space and the environment, the ability to serve multiple demands bodes well for the Arabian breed.”

Meyer believes two trends that have made their way into the Arabian horse industry will propel the breed into a successful future that will build upon its expansive history.

“Probably one of the most significant new trends has been the natural horsemanship approach to training,” says Meyer. “It’s especially suited to the Arabian personality. Arabians are naturally curious and interested in people, and particularly enjoy the interaction that is so important in this type of training. Arabians learn much faster and are easier to deal with using this approach versus other methods of training that depend more on negative reinforcement.”

Like most attributes about the Arabian horse, Meyer says this inclination toward natural horsemanship is linked to the breed’s past. “Because Arabians had to live among the Bedouin families, even residing in the tents with them at times, they had to be particularly docile and tractable,” explains Meyer. “The foals were weaned only a few days after birth and were raised by the women and children on camel’s milk and dates. The foals’ lives depended on their bond with humans, and over the centuries, the foals that had this affinity for connecting with humans have been the ones that bred on. The natural horsemanship methods allow this connection to develop to a very high level.”

Meyer says another trend that has secured the Arabian’s top position in the horse industry is the baby boomers’ growing interest in riding, and their desire for suitable mounts that are both athletic and reliable.

“The Arabian’s sensitivity and athletic abilities are particularly suited to the athletic challenges that the mature rider deals with, particularly in competitive disciplines,” says Meyer. “The strength and stamina of the rider is not as crucial when riding Arabians, as they are so easy to collect and maneuver.”

With an appeal that has drawn people of so many different backgrounds to the Arabian horse over the ages, the breed is sure to continue its influential role for a long time
to come.

Part II: A Fitting Tribute to the Arabian Horse >>
The Enduring Arabian >>
Question of the Week: Skinny Lesson Horse>>

This article about the history of the Arabian horse originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe.

The post A Brief History of the Arabian Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo by Luka/G.S. Dakota.

Smooth gaits, a sweet temperament and a uniquely American history: All these characteristics belong to a special equine breed known as the Rocky Mountain Horse.

Despite its name, the Rocky hails from the American South. A gaited horse that developed in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky in the early 20th century, it is considered a rare breed.

The story of the breed begins in the Bluegrass State in the late 1800s. Legend has it that a young stallion from the Rocky Mountains was brought to Eastern Kentucky, where he was bred to a group of local mares. The resulting foals turned out to be special horses with a four-beat gait, exceptional temperaments and chocolate-brown coloring with flaxen manes and tails. Because these horses were isolated in the remote Appalachians, these traits became more clearly defined over time, and a distinct breed developed.

Kept by Appalachian farmers who worked hard to make ends meet, these horses performed a variety of tasks, including plowing fields, herding cattle and pulling buggies. They worked every day, and sometimes even had to find their own food when times were tough. The result was a resilient breed where only the hardiest survived.

In 1918, a man named Sam Tuttle purchased his first Rocky Mountain Horse and went on to become the most influential shaper of the breed. Tuttle ran a riding concession at the Kentucky Natural Bridge Park and used Rocky Mountain Horses as trail mounts for guests, exposing the breed too many visitors.

One of his horses was a stallion named Tobe, who became the breed’s primary foundation stallion. At the time, Rocky Mountain Horses were still being used on Kentucky farms, working hard to help local farmers till their land and get from one place to another.

Rockies excel outside of the arena in everything from endurance to pleasure trail riding. Photo courtesy John Nowell Remuda Photography/Fancy I Am.

But the advent of technology began to affect the breed’s numbers. Trucks and tractors began replacing horses on farms. By the mid-1980s, not many Rocky Mountain Horses were left.

It was around this time that Rea Swan, a fancier of the breed, set out to save the breed from imminent extinction. Swan first discovered the Rocky Mountain Horse at Tuttle’s Kentucky Natural Bridge State Park concession when she visited the park as a child. She began to track down individual Rocky Mountain Horses that were scattered throughout Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, and sought to bring together people who loved and cared about the breed.

In 1986, as a result of her efforts, the Rocky Mountain Horse Association (RMHA) was formed. The organization’s objective was to record the breed’s history and register the remaining Rocky Mountain Horses and their future progeny.

Today, 26,000 registered Rocky Mountain Horses are in the United States, and their numbers are growing.

Versatility Plus

People who love the breed have no problem explaining why. “Versatile,” “people-oriented” and “smooth to ride” are frequent terms they use to describe this breed.

The most popular job for Rocky Mountain Horses these days is as a trail horse. Given the breed’s history, this makes perfect sense. Not only are Rockies easy to ride because of their smooth lateral gaits, they are also surefooted—the result of decades on the rugged Appalachian trails.

Part of the breed’s all-around appeal includes talent in harness among driving enthusiasts. Photo by Jack Greene.

These horses also excel in competition. They are currently being shown in everything from endurance and team penning to show jumping and gaited dressage. Carriage driving, saddle seat and even mounted shooting are all successful disciplines for the Rocky Mountain Horse.

Because of their gentle temperament and their desire to please, Rockies are also popular as mounts for first-time horse owners. Their forgiving, quiet nature makes them a good choice for both children and adults just learning to ride and handle a horse.

Although the Livestock Conservancy lists the Rocky Mountain Horse in its catalog of rare breeds, the RMHA is working hard to expand the breed’s popularity. The association supports several programs to encourage use of these horses, including a show program, a versatility program, and the RMHA Trail Mileage Program. Each program features year-end awards for the horses with the most accomplishments in each area.

The RMHA’s motto for the breed is “one horse for all occasions.” Given the Rocky Mountain Horse’s enduring versatility and willingness to please, this seems to be the perfect description.

Fast Facts Photo by Luka/HCR’s Silver Bullet. Height: 14 to 16 hands Color: Any solid horse color Overall Appearance: Medium boned; wide, deep chest; sloping shoulders. Bold eyes with face neither dished or convex, and medium in size. Neck medium length and gracefully arched. Learn more by visiting the Rocky Mountain Horse Association.

This article about the Rocky Mountain horse originally appeared in the August 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Photo by Lenkadan/shutterstock

For some breeds, this shift toward specialization began to occur in the 1980s and saw horses bred to compete in specific disciplines rather than in the majority of classes at a show. For those with an interest in competing at the highest levels, it became necessary to have a different horse for each discipline.

What Caused The Shift

“I think you see specialization more with the larger stock horse breeds, such as Quarter Horses, Paints, et cetera, than you do with many other breeds,” says David Brewer, a carded Pony of the Americas (POA) judge with an extensive background in stock horse breeds.

Brewer has judged multiple state and national shows for a variety of breeds, has been an Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association show steward, is a clinician, and is also a coach for 4-H Horse Judging and Hippology teams. For the past 15 years, he’s bred and shown Congress and World Champion POAs, and now Paint horses, from his Morning Star Farm in Monteagle, Tenn.

“The shift started when more people became interested in breeding halter horses,” he says. “At that time, many of these horses, while successful in halter classes, never went on to do anything else. More than anything, this changed the industry standard.”

Brewer says that at one time it was unheard of to see a 17-hand Quarter Horse, but now it’s very common.

“Very few of these horses cross over into pleasure classes because they can’t slow down enough to be competitive,” he says.

Even though it’s smaller in stature, the POA breed has not been immune to this shift.
“In the 1990s, POAs began to see a similar shift toward specialization as Quarter Horses began to influence the breed,” Brewer says. However, the shift has not been as extreme. “A vast majority of POAs still compete in the all-around and do well.”

Positives and Negatives

As with most trends, there are positives and negatives to the change. In terms of breed registration numbers, owner numbers, and interest in exhibiting, Brewer says that specialization has not necessarily hurt—and may have even increased those figures.

“It has increased the number of exhibitors at shows because competitors are bringing in multiple horses for different classes,” he says. “Shows are growing because they are adding additional class divisions.”

Critics of specialization say that such intense breeding practices have had a damaging effect on horse health, particularly when large-framed animals are supported by tiny feet and legs. Brewer, however, has mixed feeling on the matter.

“For a while, I think there was a disregard among some breeders who bred along genetic defects for the sake of winning,” he says. “Those defects affected the longevity of those horses. Many of them also needed special care as they aged. Any large-framed horse needs to be bred to have the balance and structure to support that frame.”

Fortunately, this trend has been recognized, and breeders are beginning to shift back toward correctly conformed horses that can have careers beyond halter classes.

But other detractors say that supporting multiple horses is another challenge.

“It’s a lot more expensive for the owners in terms of the higher purchase price of the horses that you need to be competitive at national-level events,” Brewer says. In addition to the more costly standard of care that show horses often require, competing at these larger shows also carries a higher price tag.

A Place for Both Types

Unless you intend to compete at the highest levels of the sport, all is not lost.

“Riders just starting [out] should begin by selecting for temperament, usability and their budget, rather than a specific discipline,” Brewer says. “Walk/trot classes have been very good for the industry because these are usually [entered on] very budget-friendly horses. You should focus on selecting a horse with a been-there, done-that attitude suitable for both adult and youth riders. You can always move up later.”

Specialization within horse breeds appears to be here to stay. But the good news is that, whether you are a fan or a critic, there’s a place in the horse world for everyone.

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Photo by Edyta Trojanska-Koch

During Medieval times, a horse’s main job was to carry men into battle during wartime and to pull carriages during times of peace. If you had good horses, you had everything you needed, during both war and peace.

In the mid-1500s, Austrian Archduke Charles II, ruler of Inner Austria, sought to create a special breed of horse. He imported Andalusian horses, Berbers and Barbs from Spain and crossed them with a now-extinct breed called the Karst, a rugged, high-stepping, light gray horse native to Austria. Charles’ brother, Maximilian II, the Holy Roman Emperor, also founded a stud at Kladrub in Austria (which is now part of the Czech Republic) with the same goal, and used Spanish breeds crossed with local horses. The elegant and powerful horses that resulted—eventually called Lipizzans—became heavy carriage horses at the Kladruby stud, and riding and light carriage horses at the Lipizza Stud of the Hapsburg monarchy.

In 2020, Lipizzans were at the top of many sports in the U.S., including mounted archery. Photo courtesy United States Lipizzan Federation

The brothers exchanged breeding stock at times, crossing the lines to create aristocratic animals that were more than just war and work horses; they were partners in what had become the highly revered art of classical riding, which combined maneuvers used in battle with exercises that emphasized the horse’s athletic ability and obedience to the rider.

Charles and Maximilian were members of the Hapsburg family, rulers of the most influential monarchy in European history. Connoisseurs of fine horses, the brothers created the Lipizzan breed for their own use. In response to the growing admiration for classical riding during the Renaissance among the aristocracy, the Hapsburg family established the Spanish Riding School in Vienna to teach horses and riders these fine skills. Over the next two centuries, more Spanish and Arabian blood was infused into the breed to help strengthen the Lipizzan’s foundation breeding.

Six of the stallions used during the 18th and 19th century established the family lines still seen in the Lipizzan today. These stallions—Conversano, Favory, Maestoso, Neopolitano, Pluto and Siglavy—all came from lines that originated outside of Austria. To this day, Lipizzans are marked with an ancestral brand representing their family line.

Foals are born dark, but most turn gray over time. Photo courtesy United States Lipizzan Federation

Modern Breed

Many people think of Lipizzans as an exotic horse of the past, famous for its performances at the Spanish Riding School. The truth is that purebred Lipizzans are alive and well in today’s horse world, with more than 900 registered in the United States. These horses are competing in a variety of sports. In Eastern Europe, they are considered the premier driving horse.

It’s rare to see a Lipizzan in the U.S. because their numbers are small, so to help raise awareness of the breed, the United States Lipizzan Foundation (USLF) is working hard by using a comprehensive social media and advertising campaign meant to get the word out. The organization hopes to show that these horses, while they have a rich and fascinating history, have a place in modern competition.

The breed is also beloved for their talents in harness; shown here at a Tempel Lipizzan performance. Photo by John Borys

“We feel these horses have a lot of abilities beyond the noncompetitive classical dressage you see in the Spanish Riding School,” says Sam Martinson, vice president of the USLF. “They have always been very successful in dressage competition. Many amateurs are now looking for an athletic horse of smaller stature who can compete at the top levels of the sport, which Lipizzans can do because the collection is so easy for them.”

The Lipizzan is ideal for amateur dressage riders looking for a smaller horse to compete at top levels because collection comes very naturally to the breed. Photo courtesy United States Lipizzan Federation

She notes in 2020 alone, U.S. Lipizzan riders were at the top of their sports in dressage, driving, working equitation, mounted archery and western dressage.

“This is really something if you consider our population numbers and how few horses we have competing,” says Martinson.

Don’t be surprised if you see a Lipizzan the next time you attend a local dressage, driving or working equitation event.

“In recent years, there’s been a great deal of interest in both breeding these horses and buyers looking to purchase them for sport,” says Martinson. “We are excited to see people recognize the incredible athletic ability, temperament and trainability of a breed that has 500 years of careful breeding behind it.”

This article about the Lipizzan horses appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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