The Andalusian

Profile:  Hailing from the Iberian Peninsula, the Andalusian takes its name from the Province of Andalucia, where it was most famous. This living antiquity is purported to be an ancient breed; 20,000-year-old cave drawings show a similar type of horse and Homer mentions the horses in the Illiad (1,100 B.C.). During the Moorish invasion in 711 A.D., Andalusians were bred to the invader’s horses, the Spanish Barbs. In Spain, the horses are called Pura Raza Espanola (Pure Spanish Race). The Andalusian is the foundation for the Lippizzaner and many other world breeds, such as the Peruvian Paso. The Andalusian excels in dressage and traditional Spanish equestrian pursuits, such as bull fighting and ranch work.

Characteristics: Because the Andalusian has an uncanny ability to bring his haunches far underneath his body to elevate the forehand, it is highly talented at the upper movements of dressage, such as piaffe, passage and airs-above-the-ground. Elegant and robust, the Andalusian moves with distinctive upright steps in the trot and canter. Height ranges from 15 to 16.2 hands high. The majority of Andalusians are gray; less common, although found, is bay, black, dun and palomino.
For more information: International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association, www.ialha.org

The Akhal-Teke

Profile: With its unusual, gazelle-like appearance, the Akhal-Teke (Ah-cull Tek-y) is an incredibly distinctive breed. Experts say the Akhal-Teke breed is at least 3,000 years old. The Akhal-Teke may be the last remaining strain of the Turkmene (a horse that has existed since 2400 B.C.). In the Middle Ages (500 to 1500 A.D.), Akhal-Tekes lived with nomadic tribesmen near the Kopet Dag Mountains in Turkmenistan. The nomads treated the horses as part of their families, tethering them near their shelters. In the early 1900s, Russians used Akhal-Tekes as cavalry horses. Today they excel in sport, particularly in racing, show jumping, dressage and endurance racing.

Characteristics: Height: 14.3 to 16 hands. Colors: Bay, gray, black, dun, chestnut and gold. The Akhal-Teke’s coat has a metallic sheen, although some shimmer more than others. The unusually thin, yet flexible neck makes it seem ‘above the bit’ by modern standards, however, this flexibility is considered an asset. The Akhal-Teke developed in a rocky, flat desert so the breed evolved with a long narrow frame, which created a flat, gliding gait.

For more information: Akhal-Teke Association of America www.akhal-teke.org

The Appendix Quarter Horse

Profile:

Until the 1940s the American Quarter Horse existed as a type rather than a breed, but in 1940 a group of breeders discussed the idea of forming an association. However, there was disagreement about what constituted a Quarter Horse. Many types existed and some horses had a lot of Thoroughbred blood, while others did not. One solution was to grade the horse types as A, B, C or D. Although never implemented, the Appendix Quarter Horse registry rose from this idea. The C type horse is now an Appendix. This describes a horse with a Thoroughbred sire or dam bred to a Quarter Horse dam or sire.

Characteristics:

The influx of Thoroughbred blood helped the Quarter Horse evolve from the heavily muscled, shorter bulldog horse of the 1930s and 40s. The Thoroughbred added size, refinement and withers, which is important for saddle fitting. The Appendix Quarter Horse continues to mix the unique aspects of the Thoroughbred with the Quarter Horse.

For more information:
The American Appendix Horse Association www.americanappendix.com; American Quarter Horse Association www.aqha.com

Barb

Profile:

The Barb is an ancient breed that was established in the Fertile Crescent of Middle Asia. The fast and agile Barb was a favored mount for the Berbers. In fact, the animal draws its name from this group of “barbarous” people. The Barb was originally a prized warhorse, which explains its worldwide distribution. As the Berbers conquered new lands, the horses left behind were bred with native stock. Barbs were most plentiful along the coast of Africa and the Moors used them to invade Spain. The horses were later taken by the Conquistadors to the New World and “liberated” by American Indians. Blood of the Barb flows through the veins of many breeds, including the Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse, Standardbred and Mustang. Few original Barbs remain in the world; most were gathered from the wild in the United States by Barb Horse Registry founder Richard Painter in the 1950’s to recreate the original type.

Characteristics:

The Barb is a stocky, yet expressive horse standing 13.2hh to 15hh and is found in many colors, including dun and palomino. The Barb has fewer lumbar vertebrae than other horses and sixteen or seventeen rather than eighteen ribs.

For more information:
International Society for the Preservation of the Barb Horse & Barb Horse Registry, www.originalhorses.org

Budenny

Profile:
The Russian Budenny (bood-yo-nee) was created to replace the mass equine casualties of World War I and the Russian Revolution, and to breed a horse that a Soviet officer would be proud to ride. The top cavalry riders were the Cossacks who rode the native Don. The new horse had to have the Don’s attributes yet be taller and possess beautiful movement and stamina. Thoroughbreds were crossed with Dons to create the Budenny. Today, the Budenny excels in show jumping, dressage and eventing. Because of restrictions during the rise of the Soviet Union, the breed is not common worldwide and only a few exist in the United States.

Characteristics:
The Budenny stands 15 to 16 hands and is found in various shades of chestnut with some white markings. Careful breeding of the Don and the Thoroughbred created a horse with large bone and muscle, and agile and flowing movement. The Budenny looks like a sturdier Thoroughbred with the same long neck, slender yet strong legs and pretty head.  The Budenny is also spelled Budonny and Budennovsky. The Russian spelling is Budennovskaia.  Although no breed association represents the Budenny, the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of the Horse (VNIIK) based near Moscow oversees the breed and manages the studbook.