Posts Tagged ‘Sport Horse’
All You Need To Know About Friesian Horses
The Friesian (or Frisian) horse breed are a relatively rare, black colored breed that originated in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Breeding Friesian Horses and dealing in them was very important for the Friesians. The monks in the many monasteries in Friesland before the reformation did a lot of horse breeding. Formerly used as warhorses, the black pearls of the north have come a long way.
Friesian horses are dramatic, graceful, and very fairytale-like with long, wavy manes and tails. They are unusually friendly, well mannered and gentle by nature. Friesian horses are really peaceful and sweet, so much so that in Holland, they often carry stallions round with just a halter on. Friesian horses are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often used today for Dressage competition and pleasure riding. Friesian and Friesian-mixed horses can do well in dressage competition due the breed’s strong intellect, appearance, power, and body control. They also have an intelligent, willing spirit.
There is truly no other breed similar to the Friesian. Graceful enough for riding and powerful enough for farming, the breed has been used by medieval knights, 17th-century cavalry and World War II soldiers. Friesian horses are always black dressed up with the important characteristics of the breed; the luxuriance of the mane, forelock, tail and the fetlocks.
Today, there are two distinct conformation types of the Friesian horse. The baroque type has the more robust build. The modern, sport horse type is finer-boned.
Due to the strict breeding regulations of this breed there are less then 100 approved breeding stallions in the world and approximately 20 here in North America. Therefore purebred Friesians are considered somewhat of a rarity here. Due to a strict process of selection over the centuries, these are also the movement characteristics that are deeply embedded in the genetics of the Friesian breed. This also applies to the unique character of the Friesian horse: lively, intelligent, honest and reliable, always willing to work, but as proud as the Frisians themselves.
As hard as it might be to believe, the breed nearly became extinct on several occasions over time. Due to fuel rationing during World War II the Freisian’s farm and carriage use was revived, saving the breed long enough for both its population and popularity to rebound. Due to the fuel shortages, Dutch farmers turned to horses for transportation and fieldwork. The Friesian is one of the best carriage horses in the world. Due to its flashy appearance, the Friesian has become popular in the film industry. The breed owes much of its current popularity to the appearance of the Friesian stallion Othello in the 1985 film, Ladyhawke, which ignited a worldwide interest in these horses.
The modern day Friesian horse is as popular today as it has ever been, used both in harness and under saddle. With that type of versatility, they will be around for a long time.
Do you want more information on Friesians? Then visit http://www.ElegantHorsePictures.com/friesian-horse-pictures.html where you can view prints by artists Lesley Harrison and Janet Griffin-Scott
Author: Patrick Mooney
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Horses For Sale – Advice on Buying a Sports Horse
The name Sport Horse is given to type of horse rather than a particular breed of horse; it is a term to define a horse that will excel in equestrian sports such as Showjumping, Dressage or Eventing.
Sports horse breeders follow intensive breeding programs. The breeding goals differ from registry to registry, some more geared towards Showjumping others Dressage, Eventing or all-round top quality riding horses, this is reflected in the breeding, for example to produce a top class jumping horse only prestigious jumping blood lines are used to produce a horse with the physical attributes and athletic ability which is needed for show jumping.
Quality Sports horses have certain attributes which incorporates the following:
o Correct confirmation – Sports horses should have correct confirmation as this has a direct affect on the movement and jumping capabilities of the horse.
o Temperament – Sports horses must have a trainable and willing nature.
o Movement – Sports horse should have an athletic gait with good suspension in trot and canter.
o Jumping ability – Sports horses that are bred for jumping have excellent jumping form and conformation that allows them to jump higher.
If you are looking to buy a horse to compete, a sports horse would be a very good choice. You should set yourself some guide lines on the criteria of the horse you wish to buy; a good place to start is to identify your capabilities as a rider. Less experienced riders should look for an older experienced horse that knows its job; an accomplished rider may want to bring on a younger horse and take it through the grades, it is absolutely essential for the rider to realise their capabilities. Unfortunately many people make the mistake of “over horsing themselves” this is when a less experienced rider has bought a horse that is far too much for the rider to handle. This can ruin good horses and ruin a rider’s confidence. Set a budget, the height range that would suit you best and what you intend to do with the horse. This will narrow down the market and get you focused on the right market of horses for sale.
There is an abundance of Sport horses for sale currently in the U.K. you only have to look briefly at the equestrian classifieds and you will be sure to see several advertisers offering Sports horses for sale. There are many competition yards that have Sports horses for sale.
Professional horse producers will often travel to Ireland and mainland Europe to source Sport horses from breeders and farmers. The horses that are brought back to the U.K. are to be sold to the equestrian competition market. A good professional horse producer will help you find the right horse; you will usually find that there will be quite a few Sports horses for sale at any one yard so you will have plenty of Sports Horses for Sale to view. There are lots of yards devoted Sports horses for sale, so you will always have plenty of horses to look at, if they don’t have a horse that is suitable they will often be able to source a Sports horse for sale that meets your requirements, as they are more than likely to have established equestrian links with farmers and breeders overseas.
It is also possible for you to go to Ireland or the Continent to look for a Sport horses for sale yourself. It is good to look on the internet for Sports Horses for Sale to see if there are any abroad that you like, many yards will offer a service where they collect you from the airport and accommodate you while you view their Sport horses for sale.
If you are ever in doubt about what horse would be most suitable for you must always seek professional help from a reputable source, a person who has expertise in your preferred discipline.
Sports Horses for Sale [http://www.horsewizard.co.uk/marketplace?page=show_category&catid=39]
Author: Paul Simms
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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