Encyclopedia
The
Thoroughbred is a horse breed often mistakenly thought to have been developed in
17th century England when English mares were bred with imported Arabian stallions. Racehorses as a distinct breed had been bred for many centuries before this however. The Arabian injection in the late 17th century and early 18th century merely added to the Thoroughbred lineage. The time of the Arabian injection also coincides with the start of the 'stud book'; the official registering of horses.
The typical Thoroughbred stands 16
hands high, and is bay, brown, chestnut, black or gray/roan in color. The face and lower legs may be marked with white, but white will generally not appear on the body . A horse cannot be registered as a Thoroughbred unless it is conceived by "live cover;" that is, by the natural mating of a mare and a stallion. Artificial insemination, though prevalent in other large-animal breeding operations, cannot be used.
It is the State Horse of
Maryland and
Kentucky.
Origins
All modern Thoroughbreds carry the genetics of three stallions imported to England from the Middle East in the late 17th and early 18th centuries: the
Darley Arabian, the
Godolphin Arabian, also known as the Godolphin Barb , and the
Byerly Turk, together with around 35 mares.
The first Thoroughbred horse in the American Colonies was Bulle Rock, imported by Samuel Gist of Hanover County, Virginia, in 1730.
Maryland and Virginia were the centers of Colonial thoroughbred breeding.
Uses
Although the Thoroughbred is primarily bred for racing, the breed is also used for show jumping and combined training due to its athleticism, and many retired race horses become fine family riding horses, endurance horses,
dressage horses, and youth show horses. The larger horses are sought after for hunter/jumper and dressage competitions, whereas the smaller horses are in demand as
polo ponies.
The Thoroughbred is bred primarily for racing under saddle at the gallop.
Some families of Thoroughbreds are known primarily as sprinters or as distance runners.
Buyers generally select for larger individuals, however most great racehorses and great stallions are average or small in size.
Northern Dancer was , Hyperion ,
Danzig . Longfellow, Man O' War, Secretariat,
Phar Lap, Dr. Fager,
Silky Sullivan and Forego were famous, big horses, but a huge number of famous race horses have been average to small. Aristides, the winner of the first
Kentucky Derby was small. Roamer,
Round Table,
Seabiscuit,
Northern Dancer, John Henry, and more recently, Dalakhani and
Smarty Jones, were famous, smaller horses.
Many experts who purchase Thoroughbreds attempt to assess a young horse's potential by observing its overall structural balance, the athleticism and willingness of its walk, the perceived intelligence of its outlook, and the correct conformation of its legs. Buyers of more expensive horses often hire veterinary experts to examine and report on the condition of the horse's breathing apparatus, soundness of bone structure, and size of heart.
Thoroughbreds that are born in the Northern Hemisphere technically become a year older on January first; those born in the Southern Hemisphere turn one on August first. These artificial dates have been set to enable the standardization of races for horses in certain age groups.
Approximately 35,000 Thoroughbred foals are registered each year in the U.S. The largest number of foals are born in Kentucky, Florida, and California. The Thoroughbred industry is a huge agri-business. It supports tens of thousands of jobs in each of these states, from jockeys, trainers, starters, grooms, and kitchen employees at the race track, to farm employees assisting with the birth of foals, the grooming of yearlings, or the growing and preparation of feed, to veterinarians who understand and treat horses, to drivers of horse vans who transport horses across country, to employees of auction houses that specialize in the sale of horses, to employees of companies who develop products to improve the lives of horses and people who work with them. Wagering on races provides purses to the winners and taxes to the state.
Science dilemma
Modern thoroughbred racing involves a science dilemma. The horses are bred for extreme speed, and a primary goal of this breeding has been to decrease bone mass while raising muscle mass . As a result, modern thoroughbreds are muscularly powerful but
osteologically delicate creatures. Three out of every 2000 races result in a career-ending injury to one or more racers ; a ratio far in excess of almost all other human and animal sports. Of those injuries, more than 60% result in the horse being euthanized. Leg injuries, though not immediately fatal, are life-threatening because a horse's weight must be distributed evenly on all four legs to prevent circulatory problems,
laminitis and other infections. If a horse loses the use of one leg, it cannot function; its other legs will quickly break down as well, leading to slow death.
In the wake of the 2006 Preakness Stakes, in which
Kentucky Derby winner
Barbaro sustained severe fractures, there were signs that
animal rights groups intended to target the thoroughbred racing industry. The bioethics are seldom clean-cut, however. While thoroughbreds are delicate and horse racing is hazardous, veterinary science is also developing, so that previously hopeless cases can now be treated successfully. Thoroughbreds are arguably as much helped as harmed by the racing industry.
The Thoroughbred in other disciplines
A natural athlete, with a generally superb work ethic, the Thoroughbred excels in many equestrian sports. While other breeds are preferred over the Thoroughbred in both
dressage and
show jumping, the breed can occasionally compete at high levels in dressage, and the Grand Prix ring in show jumping. The flowing, long stridden gaits and good jumping form makes the Thoroughbred a top
show hunter as well.
Of all the equestrian sports, the Thoroughbred is probably most suited for
eventing, and dominates the highest levels: almost all Olympic horses are full or part-Thoroughbred. The breed is most suited for the
cross-country phase, due to its long stride and natural speed, as well as its athletic jump.
Thoroughbreds are also the favorite breed for use in
polo. They are seen in the hunt field as well.
The Thoroughbred in breeding
The Thoroughbred remains one of the most important breeds used in modern horse breeding. They have been incredibly influential on many of the favorite breeds of today, including the
American Quarter Horse, the
Morgan , the Standardbred, the Irish Horse and many other modern breeds. The Thoroughbred continues to be a favorite as an improver of breeds. By far the two best horse breeds used to improve a breed are; Thoroughbreds and Arabians
External links
