Editing Horse breeding (section)

== How breeds develop ==
{{See also|List of horse breeds}}{{More citations needed|date=August 2022}}
Beyond the appearance and [[equine conformation|conformation]] of a specific type of horse, breeders aspire to improve physical performance abilities. This concept, known as matching "form to function," has led to the development of not only different breeds, but also families or bloodlines within breeds that are specialists for excelling at specific tasks.

For example, the [[Arabian horse]] of the desert naturally developed speed and endurance to travel long distances and survive in a harsh environment, and [[domestication]] by humans added a trainable disposition to the animal's natural abilities.  In the meantime, in northern [[Europe]], the locally adapted heavy horse with a thick, warm coat was domesticated and put to work as a [[farm]] animal that could pull a [[plow]] or wagon.  This animal was later adapted through selective breeding to create a strong but rideable animal suitable for the heavily armored [[knight]] in [[war horse|warfare]].

Then, centuries later, when people in [[Europe]] wanted faster horses than could be produced from local horses through simple selective breeding, they imported [[Arabian horse|Arabians]] and other oriental horses to breed as an [[outcross]] to the heavier, local animals.  This led to the development of breeds such as the [[Thoroughbred]], a horse taller than the Arabian and faster over the distances of a few miles required of a European race horse or light [[cavalry]] horse. Another cross between oriental and European horses produced the [[Andalusian horse|Andalusian]], a horse developed in [[Spain]] that was powerfully built, but extremely nimble and capable of the quick bursts of speed over short distances necessary for certain types of combat as well as for tasks such as [[bullfighting]].

Later, the people who settled America needed a hardy horse that was capable of working with [[cattle]].  Thus, Arabians and Thoroughbreds were crossed on Spanish horses, both domesticated animals descended from those brought over by the [[Conquistadors]], and [[feral]] horses such as the [[Mustang (horse)|Mustangs]], descended from the Spanish horse, but adapted by [[natural selection]] to the ecology and climate of the west.  These crosses ultimately produced new breeds such as the [[American Quarter Horse]] and the [[Criollo (horse)|Criollo]] of [[Argentina]]. In Canada, the Canadian Horse descended from the French stock Louis XIV sent to Canada in the late 17th century.[6] The initial shipment, in 1665, consisted of two stallions and twenty mares from the Royal Stables [[Horses in Normandy|in Normandy]] and Brittany, the centre of French horse breeding.[7] Only 12 of the 20 mares survived the trip. Two more shipments followed, one in 1667 of 14 horses (mostly mares, but with at least one stallion), and one in 1670 of 11 mares and a stallion. The shipments included a mix of draft horses and light horses, the latter of which included both pacing and trotting horses.[1] The exact origins of all the horses are unknown, although the shipments probably included Bretons, Normans, Arabians, Andalusians and Barbs.

In modern times, these breeds themselves have since been selectively bred to further specialize at certain tasks.  One example of this is the [[American Quarter Horse]].  Once a general-purpose working [[ranch]] horse, different bloodlines now specialize in different events.  For example, larger, heavier animals with a very steady attitude are bred to give competitors an advantage in events such as [[team roping]], where a horse has to start and stop quickly, but also must calmly hold a full-grown [[Cattle#Terminology|steer]] at the end of a rope. On the other hand, for an event known as [[cutting (sport)|cutting]], where the horse must separate a [[cow]] from a herd and prevent it from rejoining the group, the best horses are smaller, quick, alert, athletic and highly trainable.  They must learn quickly, have conformation that allows quick stops and fast, low turns, and the best competitors have a certain amount of independent mental ability to anticipate and counter the movement of a cow, popularly known as "cow sense."

Another example is the [[Thoroughbred]].  While most representatives of this breed are bred for [[horse racing]], there are also specialized bloodlines suitable as [[show hunter]]s or [[show jumping|show jumpers]].  The hunter must have a tall, smooth build that allows it to trot and canter smoothly and efficiently.  Instead of speed, value is placed on appearance and upon giving the equestrian a comfortable ride, with natural jumping ability that shows [[bascule (horse)|bascule]] and good form.

A [[show jumping|show jumper]], however, is bred less for overall form and more for power over tall fences, along with speed, scope, and agility. This favors a horse with a good galloping stride, powerful hindquarters that can change speed or direction easily, plus a good shoulder angle and length of neck. A jumper has a more powerful build than either the hunter or the racehorse.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/which_thoroughbred_061008-11584|title=Which Thoroughbred Best Fits My Needs?|work=Expert how-to for English Riders|access-date=2018-10-13|language=en}}</ref>