Editing Horse breed

{{Short description|Selectively bred populations of domesticated horses}}
{{For|a comprehensive list of individual horse breed articles on Wikipedia|List of horse breeds}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
[[File:Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary b35 043-0.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Illustration of horse breeds from [[Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary]] (1890–1907)]]
A '''horse breed''' is a [[selective breeding|selectively bred]] population of [[domestication|domesticated]] [[horse]]s, often with [[Pedigree chart|pedigree]]s recorded in a [[breed registry]]. However, the term is sometimes used in a broader sense to define [[landrace]] animals of a common [[phenotype]] located within a limited geographic region, or even [[feral horse|feral "breeds"]] that are [[natural selection|naturally selected]]. Depending on definition, hundreds of "breeds"  exist today, developed for many different uses. Horse breeds are loosely divided into three categories based on general temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods," such as [[draft horse]]s and some [[Pony|ponies]], suitable for slow, heavy work; and "[[warmblood]]s," developed from crosses between hot bloods and cold bloods, often focusing on creating breeds for specific riding purposes, particularly in [[Europe]].

Horse breeds are groups of horses with distinctive characteristics that are transmitted consistently to their offspring, such as [[equine conformation|conformation]], color, performance ability, or disposition. These inherited traits are usually the result of a combination of natural crosses and [[artificial selection]] methods aimed at producing horses for specific tasks. Certain breeds are known for certain talents. For example, [[Standardbred horse|Standardbred]]s are known for their speed in [[harness racing]]. Some breeds have been developed through centuries of crossings with other breeds, while others, such as the [[Morgan horse]], originated from a [[foundation bloodstock|single sire]] from which all current breed members descend. More than 300&nbsp;horse breeds exist in the world today.<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Lyons Press |author=Equine Research Inc. | editor1-first=Juliet |editor1-last=Hedge |editor2-first=Don M. |editor2-last=Wagoner | title = Horse conformation: structure, soundness, and performance| location = Guilford, Conn. |year= 2004 |pages=307–308 |isbn=9781592284870 |oclc=56012597}}</ref>

==Origin of breeds==

{{See also|Domestication of the horse|List of horse breeds}}
Modern horse breeds developed in response to a need for "form to function", the necessity to develop certain physical characteristics to perform a certain type of work.{{r|Sponenberg|page=155}} Thus, powerful but refined breeds such as the [[Andalusian horse|Andalusian]] or the [[Lusitano]] developed in the [[Iberian Peninsula]] as riding horses that also had a great aptitude for [[dressage]],{{r|Sponenberg|page=155}} while heavy draft horses such as the [[Clydesdale (horse)|Clydesdale]] and the [[Shire horse|Shire]] developed out of a need to perform demanding [[farm]] work and pull heavy wagons.{{r|Sponenberg|pages=156–57}} Ponies of all breeds originally developed mainly from the need for a [[working animal]] that could fulfill specific local draft and transportation needs while surviving in harsh environments. However, by the 20th century, many pony breeds had [[Arabian horse|Arabian]] and other blood added to make a more refined pony suitable for riding.{{r|Sponenberg|pages=155, 170–173}} Other horse breeds developed specifically for light agricultural work, heavy and light carriage and road work, various equestrian disciplines, or simply as pets.{{r|Sponenberg|page=162}}

==Purebreds and registries==

[[File:Australian Stud Books.JPG|thumb|[[Australian Stud Book]]s from the 1990s]]
[[File:Americanstudbookvolume2closed.jpg|thumb|upright|One volume of the 1873 [[American Stud Book]]]]
{{Main|Breed registry|Purebred}}
Horses have been [[Selective breeding|selectively bred]] since their [[domestication of the horse|domestication]]. However, the concept of [[purebred]] bloodstock and a controlled, written [[breed registry]] only became of significant importance in modern times. Today, the standards for defining and registration of different breeds vary. Sometimes, purebred horses are called "Thoroughbreds", which is incorrect; "[[Thoroughbred]]" is a specific breed of horse, while a "purebred" is a horse (or any other animal) with a defined [[Pedigree chart|pedigree]] recognized by a breed registry.<ref name=Ensminger>{{Cite book| publisher = Interstate Publishers| isbn = 978-0-8134-3115-4| last = Ensminger| first = M. Eugene| title = Horses and Horsemanship| access-date = 2023-11-12 |year=1999| url = http://archive.org/details/horseshorsemansh0000ensm_h6e7 |edition=7th |ol=1020574M |page=176}}</ref>

An early example of people who practiced selective [[horse breeding]] were the [[Bedouin]], who had a reputation for careful breeding practices, keeping extensive pedigrees of their [[Arabian horse]]s and placing great value upon pure bloodlines.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Gladys Brown |last=Edwards |title=The Arabian, War Horse to Show Horse |date=1980 |pages=22–23 |publisher=Arabian Horse Trust of America |isbn=093827600X}}</ref> Though these pedigrees were originally transmitted by an [[oral tradition]], written pedigrees of Arabian horses can be found that date to the 14th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waho.org/History.html |title=Is Purity the Issue? |access-date=2008-04-29 |work=WAHO Publication Number 21 January 1998 |publisher=World Arabian Horse Organization |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705105054/http://www.waho.org/Purityissue.html |archive-date=5 July 2008}}</ref> In the same period of the early [[Renaissance]], the [[Carthusian]] monks of southern [[Spain]] bred horses and kept meticulous pedigrees of the best bloodstock; the lineage survives to this day in the [[Andalusian horse]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian/index.htm |title=Andalusian |access-date=2008-04-29 |work=Breeds of Livestock |publisher=Oklahoma State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312061526/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian/index.htm |archive-date=2008-03-12}}</ref> One of the earliest formal registries was [[General Stud Book]] for Thoroughbreds, which began in 1791 and traced back to the Arabian stallions imported to England from the Middle East that became the [[foundation bloodstock|foundation]] stallions for the breed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/racehorses/history.asp |title=History of Thoroughbreds |access-date=2008-04-03 |work=Britishhorseracing.com |publisher=British Horseracing Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201154621/http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/racehorses/history.asp |archive-date=2014-02-01}}</ref>

Some breed registries have a [[closed stud book]], where registration is based on pedigree, and no outside animals can gain admittance. For example, a registered Thoroughbred or Arabian must have two registered parents of the same breed.<ref name=JockeyClub>{{cite web |url=https://www.registry.jockeyclub.com/registry.cfm?page=tjcRuleBook |title=American Stud Book Principal Rules and Requirements |access-date=2007-07-05 |publisher=Jockey Club}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabianhorses.org/registration/reg_rules.asp |title=2008 Rules & Regulations |access-date=2008-04-03 |work=2008 Rulebook |publisher=Arabian Horse Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409194007/http://www.arabianhorses.org/registration/reg_rules.asp |archive-date=2008-04-09}}</ref>{{Obsolete source|reason=Arabian standard is 15 years out of date|date=November 2023}}

Other breeds have a partially closed stud book, but still allow certain infusions from other breeds. For example, the modern [[Appaloosa]] must have at least one Appaloosa parent, but may also have a [[American Quarter Horse|Quarter Horse]], Thoroughbred, or Arabian parent, so long as the offspring exhibits appropriate color characteristics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.appaloosa.com/pdfs/rulebook07.pdf |title=Appaloosa Horse Club Handbook 2007 |access-date=2007-07-05 |work=2007 Rulebook |publisher=The Appaloosa Horse Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219053256/http://www.appaloosa.com/pdfs/rulebook07.pdf |archive-date=2007-02-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Quarter Horse normally requires both parents to be registered Quarter Horses, but allows [[American Quarter Horse#"Appendix" and "Foundation" horses|"Appendix"]] registration of horses with one Thoroughbred parent, and the horse may earn its way to full registration by completing certain performance requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aqha.com/association/registration/pdf/registrationrules_07.pdf |title=AQHA Registration Rules and Regulations |access-date=2007-07-05 |work=2007 Rulebook |publisher=American Quarter Horse Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710070411/http://www.aqha.com/association/registration/pdf/registrationrules_07.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-10}}</ref>

[[Open stud book]]s exist for horse breeds that either have not yet developed a rigorously defined standard phenotype, or for breeds that register animals that conform to an ideal via the process of passing a [[studbook selection]] process. Most of the [[warmblood]] breeds used in [[sport horse]] disciplines have open stud books to varying degrees. While pedigree is considered, outside bloodlines are admitted to the registry if the horses meet the set standard for the registry. These registries usually require a selection process involving judging of an individual animal's quality, performance, and [[Equine conformation|conformation]] before registration is finalized.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanwarmblood.org/introduction/whatis.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112075806/http://www.americanwarmblood.org/introduction/whatis.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |title=What Is A Warmblood Anyway? |access-date=2008-05-01 |author=Bernhold, Suzette |work=Warmblood Whisper |publisher=American Warmblood Society}}</ref> A few "registries," particularly some [[color breed]] registries, are very open and will allow membership of all horses that meet limited criteria, such as coat color and species, regardless of pedigree or conformation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.palominohorseassoc.com/regandmembershipins.htm |title=Registration and Membership Instructions |access-date=2008-05-01 |publisher=Palomino Horse Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630204811/http://www.palominohorseassoc.com/regandmembershipins.htm |archive-date=2007-06-30 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pintohorseregistry.com/RulesProcedures.html |title=Registration Procedure |publisher=National Pinto Horse Registry |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012133616/http://www.pintohorseregistry.com/RulesProcedures.html |archive-date=2008-10-12}}</ref>

Breed registries also differ as to their acceptance or rejection of breeding technology. For example, all [[Jockey Club]] Thoroughbred registries require that a registered Thoroughbred be a product of a natural mating, so-called "live cover". A [[foal]] born of two Thoroughbred parents, but by means of [[artificial insemination]] or [[embryo transfer]], cannot be registered in the Thoroughbred studbook.<ref name=JockeyClub/> However, since the advent of [[DNA]] testing to verify parentage, most breed registries now allow artificial insemination, embryo transfer, or both. The high value of stallions has helped with the acceptance of these techniques because they allow a stallion to breed more mares with each "collection" and greatly reduce the risk of injury during mating.<ref>{{cite journal |author=McAfee, Melonyce |date=2007-01-30 |title=Did They Save Barbaro's Semen? |journal=Slate |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2158610/ |access-date=2008-05-01}}</ref> [[Cloning]] of horses is highly controversial, and at the present time most mainstream breed registries will not accept cloned horses, though several cloned horses and mules have been produced.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Mott, Maryann |date=2006-04-04 |title=Champion Horses Cloned by Texas Breeder |journal= National Geographic News |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0404_060404_horse_clone.html |access-date=2008-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908221150/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0404_060404_horse_clone.html |archive-date=September 8, 2006}}</ref> Such restrictions have led to legal challenges in the United States, sometime based on state law and sometimes based on antitrust laws.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Becker |first1=Frank |title=Equine Law |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-615-90347-7 |page=207}}</ref>

==Hybrids==

[[File:Legacy Pack String (16349780096).jpg|thumb|[[Mule]]s with [[pack saddle]]s during a demonstration (2014)]]
Horses can [[crossbreed]] with other [[equine]] species to produce [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s. These hybrid types are not breeds, but they resemble breeds in that crosses between certain horse breeds and other equine species produce characteristic offspring. The most common hybrid is the [[mule]], a cross between a "jack" (male donkey) and a [[mare]]. A related hybrid, the [[hinny]], is a cross between a stallion and a [[jenny (donkey)|jenny]] (female donkey).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishmulesociety.org.uk/ |title=Mule Information |access-date=2008-07-10 |work=BMS Website |publisher=British Mule Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010200000/http://www.britishmulesociety.org.uk/ |archive-date=2017-10-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Most other hybrids involve the [[zebra]] (see [[Zebroid]]). With rare exceptions, most equine hybrids are [[infertility|sterile]] and cannot reproduce.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12260255 |date=July 26, 2007 |title=Befuddling Birth: The Case of the Mule's Foal |access-date=2008-08-16 |work=All Things Considered |publisher=National Public Radio}}</ref> A notable exception is hybrid crosses between horses and ''Equus ferus przewalskii'', commonly known as [[Przewalski's horse]].

== See also ==
* [[List of horse breeds]]
* [[Selective breeding]]
* [[Horse breeding]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Sponenberg">{{cite book|last=Sponenberg |first=D. Phillip |chapter=The Proliferation of Horse Breeds |title=Horses Through Time |publisher=Roberts Rinehart Publishers |location=Boulder, CO |year=1996 |isbn=1-57098-060-8 |url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/horsesthroughtim00olse |ol=8699719M}}</ref>

}}

{{Horse topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{#related:List of horse breeds}}
{{#related:Selective breeding}}
{{#related:Horse breeding}}

[[Category:Horse breeds| ]]