Horse Information Directory
The horse is prominent in religion, mythology, and art; it has played an important role in
transportation, agriculture, and war; it has served as a source of food, fuel, and clothing. Horses
have long been among the most economically important domesticated animals.
Equine Information
HORSE
BREEDS
The
horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the
Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus
Equus. Horses have long been among the most economically
important
domesticated animals; although their importance has declined with
mechanization, they are still found worldwide, fitting into human lives
in various ways.
Almost all breeds of horses can,
at least in theory,
carry humans on their backs or be
harnessed to pull objects such as
carts or
plows. However,
horse breeds were developed to allow horses to be specialized for
certain task; lighter horses for racing or
riding, heavier horses for
farming and other tasks requiring pulling power. In some societies,
horses are a source of food, both
meat and
milk; in others it is
taboo to consume them. In
industrialized countries horses are predominantly kept for leisure
and sporting pursuits, while they are still used as working animals in
many other parts of the world.
If you are looking
to purchase a horse, the breed you select will depend on the purpose for
which you want to use it. It may be pleasure riding, distance riding,
ranch work, driving, or show competition. You first need to gather
information to help you with your choice of horse.
Talk to other
experienced horse owners and if you are interested in competition and
show, talk with exhibitors. Check with breeders, dealers, private
owners, auctions, racetracks, and large animal veterinarians to see what
is available for your particular needs and price range, as well as the
real world cost of such things as healthcare, and the regular work load
of keeping a happy and healthy horse.
When you’ve found
a horse you are interested in, look closely at the horse’s temperament,
movement, condition and confirmation.
If you feel you
can't afford a horse on your own, look into joint ownership with a
friend or someone you may meet through your research.
The information
provided in this area is general and there is much more that can be said
about each horse breed.
Training &
Riding Information
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