Horse

Horse Breed Glossary - S

SANHE HORSE

Used mostly for riding and carting in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Sanhe breed is considered among the best developed Chinese horse breeds. The name "Sanhe" means three rivers in Chinese.

In 1904 and 1905, Russian Zabaikal horses were moved through Baikal and were bred with the local horses. Later, in 1917, Orlov and Bechuk horses were brought in by Russian settlers. The Japanese created a stud farm and between 1934 and 1945, records of Anglo-Arab, American Trotter and Thoroughbred horses were bred. The cross breeding of the horses resulted in the Sanhe.

SCHLESWIGER HEAVY DRAFT HORSE

Originating in the north of Germany, the Schleswiger Heavy Draft is middle size and weight and served as a working horse until the 1960's. At this time, it is considered an endangered domestic animal breed.

The schleswiger Heavy Draft horse stands about 154 cm tall at the withers, with the stallions typically being larger than the mares. They have strong legs and round, quality hooves. Their backs are short but well muscled, and their head is short with a broad forehead. Most Schleswiger's are chestnut in color, but some are black, bay or grey. They have a fair amount of speed when they walk and trot. The most notable characteristic of Schleswiger Heavy Draft horses is their willingness to learn and their versatility. There are no feeding problems known to this breed.

History of Schleswiger Heavy Draft Horses

The breeders association of Schleswig Holstein decided in 1888 to separate breeding of warm blooded and heavy horses. A new society was formed in 1891, called the Schleswiger Horse Breeders Society. It was through the introduction of various horse breeds, including the Holstein, Oldenburger and Suffolk Punch that it was realised the desired breeding results could not be fulfilled. So in 1862, Jutland stallions were imported in order to improve the breeding.

SCHWARZWALDER FUCHS HORSE

Sometimes referred to as Black Forest, the Schwarzwalder Fuchs breed originated in the Black Forest in southern Germany. The breed is small and hardy draft horses used in the highlands. They are able to thrive in cold and long winters.

In modern times, the Schwarzwalder Fuchs is used for coach horse and riding. They are extremely fertile, and live long lives. Most are colored sorrel with a light mane and tail and weigh about 500 kg.

SELLE FRANCAIS HORSE

What some consider sport horse perfection, the Selle Francais is athletic, muscular, intelligent, strong and have a tractable disposition. They win awards in show jumping, but they also excel in eventing and dressage competitions.

The breeding program for Selle Francais horses is aggressive and intense. The breed was created by the French by crossing sturdy native horses with Thoroughbred stallions. French AngloArab and the French Trotter horse breeds were introduced into the breeding for intelligence, energy and agility.

In 1990, the North American Selle Francais Horse Association was created by the French National stud in order to register the Selle Francais horse breeds in North America. There is an annual inspection of breeding stallions and the registry provides information to the public about the breed.

SHAGYA HORSE

Shagya breed of horses are used for riding and pulling carriages. It's among the Arabian breed, but is very rare and therefore not known worldwide. Shagya was first developed about 150 or 200 years ago- from military stud farms of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. They originated from purebred, desert living Arabians, and lived a fairly isolated life. Today's shagya's are not as pure as previous generations because of consolidation in the breed.

Shagya's are elegant and born with a friendliness towards humans. They have the advantages known to Bedouin Arabian horses, including hardiness, endurance, toughness and being easy to keep. Shagya's meet the requirements of good riding horses; they are tall, have smooth and comfortable movements for riding, and jump well.

When shagya's were developed, their purpose was to provide military with a good riding horse as well as carriage horses, and a breed that would supply breeding stallions that could be used to improve other breeds of horses. They were created in the Austro-Hungarian military stud farms, mostly in Babolna, Piber, and Radautz; but also in Bulgaria, Romania and czechoslovakia.

In addition to being military horses, Shagya's were also used by European royalty.

About the Author
Phillipe Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of horses for sale,