Horse

Horse Breeds Glossary - I

ICELANDIC HORSE

A decendant of horses brought to Iceland by settlers over 11 centuries ago, the Icelandic horse is rather small although not considered light in build. The horse lacks elegance but is a versatile horse for riding and is strong, with a desire to work. In the early 1900's, the breed was used in Iceland for transportation and working. Currently, the Icelandic Horse is used for sport and family purposes.

The first registry for the breed was formed in 1923. The average height of the Icelandic horse is between 13 and 14 hands, and the average weight is about 250 kg. Most commonly, Icelandic horses are chestnut in color, but all colors are acceptable accept for appaloosa marking. They grow double thick coats in the winter, and have long, abundant manes.

Icelandic horses have a trot and canter, and a running walk which is similar to the American Saddlebred, Tennesee Walker and Paso Fino gait. Some horses can reach 30 miles per hour with a fast lateral gait that is primarily used for racing in short distances.

IOMUD HORSE

The Iomud tribe in Turkmenia developed the Iomud horse breed. The Iomud horses are mainly kept in herds in both the semi desert and the full desert.

Iomud horses feature a large head, a medium length neck, and a sparse mane. Their tail is also quite sparse. Most Iomud horses are chestnut or grey, with a few that are golden chestnut or black colored.

The horses of the Iomud breed live for a long time, although the purebred population has been decreasing substantially. In 1983, stud farms intended to preserve the Iomud breed were created in Turkmenia. There are currently about 150 Iomud's remaining.

IRISH DRAUGHT HORSE

Even though the name signifies the heavy draight horse image, the Irish Draught horse is actually a light and free moving horse. Today's Irish Draught horse is sought after because of it's superior breeding qualities. In England, breeders cross the brood mare with a Thoroughbred stallion to obtain excellent hunting horses. When bred for lighter mares, the Irish Draught stallion helps increase bone and substance.

Irish Draught horses have existed for about a century, although the breed numbers have declined to next to nothing on several ocassions.

In Ireland, the Draught horse was used on farms as well as hunting and for riding. Irish Draught horses were able to pull carts, till the fields and jog. The breed has developed into a horse that stands about 16 hands high, and holds a graceful head and neck with a kind eye. The feet are more like a hunting horse than a cart pulling horse- and they have the ability to land after jumping on very hard surfaces.

JINZHOU HORSE

In the Liaoning region of China, the Jinzhou horse is found in Jin county. The Jinzhou is used as a draft horse and a riding horse, kept for meat and also milk production. Developed by crossing Mongolian type of horses with imported light and heavy horses, the Jinzhou breed was developed in 1926.

JUTLAND HORSE

Denmark's heavy horse is a breed known as the Jutland. The Carlsberg brewery uses Jutlands to haul the brewery wagons- as many as 210 Jutland horses were used by the brewery, and today there are still about twenty used to transport beer in Copenhagen. The breed and brewery are promoted by the Jutland horses when the Carlsberg brewery enters their Jutlands in shows, films and festivals.

Jutland horses are a medium sized draft horse that has a quick and free moving action. Their coats are a pretty chestnut color with a flaxen tail and mane. Similar to the Suffolk breed, the horses are round in body with massive quarters. The breed is hard working and tireless, kind and a willing worker. They have short forelegs and the lower legs have coarse feathering.