Standardbreds are a relatively new breed, dating back just
over 200 years, but it is a true American breed that began
from crossing Morgan Horses and English Thoroughbreds. The
origins of the Standardbred trace back to an English Thoroughbred
stallion named Messenger that was foaled in 1780's. Messenger
was not only a Darley Arabian descendent, but he was the great
grandsire of a horse named Hambletonian 10, back to whom every
Standardbred can trace its heritage.
The name Standardbred refers to the early trotters that were
bred to reach a certain standard for trotting the distance
of a mile in order to be registered as part of the new breed.
Pacers would not come into the picture until much later, but
to this day, the mile is still the standard distance covered
in nearly every harness race. In 1871, the American Trotting
Register was founded and in 1879, the racing standard was
determined. Over a distance of 1 mile, trotters were to clock
in at 2 minutes 30 seconds and pacers at 2 minutes 25 seconds
and it is these standards that gave the breed its name. That
also means that the average speed of these races is approximately
30 miles per hour.
So you can see that this horse is bred for speed not for
conformation, and now the Standardbred is widely considered
to be the fastest harness racing horse in the world. There
is no typical look to the Standardbred and individual Standardbreds
have been mistaken for Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Morgans,
Arabians, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers, etc. So, as you
can see, there is a look and style for every taste, but generally
they have the physique of a Thoroughbred but with a heavier
Morgan body. They stand between 14.1 and16 hands and weigh
between 800 and 1,000 pounds. A Standardbred must be registered
with the United States Trotting Association (USTA) before
it is allowed to either race or breed before the horse becomes
two years old on the universal birthday of January 1.
The majority of Standardbred racing is harness racing that
takes place with a driver holding the reins from his seat
in a sulky racing cart. Racing under saddle was a type of
Standardbred racing that was popular early in the breed's
development, and has become popular once again in the United
States.
Most Standardbreds start racing as 2 or 3 year olds. Standardbreds
are either pacing bred or trotting bred; pacers never trot
in a race, and vice versa. Trotters race only trotters and
pacers race only pacers. However, pacing does not dominate
the rest of their daily activities. Standardbreds trot, and
pace, from birth and will do either one on their own when
left to themselves. Standardbred racing is based on only these
two gaits. Any trotter or pacer who breaks their gait and
goes into a canter or a gallop during a race must be pulled
back to its correct gait and also lose ground to its competitors
or else it will be disqualified from the race.
Trotters move with a diagonal gait; the left front and right
rear legs move in unison, as do the right front and left rear
when it is their turn. This gait requires a highly skilled
trainer to get a trotter to move perfectly at high speeds,
even though the trotting gait is natural to the equine world.
Pacers move both legs on one side of their body in tandem:
left front and rear, and then right front and rear, and they
often called side wheelers. Pacers account for about 80 percent
of contestants in harness racing and it is the faster of the
two gaits. Pacers are aided in maintaining their high speed
gait by plastic loops called hobbles, which keep their legs
moving in synchronization.
North America's top trotting races that make up the Trotting
Triple Crown are the Yonkers Trot, the Hambletonian, and the
Kentucky Futurity for 3 year olds. For pacers, the Pacing
Triple Crown is made from the Little Brown Jug, the Messenger
Stake and the Cane Pace.
Standardbreds are primarily used for racing, since they are
the fastest trotting horses in the world. But Standardbreds
that have been retired from the track make excellent all around
horses. Unfortunately, most horses that have been retired
from racing are sold at auctions, usually to meat buyers,
even though many of these horses are perfectly sound and healthy
and could live for many more years if they only had a suitable,
loving home.
More and more people are enjoying retired racing Standardbreds
for pleasure riding, jumping, ranch work, competitive trail
and endurance riding, even Western and English flat classes,
barrel racing, etc. With time and patience, the retired Standardbred
horse can learn new skills. Their attitude and temperament
make them very willing partners in any equine discipline that
is desired. New experiences are accepted with interest and
enthusiasm and they bomb proof , not skittish, in terms of
bravery. They are kind, gentle, and love to be handled and
having had personal attention every day for most of their
racing lives, Standardbreds adore attention and return the
affection readily.
These horses are genuinely loved and respected and their
care has been meticulous throughout their racing life. Their
diets, health, and exercise are all carefully monitored; they've
had warm baths, relaxing massages, warm blankets, clean and
well bedded stalls provided seven days a week. To describe
purchasing a retired Standardbred as saving him from the track
is doing the breed and harness racing a grave injustice, when
you know what the horse's life was really like. So treat yourself
to a very special horse, and enjoy the experience while offering
the retired Standardbred a new beginning at perhaps a bit
slower life's pace.
Author Resource:-> Crystal is a writer for http://www.HorseClicks.com,
classifieds of Standardbred Horses for sale
|