A thoroughbred horse is a horse that was bred in England. Initially, these animals were known as the English racehorse, but after breeding began almost everywhere, the name was changed.
Characteristic
Horses of this breed are recognized speed champions: a gallop speed of 1 km / min is considered the norm for them. Short and medium distances, these animals average 60 km / h. A thoroughbred horse passes distances of more than 3 km at a speed of about 55 km / h. The speed record holder is Beach Rekit, who walked a quarter mile (409.26 m) in Mexico City at a speed of 69.69 km / h. A purebred English horse can participate in races only with representatives of the same breed, since any of these horses is much faster and stronger than any other breed. A developed system of horse racing and training made it possible to get these animals. Figuratively speaking, a purebred “was born in races”. Her body itself, her external and internal data just scream about the purpose of the horse. Growth at the withers of animals of this breed is 155-170 centimeters. The neck is set obliquely, the length is medium. The body is dry, even lean. Deep chest with long shoulders. Hips and croups have many well-developed muscles, powerful. Strong, relatively long legs. A thoroughbred horse has a more powerful and larger heart than any other horse. In addition, the volume of the lungs is also significantly larger. At rest, the pulse is approximately 60 beats per minute. In moments of active jump - up to 140 hits. Bay and red suits prevail. Brown horses are less common, and very rarely you can meet an animal with gray or black coloration. There can be no other options.
Only a horse whose parents are in the stud book, being respectively purebred, can be considered a purebred. If the nickname of an animal not related to the breed is found in the pedigree, neither this horse itself nor its ancestors ascending to the unbred one will recognize any of them as belonging to the breed. Such an animal cannot be entered in the studbook. However, despite this, horses will not be allowed to participate in any official races. Thanks to this approach, in purebred horses, over the entire three hundred year history of their existence, they did not experience the influence of other people's blood. F. Tesio in his “Breeding racehorses” wrote that only those horses whose pedigree can be traced down to mares and stallions listed in the very first book of General Studbuk, which was published in 1793, can be considered purebred.
History
Given the fact that by the 18th century Great Britain was a very strong military state, frisky riding horses were extremely necessary for the troops. A growth standard was even introduced, which all army mounts met. Moreover, it was impossible to use or let these horses be bred. At the same time, many owners of stud farms began to import elite breeds of riding animals from other countries. A huge number of races, the use of horses on the hunt made it possible to identify the most frisky individuals, which were the producers. Thus, by the middle of the XVIII century, the stables of the English king were full of elite horses with excellent carving qualities.
The ancestors
Various breeds of mares served as the uterine basis for the work on breeding a frisky horse, capable of satisfying the demands of the army and nobility, wishing to have excellent animals for racing. Most of the queens were taken from royal plants. Preference was given to mares with impurities of eastern, Spanish and Hungarian blood. 50 of them became the founders of the new breed. When breeding, more than 200 stallions were used, almost all of which were of eastern origin.
Despite the huge number of producers involved in breeding, the English thoroughbred riding horse owes its existence to three stallions: Turk Bjerley brought to England in 1683, Godolfin Barb, who appeared in the country in the 1730s, and Darley Arabian, who was used with 1710 year.
Bjerlei was captured during the siege of Bud, which glorified the captain, whose name was named stallion. He became the first ancestor to arrive in the UK. The Turk turned out to be an excellent producer, although he managed to cover a small number of mares. Contrary to his first name, most likely this stallion was of Arab blood. Turk Bjerley founded the line of purebreds, the most famous of which was Herod (born in 1758). Herod, in turn, was a very successful producer.
Darley Arabian was born in 1700 in Syria, where he was bought by Tamas Darley in 1704. The stallion was used in breeding by its buyer. He had a huge number of mares. Mating with Betty Leeds, which brought the foals extremely important for the breed: Flain Chlders and Chalders Barleta, are considered particularly successful. On the line of one of the foals, Darley Arabian became the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Eslips, who was born on April 1, 1764. Darley is the most important of the three producers in terms of influence on the breed. Thoroughbred riding horse.
Godolfin Barb was born in Yemen. As a gift it was presented to the French king, but was bought by the Englishman. The most significant direct descendant of the stallion was Metchem, born in 1748 from Keyed, born to Godolfin and Roxanne.
Spread
The first volume of the studbook was published in 1793. Already at that time there was a rule prohibiting the nickname of a horse that does not have at least one ancestor ascending to Eclipse, Herod or Matchem in the book. The breed was officially recognized in 1821. Soon, rules were developed for participating in horse racing of this breed, which are currently valid. The rules take into account the physiology and temperament of purebreds. The jockeys were equipped with short stirrups that do not constrain the horse's movements. At the same time, the weight of the ammunition and the jockeys themselves is strictly regulated - it should not exceed 60 kg.
Breed in Russia
Purebred riding horse appeared in our country during the formation of the breed. In 1825, a race society was formed in Lebedyan. State and private plants began to appear on which they were breeding this breed. The first races with a tote contributing to the development of the breed were held in 1876. Significantly increased prize money. The main races were held in Moscow, Warsaw and Tsarskoye Selo.
To date, the domestic stock of horses of the breed thoroughbred horse is significantly behind the representatives of foreign branches. Until recently, animals bred in our country could compete with foreign brethren, but today they can only compete with Russian horses. This breed in our country is bred in the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories and in the republics of the North Caucasus. Most hippodromes are located in the same regions. The only exception is Moscow, which hosts horse racing from May to September.
Impact on other breeds
A thoroughbred horse, the photo of which will decorate any breed catalog, is used in almost all countries to improve other breeds of various directions. A huge number of breeds have been improved thanks to the influence of purebred blood. It is amazing that without purebreds many breeds cannot exist, while they themselves have been bred for 300 years without merging with other breeds, only improving their qualities.
Using
Thoroughbred horse breed was bred for participation in races - on smooth and barrier tracks. For ordinary lovers, this horse is not suitable because of the explosive nature and energy. They need the hands of a master and daily grueling races.
In addition, horses of this breed are used in fox hunting, in eventing. Animals that have not shown themselves in sport are given to improve other breeds, which is also important.
Champions of the twentieth century
A thoroughbred riding horse, the photo of which is attached, shows itself perfectly in horse racing. For this reason, the number of champions is huge. However, Colin proved himself especially in the 20th century, having won all the starts in which he participated - in the amount of 15 for 1907 and 1908.
In addition, the Slayer, Men o'Var, Ekupois, County Fleet, Citizen, Neitiv Dinser, Kelso, Secretariat, Foegow and many other horses of this magnificent breed became famous.