Read About Owning Race Horses

Owning Race Horses requires more resources in terms of a larger turnout area, expensive supplies and consistent training. Here's everything you need to know about this horse breed.

Owning Race Horses - Facts

1. Breed Group:

   The most common race horse is the thoroughbred while some Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, Paints, and Arabians are also used for racing. Thoroughbreds are hot-blooded.

2. Height & Weight:

   Thoroughbreds are 15-16 hh and weigh about 1,500 lbs.

3. Coat:

   Their coat is shiny, silky and smooth to touch.

4. Head & Neck:

   The neck is arched and long with an excellent head. The eyes are placed wide apart and exude intelligence.

5. Body:

   The shoulders slope to a perfect wither and the hindquarters show first-class muscle structure. The chest is very deep. The legs show tendons and the thigh bone is long.

6. Conformation:

   The horse shows excellent conformation with intelligent eyes, perfect head and arched neck.

7. Colors:

   All solid colors with white markings.

8. Gait:

   This is the fastest horse in the world and the gait is long and sure-footed.

9. Popularity:

   This is the most popular racing horse in the world.

10. Registries:

    Jockey Club is the official American registry and all the registered animals are entered in the Stud Book.

Owning Race Horses - Origins

1. Country of Origin:

   England.

2. Lineage/Bloodline:

   Can be traced back to three Foundation Arabian Sires imported to England during the 18th century.

3. Historical Information:

   Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian produced the first generation of perfect Thoroughbreds in the 18th century England. These horses show such consistent confirmation that they quickly became a standard race horse and the First General Stud Book of 1971 from the Jockey Club of England published their breed and all its members.

Owning Race Horses - Defining Characteristics

1. Training Ease:

   These horses are quick learners but require firm handling.

2. Temperament:

   They are nervous creatures and show quick reactions.

3. Child Friendly:

   Older and experienced children should ride under adult supervision.

4. Behavior:

   They tend to be impatient and are sometimes hypersensitive.

5. Riding Ease:

   Thoroughbreds are amazingly smooth once they get comfortable with the rider.

6. Uses:

   They are used for racing all over the globe. Many are also used for jumping and dressage too.

Owning Race Horses - Concerns

1. Health Issues:

   They are a healthy breed but may be prone to accidents during racing and training and could subsequently sustain bone fracture.

2. Feeding:

   Protein and legume are important.

3. Outfitting:

   N/A

Owning Race Horses - How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   Check out bone structure and breathing ease. Also look for intelligent expression, firm standing, willing gait and impressive musculature.

2. What you will Need:

   All the regular horse supplies like tack, stable and supplies are important. Racing horses demand more care, expensive tack and extra nutritional supplement.