Read About National Show Horses

The National Show Horses is an athletic breed known for its strength, stamina, elegance, and show ring charisma. Here's everything you need to know about this horse breed.

National Show Horses - Horse Breed Facts

1. Breed Group:

   These horses belong to the same group as their ancestors, the Arabians.

2. Height & Weight:

   Their height is about 14 -- 15 hands.

3. Coat:

   These horses have smooth and fine glowing skin.

4. Head & Neck:

   The neck is long, upright, set high on the shoulder without a pronounced crest. Head is relatively small with small ears and large eyes

5. Body:

   They have deep and well-laid back shoulder, short back and a flowing high-set tail.

6. Conformation:

   Their bone structure gives them a short back, a relatively level top line and short cannon bones in the front.

7. Colors:

   They can be of any color.

8. Gait:

   Their high tail carriage, balanced motion, flexion, and extension shoed by their front legs gives them a showy gait.

9. Popularity:

   Having the traits of an Arabian such as beauty, strength and stamina and of The Saddle bred such as high-stepping action and show ring charisma, These horses have become very popular as they earn prize monies for their exhibitors.

10. Registries:

    They should be registered under National Show Horse Registry (NSHR).

National Show Horses - Horse Breed Origins

1. Country of Origin:

   United States

2. Lineage/Bloodline:

   The National Show Horse is a cross between an Arabian Horse and an American Saddle bred. They may be a combination of an Arabian, American Saddle bred, and National Show horse.

3. Historical Information:

   Found in 1980, the National Show Horse was very successful in the show ring and got its name in 1982 and to promote it an organization NSHR was formed.

National Show Horses - Horse Breed Defining Characteristics

1. Training Ease:

   Their stamina, speed, and intelligence make them a breed easier to train.

2. Temperament:

   They possess intelligence and endurance that make them good show ring successes.

3. Child Friendly:

   Though by temperament they are gentle, by training they are social, yet their agility and strength make them a little difficult to be ridden by children. Their friendliness make them good child companions.

4. Behavior:

   They are energetic and their intelligence and willingness to work demand some activity or the other to keep their brains occupied.

5. Riding Ease:

   They are very good riding horses equipped with a balanced motion, intelligence to understand signals, stamina to run far and wide and endurance to keep on riding till stopped without agitation.

6. Uses:

   They are used in equitation, saddle seat riding, jumping, dressage and show rings.

National Show Horses - Horse Breed Concerns

1. Health Issues:

   Being descendant of the Arabian, they are not prone to lameness usually found in other horses but need to be guarded from tetanus and eye diseases.

2. Feeding:

   Good quality hay, large amounts of water, mineral salts, additional supplements are required for such horses to maintain their weight and health.

3. Outfitting:

   Keeping them in stalls prevent them from injury and keep them clean also. A little smaller, they need smaller bridle.

National Show Horses - How to Choose a Horse Breed

1. What to Look for:

   Always look for high-stepping action, elevated front foot, high set and long neck and high tail carriage.

2. What you will Need:

   A riding tack, high quality food, boots, brushes, blankets and certain toys to keep him busy.