Before we talk about racehorses, we need to understand the terms. The fact is that the concept of "racing" is not used in the official classifications of breeds. In dictionaries, a "race" horse is defined as belonging to the breed of thoroughbred horses and having excellent running qualities. There are only three purebred breeds in the world. One of them is called the "English racehorse". But, as a rule, race horses are usually called not only representatives of these three breeds, but in general all horses of riding breeds intended for competitions.
Horse racing and equestrianism
The oldest stud farm in England was founded by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. The business was continued by his successors. In the 17th century, it became fashionable among the English aristocracy to breed horses for sporting events. It should be noted that in the modern sense, "horses" and "equestrian sport" are somewhat different things. Races are understood as testing horses for suitability for further breeding. The main thing that is required of a horse in racing is speed. Race distances are short.
Another thing is equestriansport. Relatively new breeds of racehorses (for example, the Don), originally intended for use in the army, have proven themselves well in sports, in various games and competitions that involve the interaction of a horse and a rider. There are many types of equestrian sports. It is included in the program of the Olympic Games.
A racehorse: features of the exterior and behavior
Of course, agility is expected from such a horse in the first place. However, a spectacular appearance is an integral feature of a thoroughbred stallion or mare. Sports horses are stately, with long sinewy and muscular legs. Their heads are small and their bodies are elongated. These animals look fit and dry. They should have ease of step, endurance, energy. The nature of the horse is also important, its readiness to interact with a person. It happens that a racehorse is reckless and full of energy, but the choleric temperament prevents her from succeeding.
Indeed, not every sports horse is given at least once in a lifetime to take a prize. Horses that do not excel in competitions are nevertheless able to serve to improve other breeds or breed new ones, passing on to their offspring certain traits that breeders are interested in.
The oldest riding breed: Akhal-Teke
Ahal-Teke horses are the most ancient racehorses. The breeds of horses in those distant times, when these horses became famous, did not yet exist as such - more precisely, they did not have names. But ancient authors (for example, Herodotus and Appian) already knew about the Akhal-Teke. Thesehorses used to be called Persian, Turkish, Turkmen. They were confused with the more popular Arabic ones. The breed was rediscovered only in the 19th century, and then it got its name: in honor of the Turkmen oasis, the inhabitants of which kept the blood of these animals clean for centuries.
The goal of the Central Asian nomads was to breed a war horse: hardy, strong, able to manage with a small amount of water. Akhal-Tekes are relatively tall for riding horses, narrow-chested, have a small head, a graceful straight neck. Their tail and mane are sparse, the coat is short and has a characteristic metallic sheen. Vessels are visible through the skin. Their legs and back are long, their physique is dry. The step of the Akhal-Teke horses is smooth, so it is convenient to ride them. But these horses are distinguished by a complex character: they recognize only one owner, are easily excitable and vindictive. Not everyone can handle them.
Not without the participation of these Turkmen horses, new breeds of racehorses were bred: for example, English and Don. Yes, and Arabian horses, most likely, carry the blood of Akhal-Teke in their veins.
Most famous breed: Arabian
The formation of the breed began on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula in the 4th-7th centuries AD. e. The progenitors of these horses are Central Asian (ancestors of the Akhal-Teke) and North African horses of nomadic Berbers. The Arabs were very zealous about the purity of blood. They created a set of rules according to which a strict selection of producers was carried out. It was customary to conduct a pedigree according tofemale line. It was forbidden to sell mares, they were highly valued.
Arab horses are small, graceful, dry, but with a soft back. They have well-set arched necks and small heads. The skull of the Arabian horse is noticeably arched, the forehead is wide, and the muzzle is narrow. The tail is set high. "Arabs" are distinguished by athleticism, playfulness, refined exterior and perfection of movements. These horses have had an impact on world horse breeding: almost all breeds of racehorses that now exist in Europe and America have Arabian ancestors. In modern equestrian sport, however, Arabian horses do not shine: larger rivals overtake them. But these horses began to be bred for exhibition purposes.
Throughbred - "bred to perfection"
At first this breed was called "English race". Later, it began to be cultivated all over the world, and a new name arose - "thoroughbred riding breed of horses." Her progenitors are royal mares from the English royal stables and Arabian and Akhal-Teke stallions captured or bought in the east. This breed was bred in the 18th century exclusively for sporting purposes. Only horses that regularly showed high results in the races were allowed to procreate. All conditions were created for the animals; they were trained by experienced specialists. And here is the result: the English racehorse is the fastest horse in the world.
She is larger, more proportionate and "simpler" than her ancestors, has a neck of medium length,small head and straight muzzle. These horses are bold, impetuous, but not as nervous as their eastern forefathers. Today it is the most numerous breed of sports horses.
Other breeds of racehorses
With the help of the "English" new breeds of both riding and riding-draft horses were obtained: Hanoverian, Orlovo-Rostopchinskaya, Terek, Trakehner, Ukrainian and many others. In the photo below - a horse of the Budennovskaya breed, bred for the needs of the army.
As a result of crossing English stallions with mares of local breeds, hardy and relatively calm racehorses were born. Breeds of horses, created on the basis of the genetic material of three "pure" breeds, partly surpassed their ancestors: some in strength, others in speed, and still others in quick wit.
