Terminology

Table of Contents
Terms Related to Breeds
Terms Related to Breeding
Terms Applied to Horses and Ponies

Terms Related to Breeds

Breed

The term breed is used to describe a group of animals which share distinctive inherited characteristics. Each breed has common ancestors and therefore, is of similar genetic makeup. There are both natural and artificial breeds. Natural breeds have evolved through natural selection and due to their environment have developed characteristics necessary for their survival. Artificial breeds have been developed by man through a process of selection and cross breeding to create breeds for specific purposes.

Breed societies regulate the breeding process and keep the studbook. In order to be officially recognized as a particular breed, a horse must be recorded in the stud book, or must have the necessary qualifications to be so registered. If these qualifications are not met, the animal may be referred to as ‘of the type’ of that particular breed.

Studbook

A book kept by a breed society in which the pedigrees of stock eligible for entry are recorded. The society has requirements in respect to size, conformation, colour, sometimes action, etc. that need to be exhibited before the animal can be recognized as that particular breed.

There are two types of stud books:

Open - allows a horse from different registered breeds to be eligible for the particular breed provided it meets the requirements

Closed - allows a horse to be registered if both its parents are registered and therefore keeps the breed much purer

Pedigree

Details of ancestry recorded in the studbook.

Purebred

Horse of any breed of pure pedigree blood.

Blood Types

Hot - fine boned, fast, fiery temperament, resistant to extreme heat, thin skin and coat, originated in desert climates (e.g. Arab, Akhal-Teke)

Cold - big strong bodied horses, calm and docile disposition, originated in northern Europe (e.g. Suffolk Punch, Shire)

Warm - a mixture of the other two - of European origin; heavier than a Thoroughbred, but lighter than a heavy horse. Although not a pure breed, stud registers exists - mostly in Continental Europe but also in the U.K., the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and their purpose to encourage selective breeding of competition horses, particularly for dressage, show jumping and driving (e.g. Trakehner, Danish Warmblood).

Blood Horse

A horse of Thoroughbred and/or Arab blood.

Half-bred

One parent is a Thoroughbred.

Anglo-Arab

A cross between a pure Arabian and a Thoroughbred.

Cross

A cross between two purebred parents of different breeds.

Part-bred

A cross between one purebred parent and one which is not purebred.

Type

A horse of a particular, recognizable type which is not a formal breed. The term is also used to describe an animal of a specific breed which is a good example of that breed.

The following are examples of types of horses not breeds:

• Cobs
• Hacks
• Hunters
• Polo ponies
• Riding Pony

Light Horse

A general term usually referring to horses bred for riding.

Heavy/Draft Horse

A horse of large, muscular build, often tall, very strong, and best suited for heavy transportation, agriculture or forestry work.

Terms Related to Breeding

Broodmare

A mare used for breeding.

Cover

The mating process between a mare and a stallion - “a mare goes to stud to be covered by a stallion”.

In Heat / In Season

A mare in her oestrus cycle and likely to be receptive to a stallion.

Stud

A breeding establishment or a stallion.

Inbreeding

Mating of brother-sister, sire-daughter, son-dam, to fix or accentuate a particular characteristic.

Line Breeding

Mating of individuals with a common ancestor some generations removed, with the purpose of accentuating particular features.

Terms Applied to Horses and Ponies

Horse or Pony

The difference between a horse and pony is more than just height. It depends on whether the animal is of a ‘horse’ or ‘pony’ type. Consideration must also be given to conformation and characteristics. Generally, horses measure 14.2 hh and over while ponies measure 14.2 hh and under.

Horse

a) The general term for an equine animal, whether it be a stallion, mare, or gelding.
b) A stallion or uncastrated horse.

Pony

A horse not exceeding 14.2 hh at maturity and of the ‘pony’ type.

Ponies have distinctive characteristics:

• deeper through the body in relation to their height
• more stocky build
• often rounded withers
• short strong back
• mostly short in leg
• cannon bone, in particular, short and dense
• sturdiness of build
• able to carry considerable weight compared to their size
• distinctive head - wide through forehead with a tapering muzzle
• small alert ears
• in winter, has exceptionally long coat
• most have thick protective mane and tail
• singularly sure-footed
• highly developed sense of self preservation
• often appear to have more personality than many horses
• tend to have a higher knee action than a horse
• generally have a placid temperament which makes them suitable for children
• highly adaptable - driving, riding, pulling

Foal

From birth to 12 months of age.

Yearling

In the year after birth.

Two-year-old

In the second year after birth.

Colt

An uncastrated male horse up to three years of age.

Colt Foal

An uncastrated male horse to the age of 12 months.

Entire or Stallion

An uncastrated male of over three years with both testicles descended.

Rig (Cryptorchid)

A horse with undescended testicle(s) capable of mating and reproducing. They are often sold incorrectly as geldings but they are not and they can prove dangerous in inexperienced hands.

Gelding

A castrated male of any age - unable to reproduce.

Sire

Horse’s male parent.

Grand-sire

Horse’s male grandparent

Filly

A young female up to three years.

Filly Foal

A female horse to the age of 12 months.

Mare

A female over three years of age.

Dam

Horse’s female parent.

Grand-dam

Horse’s female grandparent.

Aged

A horse that is 15 years old or older.

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