Good Western Racing Horses
32822
Home & Family > Pets and Animals
May 23, 2007
jimmycox
Good Western Racing Horses
Whenever the term "Western horse" is used, most people picture a rough-and-tumble rodeo - an event full of color but so full of danger, too, that no youngster would be permitted to enter the regular events. What few people realize is that many small, country horse shows have classes open to Western horses. The wide range of these local shows gives them their importance to the show world, and if you own a Western horse, you should pay attention so you'll know about the shows in time to enter your horse. In case you strongly prefer western riding, you don't have to worry about being left out of the fun - or change your style simply because you thought all horse shows were exclusively for English riders. "Well," you may be thinking, "all I have to do, then, is to pick out the kind of horse I want and then use a western saddle and bridle on him. That's just fine." But it isn't quite as simple as that! You wouldn't advise a person about to go on a hunt to use an American saddle horse on the chase. You'd suggest he use a thoroughbred - or a horse with thoroughbred characteristics. The same standards of suitability hold true if you're picking out a Western horse for yourself. Suppose that, during your excursions to find a horse, a big, long-limbed thoroughbred strikes you as a handsome animal - one you'd like to own. After all, you reason, he has speed, courage, stamina - just right for a Western horse. Strictly in terms of breeds, the Morgan and the Arabian offer good Western horse prospects. Both are small horses and have plenty of strength and endurance. The Morgan is compact and therefore good at making fast turns, stops and starts. The Arabian is traditionally a desert horse and so is capable of working on little food and foraging for himself. Also, he has a perfect canter. However good Morgans and Arabians may be, an important western breed we haven't yet talked about is the quarter horse. Every Westerner will boast of the qualities of this breed, but the fact is that the quarter horse had his beginnings in the East - in Virginia. In the late 1600's, Virginia gentlemen enjoyed racing their stock but there were no big race tracks available. They would use stretches of road near the towns - the road lap usually being about a quarter of a mile long. The distance became standardized and men began to breed horses especially for these quarter-mile races. Usually the breeder combined imported English horses either with the speedy little runners developed by the Chickasaw Indians or with a Rhode Island variety which had come down from New England and competed successfully against earlier Virginia horses. Then a horse named Janus, an English racer with thoroughbred bloodlines, was imported and began to transmit his characteristics to all his offspring. In time, the entire breed was influenced by the speed and power he passed on to his foals, and, as sprinters, Quarter horses became unbeatable. Then, when racetracks were built, the Easterners gave up the quarter Horse in favor of thoroughbred racing on longer tracks. But ranchers and cowboys soon discovered that the compactness of the quarter horse enabled him to turn quickly and stop short. In fact, many people who want a Western horse get a quarter horse. Western horses come in all shapes and sizes, you just need to find the one that's right for you.
Horse Lovers: Discover Everything You've Always Wanted To Know From Pony Saddles To Horse Shoes!
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.ponysaddle.net/ send email to jimmycox
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.ponysaddle.net/ send email to jimmycox
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Marriage is an institution as old as the human race itself. It started in the Garden of Eden with our first parents. God blessed Adam and Eve: "Increase and multiply and fill the earth" (Gen. 1:28).
Category:
How many times have you heard people say that horses are stupid, unable to reason, and extremely selfish? But who stops to take the trouble to find out what really makes a horse tick? Admitted, there are stupid horses just as there are stupid people, but
Category:
As soon as you begin to go out, you will face the question of how often and how late you should date. Such questions as the following are asked by high school and college boys and girls in both large and small communities everywhere.
Category:
Once you have decided to learn how to ski you must turn your attention to the most important matter for beginners, advanced pupils and big shots alike - the equipment.
Category:
Calligrapher Edward Johnston contributed a lot to the modern world of calligraphy. Looking back through the ages it can be seen that calligraphy has played an important part in the development of civilization, and that it has manifested itself in many way
Category:
Volleyball has the potential for so much spirit and fun and it's just a matter of knowing how to incorporate these things into the game in order to take your volleyball experience to the next level.
Category:
These steps in this article is the usual route taken by a song to become well-known and possibly a hit. Once you know what happens, it will be time to launch your own!
Category:
There are quite a few factors, in addition to natural ability, that are required for a successful songwriter and Writing a hit song can be a daunting project for the new songwriter but if you understand the basics you can then use these tips to help creat
Category:
Tennis has origins beyond the typically imagined. This article will help you to understand just how tennis came around and will increase your love for this game.
Category:
More newcomers to model railroading are discouraged by the thought of making scenery than by any other aspect of the hobby. They will tackle carpentry, wiring, and complicated layouts even if they've had no experience before, and will operate a complex pi
Category:
These days, nothing is more fun - nor more socially acceptable than - "messing about in the kitchen."
Category:
North, South, East or West - no matter where you live - there are evergreens for every garden. The luxuriance of their foliage, the different shades of green, their variety of forms, textures, and heights contribute lavishly to the planting design.
Category:
Before anything else in bowling, the basics of correct fit of the ball and correct footwear must be attended to.
Category:
The cave woman of prehistoric times used a fishbone with a hole in it for a needle, and a tough animal sinew for thread. In like fashion, modern women can sew with only a needle and thread.
Category:
The history of dog breeding is a large subject, and to deal with each separate breed would entail a volume in itself. Here I shall give only a brief outline of the history of research in genetics.
Category:
Graphoanalysis has given me one reward that cannot be measured in dollars and cents, or for that matter, in any other way I can describe. It has given me the ability to know people. All kinds of people.
Category:
Fondant and cream candies are simple and delicious candies which can be made perfectly after a little practice. This article provides recipes to make the perfect little treat for any occasion.
Category:
Beginners learning how to make pottery and sculpture in clay, will need a minimum of tools. Those basic tools required are outlined below.
Category:
There is probably nothing that discourages a home handyman faster than being unable to find a specific tool quickly when it is needed.
Category:
Everyone loves candy and what better way to brighten up the holidays than make your very own candy. Follow the recipes in this article and you're on your way to spreading holiday cheer with some delicious sweets.
Category:
Other links at Home & Family > Pets and Animals
It is only natural for children to love animals and the pet that enters their home is loved by everyone.
Category:
One of the major issues that affect owners of Pomeranians is the Pomeranian health issue because they have a tendency to acquire a few different health problems...
Category:
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a energetic, playful always on the go barking dog. They can be quarrelsome and actually pick fights with other dogs, even larger ones.
Category:
Obedience training is not about being mean to your dog nor is it about abuse.
Category:
A lot of dogs are dealing with separation anxiety. If you are constantly leaving your dogs alone for more than 5 hours a day, then most likely your dogs are having separation anxiety problems. It will cause dog behavior problems like excessive barking, ju
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68228
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
