TheEquine : "Each year, the APHA hosts four major events - a workshop held in June, the World Championship Paint Horse Show, the Fort Robinson Trail Ride and the APHA Convention and Membership meeting.
Today, the APHA is the world's fastest growing and second largest equine breed in number of horses registered annually.
With more than 75,000 members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 32 foreign countries, the APHA is always trying to find new ways to enhance the Paint Horse ownership experience. By developing new programs and improving on those already existing, the association strives to encourage more of the Paint Horse breed's 200,000+ owners to become actively involved in APHA events and programs."
Sunday, July 8, 2007
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "Not satisfied with a breed based entirely on coat patterns, the founders of the APHA set strict standards for conformation, athletic ability and performance, as well as demanding intelligence, a calm temperament and a willing disposition.
To be eligible for registry with APHA, horses must come from stock registered with one of three recognized organizations: the APHA, the AQHA and the Jockey Club (US Thoroughbred Registry). Solid-coloured horses with Paint Horse bloodlines are included in the APHA registry as Breeding Stock. However, the association maintains minimum colour requirements for registration in the Regular Registry."
To be eligible for registry with APHA, horses must come from stock registered with one of three recognized organizations: the APHA, the AQHA and the Jockey Club (US Thoroughbred Registry). Solid-coloured horses with Paint Horse bloodlines are included in the APHA registry as Breeding Stock. However, the association maintains minimum colour requirements for registration in the Regular Registry."
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "An American Paint Horse is an intelligent, stock-type horse that is built for quickness, speed, agility and dexterity. These qualities, plus a willing attitude, make the Paint Horse ideal for pleasure riding, ranch work, rodeoing, racing and showing-plus, they're a perfect mount for children and novice horsemen and women.
Strong-boned and well-balanced, Paint Horses also exhibit just the right amount of refinement and beauty, especially about the head and neck. Differentiated from other stock-type breeds by their colourful coats, Paint Horses have unique coat patterns, making each horse a one-of-a-kind original.
The American Paint Horse Association sprang from the efforts of like-minded horsemen and women who loved the ability and speed of the Western 'stock' type horse, but who also appreciated the extra eye appeal of the American Paint.
In the early 1960s, two groups formed to preserve the Paint Horse's heritage: the American Paint Quarter Horse Association (APQHA), founded in 1961, and the American Paint Stock Horse Association (APSHA) founded in 1962 by Rebecca Tyler Lockhart. In 1965, the two organizations united to become the American Paint Horse Association (APHA)."
Strong-boned and well-balanced, Paint Horses also exhibit just the right amount of refinement and beauty, especially about the head and neck. Differentiated from other stock-type breeds by their colourful coats, Paint Horses have unique coat patterns, making each horse a one-of-a-kind original.
The American Paint Horse Association sprang from the efforts of like-minded horsemen and women who loved the ability and speed of the Western 'stock' type horse, but who also appreciated the extra eye appeal of the American Paint.
In the early 1960s, two groups formed to preserve the Paint Horse's heritage: the American Paint Quarter Horse Association (APQHA), founded in 1961, and the American Paint Stock Horse Association (APSHA) founded in 1962 by Rebecca Tyler Lockhart. In 1965, the two organizations united to become the American Paint Horse Association (APHA)."
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "Built with a distinct stock-type conformation, American Paint Horses are widely known for their unique coat patterns, which are essential to the identity of the breed.
For registration and breeding purposes, Paint Horses are categorized by their individual coat pattern, which can be tobiano, overo or tovero.
The tobiano pattern is distinguished by oval or round spots that extend down the neck and chest. White will often cross the horse's back between its withers and tail. The tobiano's head markings may be completely solid, or have a blaze, strip, star or snip. Generally, their legs are white, at least below the knees and hocks, and their tail is often two colours.
The overo pattern may be predominantly dark or white. Typically, the white will not cross the back of the horse between its withers and tail. Overos often have bold white head markings, such as a bald face. Generally, an overo's body markings will be irregular and scattered, and one or all four legs will be dark. Their tail is usually one colour.
Because not all coat patterns fit neatly into these two categories, the American Paint Horse Association expanded its classifications to include the tovero pattern to describe horses that have characteristics of both the tobiano and overo patterns."
For registration and breeding purposes, Paint Horses are categorized by their individual coat pattern, which can be tobiano, overo or tovero.
The tobiano pattern is distinguished by oval or round spots that extend down the neck and chest. White will often cross the horse's back between its withers and tail. The tobiano's head markings may be completely solid, or have a blaze, strip, star or snip. Generally, their legs are white, at least below the knees and hocks, and their tail is often two colours.
The overo pattern may be predominantly dark or white. Typically, the white will not cross the back of the horse between its withers and tail. Overos often have bold white head markings, such as a bald face. Generally, an overo's body markings will be irregular and scattered, and one or all four legs will be dark. Their tail is usually one colour.
Because not all coat patterns fit neatly into these two categories, the American Paint Horse Association expanded its classifications to include the tovero pattern to describe horses that have characteristics of both the tobiano and overo patterns."
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "The record of Trakehners in competition is impressive. The Trakehners won every medal for the German Olympic team in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. In recent years horses such as Abdullah who carried Conrad Homfeld to win a team Gold and individual silver medal for USA at the 1984 Olympics and Goldkorn by Istanbul winner of the Danish Show Jumping Derby in 1989 under Hugo Simon. The famous dressage rider Reiner Klimke has ridden many Trakehners to Grand Prix level including the famous Fabian and there are numerous successful Partbred horses with Trakehner blood including the famous show jumper Milton. Trakehners today have won Olympic medals for all disciplines Dressage, Eventing and Showjumping as well as winning Long Distance Riding and Driving events. Trakehners show more stamina than other warmbloods and have done well in the Eventing world (particularly when crossed with the Thoroughbred). The British Trakehner Stallion Fleetwater Opposition by Muschamp Danube (Standing in the UK) was Junior European Three-Day-Event Champion before retiring to stud. Utopian Opposition is competing Grade A Showjumping and Summersong is an Olympic Eventer. The Individual Gold medal for Eventing at the Barcelona Olympics was won by a Trakehner. Karen Bassett is the World’s leading lady team driver with her team of Trakehner horses. The famous mare Corna by Illuster (now standing in the UK) was the Champion Riding Horse of all breeds in West Germany in 1985. Recent Olympic Dressage stars include TCN Partout ridden by Anky van Grunsven and Merlin TSF under Caroline Hatlapa. There are mentions of winning Trakehners in Horse & Hound nearly every week now, as they become more widely established in Britain, particularly in the Dressage scene"
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "All Trakehner breeding stock have to undergo rigorous grading methods to maintain the high standards and only foals from graded parents on both sides are eligible for 'Pink Papers' and the Trakehner Brand. 3 year old mares and the top selected 2 year old colts are inspected by a panel of judges and given marks for Breed Type, body, limbs and feet, walk/trot/canter and overall impression. The standards required for stallions to grade are very high and from all colts born, only 1 - 4% are likely to succeed as ‘Graded Trakehner Stallions’ worldwide. In Germany, after a 2 year old colt had been accepted, he is required before the age of 4 to undergo a 100 day performance test, where he will have to achieve a minimum level in all disciplines. The performance testing is compulsory for Stallions and optional for mares. In the UK a similar grading process is carried out annually in September, when two representatives from the German Trakehner Verband join the judging panel. In the UK there are no stallion testing stations to carry out the 100 day performance testing, therefore it takes place over a two day assessment, following training and preparation at home. Points are awarded for different disciplines including Dressage, Jumping, Cross Country, Paces, other factors such as temperament, attitude and ability to perform are also taken into consideration. As the only Breed Society to have organised a Stallion Performance testing in UK, the TBF have now made this open to other breeds in order to test the performance ability of Stallions standing in the UK and it is now run by NASTA."
TheEquine |
TheEquine : "The East Prussians headed west, literally running for their lives. They could not stop when mares lost their foals or horses went lame or became ill. Their feed ran out and the horses had to live on what they could scavenge along the way. For two and a half months and 600 miles the nightmare continued, while the refugees were constantly pursued by Soviet troops. At one time it looked like the East Prussians had reached the end. The Soviets had them surrounded on the shores of the frozen Baltic Sea. The only escape was across the treacherous expanse of ice, so across they went - at times knee deep in water covering the ice - galloping to stay ahead of the ice breaking behind them. If any dared to stop or attempt to dodge the fire of the Russian planes overhead, they were doomed to sink helplessly into the freezing water. Many did not make it across.
At last the survivors limped into West Germany, the once proud and beautiful 800 horses reduced to less than 100 pitiful skeletons, carrying wounds from shrapnel. Only the hardiest had survived. The next decade was spent re-establishing the breed in the West. In October 1947, the West German Association of Breeders and Friends of the Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin, today know as the 'Trakehner Verband' was formed, replacing the East Prussian Stud Book Society."
At last the survivors limped into West Germany, the once proud and beautiful 800 horses reduced to less than 100 pitiful skeletons, carrying wounds from shrapnel. Only the hardiest had survived. The next decade was spent re-establishing the breed in the West. In October 1947, the West German Association of Breeders and Friends of the Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin, today know as the 'Trakehner Verband' was formed, replacing the East Prussian Stud Book Society."
TheEquine |
TheEquine |: "History was to deal the Trakehner a nearly fatal blow. The breed had easily recovered from the population being halved during World War I, but in October 1944, as World War II was in its final stages and the Soviets were closing in on the lush and beautiful area around Trakehnen, orders came to evacuate the horses from the Trakehnen Stud. About 800 of the best horses were hastily transferred both by rail and by foot but unfortunately they did not go far enough west. Most of them, together with all their documentation, eventually fell into the hands of the Russian occupation forces and were shipped to Russia. The private breeders and their horses, however, were determined to save their valuable horses. What followed was a horror story that went down in history as 'The Trek'. Hitching their precious breeding stock to wagons laden with personal possessions and all the feed they could carry, these proud East Prussians fled, some 800 horses strong. They were mostly women, children and elderly people and they were leaving their whole lives, bringing along only what their wagons could hold. It was the dead of winter. Snow was deep on the ground, and the broodmares were heavy with foal. Many horses were left behind to be claimed by the advancing Soviets and many were lost or let loose along the way to be eventually taken in by the conquering troops or to die."
TheEquine |
TheEquine |: "The Trakehner horse is the most important and outstanding of all warmblood breeds, renowned for their grace, power, magnificent movement, outstanding beauty, great ability to perform, they are naturally balanced and free. Best of all, they have an ideal temperament - keen and alert, yet level-headed and able to take intense work. They have a willingness to work and due to their intelligence they learn extremely quickly. The Trakehner, is the warmblood closest to the British ideal of the modern competition and riding horse, whose upgrading influence of bloodlines is evident in most of the continental sports breeds today. The popularity of this breed in Britain is growing at an astounding rate. The breed height ranges from a minimum of 15.2hh but the average is between 16hh and 17hh. They are usually solid colours, chestnut, bay, black or grey.
The Trakehner is the 'Thoroughbred' of warmblood breeds, it is more closely related to the Thoroughbred than other German breeds having had major influence in the stud book from the English Thoroughbred and to a lesser degree the Arab and Anglo Arab. Due to selective breeding the Trakehner has retained the best thoroughbred qualities while keeping its own special character and 'type'.
Before German unification in 1871, Germany was made up of a number of different states and locally organised breeding areas. As a result horses bred in the area of Hanover became known as 'Hanoverian' and a horse born in Westphalia became a 'Westphalian'. However the Trakehner is the exception to this breed naming rule, as they are known as Trakehners wherever they are born, the stud book is governed solely by bloodlines. In fact Trakehner stallions were and still are widely used to improve and refine all the regional breeds."
The Trakehner is the 'Thoroughbred' of warmblood breeds, it is more closely related to the Thoroughbred than other German breeds having had major influence in the stud book from the English Thoroughbred and to a lesser degree the Arab and Anglo Arab. Due to selective breeding the Trakehner has retained the best thoroughbred qualities while keeping its own special character and 'type'.
Before German unification in 1871, Germany was made up of a number of different states and locally organised breeding areas. As a result horses bred in the area of Hanover became known as 'Hanoverian' and a horse born in Westphalia became a 'Westphalian'. However the Trakehner is the exception to this breed naming rule, as they are known as Trakehners wherever they are born, the stud book is governed solely by bloodlines. In fact Trakehner stallions were and still are widely used to improve and refine all the regional breeds."
TheEquine |
TheEquine |: "Age, health and the state of your horse’s teeth are important considerations when assessing condition and seasonal fluctuations in grass quality will also affect his condition. This year, with such wet conditions many events and competitions have been cancelled due to heavy going, and so many competition horses are not in work as much as they usually are.
If you are concerned that your horse is in danger of becoming too fat, take action before health and fitness problems develop. Consider restricting his grazing, either by stabling him for part of the day or just putting him out at night, or using electric fencing to control the grazing area he has access to. Maintaining a fitness training programme to compensate for the extra calories he is consuming will also help. "
If you are concerned that your horse is in danger of becoming too fat, take action before health and fitness problems develop. Consider restricting his grazing, either by stabling him for part of the day or just putting him out at night, or using electric fencing to control the grazing area he has access to. Maintaining a fitness training programme to compensate for the extra calories he is consuming will also help. "
TheEquine |
TheEquine |: "Evolution has produced an animal that is deigned to store food in good times for periods of scarcity and live off its fat reserves during times of famine. In the UK however the winters are unlikely to be as bad or prolonged for this to be necessary. Obesity in domestic horses is not a good idea as it means the animal is carrying extra weight, making it less fit and able to do the job we want it to do, whether that is hacking, jumping or driving.
The most common problems resulting as a consequence of obesity include
Laminitis (it should be noted however, that sudden changes in intake can also cause laminitis, so a thin horse gorging on fresh grass could also be at risk).
Hyperlipaemia – a serious condition, in which the liver become so full of fat it stops working.
Joint problems and premature arthritis
Colic
Less agility
More proneness to heat stress
Decreased reproductive efficiency
A horse in good condition should have:
A firm neck without a crest
Ribs that are covered but can still be felt
A backbone that feels knobbly, but does not have a crease
A rounded rump, but you should still be able to feel the pelvic bones."
The most common problems resulting as a consequence of obesity include
Laminitis (it should be noted however, that sudden changes in intake can also cause laminitis, so a thin horse gorging on fresh grass could also be at risk).
Hyperlipaemia – a serious condition, in which the liver become so full of fat it stops working.
Joint problems and premature arthritis
Colic
Less agility
More proneness to heat stress
Decreased reproductive efficiency
A horse in good condition should have:
A firm neck without a crest
Ribs that are covered but can still be felt
A backbone that feels knobbly, but does not have a crease
A rounded rump, but you should still be able to feel the pelvic bones."
TheEquine |
TheEquine |: "With so much rain falling on the fields this summer, Britain’s green and luscious land is looking greener than ever and the grass is growing so fast you can almost see it shooting up as you stand and watch it. Left to their own devices many horses, with unlimited access to the temptations of fresh grass, will spend as much time as they possibly can eating it, which can result in obesity and other health related problems.
In some ways over-eating is considered to be a natural phenomenon. Studies of wild equids, such as the zebra shows that in the summer they graze continually, munching every last blade of grass that they can find so that their stomachs swell and they become extremely obese. Then, as winter approaches and there is less grass for them to eat their condition drops dramatically. Weaker zebras, that are unable to cope with these changes, die whilst the fittest survive and breed. "
In some ways over-eating is considered to be a natural phenomenon. Studies of wild equids, such as the zebra shows that in the summer they graze continually, munching every last blade of grass that they can find so that their stomachs swell and they become extremely obese. Then, as winter approaches and there is less grass for them to eat their condition drops dramatically. Weaker zebras, that are unable to cope with these changes, die whilst the fittest survive and breed. "
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