Standardbred horse 219958 222419604 2008-06-29T06:57:22Z Montanabw 1179460 revert link to video game <!-- Begin Infobox Horse. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: --> <!-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template talk:Infobox Horse --> <!-- for full explanation of the syntax used in this template. --> {{Infobox Horse |name= Standardbred |image=Trabrennbahn-1.jpg |image_caption=The Standardbred is best known as a harness racing breed. |features = Well-muscled, long body, slightly heavier than a Thoroughbred, solid legs and powerful shoulders and hindquarters. Able to trot or pace at speed for racing. |altname= Trotter<br> Pacer <br> |nickname= |country= USA |group1= |std1= |note= |}} <!-- End Infobox Horse info. Article Begins Here --> '''Standardbreds''' are a [[list of horse breeds|breed]] of [[horse]] best known for their ability to race in [[harness]] at a [[trot (horse gait)|trot]] or [[horse gait#pace|pace]] instead of under saddle at a [[gallop]]. Developed in [[North America]], the breed is now recognized worldwide for its [[harness racing]] ability. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions that are also used under saddle for a variety of [[equestrianism|equestrian]] activities, particularly in the [[Midwest]] and eastern [[United States]]. ==Breed History== In the 17th century, the first trotting races were held in the Americas, usually in fields on horses under saddle. However, by the mid-18th century, trotting races were held on official courses, with the horses in [[harness]]. Breeds that have contributed foundation stock to the Standardbred breed included the [[Narragansett Pacer]] and the [[Canadian Pacer]], English [[Thoroughbred]]s, [[Norfolk Trotter]], the [[Hackney (horse)|Hackney]], and the [[Morgan horse|Morgan]]. Breeders selected bloodlines that would produce the fastest horses, with one of the most notable sires being the gray English [[Thoroughbred]] stallion [[Messenger (horse)|Messenger]], who was exported to the United States in [[1788]]. He produced both runners and trotters. [[Image:Hambletonian10.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hambletonian 10.]] Messenger's descendant, the legendary [[Hambletonian 10]], also known as Rydysk's Hambletonian, was born in 1849. He was sold, his owners thinking he was worthless, but later became one of the most prolific sires of Standardbreds, today with nearly every trotter or pacer tracing its lineage back to him. The name "Standardbred" was first used in 1879, due to the fact that, in order to be registered, every Standardbred had to be able to trot a mile within the "standard" of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Today, many Standardbreds race much faster than this original standard, with several pacing the mile within 1 minute, 50 seconds, and trotters only a few seconds slower than pacers. Slightly different bloodlines are found in trotters than pacers, though both can trace their heritage back to Hambletonian. The [[breed registry|stud book]] was formed in 1939, with the formation of the United States Trotting Horse Association. ==Breed Characteristics== [[Image:Kevin Tornado Zlosyn 2005.jpg|right|thumb|A Standardbred is a bit heavier in build than a Thoroughbred, but still shows quality and refinement]] Standardbreds tend to be more muscled and longer bodied than the American [[Thoroughbred]]. They also are of more placid dispositions, as suits horses whose races involve more strategy and more changes of speed than do [[Thoroughbred]] races. Standardbreds are considered people-oriented, easy-to-train horses. They are generally a bit heavier in build than their Thoroughbred cousins, but have refined, solid legs and powerful shoulders and hindquarters. Standardbreds have a wide range of height, from 14.1 to 17 [[hand (unit)|hands]] (57"-66"), and most often are [[bay (horse)|bay]] or the darker variation of bay called "brown," although other [[equine coat color|colors]] are not uncommon. There are two basic types, trotters and pacers. As the name suggests, the trotter's preferred racing [[horse gait|gait]] is the [[trot (horse gait)|trot]], where the horses' legs move in diagonal pairs, when the right foreleg moves forward so does the left hind leg, and vice versa. The [[horse gait#pace|pace]] is a two beat lateral gait; Pacers' forelegs move in unison with the hind legs on the same side. However, the breed also is able to perform all other [[horse gait]]s, including the [[canter]], and pacers can be retrained to trot. ==Uses== Standardbreds are known for their skill in harness racing, being the fastest trotting horse in the world. Because of their speed, Standardbreds are often used to upgrade other breeds of harness racers around the world, such as the [[Orlov Trotter]] and [[French Trotter]]. In [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]], races are held for both trotters and pacers. In continental [[Europe]], all harness races are conducted between trotters. [[Image:Lancaster County Amish 03.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Standardbred is also seen off the track, here, pulling a buggy for the Amish]] Major races for North American trotters include the Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-olds, and the [[World Trotting Derby]], [[Yonkers Trot]], [[Hambletonian]], and [[Kentucky Futurity]] for 3-year-olds. The Hambletonian is sometimes referred to as the "Kentucky Derby of Harness Racing." The [[Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters|Trotting Triple Crown]] is made up of the Yonkers Trot, Hambletonian, and Kentucky Futurity. Some of the major pacing races in North America include the Woodrow Wilson and Metro Stake for 2-year-olds, and the [[Little Brown Jug (horse racing)|Little Brown Jug]], [[Meadowlands Pace]], [[North America Cup]] and the [[Adios Pace]] for 3-year-olds. The Little Brown Jug, the [[Messenger Stakes]], and the [[Cane Pace]] comprise the [[Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers|Pacing Triple Crown]]. Standardbreds are also used in [[horse show]]s and for pleasure riding. They are also popular as light buggy horses for the [[Amish]] people, who eshew motorized vehicles. Many retired Standardbreds find a second career off the track with the help of various dedicated organizations, such as the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization. The breed is quite good at jumping, making them suitable for the [[sport horse]] disciplines of [[hunt seat]], [[show jumping]], [[show hunter]] and [[eventing]]. The breed is also seen in [[dressage]], and their excellent temperaments make them good [[trail riding]] and [[ranch]] horses. In addition, because of the genetics of the breed, they can also be encouraged and trained to perform smooth [[ambling]] gaits, such as the rack and the stepping pace. ==References== {{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}} ==External links== {{commons|Standardbred horse|Standardbred horse}} *[http://www.4thehorses.com/ American Standardbred Adoption Program] *[http://www.ustrotting.com/ United States Trotting Association] *[http://www.ustrotting.com/sep/sep.cfm/ USTA versatility program] *[http://www.harness.org.au/ Australia Harness Racing] {{Equidae}} [[Category:Horse breeds]] [[Category:Animal breeds originating in the United States]] [[de:American Standardbred]] [[et:Traavel]] [[ja:スタンダードブレッド]] [[ru:Стандартбредная лошадь]] [[fi:Amerikanravuri]]