Thoroughbred Horse Information

Thoroughbred horses are known for their speed and strength. Their sleek bodies sail over jumps or turn fast corners while competing with intensity. Thoroughbreds are a very athletic breed of horse and many times get a bad reputation for an excitable spirit, but their attitude makes them a very competitive breed that excels in many equine disciplines.

  1. History

    • The thoroughbred horse originated in England from a cross between Turkish and Arabian horses. The cross was then imported around the world and other bloodlines were added to make the refined breed what it is today. A thoroughbred's pedigree can be traced back to one of three foundation sires, Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian or the Godolphin Arabian. The pedigrees are listed in the General Stud Book, where every thoroughbred must be listed to be shown professionally.

    Conformation

    • The thoroughbred horse has a long and lean build, with an elegant neck and long legs. They are generally over 16 hands high at the withers and weigh around 1,100 pounds. Their head is long, yet refined, with large, intelligent eyes that are not sunken in or bulging. Large nostrils allow for adequate air intake, as the horse runs long distances and expends energy. The thoroughbred's legs should be straight, with substance, fitting the horse's body size. It should also have a proportionally sized hoof.

    Speed

    • Thoroughbreds can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour for one mile. According to HorseHats.com, the thoroughbred can accomplish this by taking a single stride of 20 feet in length and up to 150 strides per minute. The only horse known to be faster than a thoroughbred is a quarter horse, but only over the distance of one quarter of a mile. The thoroughbred's speed is demonstrated best at the racetrack, where the horse is pushed to its limit by a jockey. One of the most popular thoroughbred racing events is the Kentucky Derby, where young, 3-year old thoroughbreds compete to capture the first jewel in the coveted Triple Crown title.

    Temperament

    • The thoroughbred's temperament is high-spirited, but controlled. The thoroughbred must have the desire to work, but many times has a bad reputation for being uncontrollable. Although the racehorse's temperament is bold and energetic, they can be trained by an experienced rider. The thoroughbred tends to be very sensitive and responsive, which is desirable for an experienced handler who can calm the horse's attitude and train the horse to their fullest potential.

    Abilities

    • Although thoroughbreds are well known for their success on the racetrack, they also excel in other riding disciplines. The off the track thoroughbred (OTTB) is generally a high-energy horse that requires exercise and patience to change careers. Many people enjoy turning OTTB horses into dressage mounts, where they excel with their long muscles and energetic attitudes. The OTTB thoroughbred can also be adopted as a family pet or used as a trail horse. It just takes extensive training to teach them to become suitable for different riders.