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In the late 1500s there was an influx of horses into the southern region of what would eventually become the United States. Some of these breeds would eventually mix, including the Barb and the Spanish Jennet, to produce the modern Florida Cracker. This horse has much in common with the mustang, but it was geographically isolated and so developed independently of other breeds, resulting in some distinct physical features.
Standing 13.2 to 15.2 hands high, the Florida Cracker isn`t the largest horse. Still, they make excellent riding horses for smaller riders and are particularly suited to teens and older children. Their heads are refined and their eyes are keen. The Florida Cracker can be found in any color (though solid colors are preferred) and may or may not be gaited. Gaited horses may have a variety of gaits, including trot, amble, the flatfoot walk, and running walk.
The Florida Cracker was originally ridden by southern cowboys called crackers for the sound of the whips they used when rounding up cattle. This name was eventually applied to the horses they rode, and the name stuck. The Florida Cracker was used in the deep south for roping cattle up until the 1930s when they were replaced by the American Quarter Horse. The Quarter Horse was more stout and better suited to the rigorous roping needed to administer the new screwworm medications to cattle, so the Florida Cracker began to fade away.
Luckily, horse enthusiasts are a stubborn lot. Efforts to preserve and revive the Florida Cracker continue today and their numbers are slowly increasing. The stamina of this breed makes it perfect for endurance racing and many traditional western ranching tasks. Today, the Florida Cracker Horse Association is charged with locating and promoting this beautiful breed.
The Fell Pony has it origins in ancient times. Its ancestors arrives in what is now Great Britain back during the ice age, crossing from the mainland by means of an ancient land bridge. Those ancient ponies moved around the Great Britain, eventually settling in the hills surrounding what would eventually become the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria, located in northwestern England. This environment helped shape those ancient ponies into the modern Fell Pony.
The name Fell comes from the Middle English term for hill, which was, not surprisingly, fell. So these ponies are named for the hills upon which they make their home. Today, there are approximately fifteen herds of Fell Ponies running wild in England, and these are far from the only Fell Ponies in existence. Children and even small adults can ride these ponies, but they really excel in combined driving. Their small stature makes them quick and nimble, two qualities that help them pull ahead in the cross-country phase of combined driving.
Standing only 12.2 to 14 hands high, this pony is small but powerful. Most Fell Ponies are black, but bay, brown, and even light grey are acceptable colors. White markings are acceptable, but these are usually confined to socks or a white star on the forehead. Because this pony has existed mostly free of human intervention, it tends to retain its more prehistoric characteristics. This includes a thick mane and tail, feathers on the legs, and a thick undercoat, all designed to help keep water away from the sensitive skin.
Moving with an easy gait, the Fell Pony is a beauty to watch. A concentrated effort is being made to ensure this doesn't change. Though many societies have risen up to protect and preserve this breed, The Fell Pony Society does more than most. It also handles the registration and export of ponies from the United Kingdom.
Of the nine breeds of horse native to Britain, the Exmoor Pony is the oldest and the one least effected by outside breeding. Despite its small stature, the Exmoor was valued by invading Roman armies as a prime chariot horse. This pony is certainly strong enough to pull chariots and other vehicles and is frequently found at driving events around the world today.
Standing only 11.3 to 12.3 hands high, the little Exmoor Pony has a primitive appearance. The eyes are heavily hooded, the coat is doubled to protect against the elements, and all Exmoors have a seventh molar, a trait not seen in most horse breeds. This horse also has a tail that is wider and thicker at the top than normal. Referred to as an ice tail, this protects the pony from the extreme winds of the moors upon which it is bred. The colors of the Exmoor Pony are simple and ancient. You'll find bay, dun, or dull brown, usually with mealy markings on the legs, muzzle, and underbelly.
Today this ancient breed is still bred upon the moors of Britain. It is thought that if the Exmoor is bred in the quiet of a stable, they're lose the ancient characteristics that are prized. Though typically a driving pony, the Exmoor is also used for riding and to keep foliage under control in protected areas of Britain. They conservation and protection of this unique breed is handled by the Exmoor Pony Society.
The end of World War II (WWII) meant that horses were used less on farms throughout Europe. Instead, mechanized farming methods became increasingly popular. This spelled the end of several horse breeds, but also birthed new ones. Farm horses were not necessary, but sport horses were in demand, so two breeds (the Gelderlander and the Groningen) were combined to form an entirely new breed with the best qualities of both.
The resulting horse was named the Dutch Warmblood, mostly because it was bred by the Dutch. This new breed inherited the strong hindquarters of the Groningen, making jumping and collection easier, especially in a sport setting. From the Gelderlander the Dutch Warmblood received beautiful action. This meant this new breed was well suited to dressage. But it wasn't until Thoroughbred blood was added to the breed that the Dutch Warmblood truly came into its own. The horse now had the stamina and speed necessary to truly compete with other breeds often seen at sporting events.
The Dutch Warmblood stands 16 to 17 hands high and horses may be of any solid color. This breed is divided into three basic types. Riding horses are used for dressage and jumping, harness horses are used for carriages and other harness work, and Gelders (the more traditional Dutch horse) are used both under the saddle and in a harness. All of these types are strong, elegant, and possess beautiful action. The studbook for these horses, at least in North America, is managed by KWPN of North America, Inc.
