Horses are mammals and as such
are all warm-blooded creatures, as opposed to reptiles, which are cold-blooded.
However, these words have developed a separate meaning in the context of equine
description, with the "hot-bloods", such as race horses, exhibiting
more sensitivity and energy, while the "cold-bloods" are heavier,
calmer creatures such as the draft giants.
Hot bloods
Arabian horses, whether
originating on the Arabian peninsula or from the European studs (breeding
establishments) of the 18th and 19th centuries, gained the title of "hot
bloods" for their temperament, characterized by sensitivity, keen
awareness, athleticism, and energy. European breeders wished to infuse some of
this energy and athleticism into their own best cavalry horses. These traits,
combined with the lighter, aesthetically refined bone structure of the
oriental-type horse (Akhal-Teke, Arabian, Barb), were used as the foundation of
the thoroughbred breed.
True hot bloods usually
offer both greater riding challenges and rewards than other horses. Their
sensitivity and intelligence enable quick learning with greater communication
and cooperation with their riders. However, their intelligence also allows them
to learn bad habits as quickly as good ones. Because of this, they also can
quickly lose trust in a poor rider and do not tolerate inept or abusive
training practices.
Cold bloods
A Percheron
draft horse
Muscular and heavy draft
horses are known as "cold bloods", as they have been bred to have the
calm, steady, patient temperament needed to pull a plow or a heavy carriage
full of people. One of the best-known draft breeds is the Belgian. The largest
is the Shire. The Clydesdales, with their common coloration of a bay or black
coat with white legs and long-haired, "feathered" fetlocks are among
the most easily recognized.
Warmbloods
"Warmblood"
breeds began when the European carriage and war horses were crossed with
oriental horses or thoroughbreds. The term "warm blood" was
originally used to mean any cross of heavy horses on Thoroughbred or Arabian
horses. Examples included breeds such as the Irish Draught horse, and sometimes
also referred to the "Baroque" horses used for "high
school" dressage, such as the Lipizzaner, Andalusian, Lusitano and the Alter
Real. Sometimes the term was even used to refer to breeds of light riding horse
other than Thoroughbreds or Arabians, such as the Morgan horse. But today the
term "warmblood" usually refers to a group of sport horse breeds that
have dominated the Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games in Dressage and Show
Jumping since the 1950s. These breeds include the Hanoverian, Oldenburg, Trakehner,
Holsteiner, Swedish Warmblood, and Dutch Warmblood.
The list of horse breeds
provides a partial alphabetical list of breeds of horse extant today, plus a
discussion of rare breeds' conservation.
The common European
practice and tradition of saddling and mounting the horse from the left hand
side is sometimes said to originate from the practice of right-handed fighters
carrying their sheathed sword on their left hip, making it easier to throw
their right leg over the horse when mounting, and sometimes it is regarded as a
superstition. However, several other explanations are equally plausible.
Horses can be mounted
bareback with a vault from the ground, by grabbing the mane to provide leverage
as a rider makes a small jump and scrambles up onto the horse's back (an
awkward but popular method used by children), or by "bellying over",
a technique which involves placing both hands side by side on the horse's back,
jumping up so that the rider lays belly down on the horse's back, and swinging
the leg over to sit astride. Some people prefer bareback pads, which are
basically sheepskin cushions, when riding bareback, especially on old,
under-nourished or bony horses.
In actual practice,
however, most bareback riders use a fence or mounting block, or another object
which can be stood upon to be able to simply slide onto the horse's back. This
method is more convenient for both horse and rider, as the horse does not like
someone "hiking" onto their back, and the "hiking" can be
found to be very difficult for the rider, especially if the horse is tall or
large.
The horse features in the
12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese
calendar. According to Chinese folklore, each animal is associated with certain
personality traits, and those born in the year of the horse are: intelligent,
independent and free-spirited. See: Horse (Zodiac).
Since the horse was
domesticated, a wide variety of riding methods or styles have developed, all of
which balance the need to allow the horse freedom of movement in activities such
as horse racing or show jumping and the need for security of the rider,
precision of commands and overall control as seen in activities such as dressage
and reining. Worldwide, the most common modern riding style is referred to as English
riding, which is a broad style that encompasses most Olympic Equestrian
competition, and includes such specific styles as dressage, hunt seat, show
jumping and saddle seat, among many others. Western riding is a popular style
seen in North America, derived from the traditions of Spain, modified to fit
the needs of cattle ranchers.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horse&action=history
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html