Thoroughbreds: horse breed, history, character, breeding

Origin of the thoroughbred horse

Nowadays, a distinction is mainly made between purebred Arabians (origin), English thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabians (cross between purebred Arabians and English thoroughbreds). Recognizable by the designation behind their name: 

• ox for purebred Arabians
• xx for English thoroughbred
•   x for Anglo-Arabs

The thoroughbred has been around since the 7th century. The term thoroughbred refers to horse breeds whose origins go back to the Arabian horses of the Bedouins. They were native to the deserts. As a result, they are considered robust, enduring and frugal. They are also able to cope with high temperatures and temperature fluctuations. 

In the late 17th century, these horses aroused the interest of English racing enthusiasts. Stallions were imported to England from the Orient. They were crossed with the local Galloway mares. Thoroughbreds are described as noble and pure. Their breeding line can be traced back to around 43 mares and three stallions. They are the founding fathers of the English thoroughbred: 

1. Darley Arabian:

Originally from the Middle East, it was brought to England by Thomas Darley in the 18th century. His offspring are characterized by speed and endurance.

2. Byerley Turk:

He was acquired in the late 17th century by Captain Robert Byerley during the war in Hungary. His descendants were also known for their racing abilities.

3. Godolphin Arabian:

He was born in Syria in the 18th century and later came to England in the possession of the Earl of Godolphin. His offspring were characterized by their robustness and speed, and the influence of the Godolphin Arabian can be found in many of today's thoroughbred pedigrees.

In everyday life, the terms thoroughbred are often used for the English thoroughbred and Arabian for the Arabian thoroughbred.

Characteristics of a thoroughbred horse

All thoroughbreds have typical breed characteristics: 

• Height & weight: They are smaller (approx. 140 to 160 cm) and lighter (approx. 350 to 600 kg) than warmblood horses. This makes them particularly fast and agile.

• Physique (conformation): Narrow build, delicate head, slender neck, high croup, long legs. They are considered the noblest horses. A striking feature of the Arabian thoroughbred is often the so-called "Arabian kink" (= kink in the nasal bone) and the high tail. (Photo e.g. Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vollblutaraber)

• Character (interior): Thoroughbreds have a lot of temperament and are sensitive. They only belong in experienced hands. Their passion is speed and movement. They are also considered to be sensitive, intelligent, ambitious and very much related to their humans. 

‍Purebredsin equestrian sport

Both their exterior and their interior make thoroughbreds particularly suitable for racing. The English thoroughbred in particular predominates here. However, the strengths of this breed can also be used for a career after racing or instead of the racetrack: 

• Speed and agility: these are probably the most striking characteristics of a thoroughbred. However, they also make these four-legged friends interesting for disciplines such as barrel racing, polo and cross country.

• Stamina and endurance: It is easy for thoroughbreds to cope with longer distances. This is one of the reasons why they are so popular in endurance riding.

• Intelligence and learning ability: Curious, eager to learn & no task is too complex for them. They learn quickly to adapt to new tasks. This makes them the ideal partner for eventing. Whether in the arena, on the course or in the field. 

• Partnership and bond: Thoroughbreds are known for building a strong bond with their riders. This is in their genes. ‍

Keeping and caring for the thoroughbred horse

The care and keeping of thoroughbred horses requires a little more than that of warmbloods. An individually tailored approach that takes their - above all natural - needs into account helps to keep them not only healthy, but also happy and productive. ‍

1. ‍Exercise: Thoroughbred horses are naturally energetic. More than for other horse breeds, regular exercise is therefore crucial to promote their physical and mental health. Daily grazing or rides help to release excess energy and support the muscles.
2. ‍Adaptednutrition: Take into account the specific nutritional needs of thoroughbred horses. High-quality, energy-rich feed that covers the need for proteins, vitamins and minerals is essential. A balanced diet not only promotes performance, but also the health of the skin, coat and hooves.
3. ‍Regularveterinary checks: On the one hand, thoroughbreds are very robust, but on the other hand they can also be very sensitive. Thoroughbred horses are prone to specific health problems due to their breed characteristics. These include stomach ulcers, for example. Regular veterinary examinations, vaccinations and dental check-ups are essential to identify and treat potential problems at an early stage.
4. ‍Accommodationand climate control: Ensure comfortable accommodation that provides sufficient space for exercise and social interaction. Thoroughbred horses are often sensitive to extreme weather conditions. A well-ventilated stable and adequate protection from the sun and cold are essential. 
5. ‍Properhoof care: The hooves of thoroughbreds deserve special attention. Regular farrier checks and proper hoof care are necessary to ensure healthy hooves. This is crucial as thoroughbred horses are often trained on hard surfaces.
6. ‍Mentaltraining: Due to their intelligence, thoroughbred horses need more variety than warmbloods: varied activities such as ground work, games and challenges not only promote their mental health, but also strengthen the bond between horse and rider.

Thoroughbreds are special horses. There are therefore a few aspects to consider when keeping them. With good care and husbandry, thoroughbreds can live to be 30 years old. 

‍Famousthoroughbreds

Thoroughbreds are always on everyone's lips and inspire the horse world, especially through horse racing. It is therefore not surprising that true stories of famous thoroughbred horses such as Seabiscuit (Seabisciut - Mit dem Willen zum Erfolg) or Phar Lap (Phar Lap - Legende einer Nation) are made into films. These successes highlight the character traits of the thoroughbreds. 

But warmblood breeding also likes to draw on well-known thoroughbreds in order to benefit from these characteristics. One of the most prominent and well-known examples is certainly the unforgettable stallion Totilas. His pedigree can be traced back to Dark Roland xx. An important thoroughbred stallion in horse breeding. 

‍Into the future withthoroughbreds - Thoroughbred breeding

Despite all the successes, the versatility and the unique character traits, interest in the thoroughbred - both in equestrian sport and in warmblood breeding - has continued to wane. To change this, the initiative "With Thoroughbreds into the Future" was founded. With their event "Thoroughbreds - recognizing quality and using it for breeding and equestrian sport", they educate, inform and campaign for thoroughbred breeding. Further information can be found on the homepage https://vollblut-zukunft.de/. You can also take a look at our media library. Here you will find a great presentation of various thoroughbred horses and an interesting panel discussion:

It's worth taking a look to experience this fascinating and noble breed with a long history. Thoroughbreds are a great partner for versatile equestrian sports. If you want to experience the temperament of a thoroughbred live, the most classic way is of course a visit to the racecourse.

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Author: Nadine Noll