Purebred riding English horses today are the most popular and elite racers, which are used not only for racing, but also for the improvement and breeding of other breeds. Horses of this variety are distinguished by high running speed, strength and agility, as well as special dignity. Beautiful and proud racers can fall in love and charm at first sight, but such a horse needs a rider to become.
Appearance history
There is no exact information about the origin of the breed, but the first mentions are dated to the XVII century. English racers were born when crossing local purebred horses with Arab and Spanish species. Despite their barrenness, the English horses were distinguished by high characteristics, because they were used to improve the Arabic species, and not vice versa. When mating English mares with Arab producers, it produced excellent offspring, inheriting the best qualities from parents. In the future, to improve the breed, the resulting offspring were crossed with each other, without using eastern horses. 
Breed showed excellent results in horse racing, quickly gained popularity. But the main purpose of breeding the breed at that time was to create an effective cavalry army. In 1793, the breed standard was adopted, at the same time it was forbidden to cross animals with other varieties of horses. Since the XVIII century, due to its great popularity, the British began to export the breed, after which it became known to the whole world. To date, horses are used exclusively in equestrian competitions.Did you know? The English thoroughbred is the most expensive horse in the world. A horse of this breed named Shareef Dancer was sold in 1983 for a cosmic sum of $ 40 million! Ironically, the stallion did not live up to the expectations placed on it and did not win a single match against the new owner.
general characteristics
In addition to impeccable characteristics, these animals have stunning beauty. They are tall, stately, slightly brutal in appearance, which is supported by an explosive and unabridged disposition. Under favorable conditions, males live to 25 years, females to 20. 
Exterior
English thoroughbreds are firmly folded, have developed muscles, high legs. Due to the same size of growth and body length, the exterior of the animal resembles a square. Due to the well-defined tendons, muscles, veins and joints can have a slightly rough appearance. Thanks to well-developed, strong limbs and skeleton, horses have amazing endurance.
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Main external characteristics:
- weight: 450-600 kg;
- height at withers: 170 cm - stallions, 155 cm - mares;
- body length: commensurate with growth, 155-170 cm;
- suit: monochrome, all primary colors (black, red, bay, brown, gray, roan);
- wool cover: short, straight, sparse, mane and tail rare, small bangs;
- leather: elastic, tender, through the cover clearly visible veins and muscles;
- head: light, wide lower jaw, straight profile, long nape, eyes expressive and large, wide nostrils;
- neck: long, straight;
- back: mares after numerous genera are mild;
- stomach: fit, lean, muscular (with constant training);
- chest: deep, medium width, convex;
- case: tapered, high withers and slightly lowered, oval croup, strong muscular corset;
- limbs: straight set, very muscular and strong, dry.
Character
The whole horse view speaks of nobility, dignity and uneasy character. English horse - a typical choleric with a stable nervous system and an excellent response to the team. The horses of this breed are brave, energetic, wayward, violent and quick-tempered, sometimes even naughty. Therefore, the owner of such an animal should be to him to become. Due to this combination of character and external qualities, the thoroughbreds demonstrate excellent performance, endurance, and productivity.
Important! Engage with English thoroughbred horses is recommended only for experienced riders. Under beginners or amateurs, an animal can become unmanageable and dangerous. In addition, the animal daily (!) Needs a quality load that only a master can provide.
Advantages and disadvantages
The English breed fell in love with the owners for such advantages:
- The speed of horses and the ability to get prizes in competitions.
- Beautiful exterior.
- Excellent maternal instinct in females.
However, the breed has pronounced disadvantages. For centuries, these animals were kept in the best conditions and were given only the best food, as a result, the breed became weak, pampered.
- The complexity of the content (intolerance to low temperatures and dampness, the need for special food).
- Poor immunity, high susceptibility to diseases.
- The fragility of the bones, because any injury and injury to the animal is very dangerous.
- Low fertility.
- Very high cost.
- Difficult nature, because the possibility of maintenance is provided only to experienced riders.
Scope of application
As the name of the breed shows, the English thoroughbred is a first-class race horse, a star and a prize-winner of all races, therefore the main purpose of its maintenance is participation in races. Given the particular physique and temperament, we can conclude that these horses are just made for competition. It is not surprising that they constantly bring prizes to their owners.
There are many types of horse racing in which an animal can be involved:
- Flat race. Race at a distance of 1-3 km without obstacles.
- Barrier Racing. The race for the same distance, but with barriers, height of 1 m at each kilometer.
- Jumping. Overcoming obstacles of varying complexity at a distance of 200-1100 m.
- Derby. Competitions on the hippodrome among 3-year-old racers. The distance is 2400 m, but it may differ in different countries.
- Steeplechase. Competition among 4-year-old horses on rough terrain to a specific object, distance - from 4 to 8 km (depending on the age of the horse).
- Fox hunting. Sports and entertainment tracking fox with dogs and people on horseback.
- Horse polo. A team game in which riders must use clubs to drive a wooden ball into the opponent's goal.
- Triathlon. A variety of equestrian sports, where the animal needs to go through the stage of riding, cross and jumping.
Individuals who failed to prove themselves in competitions are used to improve other breeds. Due to the special conditions of detention, high cost and physical characteristics, this variety is not used in agriculture.
Did you know? English thoroughbreds are the fastest horses in the world. Other breeds do not compete with them because they have no chance of winning. Animals can reach speeds of up to 60 km / h at short distances. The record belongs to a stallion named Rich Beckett, who reached a speed of 69 km / h!
Maintenance and care
You can appreciate the excellent race abilities of an animal only with proper care and high-quality nutrition. The focus should be on the arrangement and maintenance of stables, as well as the preparation of a balanced diet.
Stable
In the stable, the animal will rest and sleep, so it must be comfortable. The location of the stable is also important: the building must be located away from the living quarters, have convenient access to transport, and be well protected from the winds. 
It is unacceptable to have a stable on too wet ground with close groundwater. For the construction you need to use bricks, wood, the ceiling should be insulated. It is also important for the floor to choose a warm, non-slip coating that will not let moisture through.
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The building should also have enough windows (the distance to the floor is at least 180 cm) to ensure uniform good light. For additional illumination you can use fluorescent lamps, the intensity of which is 150-200 Lx.
The room must be heated, as the English horse requires relatively high temperatures in any season. While for normal workhorses the temperature range ranges from 4-8 ° C, for pedigree sports horses it is too low! Therefore, in the cold season, the temperature should not fall below 13-15 ° C. It is imperative that the room should have high-quality ventilation, which helps to maintain clean and fresh air, as well as control the temperature conditions. A good option is the supply and exhaust type.
Important! Replacing the ventilation system with conventional ventilation is unacceptable, as this leads to strong temperature drops and threatens serious diseases of horses!To arrange the stables you need to pick up:
- feeder. Usually made of wood or plastic, have the shape of a trough, the height can vary from 60 to 100 cm, depending on the growth of the animal. The feeder must be divided into two compartments for different types of feed, or it may be separate containers (one is lattice for hay and the second is sealed for other feed);
- drinking bowl. A convenient, economical and hygienic option is the auto drinkers made from enameled cast iron, plastic, stainless steel or aluminum.
In addition to the stable, you should definitely equip the stall, whose area will be at least 50 square meters. m. on one animal. Floors stall need to cover the flooring thickness of 10-15 cm.Learn how to choose a name for a horse.
As a litter material can be used:
- wheat straw. It is the most popular material with many advantages: ease of cleaning, hygroscopicity, hygiene, warmth;
- sawdust. It is also a good option, but sawdust slowly rotting, moreover, they are quickly compressed, therefore they keep heat worse;
- hemp cutting. Natural, hygroscopic, very economical material;
- peat moss. Natural, easy to clean, safe in terms of fire and inedible. However, this material is difficult to get, besides, it is expensive, heavy, caking and getting wet;
- paper. The main advantages are in hypoallergenicity, cheapness and warmth, but the paper quickly coalesces, becomes dirty and becomes wet.
Cleaning and hygiene
Considering the tendency of the English thoroughbreds to diseases, the horse must be kept clean and rigorously adhered to the hygiene standards in the room.
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For cleaning you will need some simple equipment: a wheelbarrow, a shovel, a pitchfork and a brush. 
Before cleaning the horse, it is desirable to withdraw from the premises! Next, you need to remove manure with forks, separate the wet litter from the dry one, sweep the floor and fill the necessary amount of litter. It is necessary to clean manure in a stable every day. Before feeding, you also need to wash the feeders, the water bottle should be wiped with a damp cloth daily.
We should also consider the hygiene of the animal itself. A healthy horse is a clean horse, so you need constant care for your hair, hooves and teeth. Every day, the animal must be washed with a special shampoo for horses (usually laundry soap is not suitable!). It is necessary to wash an animal starting from the mane and tail, then part by part to lather and rinse the foam with heated water. It is not recommended to wet the horse completely to avoid a cold. In the end, the animal must be wiped with a dry towel. It is mandatory washing after intensive training and competition. Did you know? In horses, hoofs and teeth grow throughout life.
We must not forget about the health of the hooves - the health of the tendons, bones and muscles, as well as of the whole organism as a whole, depends on their condition, since the hoofs play the role of the second heart. Every day, after each walk, you need to inspect the hooves of the animal. Clogged dirt and debris must be removed with a special hook, teaching the animal to the procedure since childhood. Next, the hooves need to be washed with warm water and wipe dry with a cloth.
Prophylactic examinations of the teeth should be carried out every 6-12 months for young horses and more often for older individuals. It is better to trust a professional veterinarian who will check the oral cavity for the presence of a pointed edge, abnormalities of the gums, damaged teeth.
Feeding and watering
The main components of the diet:
- Hay. Makes up to 50% of the diet. It can be of different varieties: cereal, grass, legumes.
- Green feed. Very useful feed, consisting of meadow and pasture grasses (alfalfa, clover). Before feeding, the animal must be watering.
- Succulent feed (vegetables and fruits). Stallions require up to 10 kg per day, young animals and mares up to 4-5 kg.
- Concentrates (legume-cereal mixtures). These can be oats, beans, barley, corn, and wheat.
Supplement the diet with salt (40 g per day), fish oil, fodder yeast and vitamin mixtures. A couple of days before the races, you can give sugar in the amount of 300-400 g. During the day, the racers consume up to 50 liters of water in the summer and up to 30 liters in the winter. Water should not be used cold, clean, soft.
Watching the English horse in motion is a great pleasure! Gallop animal can not be confused with any other breed, and from skillfully executed jumps just breathtaking! But it is worth remembering that such a breed is very demanding, both to the conditions of detention and nutrition, and to the loads, because only a rider with experience can cope with it.
