Thoroughbred Horses
A complete guide to thoroughbred horses
Many people erroneously use the term “thoroughbred” to describe any horse of purebred blood. In fact, thoroughbred horses are a specific breed, known for their graceful form, athleticism, energy and sensitivity.
History
The thoroughbred horse originated in England in the 1600s, when female horses native to the British Isles were crossbred with males imported from the Middle East. All thoroughbred horse pedigrees can be traced back to the three stallions and 74 mares originally used to engineer the breed. Standardbred horses can also trace their stock back to thoroughbreds.
Uses
Thoroughbred horses are mainly used for sport. In addition to racing, they also participate in equestrian events, including show jumping, dressage and combined training. Fox hunters and polo players also tend to favor thoroughbreds.
Appearance
Body Size: An average thoroughbred horse will reach a height of about 60 to 70 inches, or roughly 15 to 17 hands high (hh), a “hand” being a unit of equine measurement equivalent to approximately 4 inches. This breed is considered medium in size, and adult horses usually weigh 1,000 to 1,300 pounds.
Color and Patterns: Thoroughbreds don’t usually have coat patterns on their bodies, though their faces and legs may have white markings. The most common colors are gray, black, chestnut brown, light brown and bay. Roan and palomino, though rare, are recognized by breeders, as are white thoroughbreds, though they are perhaps the rarest of them all.
Caring for a Thoroughbred Horse
Feeding: The frequency of feeding and the type of horse feed you’ll use depends strongly on your horse’s intended purpose. Docile animals expected to remain relatively inactive will be fine with two daily feedings, whereas active horses may require more and/or specialized food. Learn more about thoroughbred horses and their eating habits with the help of a horse trainer if you’re planning to use the animal for sport or enter it in competitions.
Grooming: At minimum, you should provide your pet with daily hoof care to prevent foot infections. A weekly brushing will suffice unless the horse is a show animal, in which case you’ll want to be particularly vigilant about clippings, dressings and polishes.
Health Problems: Given their prominence in competitions, this breed is highly accident-prone. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging (bleeding from the lungs) can be a problem if the animal is worked harder than it’s used to being worked. Orthopedic issues are common, as are low fertility rates and cardiac problems. Most cardiac issues stem from the fact that many thoroughbred horses have abnormally small hearts.
Life Expectancy: Domestic horses have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years, though exceptionally healthy animals can live to be 40 years of age or older.
Finding Thoroughbred Horses for Sale
Reputable thoroughbred horse farms, operated by horse breeders who are sensitive to animal rights, are the best place to begin your search for a new pet. Animals of unexceptional pedigree may be available for as little as $1,000. However, show-quality animals with a strong thoroughbred horse pedigree command much more money. Expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 for a pedigreed weanling to $55,000 for a yearling to more than $60,000 for a two-year-old.
Keep in mind that the costs associated with thoroughbred horse ownership can add up fast – the cost of a stable, grooming supplies and food can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month. If you want to save some significant money, consider adopting an animal through thoroughbred horse rescue resources in your community, which match caring owners with neglected, abused or abandoned animals, or horses whose owners can no longer afford to keep them.
