As one of the most popular breeds of sport horses in the world, the thoroughbred has found a place in almost every aspect of riding. It is a relatively new breed, coming from a combination of the Arabian blood and English horse in the 1730s in England.
This elegant horse showed outstanding speed and endurance on the 4 to 5 mile racetracks of 18th century Europe. It was bred with enthusiasm, and arrived in North America with the colonists. It had an influence on almost every other breedMorgan, Standardbred, and Quarter Horsethat would come after it.
Today the thoroughbred is still used mainly for the sport of racing.
Photograph Courtesy of the Governor's Press Office (MD)
Read Marguerite Henry's books about thoroughbreds