Standardbred

Horses have never hurt anyone yet, except when they bet on them.
-Stuart Cloete

The origins of all Standardbreds can be traced back to Messenger, a thoroughbred colt foaled in 1780. Messenger was the great-grandsire of Hambletonian 10, who was born in 1849 and the stallion to whom the bloodlines of all Standardbreds can be traced. Hambletonian 10 was bred to many mares, including Canadian Pacers, the hackney, Morgan, and the Norfolk Trotter. These horses were bred for speed and sport, and they prospered at both.
 

In 1879, the early trotters were required to reach a standard time for the mile distance(2 minutes and 30 seconds) in order to be registered as part of the new breed, and this is where the name “Standardbred” originated. The mile is still the standard distance covered in a harness race. The first harness race was conducted in a city street which were often cleared for a day of races. Today many American cities still have a “Race Street.”
 

Pacers began to emerge by 1897, when Start Pointer paced his way to a record two minute mile. But it was Dan Patch, the fastest and most popular Standardbred ever who popularized pacing with a 1:55 mile.

The Standardbred greatly represents its ancestor, the thoroughbred. The average height for a Standardbred is 15.2 hands, though it ranges from 14.1 to 17 hands, and generally is longer and leaner than the thoroughbred. Weighing between 800 and 1000 pounds, these horses are usually bay, brown, and black, though other colors are possible as well. The head is refined, set on a medium neck, and the chest is well muscled. Each horse generally either trots or paces, but some have been known to do both.
 

Pacers move both legs on the same side of their body in tandem: left front and rear, right front and rear. In harness racing this motion is aided by loops called hobbles, which synchronize the movements of the legs. It should also be noted that in harness racing at a fast pace, a third “gait” often manifests itself, but is discouraged as drivers face elimination for breaking gait.
 

Today Standardbreds continue to trot and pace their way through racetracks across America. The US Trotting Association, recognizing the potential of the breed, recently launched the Standardbred Equestrian Program, a program which encourages the use of Standardbreds in all disciplines. Many are now being used as pleasure horses, or competing in dressage, eventing,  pleasure, hunter/jumper, trail, barrel racing, and saddle seat classes. While Standardbreds still prosper as sulky cart race horses, they are quickly gaining popularity as saddle horses, and continue to be a favorite of many riders.

Written by Kelly Denine

Photos Compliments of Maria Martin

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