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Thoroughbred horses 101

I’m a huge fan of horse racing, though it’s often an expensive hobby to get into. Nonetheless horses have been a huge part of my life ever since I was a little boy. In this blog I decided to share with you some knowledge on thoroughbred horses, so read along if you want to know more.

Extremely popular, and for a good reason

Thoroughbreds are one of the most popular breeds of horses in the world, and are commonly associated with horse racing. A thoroughbred has a unique conformation that allows it to run at top speed for short periods of time over long distances. Thoroughbreds can be used for other sports such as show jumping, steeplechase and even as riding horses.

It is important to understand what makes these animals different from other types of horses so you can find a horse that will suit your needs.

Physical characteristics

There are several physical characteristics that you’ll notice right away when you look at a thoroughbred horse.

The first thing you might notice is the long face, which has a distinctive shape. A horse’s head is often referred to as its forehand, and this area of the body includes a distinctively shaped head and a muscular neck. The face is long, narrow and chiseled in appearance. The neck is muscular, long and arched at its highest point where it meets the withers.

The body of a thoroughbred horse tends to be lean, so most people would describe them as “skinny” or “slender.” This makes sense considering these animals have been bred for speed over centuries! Their legs are also quite long—about 1/3 longer than those of other breeds—with slender joints that make them appear even more delicate than they are!

While thoroughbreds tend to be nervous, sensitive and fiery by nature, they are also known to be intelligent and easy to train. They can make a wonderful addition to any family if given the proper care.

Thoroughbreds can come in many colors, but true black thoroughbreds are relatively rare. Most thoroughbreds are bay, brown, chestnut or gray. They usually have white markings on their heads and legs. 

Where can they be found?

The thoroughbred is an athletic horse that is often used for sports other than racing, including show jumping and dressage. The breed can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Thoroughbreds are also used for polo in Argentina, Uruguay and Great Britain; endurance riding in Australia; fox hunting in France and the United Kingdom; steeplechasing in Ireland; hackney racing (horse racing on courses with jumps) in France; harness racing as trotters or pacers (vehicles guided by a driver), sometimes called “harness” or “sulky” races; vaulting at circuses.

Well… 

And that’s all I have to say about Thoroughbred horses! Now you know the breed standard, some of their history, and the difference between racing registries in different countries. I hope you enjoyed taking this tour with us through Thoroughbred history, and that you can put your newfound knowledge to good use!

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Horse brushes explained – Why are there many horse brushes?

Horses need to be groomed regularly. Some would say daily. But there are so many different horse brushes, it’s hard to decide which ones you need, and how often to use them. In this article I’ll explain the main types of horse brush and when you should use them.

All about horse grooming brushes

Horses have a long, thick coat that grows year-round. Without regular brushing, this coat can become soiled with dust and dirt. A dirty horse’s hair mats together and can even grow into the skin causing an animal to be uncomfortable or even painful. A groomed horse is more comfortable, which makes it easier for you to work with them when grooming them for riding or other activities.

A good grooming brush will help remove dirt from your horse’s body and mane as well as keep their fur looking healthy by helping distribute natural oils throughout the coat. 

Dandy brush

A dandy brush is a grooming tool used to brush a horse’s coat, primarily to remove mud, dirt, and loose hair. It is a large, stiff brush with a wooden handle and a metal or plastic head. The metal or plastic head has long bristles that can be used to get deeper into the coat of the horse than other types of brushes.

The dandy brush can be used for many different types of horses depending on their coat type and length. For example:

Thoroughbreds have short coats so they don’t require much brushing; however some owners may choose to use this type of tool just for routine maintenance purposes or if there are any knots in the hair that need removing from time-to-time.

Arabian Horses also have short coats but tend towards being very sensitive so you should use caution when brushing them—just like Thoroughbreds mentioned above!

Body brush

In addition to removing dirt and dander, body brushes help with shedding. Shedding is necessary to keep your horse healthy, but it can be time-consuming and difficult to remove. A body brush helps loosen the dead hair on a horse’s coat so that it comes off more easily during brushing.

The bristles are made of stiff hairs that provide a deep massage when used against the coat. This stimulates blood flow and aids in muscle recovery after exercise or injury. The rhythmic action of brushing also helps boost circulation throughout your horse’s body, which improves their overall health while exfoliating dead skin cells at the same time!

Curry comb

The curry comb is used to remove dirt, sweat and dander from the horse’s body. This can be done by using a circular motion on the horse’s coat. It removes dead hair when used in the same manner.

The best part? The Curry Comb works great at removing all of those pesky flies that like to land on your horses ears and face!

Mane and tail brush or comb

If you’re looking for a brush specifically for your horse’s mane and tail, there are two options: the mane and tail brush and the mane and tail comb. Both are used on a horse’s mane, tail, and coat to remove mud, dirt or loose hair. The difference is that a mane/tail brush has stiffer bristles to penetrate deep into a matted area.