Tiger (horse)

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

Tiger (Tiger horses) - a breed of spotted horses with a coat color similar to Appaloosa. In 1992, an attempt was made to recreate the once extinct Italian breed "El Caballo Tigre". The Spaniards called some horses that way for their original color (at that time there was no word for "leopard" in Spanish, so all animals with a spotted pattern were called tiger or tigers).

Among the horses brought to America by the conquistadors were animals with an unusual spotted color. The Indians immediately fell in love with these animals and began to breed them. The non-Persian tribe was known for breeding these horses. One of the characteristic features of the tigers was their peculiar four-stroke stride, also known as the "Indian, or shuffling" step. This very comfortable step for the rider was appreciated by cowboys who paid $ 50 for such horses (at the time, the best horse cost about $ 30).

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In 1877, a military conflict broke out between the Ne-Persian tribe and the American army, during which most of the herds were lost. Many of these horses were subsequently found throughout the Pacific Northwest Coast.

In 1838, Claude Thompson, an Oregon farmer, set up a register to preserve spotted horses, then the Appaloosa Horse Club made efforts to save these horses from extinction. Unfortunately, this club also conducted breeding programs using Arabs, thoroughbred horses and quarterhorses, which led to the loss of some of the qualities of the Tigers. Fortunately, the original tiger type has survived in Canada and parts of the Pacific Northwest.

In 1994 the Tiger Horse Association was founded to preserve this wonderful breed. The next four years were difficult, but the work of the Association was crowned with success. All horses listed in the studbook must show the perfect combination of conformation, movement and color. The Tiger horse must have its own "signature" four-stroke movements.

There are two types of tigers: "heavenly" and "royal". King horses may have a lower set tail; straight headstock; straighter shoulder; arcuate neck, bending at the second vertebra; moderate to high withers; moderate back length. Royal Tigers are ideal for horseback riding in nature. The celestial type horses are more muscular and taller, somewhat resembling an enlarged copy of the royal type. They have more angular pasterns and shoulders. They are suitable for competition dressage, cross country and show jumping. As of 2011, the celestial type can only be registered if one of the parents is a royal type.

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The Tiger is primarily a gait workhorse that, in addition to stride and canter, must perform a four-stroke stride. All gaits must be completely natural. It is a gentle, sensitive horse with excellent training ability and excellent temperament.

Height at the withers is 150-155 cm. Any color, however, should be present characteristic of the breed "leopard" spots. "Light colored socks" on the feet are allowed, but not welcome. Live weight up to 600 kg.

Tiger exterior: dry head with a straight or slightly convex profile; mobile, pointed ears of medium length; large and expressive eyes with white sclera; wide flat forehead; the neck is high-set, well balanced, with a curve; the ideal shoulder angle is 45 °; well-developed chest; short, strong back; muscular lower back; the sloping croup should be level with the withers; straight, strong legs; hooves are of medium size, firm, firm, strong and usually striped; hair in the mane and tail may be practically absent or be thick and very long; low set tail; mottled or patchy skin.