Standardbred Horse Breed 

Country of Origin: The Standardbred horse breed originated in the United States.  

Blood Type: The Standardbred breed is in the warmblood group. 

History: The history of the Standardbred horse goes back to the 1788 when a Thoroughbred horse called Messenger was imported from England. One of Messenger’s great-grandsons, Hambletonian, was foaled in 1849 and became the foundation sire for the Standardbred horse breed. In 1879 a ‘standard’ was set for a trotting horse register. It called for horses to be able to trot one mile in two and a half minutes; or pace one mile in two minutes and 25 seconds. Thus the breed derived its name. America has more pacers than trotters within the breed and England has more trotters than pacers.

 It is thought that in America infusions of Spanish Jennet, a naturally gaited animal that laterally paced, caused this notable difference.  

Height: The Standardbred is usually 15.3 HH. 

Colors: The Standardbred horses are bay, brown, or black. 

Description: Even when at liberty, the Standardbred horse’s preferred gait is often the trot. The Standardbred is less refined than the Thoroughbred, but more robust. They have short, strong legs. The Standardbred is powerfully built and is usually higher at the croup than the withers which gives thrust to the hindquarters. They are quite long in the back with a good depth of girth.  

Temperament: The Standardbred has a good temperament with a competitive nature and is known to be sensible and willing.  

Uses: The Standardbred is primarily used for harness racing.