What is the Difference Between Thoroughbred and Standardbred

Thoroughbred and Standardbred are two popular horse breeds used in racing. Both breeds were bred carefully with a focus on athleticism and racing. However, each breed has its unique features and racing styles.

What is the difference between Thoroughbred and Standardbred? Thoroughbreds are slimmer, leaner build, with long legs and bred for speed and agility, while Standardbreds are heavier and more muscular and bred for endurance and power in harness racing.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Thoroughbred  
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Standardbred
      – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Thoroughbred and Standardbred
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Thoroughbred and Standardbred
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Thoroughbred and Standardbred
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Thoroughbred, Standardbred

What is Thoroughbred

A Thoroughbred is a type of horse originally bred in England during the 17th and 18th centuries. To create this unique breed, local English mares were crossed with Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman stallions imported from other countries. Today, all modern Thoroughbreds trace their ancestry to three foundation stallions and a group of English mares from that time.

Thoroughbreds have a refined head, a long neck, high withers, a deep chest, and long legs. Their strong hindquarters and lean bodies give them a muscular, agile look. Moreover, Thoroughbreds are known as “hot-blooded” horses. This means they are bred for speed and are lively and spirited, which makes them both agile and quick.

Thoroughbreds are usually 15.2 to 17.0 hands tall (62 to 68 inches high). They are most often bay, dark bay, brown, chestnut, black, or gray. Sometimes, they may come in less common colors like roan or palomino, and while rare, white is also recognized as a distinct color. These horses often have white markings on their face or lower legs, but you won’t generally see large white spots or mixed patterns on their bodies, as these are not accepted by main breed registries.

Although Thoroughbreds are best known for racing, they are also versatile in other areas. They’re trained in show jumping, dressage, polo, and fox hunting and are sometimes bred with other horses to create or improve different horse breeds, like the Quarter Horse and Standardbred.

What is Standardbred

A Standardbred is a strong, muscular horse used in harness racing, where it pulls a lightweight cart called a sulky. These horses are sturdy and a bit heavier than Thoroughbreds, with an average height of 15 to 16 hands (60 to 64 inches) and a weight of 800 to 1,000 pounds. Most Standardbreds are bay-colored, though some are brown, black, chestnut, gray, or roan. They have a large head, sometimes with a Roman nose shape, a strong neck, and a deep chest. With tough legs and hard hooves, Standardbreds are built to last, and their easy-going nature makes them simple to train.

Standardbreds are mainly used in harness racing. They have good stamina and can trot at a steady, quick pace. They are especially suited for long races, usually around a mile. Their solid build also gives them great endurance.

Standardbreds are also divided into two types based on how they move or their gait: they can be pacers or trotters. Pacers, which make up 80-90% of harness racers in the U.S., move their legs on the same side together (left front and left hind, then right front and right hind), which gives them speed and stability. Trotters, on the other hand, move diagonally opposite legs together (right front and left hind, then left front and right hind) and have a steady rhythm.

Similarities Between Thoroughbred and Standardbred

1. Both breeds were developed with a focus on racing.
2. Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are similar in height.
3. Moreover, both have muscular builds suited for athletic performance.
4. Besides racing, both breeds are trained in other disciplines, like show jumping.

Difference Between Thoroughbred and Standardbred

Build

• Thoroughbreds are slimmer with a leaner build and long legs, while Standardbreds are heavier and more muscular.

Bred For

• While Thoroughbreds are bred for speed and agility, Standardbreds are bred for endurance and power in harness racing.

Head

• Thoroughbreds have refined heads with a well-chiseled look, while Standardbreds have larger heads, often with Roman nose profiles.

Height and Weight

• Thoroughbreds are generally 15.2 to 17.0 hands (62 to 68 inches) and weigh around 1,000 pounds. Standardbreds are generally 15 to 16 hands (60 to 64 inches) and weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds.

Main Use

• Thoroughbreds are mainly bred for traditional horse racing under saddle, but Standardbreds are specifically bred for harness racing, where they pull a sulky.

Gait and Movement

• Thoroughbreds generally gallop and are known for fast, high-speed running, whereas Standardbreds can be either pacers or trotters, suited for harness racing gaits.

Temperament

• Thoroughbreds tend to be more spirited and bolder, while Standardbreds are generally calmer, easy to train and have a more willing nature.

Endurance and Career Longevity

• Thoroughbreds often retire from racing at a younger age, while Standardbreds generally have longer racing careers.

FAQ: Thoroughbred and Standardbred

1. How can you tell if a horse is Standardbred?

You can tell a horse is a Standardbred by its muscular build, large head (often with a Roman nose), and strong legs. Standardbreds also have a calm and willing temperament.

2. What are the advantages of a Standardbred?

Standardbreds are known for their strength, endurance, and calm temperament. Their sturdy build and strong legs allow them to handle long distances without tiring quickly, which is why they often have long racing careers. Standardbreds are also easy to train and have a gentle nature.

3. Why are they called Thoroughbreds?

They’re called Thoroughbreds because they come from a carefully chosen bloodline. In the 1600s and 1700s, breeders in England picked certain strong, fast horses to create a special breed. By breeding only the best horses with each other, they made sure these qualities were passed down to each new generation.

4. Are pacers faster than trotters?

Yes, pacers are generally faster than trotters. Pacers move their legs on the same side together, which makes them quicker and helps them keep a steady pace without breaking stride.

5. What is the difference between Thoroughbred and harness racing?

In Thoroughbred racing, horses run at full speed with a jockey on their back. However, in harness racing, horses pull a lightweight cart, called a sulky, with a driver sitting behind them.

Reference:

1. “Standardbred.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “Thoroughbred.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “White Thoroughbred – Kentucky Horse Park” By Jean – Flickr: (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Lolo Lee – Antti Teivainen” By Markus Kauppinen – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia