Classification Of Horses

The typical way to classify horses is by breed. The American Quarter horse is the most popular breed in America, especially in Texas. They are the work horses on ranches, the most popular for showing and competing in speed events such as barrel racing. Another popular breed is the Paint horse, which to me is nothing me than an American Quarter horse that is not a solid color, usually they are brown or black with white areas on their bodies. There is also the Arabian breed, they are known for their endurance, which I am sure they get from their ancestors being used in the desserts of Arabia. Another popular breed, for kids mostly, is the Ponies of America or POA. These horses are generally small compared to the other breeds I have mentioned and they are well mannered which makes them good for children. My wife and daughter have three horses, a Paint, an Arabian, and a POA. I don't classify them in the typical manner described above; I classify them by their personalities. Their personalities are partly a result of their respective breeds, partly a result of their gender - all males -, partly a result of their age, and partly a result the order in which they became ours.

Stormin' Raincloud is the Paint. Storm, as he is commonly called, is 5 years old, which in horse years makes him a teenager on the verge of maturity. And like any teenage male, he is feisty, thinks he can do anything and he seems to think, or hope, all of the female horses like him, even though he is a gelding. Storm was the first of the three to join our family. This makes him "King of the Hill" in his mind. He was here first and he will gladly let any other horse know that, particularly our other two.

Next in line is the Arabian, Magical Mirage. Magic is...

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... much grain, he prefers the Alfalfa my wife has spread out in the pasture while they were eating their grain. Neither of them will attempt to get Pony's food, he eats slowly but eats it all and they know that even though Storm is the official leader of the herd, Pony is the elder.

So you see, there is the official classification for horses - Quarter horse, Paint horse, Arabian, POA, etc. - and then there is my classification based on our three. Storm, the leader of the herd, is the protector of the herd, the first to eat, and the lady's man. Then there is Magic, he is the adolescent, care free, attempt to take over kind of horse that usually learns his place in the pecking order the hard way. Then we have Pony, the wise old man, smart enough to stay out of the way while the young ones act foolish but smart enough to establish himself as one to be respected.