Little lost in this section.

[RackingHorse]

I have been in and around horses for the better part of my life. About 20 yrs to be exact.

This topic confuses me slightly. What is meant by Cold Blooded, Warm Blooded, and Hot Blooded. I have heard cold/warm for reptiles and fish but never for horses? Anybody with quick answer?.

[rhapsody]

Hello RackingHorse...welcome to the forum!

This is a bit confusing as a horse is a mammal and therefore is a warmblooded animal.

Cold, warm and hot blood just refer to terms of a horse and their breeding.

A hotblooded horse is a thoroughbred or arab, they are bred for speed and agility, they are light on their feet and are fast.
They are generally known to be highly strung and sensitive, have light bodies and delicate legs.

A cold blooded horse is the heavy set, large docile breeds like the draught horse or horses
that were bred for pulling ploughs etc. They are not easily spooked and have an easy manner and can work all day.

A warmblood is a performance horse and has qualities of both the hot and cold bloods, they have the speed and
agility of the hot blood and the more of the temperment (hopefully) of the cold blood. Think of
sport horses like Hanoverian, Andalusian, Holsteiner, Trakehner, most horses you see that
are in the Olympic arena and world class dressage, jumping and eventing are some type
of warmblood or warmblood crosses.

Your horses would be classed as warmbloods :D

Of course with every horse they all have their own personalities and temperments. My friend owns an arab who
is a dream to own, very quiet and trusting and acts more like a cold blood so the terms are general.

[the_grande_rio]

Wow. that was a very informative post rhapsody! thank you for sharing your knowledge on the different types of breeds!

[RackingHorse]

Awesome and thanks for the explanation. Been away for Christmas and am glad that I could find my posts to follow up.

I think I have it now.

So a Clydesdale would be considered to be cold blooded as are most draft horses.

Walkers, Rackers, and possibly Quarters would all consider to be warm-blooded.

Then you jump to the Arabians, Thorough-Breds, and Mustangs as hot blooded.

Am I right here. If so it makes sense to me now if not we may have further discussions.

[maggie]

thanks for asking that question rackinghorse. I felt silly not knowing cold, warm, hotblooded traits in horses. I'm like you just learning again about such things. Looking forward to more....

[cathmarmar]

Good Grief, I just found my own reply. Sorry I started a new thread on it. Such poor manners!

[cathmarmar]

Well, at least I know that every horse I've ever owned has been a warm-blooded one. I appreciate the clarification!!!

[cathmarmar]

I still have a question about a racking horse. Where does it fall generally? Is this really a science or is it anecdotal?