- Trottingbred -

Trottingbreds are harness racing ponies, which like their Standardbred forebears, race at either the pace or trot. Unlike Standardbreds, which are raced over a mile, Trottingbreds are clocked on the half-mile. The fastest half-mile was paced in 59 seconds by the stallion, Shamrock Shady. The trotting record of is 59.2 belongs to the mare Sweet B. Lozario, who shares the actual race record of 1:01 with Wild Rose. Like Standardbreds, racing Trottingbreds often find themselves in need of new employment, and many become nice gaited mounts, suitable for adults or children.

Trottingbreds are fine looking animals, often very refined. Height is limited to 52 inches (13 hands) for registration and 51 ' inches for racing. Individuals do grow to over the size limit, which is a negative for racing, but puts good riding mounts on the market. Typical traits include flat, low shoulders, not a problem for driving, but often a challenge for saddle fit. Hooves are proportional and hard, and fetlocks tend to be extra profuse. Bay and black are the most common colors, but they can be found in any color, including pinto, palomino, grey and roan, though they are much harder to find. All shades of chestnut may be seen, and liver chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail is currently popular. Trottingbreds with pony breeding close up tend to grow heavy winter coats. Ponies with more Standardbred bloodlines tend not to grow as heavy a coat, as heavy coats, being much harder to cool out, are not bred for in Standardbreds.

Trottingbreds are naturally good-tempered animals. They can be very sweet and affectionate and genuinely like people. Race training gives them lots of handling and attention that they accept easily. These ponies are tough and long lived, most reaching their twenties. Track injuries may be an issue, but since their racing schedule is seasonal, rather than all year long, they generally stay very sound. Another plus, their smaller size makes them more economical to feed!  Trottingbreds make the transition from harness to saddle smoothly and former pace racers are capable of intermediate gaits. While some need little prompting, others need retraining to learn to round the back and break up the two-beat pace into a stepping pace, fox trot or rack. They posses a very fast walk and can keep up with bigger horses easily. Trottingbreds have an amazing amount of stamina, coupled with a desire to work. These are not lazy ponies. If they liked racing, as many do, they seem to transfer their enthusiasm to life under saddle.

Check out these websites for more info on the Trottingbred pony/horse!

www.trottingbreds.homestead.com

www.trottingbredhorse.com

Information from www.thegaitedhorse.com

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