A sport horse is term used to describe a type of horse, although not a particular breed. It usually encompases any horse that is used for the English-styled equestrian disciplines or for fox hunting. These disciplines include dressage, eventing, hunter competition, and show jumping. However, some conside those used as show hunters to be show horses, rather than sport horses. Horses used for combined driving may also be referred to as sport horses. A young rider at a horse show in Australia. ... A fox hunt Fox hunting is a form of hunting for foxes using a pack of scent hounds. ... An upper-level dressage competitor performing an extended trot Dressage (a French term meaning training) is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. ... Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ... Hunt seat refers to a style of English-type riding commonly found at American horse shows. ... Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... Combined driving is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. ...

Horses used for the western-styled disciplines, those used for Saddleseat, and horses used for any form of racing are not considered sport horses. Saddleseat is a form of riding that is found in the United States, and to a lesser extent in Canada and Europe. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ...

Breeding

Good sport horse conformation: sloping shoulder, turned-over neck, uphill build, good musculature, and correct leg angles.

Sport horses are bred for specific qualities in their conformation, movement, and temperament. A horses conformation is the horses body proportions in relation to each other. ...

• Conformation: most sport horses have similarities in their conformation. These include a sloping shoulder, "turned-over" neck, and uphill build. Conformation has direct effects on the animal's movement and jumping ability.

• Movement: although movement may vary between disciplines, most sport horses are bred for a long, athletic stride and movement that uses the whole body. The trot and canter should have good suspension, and the horse naturally reaches under his body with his hind legs. This movement makes it easier for the rider to teach the horse to engage, collect, and extend his stride, which are necessary qualities in all sport horse disciplines.

• Jumping ability: horses bred for the jumping disciplines also possess good jumping form, with tight lower legs and good bascule. They are also bred to have conformation that allows them to jump higher.

• Temperament: because of the great deal of training needed to produce a successful sport horse, they are generally bred for trainability and willingness to work. Horses intended for Olympic-level may be bred a bit "hotter," which can be controlled by their experienced riders and used to his or her advantage, while those intended for amateur use are generally bred to be quieter and more forgiving.

The trot is a gait of the horse where the diagonal pairs of legs move forwards at the same time, a diagonal gait. ... Horse gaits are the different methods by which a horse, either naturally or through human training, moves itself. ... Tower Bridge, a double leaf bascule, opening A bascule bridge is a drawbridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or leaf, throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. ...

Breeds

This warmblood was bred for its jumping ability.

Warmbloods were specifically developed for use as sport horses, particularily for use in dressage and show jumping. Thoroughbreds often make good sport horses, although they may require a good amount of training if they had previous careers on the track. However, many non-traditional breeds, such as the Quarter Horse, pony breeds, and gaited breeds, have individuals that make fine sport horses and some that are successful at the highest levels. Warmbloods are a group of sport horse breeds and the term simply distinguishes this type of horse from the cold bloods (draft horses) and the hot bloods (Thoroughbreds and Arabians). ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ... The American Quarter Horse is a breed of horse originally bred specifically to race the quarter mile. ...