Breeds of Horse

Local Breeds of Horse

 Bhirum pony (Nigerian Pony) Characteristics

•     Average height of 14-14.2 hands
•     Small and alert ears
•    Deep chest
•    Short neck with sloping shoulder
•    Quite and tough.
•    Tail is set low
•       They are considered handsome pony
•        Legs are strong but sometimes hindquarters are poorly developed 
•        They are used for light draft, pack horse and riding horse

a.     Exotic Breeds of Horse

Appoloosa

•   Has distinct spotted coat
•     14-16 hands high
•   Good saddle horse and used special show and stock work

Morgan

•   Perform many horse tasks like haul heavy items, do farm works, race and can perform in a show ring
• 15.2 hands high 

Breed Distribution of Horse

Distribution of  local breeds of horse

• West African Barb: Western most Region of West Africa
•  Hausa: found in Nigeria
• Bhirum pony: indigenous to northern Nigeria
• Sulebawa: found in Nigeria

Distribution of Exotic breeds of horse

•  Morgan: found in North America 
•  Appoloosa: North America and South America

Economic importance 

•                   Used for racing and polo
•            Used for royalty and festivals (during durbar)
•           Used for pleasure and as gifts
•               Used as meat in some part of the countries
•         Could be rented out in industrialized places
•         Used for companionship/pet
•          As a source of income when sold; as it is very expensive
•         Used for ploughing farms
•         Also used for warfare