Tiger Horse

Tiger

Table of Contents

History and Origin of the Breed
Breed Characteristics
Breed Organization

History and Origin of the Breed

The Tiger Horse is an ancient breed, perhaps once used to hunt Siberian tigers. It originated on the Steppes of Asia near the Don region of Russia. Originally a small horse, today it averages 15 hands. In the United States today efforts are underway to bring the Tiger horse back by using contemporary "gaited" or "saddling" breeds and crossing them with certain types of similar or gaited Appaloosas; for the Tiger horse was not only exotically colored, it exhibited four gaits.

It is difficult to trace the roots of the Tiger Horse. However, in Chineseti_fairy4.jpg (15897 bytes) cave paintings, the ancients who were fierce horsemen, are shown mounted and galloping above the mountain peaks, drawing their bows at fleeing tigers. These ancient paintings, also, confirm that many of these horses were indeed once spotted and existed in much larger numbers than today. Large herds of domestic horses are still farmed in these regions and are used for milk and meat as in the ancient past. Sadly, very few spotted horses are apparent there today. One must travel to the Altaic region near the Steppe, to find a sizeable herd of what might be cousins to the original Tiger horse. The Altai is a small, strong, pony sized horse with leopard spots. Altai horses are reported to be four-gaited and disease resistant.

During the 1980's, an exciting art find was made in an ancient South Korean burial mound. The mound contained the skeleton of a horse together with that of a long dead King or "Shaman." Among the treasures the mound tomb rendered, were a gold crown adorned with tiny gold leaves and a beautiful carving of a white horse. The painting of this "spirit horse" was done on the bark of white birch, a tree of the Steppes and is said to be 1,500 years old.

In Kazakhstan, "spotted pony-type horses are sturdy, wiry, well-built and highly spirited." "Spotted horses in the Don regions are said to be fleet of foot with hanging manes, long forelocks and full tails." "The spotted, long-backed type from Kvazakhstan is also said to be a naturally "pacing horse." (see book "The Ghost Wind Stallions" by Don LaLonde in which many authentic photos of leopard spotted Siberian and Russian tispotsz.jpg (19250 bytes)horses are on display.)

Tiger Horse spots are identified as the "Lp gene" or leopard complex coat patterns. Appaloosa, Knabstrupper, Noriker and other horses also exhibit the Lp gene but physically, are quite different from the Tiger Horse.

MORE RECENT ORIGINS OF THE TIGER HORSE
How did the Tiger Horse first enter the Americas? The most accepted finding is that it arrived via Spain in the form of the Spanish Jennet during the 1400's. Its flowing mane and tail, exotic coat patterns and a fourth, or ambling gait made it highly desirable in Spain and later by the plains Indians and the Nez Perce tribe in particular. Some remnants of that early horse can be found in the United States today, within the Appaloosa breed. The Nez Perce Indians are credited with having bred large numbers of spotted, gaited horses around the Palouse River district, hence the name "Appaloosa." By the time the Appaloosa Horse Club was formed, approximately 40 years ago, infusions of Thoroughbred and Draft horses had greatly shifted the breeds original identity to what the Appaloosa is today.

The Tiger Horse Registry exists to promote and protect the original characteristics of the Tiger horse and tidillonz.jpg (19245 bytes)selects from the Appaloosa horse breed, those individuals most suited for this purpose. Tiger horses are born with a natural ability to perform a smooth middle or fourth gait and can cover great distances at a very easy pace, also known as "the running walk." These characteristics together with exotic color are highly desirable to Tiger horse breeders. Rules apply within the organization to see that a natural middle gait and exotic color is maintained in this breed. Today's contemporary Appaloosa breed, which has largely been bred away from the smooth middle gaits, occasionally produces "genetic throwbacks" which fully qualify as Tiger Horses. TIGRE is home to Appaloosa horses that perform the "running walk."

Today’s Tiger horse is a breed of a Spanish/American type, which combines the easy riding four-beat gait with the Lp color pattern, (leopard complex gene) which is also found in the Noriker, Altai, Knabstrupper, Appaloosa and others. The Spanish description of these colorful patterns used during the Spanish colonial period was "El Caballo Tigre," but the "Tigre" horse is known to have been in existence prior to that. The original "Tiger" or "Tigre" horses originated on the Siberian Steppes of Asia, the Don region of Russia where it is believed they were once used to hunt tigers.


Breed Characteristics

The Tiger Horse of the 20th century has no tigers to hunt but is strongly built, moderately sized and averages 15 hands with excellent legs and striped feet, making it an outstanding using animal. Influenced by contemporary four-gaited American horses and horses carrying the leopard complex gene, Breeders can anticipate the return of a modern version of the classic Spanish horse known as "El Caballo Tigre" which itself was developed by careful outcrossing.

While Tiger horses are capable of performing in many areas, from working cattle to various levels of dressage, the emphasis of the Tiger Horse Registry will always be on producing a sturdy, sound, useful horse which is suitable for comfortable long distance traveling or long hours of showing. Insufficient bone or foot and unsound leg, back or shoulder structure, will not be accepted and will be seriously penalized in the show ring and should therefore be avoided by breeders. Overly large heads are also undesirable. The stride is long. The legs are straight and move forwards in a straight line rather than showing any rotation. The heart girth and loin are almost equally deep and the neck and hip are equally proportioned. The head is neat and of average length while the eyes and nostrils are large. The Tiger horse’s temperament is sweet. They exhibit controlled spirit and an affection for (and a willingness to co-operate with) humans.

The Tiger horse comes in all base coat colors ie., black, bay, chestnut etc., but is noted for the addition of exotic Tiger coat patterns. The leopard complex gene is white and when inherited, is deposited on top of the horse's base coat color. An important characteristic, the Lp gene might not always be visible on the body of the horse, but must be evident in other aspects, from sclera eyes to striped hooves and mottled genitalia and muzzles. If striated hooves are the only characteristic visible, these will not be acceptable unless the horse's legs are solid colored. Striated hooves alone are not acceptable when they appear below white socks or stockings.

Within the Tiger horse ranks, there is a hierarchy for color and gait. The horses are categorized in order of importance as "Ghosts," "TEF's" and "TG's."

GHOSTS
tighostz.jpg (16640 bytes)Ghost's which are born "white" but show base coat color on all points including above each striped hoof, are recognized by TIGRE as homozygous for the leopard complex gene, which means they inherited the gene from both parents and guarantee color production. Not only is the homozygous color important but the fourth or smooth middle gait, must also be present.

TEF'S (Tiger Exotic Foundation)
TEF's are the Peacocks of the breed. Some TEF's also guarantee ti_foalz.jpg (18603 bytes)color production. TEF's and Ghosts are both considered to be "exotics." TEF's wear spotted "color" over more than 50% of the body and are very eye-catching and appealing. Some TEF's are homozygous for color but are not as easily identified, as are Ghosts. TEF's, after many foals with 100% color inheritance are on the ground, can be assumed to be homozygous. Others are merely heterozygous meaning they do not guarantee color when bred to "solids." Breeding to other exotics always makes sense, when colorful success is the goal.

TG's (Tiger Horses)
While less colorful, TG's are a very important part of the breed's identity. TG’s exhibit only 25 % or less of the Lp gene often only through the other accepted characteristics of the Tiger horse, sclera eyes (the whites showing on one or both eyes) mottled genitalia and muzzles, plus striated hooves and the all-important fourth or middle gait.

GAIT
Although the gait is identifiable at birth, Tiger Horses are not accepted for registration until they are at least six months of age when precise gait will be more evident. Rather than a square gait, or "running walk," some foals prefer to move diagonally upon maturity, while others may move laterally or show a tendency to pace. Waiting until a foal is six months of age before videotaping gait and applying for registration gives TIGRE a clearer picture of the foal's strengths. The squarest gait, known as "the running walk," is highly desirable.

In order to cement the middle gaits into the Tiger Horse breed, the titiger2z.jpg (15156 bytes)squarest gaits should be used whenever possible. Because breeders are forced to turn to solid colored horses that gait, for infusions into the breed, often only one parent is "colored" and one parent is "gaited." The resulting foals if fully qualified inherit color and gait.

TIGRE has noticed that gait inheritance is very often gender related. Sires to daughters and dams to sons. This information helps breeders select an appropriate mate for their breeding prospect. The resulting foals must then be bred back to others that qualify. This is the only way the genes can be returned to the horse wearing the leopard complex gene.


Breed Organization

Started by Victoria and Mark Varley of Mena Arkansas in 1993, "TIGRE", The Tiger Horse Registry, is a privately owned and operated Registry. Annual or lifetime membership contributions and the volunteer efforts of members assist it. Headquarters for TIGRE is Annandale’s Tiger Horse Farm in Mena, Arkansas and also in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"Tale of the Tiger" is a tri-annual newsletter published by Varley & Associates for TIGRE.

In order to preserve the integrity of the Registry and the breed, it was decided at the outset, to blood type every horse applicant including stallions, mares and foals. In order to register a horse, it is necessary to be a member of TIGRE.

The Tiger Horse Registry will eventually close its books but fully eligible "original entry" individuals, who continue to arrive, will always be admitted to the probation books. In the meantime "original entry" horses will be selected for registration on the basis of an inspection video which shows conformation, gait and bright Lp color. All "original entry" applicants are on probation until stallions have sired five fully qualified Tiger horses. Mares must produce three. Only fully qualified Tiger horses are eligible for the permanent studbooks of TIGRE.

For More Information, Contact:

The Tiger Horse Registry (TIGRE)
National Headquarters
Annandale's Tiger Horse Farm
404, Polk 47
Mena, AR 71953

Tel: (501)394-3746
Fax: (501)394-5155
E-mail: tigrehorse@aol.com
Web site: http://members.aol.com/tigrehorse/


Information supplied by Victoria Varley - Owner -
The Tiger Horse Registry

TIGREã and The Tiger Horse Registryã are copyrighted names. These names may be applied to only those horses registered by The Tiger Horse Registry. TIGRE - The Tiger Horse Registry, is not known by any other names, nor does it operate at any addresses other than those stated above.

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Tiger Horse: Table of Contents
Horse Breeds of Asia
Horse Breeds of the World

© Copyright International Museum of the Horse, 1998