Horse Breeds Beginning With V

Venezuelan Criollo/ Llanero Horse

Country of Origin: Venezuela

Intro

Also called the Venezuelan Criollo and the Prairie Horse, the Llanero comes from the animals brought to Buenos Aires by the Spanish (specifically Don Pedro de Mendoza) in 1535.

Origins

Each strain of the Spanish South American breeds is defined by the different climates found there. The extreme weather in Venezuela shaped this strain into a small, hardy animal that is named for the swampy savannah plains from which it comes. This is still a common animal today.

Features

Average height 14 hands

Traditional Colors

Primarily dun but other colors can be found

Temperament

Intelligent & bold
Loyal and willing

Use

Cattle horses
Riding horse
Transportation

Video

Ventasso Horse

Country of Origin: Italy

Origins

The Ventasso Horse comes from the Ventasso Mountain in the province of Reggio Emilia in Italy. Known for their sturdy build and great heart the Italian army has long used them as mounts. The Ventasso’s of today possess English, Maremmanos& Lipizzan blood. These animals are incredibly rare.

Features

Average height 14.3 – 16.1 hands

Physique

Head is expressive with a straight profile
Neck is medium in length and muscular
Back is medium in length
Shoulder is sloping
Chest is deep
Legs are robust with wide, dry joints

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | bay | black

Temperament

Balanced character
Lively & bold

Use

Riding horse
Endurance mount

 VietnamesseHmong/ Hmong Horse

Country of Origin: Vietnam

Intro

The small Hmong Horse is native to Vietnam and although they are very small, the have no problem bearing the weight of a full-grown man.

Origins

This breed comes from the Ha Giang Province of Vietnam which is a very remote area. Not much is known about their origins, however they are thought to be descendants of Sichuan, Tomorean or Mongolian horses. However they have been relatively untouched due to their physical isolation so their lineage tends to be fairly pure.

This breed is not officially recognized nor is there a breeding program in place.

Physique

Head has broad forehead
Mane is thick & cropped

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | bay | dun | Palomino & Buckskin

Temperament

Good natured

Use

Riding horse
Pack animal
Transportation

Virginia Highlander Horse

Country of Origin: USA

Intro

The Virginia Highlander Horse is a relatively new breed, developed in Sugar Grove Virginia by a man named William Pugh whose intentions were to create a superior riding horse.

Origins

William started with an Arabian / Tennessee Walker cross mare who was pregnant by a Welsh pony. From this colt he established a strict breeding program using the blood of Arabian, American Saddlebred, Hackney, Morgan and more Welsh pony.

He continued to breed, and discard unsuitable animals until he had stock that met his expectations. In the early 1990′s the Virginia Highlander Horse Association was established.

Features

Average height 13 – 14 hands

Physique

Head is fine
Eyes are wide set & expressive
Body is robust & strong

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | bay | black | roan

Temperament

Gentle and amiable

Use

Riding horse

Helpful Links

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Highland Farm
Highlander Horses

Video

Vlaamperd/South Africa Vlaamperd

Country of Origin: South Africa

Intro

The South African Vlaamperd comes from the western Cape Region of South Africa and their name translates to “Flemish Horse” referring to their strong initial Friesian influence.

Origins

This breed was developed as a heavy riding horse using Friesian, Cape Harness,Hackeny & Thoroughbred, East-Friesian, Oldenburg and Cleveland Bay. Today pureblooded members of this breed are very few & the breed is borderline extinct.

The resulting animal was stylish, graceful, possessed high stepping action & was incredibly versatile. The SA Vlaamperd Breeder’s Society was established in 1983 to protect & preserve the breed. Sadly today their numbers are very limited today.

Features

Average height 14.2 – 15.2 hands

Traditional Colors

black | bay

Temperament

Good natured

Use

Riding horse
Carriage horse
Show horse
Festivals

Vladimir Heavy Draft Horse

Country of Origin: Russia

Intro

The Vladimir Heavy Draft was developed in the Vladimir and Ivanovo Regions of Russia as a medium draft breed with both power & speed. This area has long been known for the creation of good horses.

Origins

This breed was created by crossing large native breeds with draft breeds likePercheron & Suffolk, Clydesdale & Shire.

Features

Average height 15 – 16 hands

Physique

Head is long & clean often with a convex profile
Neck is long & muscular
Back is long & can be dipped
Chest is broad
Legs are long and well set

Traditional Colors

black | bay

Use

Heavy draft

Voronezh Coach Horse

Country of Origin: Russia

Intro

The Voronezh Coach was developed in the Voronezh District of Russia & is a very rare breed today. Their numbers are pitifully low, however recently an interest has been shown in reviving this breed as it is an ancestor to the extinct Bityug breed & they retain many of their physical characteristics.

Origins

In 1936 a study was conducted on the horses of the area and a decision was made to improve the local draft breeds by breeding them pure with only the addition of trotter blood. By 1938 a stud farm was established to breed a Bityug type horse that was re-named the Voronezh Coach Horse.

3 Voronezh Coach Types

There are three recognized types of the breed.
Massive – the smallest in numbers but larger, with more draft influence.
Light – more refined in confirmation & shows trotter influence.
Local – the offspring of local stallions with unknown bloodlines, tends to be coarser in confirmation.

Features

Average height 15 – 15.3 hands

Physique

Back is straight & long
Legs are straight with well made joints & feathering
Hooves are hard

Traditional Colors

bay | roan | pinto | black

Temperament

Calm & willing

Use

Harness
Draft
Transportation

Vyatka Horse

Country of Origin: Russia

Intro

The Vyatka or Viatka is a native northern breed that comes from of the Kirov & Perm regions of Udmurtia which is a climate well suited for horse breeding.

Origins

Although this is a native breed, they were influenced by the blood of Klepperanimals during the 14th century. The breeding was poorly managed and not protected so by the early 20th century they were all but extinct.

Since then, steps have been taken to resurrect the breed as they are thought to be direct descendants of the Tarpan. They carry distinctive primitive marking which becomes diluted after crossing with non-Vyatka animals. Unfortunately there are very few pureblooded animals left today.

Features

Average height 13 – 15 hands

Physique

Head is clean
Neck is short, fleshy & often arched
Back is long, broad & sometimes dipped
Legs are short & strong
Hooves are strong

Traditional Colors

roan | dun

Use

Riding
Draft
Transportation