Horse Breeds Beginning With Y

Yabou Horse

Country of Origin: Turkmenistan

Intro

The Yabou or Yaboo comes from the Turkoman steppes and has long been used as a pack animal. In fact, the name Yabou is often used to refer to a pauper’s horse or a nag. However, as with every breed there is more than meets the eye, they share lineage with Turkoman animals which makes them incredibly & well suited to their climate.

Origins

In fact, this is an kind and useful animal who can carry great weights and amble or pace with efficient speed. Interestingly enough, genetic studies have shown them to be related more closely to the English Thoroughbred than they are to the otherTurkoman strains (or the Arabian).

The Yabou’s are not bred by the Turkoman, they are purchased from gypsies who live in neighboring mountainous forest areas.

Physique

Neck is set lower than most Turkoman breeds
Mane & tail are thick
Body is narrow
Shoulders are powerful

Traditional Colors

All colors

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Yamud Horse

Country of Origin: Turkmenistan

Intro

Also called the Iomudskaya & the Yamud, the Iomud comes from Turkmenistan and is a descendant of the ancient Turkmenian breed that was developed by the Iomud tribe in southern Turkmenia.

Origins

Due to their location this breed was largely influenced by the hardy animals of the steppes as well as Arabian blood. Other than a few outside genetics, the Iomud breed has remained relatively pure, however the purebred population started a steady decline in the 20th century. In 1983 a stud farm was set up in Turkmenia to protect the breed, continue proper breeding practices and grow their numbers.

Today there are three types of Iomud animals. The large type which is similar in size & stature to the Akhal-Teke. The medium type which is the most common & reminiscent of eastern horses crossed with Thoroughbred animals. The third is a smaller animal with shorter legs and a robust build that is of obvious Mongolian &Kazakh animals, this is the rarest type.

Features

Average height 14.2 – 15.2 hands
Soft, floating gaits

Physique

Head is large & clean cut, often with a Roman nose
Neck is medium to long in length
Chest is shallow
Legs are clean, fine & very strong
Mane & tail are sparse

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | black

Use

Riding horse
Racing
Cross country
Improving other breeds

Yakut Horse

Country of Origin: Russia

Intro

The Yakut Horse comes from northern & central Siberia and they have developed in relative isolation, created by the harsh natural conditions that surround them. In fact, they reside further north than any other breed of equine.

Origins

The Yakut Horse has developed under conditions that would kill most horses, deeply cold winters see temperatures as low as 90 below. The reason they have survived this long is that snow fall is not high and they are able to graze year round. Compared to other Mongolian types these animals are larger and more robust.

In such a harsh climate these animals play a big part in the community, not only as a work horse but as an essential means of transportation.

3 Yakut Types

Northern most & original type – called the Middle Kolyma or Verkhoyansk
Southern small type – hasn’t been crossed with improved breeds & the most valuable of the types
Southern large type – generally improved through crossbreeding

Features

Average height 13.2 – 13.3 hands

Physique

Head is coarse
Neck is straight
Lack is wide & long
Chest is wide & deep
Legs are short & hard
Hooves are solid
Body hair & mane & tail grow dense & thick

Traditional Colors

grey | bay | dun | roan

Use

Riding horse
Pack animal
Meat production
Milk production
Transportation
Racing
Fur

Video

Yanqi Horse

Country of Origin: China

Origins

The Yanqi comes from several countries in the Xianjiang Autonomous Region of China and they were developed from Mongolian ponies brought to the area during the 13th century.

Later, after the 18th century Don & Orlov Trotter blood was added to improve the breed.

2 Yanqi Types

Basin – lighter in confirmation
Mountin – a more robust animal

Features

Average height 13 – 14 hands

Physique

Head is dry with a straight profile
Eyes are large & open
Neck is medium in length & straight
Chest is medium in width & depth
Back is long, straight & narrow
Legs are strong with well developed joints

Traditional Colors

chestnut | black | bay are most common

Temperament

Spirited & bold
Willing & kind

Use

Riding horse
Farm work
Draft
Milk Production

Yemeni Horse

Country of Origin: Yemen

Origins

The Yemeni Horse comes from Yemen and is descendant of stock indigenous to the northern Arabian Peninsula and of early Arabian animals. These are strong animals with good legs and a characteristic curved back.

Features

Average height 15 hands

Physique

Head is cone shaped
Ears are small & thin
Chest is wide
Back is short and often curved
Legs are strong with large joints
Hooves are round & strong

Traditional Colors

grey | bay

Use

Riding horse

Yili Horse

Country of Origin: China

Origins

The Yili Horse was developed in the mountain basin grasslands of Yili-Kazakh Autonomous District in China. At the turn of the 20th century Russian immigrants brought stallions to the area to improve local Kazakh horses. Later in 1936 Don,Orlov Trotter & Anglo-Don animals were imported to further improve stock, however they didn’t achieve the desired results. By 1936 a suitable draft-riding type was achieved and careful interbreeding created the Yili Horse.

Features

Average height 14 hands

Physique

Head is light with a straight profile
Neck is average in length & slightly arched in studs
Back is short & strong
Chest is deep
Shoulder is sloped
Legs are clean & often hind legs are sickled

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | bay | black

Temperament

Honest & true

Use

Riding horse
Light draft

Yonaguni Horse

Country of Origin: Japan

Intro

The Yonaguni is an incredibly rare small native pony breed that comes from the southwest islands of Japan. Their origins are a mystery but it is thought that they were either introduced from southern islands about 2000 years ago or that they came from Korea and are related to the Cheju.

Origins

This breed closely resembles both the Tokara & Miyako ponies, both native to Japan as well. For many years the horse was an indispensable part of rural households, for farm work & transportation. In 1939 many local breeds were improved for war horses, however the Yonaguni managed to remain more pure of blood due to their isolation.

Today these animals are very rare, as the mechanics of the 20th century drastically reduced their numbers.

Features

Average height 10 – 12 hands

Physique

Head is large
Neck is short & thick
Shoulders are straight
Back is long
Legs can be splayed
Hooves are long & hard

Traditional Colors

chestnut | bay

Temperament

Gentle & thoughtful

Use

Riding pony
Light draft

Video

Yugoslav Montain Pony/  Bosnian Pony

Country of Origin: Bosnia

Intro

Along with the Hucul and the Konik ponies, the Bosnian pony (also called Bosanski brdski konj) is called one of the Balkan breeds and all three share the same ancestors.

Origins

This breed is thought to be close descendant of the Tarpan with Mongolian influence. By the 17th and 18th centuries many of the bloodlines had been diluted with the blood of eastern horses

Since 1900 the breeding has been selective in Yugoslavia and controlled by the government to preserve original qualities. The stallions are maintained by the state and the mares are privately owned.

Features

Average height 12.3 – 14. hands
Small, compact and sturdy
Surefooted and hardy

Physique

Head is heavy with straight profile
Neck is short and muscular
Back is short and straight
Chest is deep and wide
Legs are strong, short and muscular with broad joints
Hoof is well-formed and hard

Traditional Colors

black | chestnut | grey | bay | dun | palomino

Temperament

Docile and good-natured

Use

Farm animal
Transportation
Riding horse

Yorkshire Coach Horse/ Cleveland Bay Horse

Country of Origin: England

Intro

The oldest breed of horse from Britain originally from the Cleveland area of North East England. The church was principally responsible for keeping the bloodlines and the Cleveland bay type.

Origins

Originally bred as pack horses in the Yorkshire Dales and they were locally calledChapman horses. Towards the end of the 17th century an influx of Barb stallions were bred into the Chapman horses bloodlines. The result was a powerful animal often used under harness as well as for pack animals.

In the 18th century the breed grew in size (partially due to better fodder) which increased the scope of the Cleveland Bay’s use as agricultural horses.

Features

16-16.2 hands
Highly versatile
Sound and even tempered
Action is free and long in stride

Physique

Head is bold and well carried on the neck
Eyes are large and well set
Legs are muscular with large knees and hocks
Body is deep and wide with deeply muscled shoulders
Feet are one of the most important characteristic, they must be blue in color, large and sound

Traditional Colors:

Must be bay with black points

Temperament

Strong character
Intelligent
Hardy with intense stamana

Use

Police horse
Show horse
Driving horse
General riding horse

Yunnan Horse

Country of Origin: China

Intro

The Yunnan comes from the Wuron Mountains in China and has been bred strictly locally without any influence of outside blood.

Origins

Because the area where they are bred is diverse in geography a variety of strains have been developed. The earliest account of this breed dates back to 285 BC and they were once used to pull chariots & carts. This is a small breed and there are three recognized types.

Features

Average height 11 – 11.2 hands

Physique

Head is heavy and a straight & sometimes dished profile
Ears are small & forward
Neck is short & straight
Back is short
Shoulder is straight
Legs are dry & muscular
Hooves are shapely & tough

Traditional Colors

chestnut | bay | black

Temperament

Intelligent & bold
Willing & kind

Use

Riding horse
Transport