The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Considered a "hot-blooded" horse, and known for their agility, speed and spirit, the Thoroughbred as it is known today was first developed in 17th and 18th century England, when native mares were crossbred with imported Arabian stallions. During the 18th century and 19th century, the breed spread throughout the world; they were imported into North America starting in 1730 and into Australia, Europe, Japan and South America during the 19th century. Millions of Thoroughbreds exist worldwide today, with over 118,000 foals registered each year worldwide. Thoroughbreds are used mainly for racing, but are also bred for other riding disciplines, such as show jumping, combined training, dressage, polo, and fox hunting. They are also commonly cross-bred with other breeds to create new breeds or to improve existing ones, and have been influential in the creation of many important breeds, such as the Quarter Horse, the Standardbred, the Anglo-Arabian, and various warmblood breeds. Thoroughbred racehorses perform with maximum exertion, which has resulted in high rates of accidents and other health problems.
Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1607:
Susenyos defeated the combined armies of Yaqob and Abuna Petros II at the Battle of Gol in Gojjam, making him Emperor of Ethiopia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susenyos_of_Ethiopia
1830:
The Royal Dutch East Indies Army, the military force maintained by the Netherlands in its colony of the Netherlands East Indies, was established by royal decree. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dutch_East_Indies_Army
1952:
Forbidden by law to seek re-election, former President Fulgencio Batista staged a coup d'état to resume control in Cuba. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista
1965:
Thomas Playford, Premier of South Australia, left office after 27 years, the longest term of any democratically elected leader in the history of Australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Playford_IV
2006:
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter attained orbit around Mars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Reconnaissance_Orbiter
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
opportunely (adv): 1. In a manner suitable for some particular purpose. 2. In a manner convenient or advantageous at some particular time http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/opportunely
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
I don't believe in hatred anymore.
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