Standardbred
willing to perform, level-headed, amenable
Origin
USA
Withers height
145–165 cm
Harness racingPacingLeisure (after the racing career)
Traits & strengths
- ✦the highest speed at trot and pace — unmatched over the racing distance
- ✦exceptionally level-headed, even amid racing
- ✦amenable and easy to handle — popular as a leisure horse after the track
- ✦a very resilient cardiovascular system
Breed-typical predispositions
Exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER)
Disease →described in racehorses at high intensity — feeding and workload management are the levers
Gastric ulcers (EGUS)
Disease →very common in racing and training yards — forage provision and time in the stable are decisive
EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage)
Disease →described under maximal exertion
Osteoarthritis of the hocks
Disease →heavy trotting load at a young age leaves its mark
Latest findings
DMRT3 and racing performance at the trot
2012The homozygous DMRT3 variant prevents breaking into canter at high speed — it is the precondition for the racing trot and is almost completely fixed in the population.
Source · Andersson et al. — Nature 2012