Spanish Jennet Horse
Encyclopedia
The Spanish Jennet Horse is a new breed registry
dedicated to an attempt to recreate a colored variety of gaited horse
that resembles the historical Jennet
or "Spanish Jennet." The Jennet was a smooth-gaited
type of horse popular in the Middle Ages
, known for their presence, style and smooth ride. It was often ridden by European nobility. Some early Jennets sported pinto
or leopard
patterns.
was a type of horse more than a distinct breed, and became extinct.
Most of the Medieval horses
bred during the 16th century in Spain and elsewhere were not "breeds" in the modern sense of the word. The Jennet from Spain became more uniform in type due to a single geographical region producing them as well as generations of selective breeding
during the Middle Ages
to produce a smooth riding horse that was suitable for the riding style à la jineta. It would never have occurred to a Spaniard of the 16th century to distinguish "breeds" on the basis of registration papers
as we do today. In that time in history the breeders and fanciers of these particular horses would have called the horse by the names of the regions or family that bred them. For Example, Guzmán, Asturcón.
Historical references include a painting by the 18th C. English painter John Wootton
, which depicts a leopard pattern Spanish Jennet.
As assorted Iberian horse
s came to the Americas and the Spaniards of the New World preserved the riding style as well as the horses that suited this style, the horses became known simply as the "Spanish Jennet." Today, some of the descendants of those early Spanish Jennets are known as Paso Fino
s and Peruvian Paso
s. This is the horse that is mentioned by name as the ancestor of the Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso Horse (The Spanish Jennet gave its even temperament and smooth ambling gait) breeds as well as many other modern gaited breeds
. The Spanish Mustang
is another probable descendant.
The Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso have predominantly bred away from coat colors
that include spotting patterns. The notable exception being the pinto
Paso Fino. However historians agree that the early Colonial Spanish era horses - did indeed come in more exotic patterns.
" We will never know just exactly what horses were brought to the New World, but early records are of a wide variety of colors and markings. Some of the color names used to describe Cortez's horses are almost assuredly describing spotted horses as well as routine white marks. This is evidence that white marks and at least some body spotting patterns appear early in the Colonial Spanish era. These patterns, and white marks in general, therefore strike me as very consistent with an Iberian origin."
Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD
The Spanish Jennet Horse is a new breed of Jennet type is being created through the efforts of the Spanish Jennet Horse Society. The Registry
requires that horse for the Pintado division be of full Paso Fino
heritage and the Atigrado division must be at least of 50% Paso blood.
Outcrosses are allowed in the first generation to obtain the LP for the Registered Atigrado Spanish Jennet and must result in a minimum of 50% purebred Paso Fino
or Peruvian Paso
horse. Only one outcross is allowed (to obtain Lp or Appaloosa pattern). All 50% crosses will provide video proof of gait before registration of their offspring.
of the Spanish Jennet Horse (like that of all Paso horses) is completely natural and frequently exhibited at birth. Gait may be refined through training, but no artificial training equipment or special shoeing
is used.
It is a four-beat, lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. The musical cadence produces the sound: taca-taca-taca-taca. Executed perfectly, the continuous rhythm is even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as a natural equine walk: left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is from the hindquarters and the horse's movement is absorbed in its back and loins, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider.
The Paso gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection:
In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse's croup
. The Spanish Jennet can also perform the canter
and gallop
.
The breed comes in every equine coat color
within the horse world, except gray
. Gray horses are excluded from registration to eliminate the loss of pattern through the graying process.
There are two divisions of color patterns, the Pintado, a pinto
pattern that occurs in Tobiano
, Overo
, and Sabino
, and the Atigrado, a leopard
pattern similar to that of the Appaloosa
, that displays characteristics of the "Lp" gene including coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera
, and striped hooves
. The pinto and leopard (Appaloosa) patterning of the Spanish Jennet Horse is a result of a variety of genetic
processes that may result in heterozygous
, homozygous
or no pattern inheritance. Therefore there are patterned and solid-colored progeny in both the Pintado and Atigrado portions of the registry.
The Atigrado come in the coat patterns of:
haciendas and ranch
es for many decades.
The natural tendency for the horse to lighten the forehand and engage the hindquarters makes it ideal for versatility and cow penning. The smooth gait makes the Spanish Jennet Horse a great choice for trail riding
and endurance riding
competitions, as well as many other disciplines.
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
dedicated to an attempt to recreate a colored variety of gaited horse
Gaited horse
Gaited horses are horse breeds that have natural gaited tendencies, that is, the ability to perform one of the smooth to ride, intermediate speed four-beat horse gaits, collectively referred to as ambling gaits....
that resembles the historical Jennet
Jennet
A Jennet or Spanish Jennet was a small Spanish horse. It was noted for a smooth naturally ambling gait, compact and well-muscled build, and a good disposition...
or "Spanish Jennet." The Jennet was a smooth-gaited
Ambling
The term amble or ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
type of horse popular in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, known for their presence, style and smooth ride. It was often ridden by European nobility. Some early Jennets sported pinto
Pinto horse
A pinto horse has a coat color that consists of large patches of white and any other color. The distinction between "pinto" and "solid" can be tenuous, as so-called "solid" horses frequently have areas of white hair. Various cultures throughout history appear to have selectively bred for pinto...
or leopard
Leopard complex
The leopard complex is a group of genetically-related coat patterns in horses. These patterns range from progressive increases in interspersed white hair similar to graying or roan to distinctive, Dalmatian-like leopard spots on a white coat. Secondary characteristics associated with the leopard...
patterns.
History
The original Spanish JennetJennet
A Jennet or Spanish Jennet was a small Spanish horse. It was noted for a smooth naturally ambling gait, compact and well-muscled build, and a good disposition...
was a type of horse more than a distinct breed, and became extinct.
Most of the Medieval horses
Horses in the Middle Ages
Horses in the Middle Ages differed in size, build and breed from the modern horse, and were, on average, smaller. They were also more central to society than their modern counterparts, being essential for war, agriculture, and transport....
bred during the 16th century in Spain and elsewhere were not "breeds" in the modern sense of the word. The Jennet from Spain became more uniform in type due to a single geographical region producing them as well as generations of selective breeding
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
to produce a smooth riding horse that was suitable for the riding style à la jineta. It would never have occurred to a Spaniard of the 16th century to distinguish "breeds" on the basis of registration papers
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
as we do today. In that time in history the breeders and fanciers of these particular horses would have called the horse by the names of the regions or family that bred them. For Example, Guzmán, Asturcón.
Historical references include a painting by the 18th C. English painter John Wootton
John Wootton
John Wootton was an English painter of sporting subjects, battle scenes and landscapes, and illustrator.-Life:Born in Snitterfield, Warwickshire , he is best remembered as a pioneer in the painting of sporting subjects – together with Peter Tillemans and James Seymour – and was considered the...
, which depicts a leopard pattern Spanish Jennet.
As assorted Iberian horse
Iberian horse
The Iberian horse is a title given to a number of horse breeds native to the Iberian peninsula. At present, 17 horse breeds are recognized by FAO as characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula....
s came to the Americas and the Spaniards of the New World preserved the riding style as well as the horses that suited this style, the horses became known simply as the "Spanish Jennet." Today, some of the descendants of those early Spanish Jennets are known as Paso Fino
Paso Fino
The Paso Fino is a naturally gaited light horse breed dating back to horses imported to the Caribbean from Spain. Pasos are prized for their smooth, natural, four beat, lateral ambling gait and are used in many disciplines, but are especially popular for trail riding...
s and Peruvian Paso
Peruvian Paso
The Peruvian Paso or Peruvian Horse is a breed of light pleasure saddle horse known for its smooth ride. It is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral gait called the paso llano.-History:...
s. This is the horse that is mentioned by name as the ancestor of the Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso Horse (The Spanish Jennet gave its even temperament and smooth ambling gait) breeds as well as many other modern gaited breeds
Gaited horse
Gaited horses are horse breeds that have natural gaited tendencies, that is, the ability to perform one of the smooth to ride, intermediate speed four-beat horse gaits, collectively referred to as ambling gaits....
. The Spanish Mustang
Spanish Mustang
The Spanish Mustang is a horse breed of historical importance. They descend from horses introduced from Spain during the early conquest of the Americas. They are a type that today is mostly or wholly now extinct in Spain...
is another probable descendant.
The Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso have predominantly bred away from coat colors
Equine coat color
Horses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings. A specialized vocabulary has evolved to describe them.While most horses remain the same color throughout life, a few, over the course of several years, will develop a different coat color from that with which they were born...
that include spotting patterns. The notable exception being the pinto
Pinto horse
A pinto horse has a coat color that consists of large patches of white and any other color. The distinction between "pinto" and "solid" can be tenuous, as so-called "solid" horses frequently have areas of white hair. Various cultures throughout history appear to have selectively bred for pinto...
Paso Fino. However historians agree that the early Colonial Spanish era horses - did indeed come in more exotic patterns.
" We will never know just exactly what horses were brought to the New World, but early records are of a wide variety of colors and markings. Some of the color names used to describe Cortez's horses are almost assuredly describing spotted horses as well as routine white marks. This is evidence that white marks and at least some body spotting patterns appear early in the Colonial Spanish era. These patterns, and white marks in general, therefore strike me as very consistent with an Iberian origin."
Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD
The Spanish Jennet Horse is a new breed of Jennet type is being created through the efforts of the Spanish Jennet Horse Society. The Registry
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
requires that horse for the Pintado division be of full Paso Fino
Paso Fino
The Paso Fino is a naturally gaited light horse breed dating back to horses imported to the Caribbean from Spain. Pasos are prized for their smooth, natural, four beat, lateral ambling gait and are used in many disciplines, but are especially popular for trail riding...
heritage and the Atigrado division must be at least of 50% Paso blood.
Outcrosses are allowed in the first generation to obtain the LP for the Registered Atigrado Spanish Jennet and must result in a minimum of 50% purebred Paso Fino
Paso Fino
The Paso Fino is a naturally gaited light horse breed dating back to horses imported to the Caribbean from Spain. Pasos are prized for their smooth, natural, four beat, lateral ambling gait and are used in many disciplines, but are especially popular for trail riding...
or Peruvian Paso
Peruvian Paso
The Peruvian Paso or Peruvian Horse is a breed of light pleasure saddle horse known for its smooth ride. It is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral gait called the paso llano.-History:...
horse. Only one outcross is allowed (to obtain Lp or Appaloosa pattern). All 50% crosses will provide video proof of gait before registration of their offspring.
Characteristics
The Spanish Jennet Horse is a well-proportioned animal of moderate height and build. Extremes in muscling or bone are considered faults. The optimum appearance is that of refinement with a deep chest, well sprung ribs and a strong, medium length back with broad, well muscled loins.Gaits
The Paso gaitAmbling
The term amble or ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
of the Spanish Jennet Horse (like that of all Paso horses) is completely natural and frequently exhibited at birth. Gait may be refined through training, but no artificial training equipment or special shoeing
Horseshoe
A horseshoe, is a fabricated product, normally made of metal, although sometimes made partially or wholly of modern synthetic materials, designed to protect a horse's hoof from wear and tear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall...
is used.
It is a four-beat, lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. The musical cadence produces the sound: taca-taca-taca-taca. Executed perfectly, the continuous rhythm is even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as a natural equine walk: left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is from the hindquarters and the horse's movement is absorbed in its back and loins, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider.
The Paso gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection:
- The Corto or Llano is a relaxed, ground covering gait which is ideal for pleasure, and trail riding. About the speed of a jog trot, rack or running walk. Most SJ horses prefer this gait to the walk.
- The Largo is the speed form of the gaitGaitGait is the pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on speed, terrain, the need to maneuver, and energetic efficiency...
, with speeds equivalent to that of a canterCanterThe canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
or in some cases a gallopCanterThe canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
. - Flat walk or Collected walk like all equines.
In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse's croup
Horse anatomy
Equine anatomy refers to the gross and microscopic anatomy of horses and other equids, including donkeys, and zebras. While all anatomical features of equids are described in the same terms as for other animals by the International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature in the book...
. The Spanish Jennet can also perform the canter
Canter
The canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
and gallop
Canter
The canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
.
Color and Patterns
Equine coat color
Horses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings. A specialized vocabulary has evolved to describe them.While most horses remain the same color throughout life, a few, over the course of several years, will develop a different coat color from that with which they were born...
within the horse world, except gray
Gray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
. Gray horses are excluded from registration to eliminate the loss of pattern through the graying process.
There are two divisions of color patterns, the Pintado, a pinto
Pinto horse
A pinto horse has a coat color that consists of large patches of white and any other color. The distinction between "pinto" and "solid" can be tenuous, as so-called "solid" horses frequently have areas of white hair. Various cultures throughout history appear to have selectively bred for pinto...
pattern that occurs in Tobiano
Tobiano
Tobiano is a spotted color pattern commonly seen in Pinto horses, produced by a dominant gene. The tobiano gene produces white-haired, pink-skinned patches on a base coat color. The coloration is present from birth and does not change throughout the horse's lifetime, unless the horse also carries...
, Overo
Overo
Overo refers to several genetically unrelated pinto coloration patterns of white-over-dark body markings in horses, and is a term used by the American Paint Horse Association to classify a set of pinto patterns that are not Tobiano...
, and Sabino
Sabino horse
Sabino is a group of white spotting patterns in horses that affect the skin and hair. A wide variety of irregular color patterns are accepted as sabino. In the strictest sense, "sabino" refers to the white patterns produced by the Sabino 1 gene, for which there is a DNA test...
, and the Atigrado, a leopard
Leopard complex
The leopard complex is a group of genetically-related coat patterns in horses. These patterns range from progressive increases in interspersed white hair similar to graying or roan to distinctive, Dalmatian-like leopard spots on a white coat. Secondary characteristics associated with the leopard...
pattern similar to that of the Appaloosa
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a horse breed best known for its colorful leopard-spotted coat pattern. There is a wide range of body types within the breed, stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting...
, that displays characteristics of the "Lp" gene including coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera
Sclera
The sclera , also known as the white or white of the eye, is the opaque , fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber. In the development of the embryo, the sclera is derived from the neural crest...
, and striped hooves
Horse hoof
A horse hoof is a structure surrounding the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit of each of the four limbs of Equus species, which is covered by complex soft tissue and keratinised structures...
. The pinto and leopard (Appaloosa) patterning of the Spanish Jennet Horse is a result of a variety of genetic
Equine coat color genetics
Equine coat color genetics determine a horse's coat color. There are many different coat colors possible, but all colors are produced by the action of only a few different genes. The simplest genetic default color of all domesticated horses can be described as either "red" or "non-red", depending...
processes that may result in heterozygous
Zygosity
Zygosity refers to the similarity of alleles for a trait in an organism. If both alleles are the same, the organism is homozygous for the trait. If both alleles are different, the organism is heterozygous for that trait...
, homozygous
Zygosity
Zygosity refers to the similarity of alleles for a trait in an organism. If both alleles are the same, the organism is homozygous for the trait. If both alleles are different, the organism is heterozygous for that trait...
or no pattern inheritance. Therefore there are patterned and solid-colored progeny in both the Pintado and Atigrado portions of the registry.
The Atigrado come in the coat patterns of:
- Blanket
- Blanket With Spots
- LP Roan or Varnish roanVarnish roanVarnish roan describes a horse with coloration similar to roan, but with some changes in color over the years, though not to the extreme of a gray. This type of roaning only occurs in conjunction with the Leopard complex. Varnish roans are born with a dark base coat color, usually with some spotting...
- Roan Blanket With Spots
Uses
The Spanish Jennet Horse is a naturally agile and athletic horse, capable of many disciplines. They have a natural cow sense, inherited from the use of the ancestors of the breed on cattleCattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
haciendas and ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
es for many decades.
The natural tendency for the horse to lighten the forehand and engage the hindquarters makes it ideal for versatility and cow penning. The smooth gait makes the Spanish Jennet Horse a great choice for trail riding
Trail riding
Trail riding sometimes called horse or pony trekking is riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena. The term may encompass those who travel on horses, on mountain bikes, or on motorcycles and other motorized all-terrain vehicles...
and endurance riding
Endurance riding
Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide....
competitions, as well as many other disciplines.