Universal breeding goal for high steppers
The ADHHA breeding goal is like an umbrella that covers all horses and people that can contribute to the high stepping show horse with universal appeal & star quality.
Show horse breeds all over the world
The Dutch Harness Horse, Saddlebred, Hackney and Morgan, for example, all have similar characteristics of the high stepping show horse. The difference is the road followed to achieve the ultimate goal of the high stepper with universal appeal.
Inclusive guidelines
ADHHA believes that breeders should have the freedom to breed towards their own ideal.
That's why ADHHA chooses guidelines and a breeding goal that are comprehensive, inclusive and simple to understand.
ADHHA offers room for creativity
ADHHA pyramids provide guidelines to help identify the many simple steps it takes to achieve the ultimate goal.
A role of the American Dutch Harness Horse Association exists to:
Everyone can recognize the high stepper by its powerful & dignified trot with its striking frontleg that goes above the horizontal.
Breeding & pedigree
The breeding or pedigree of a horse forms the base of everything. For selecting breeding stock, a stallion or mare, the following criteria should be considered:
- proven heritage
- line-breeding or inbreeding
- hybrid or outcross
- phenotype & genotype
The importance of conformation, motion and heart
The three pyramids show some basic steps that can be used to create the ultimate show horse that has universal appeal. Even though the breeding is the foundation, without proper horse husbandry the ultimate goal can not be achieved.
It is the breeders choice as to where they feel their horse should be improved upon and each part of every pyramid should be considered.
Conformation
ADHHA's ideal horse has correct and functional conformation with specific show horse characteristics.
Motion
Foals show a natural high stepping trot. The ideal motion is extreme, functional and technically correct.
Heart
The heart makes the difference. It shows in conformation, motion and trainability.
Universal excitement!
The universal excitement begins when all or most of the ingredients in the pyramids are fullfilled. Universal quality and appeal is the ultimate goal.
The breeding goal forms a base for the training pyramid. When everything comes together you need no explanations or reasons, you just sit back and enjoy being snared by the high stepper.