The Basotho Horse -Breed Standard and Breeding Goal
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The Basotho is a riding horse, high in blood, 140-150 cm high. By nature it is co-operative agreeable and eager, with a good temperament. The horse is suitable for long distances, even in mountainous terrain, has a rugged constitution, is quick to recover, can survive extreme conditions of heat or cold, and is easy to feed and thrifty. This pleasant-to-deal-with breed, is compact and offers a natural clear, four-beated gait with natural lateral tendency. Well-formed, small, tough but flexible hoofs.
Breeding age: from the age of 3 to 3½ years
Backing age: form 3½ years
Long riding lifespan
Head: fine head, free throat latch, widely spaced jawbones. The frequently seen tendency to a thick throat is undesirable. The forehead is narrow, the eyes are wide-open and the shortish neck is well set and held naturally high when under saddle.
Front quarters: shoulder slightly steep, joints prominent, cannonbones short, dry and compact, while the pasterns are rather steep.
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Middle quarters: prominent withers, a not overly long and strong back, with good placing for the saddle. The ribs are well rounded and the loins are short and closed.
Hind quarters: a square, slightly sloping croup, a good angle of the hind legs, strong hocks, dry tendons.
Colors: all colors are allowed
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Gaits:
- walk: long and spacey
- trot: somewhat flat, with a slight tendency to dishing
- gallop: a well defined jump, rolling, providing a comfortable seat
- Natural disposition for lateral gaits from clear four-beated gait to tripling. There are also 5-gaited horses. A high action of the front legs is not required. All lateral gaits should be comfortable for the rider, also over long distances.
Basotho kids
 
Reprinted from the Swiss Archive for Tierheilkund.
With the kind permission of the author Prof. Dr. E. Isenbügel |
