Re: RC: Common sense shoeing, was LTLH...

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:41:18 AM Eastern Standard Time, RDShoe4U@aol.com writes:

<< A wild horse and a domesticated are two different species.>>

Uh, no.  So-called "wild" horses are of the specied Equus caballus, just like domestic horses are.  In fact, in North America at least, they are actually feral horses, and are entirely descended from domestic stock.  There are four variants of the species Equus caballus (the nomenclature may have altered somewhat in recent years--am going off of old research here)--the Przewalski, the Arabian (or Barb), the Tarpan, and the Great Forest Horse.  The Przewalski (in Asia) is the only one that exists in its original form today that is truly wild.  The Arabian and closely related breeds (Barb, Akhal Teke, etc.) are domesticated but still more or less representative of that type.  The Great Forest Horse was the progenitor of draft and pony type, with various infusions of Arabian and Tarpan breeding.  Virtually all other breeds are some blend of Arabian and Tarpan breeding--including the feral horses of North America.  But ALL of these are the same species!

Heidi