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Zorse
Breed Description:
The zorse is very strong, approximately two to three times stronger than a horse. Depending upon which species of zebra and which breed of horse are bred, this hybrid could be pony sized to horse sized, have the bone size of a pony or of a horse, or of a draft if the zebra was bred to a draft horse. The mane may stand up like the zebra, or, more often, fall over like the horse. The mane generally does not become long. The zorse should be well balanced, with all parts of the body looking as if they 'belong' to the other parts.
Average Height:
13 - 16 hands
Colors:
Any horse color, including black or darker than base color striping. The striping may or may not be full striping throughout the legs and/or body, but more striping is preferred. White on the legs, face and/or pinto coloring is acceptable.
Conformation:
The zorse should look be well muscled and look strong, have straight legs, be well balanced, and have a likeness to the horse breed and the zebra specie it was bred from. Short, thick necks are frowned upon, unless the horse parent's breed standard allows for a short and/or thick neck. The judge should ask what the parents breed types are when the animal is being judged.
Temperament:
The zorse is to be considered more like a zebra than a horse in characteristics and temperament. Training will be successful by training the zorse the same way as the zebra should be trained. The zorse is like a 'one man dog' in that it chooses one best friend who should be the person who trains the zorse and who handles it on a daily basis. Zorses are not a child's equine, no matter how small the animal.
Members of this breed often excel in the following disciplines:
Breed History:
Zorses were first bred at the turn of the 19th century in South Africa in a government sponsored program. The intent was to use them for beasts of burden, along with zebras and zonkeys, as the horse was used in other parts of the world. The program had a short life as the automobile was introduced in the early 1900's, and then it was aborted.
Miscellaneous facts:
The zorse takes the color of the base coat of the horse, and will take black points and/or striping from the zebra. The zorse is to be considered infertile.
US Breed Association:
International Zebra-Zorse-Zonkey Association
1672 Main Street, Ste. E, PMB454
Ramona,
CA
92065
http://www.IZZZA.com
IZZZAsupport@aol.com
Do you own a Zorse, or a breed that isn't listed on this website? Do you want to see a photo of your horse featured on this page? contact us to find out how.
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