. Sarafina Photography: Standardbred Horses at Hanover Shoe Farms, Hanover PA

First, a little bit about Standardbred horses :

Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions that are also used under saddle for a variety of equestrian activities, particularly in the Midwest and eastern United States.

Standardbreds tend to be more muscled and longer bodied than the Thoroughbred. They also are of more placid dispositions, as suits horses whose races involve more strategy and more changes of speed than do Thoroughbred races. Standardbreds are considered people-oriented, easy-to-train horses.

They are generally a bit heavier in build than their Thoroughbred cousins, but have refined, solid legs and powerful shoulders and hindquarters. Standardbreds have a wide range of height, from 14 to 17 hands, although most are between 15 and 16 hands. Most often are bay or the darker variation of bay called "brown", although other colors such as chestnut and black are not uncommon. Gray and roan are also found. The tobiano pattern is seen in some New Zealand-bred horses.

The standardbred typically weights between 408-544 kilograms, their heads are a refined, straight with a broad forehead and large nostrils with a shallow mouth. The typical standardbreds body is long,with the wither being well defined, with strong shoulders and the muscles being long and heavy, which helps with the long strides. The neck of the standardbred is muscular and should be slightly arched, with a length of medium to long. Their legs are muscular and solid with muscles on the inside and outside of the legs, with the hoofs that are generally very tough and durable.

There are two basic types, trotters and pacers. As the name suggests, the trotter's preferred racing gait is the trot, where the horses' legs move in diagonal pairs, when the right foreleg moves forward so does the left hind leg, and vice versa. The pace is a two beat lateral gait; Pacers' forelegs move in unison with the hind legs on the same side.

However, the breed also is able to perform all other horse gaits, including the canter, and pacers can be retrained to trot.

(All of that from internet sources...)

They also happen to be wonderful broodmares and very sweet horses. It was a pleasure to spend two weeks in Hanover with them bouncing around all over the place!! Here are a few of my favorite shots of the beautiful Standardbred horses of Hanover Shoe Farms...

First, a sampling of the stallions. HSF stands between 10-13 stallions depending on the demand, and ships all over the country and internationally. These stallions are some of the most recognized and celebrated Standardbred sires in the industry and are often in very high demand. Several of them carry full books and require $20,000 for a single breeding! Arent they handsome...