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The strikingly beautiful Georgian Grande Horse is a newer breed whose muscular appearance and ideal mannerisms are helping them rise in popularity. Originating in the United States, the Georgian Grande is a gentle and eager-to-please breed that is ideal for the show ring or the farm.
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperature | All climates |
| Temperament | Gentle, easy-going, eager to please |
| Colors | black, bay, dun, white, pinto, gray, cremello, roan, chestnut, and palomino |
| Lifespan | 30–35 years |
| Weight | 1,000 – 1,400 pounds |
| Height | 15.2–17 hands high |
Bred to bring back the strength and beauty of Saddlebred horses of the past, Georgian Grandes are a cross of the American Saddlebred, the Friesian, and assorted draft horses. Mostly used for dressage, show jumping, and eventing, the Georgian Grande also makes a great partner for pleasure riding. If you’re a horse lover, read on below to learn more about this amazing breed and whether one of these beautiful animals would be a suitable choice for your farm.
Georgian Grande Horse Characteristics
What Are These Horses Used For?
With the striking look and impressive gait of the Georgian Grande Horse, it is not surprising that they are often used for showing. These horses do well when it comes to dressage, show jumping, and other events. The pleasurable gait also makes them ideal for riders. Trail and pleasure riding is common practice for those who own these horses. They do well on larger farms or even on small-scale setups. However, they’re considered more of a show animal which leaves them with a high price tag when it comes to bringing them home.
Where Did These Horses Originate From?
The Georgian Grande Horse is considered a relatively new breed as it was established in 1970. They were created due to the lack of heavy, charming Saddlebreeds at the time. Thanks to this, an Ohio breeder named George Wagner, Jr. decided it was time to breed a horse that would take horse lovers back to the time of striking Saddlebreeds. To achieve this, Wagner blended the genes of the Friesian Horse, the American Saddlebred, and assorted draft horses. The result was a breed that was large and stylish with a smooth gait. The name Georgian Grande Horse was bestowed on this breed and is interpreted as George’s Great Horse.
The International Georgian Grande Horse Registry began in 1994. This impressive breed has also been acknowledged and accepted by the United States Dressage Foundation of All Breeds Council and the American Horse Council. Unfortunately, the Georgian Grande has not been nationally recognized by the United States Equestrian Foundation. However, they are viewed as a participating breed by the USEF.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Georgian Grande Horse
The Georgian Grande is a horse with a great disposition. They are well-mannered, friendly, intelligent, and willing to please. These beautiful horses show lots of alertness and can be energetic. You will find, however, that they are mostly calm and quiet.
Mostly used as a show horse, the Georgian Grande is easy to train. This makes them ideal for the show ring. They are also a relatively healthy horse breed overall with proper care and nutrition. If you don’t mind the expensive price of these horses, they also make great riding partners. Their intelligence makes it easy to teach them the ropes when it comes to leisure or trail riding. You should remember, however, that they are designed to be large horses that will need enough room to dwell on your farm comfortably.
Appearance & Varieties
The Georgian Grande Horse was developed to be a striking and stylish breed. The head of this breed is well-shaped with a flat, broad forehead. Their eyes are large and luminous. These highly expressive eyes are captivating to horse lovers and make them a highly desired breed.
The ears of this breed are alert and well-shaped. The neck is muscular, long, and arched. The withers are nicely defined and the shoulders are deep and sloping. Georgian Grande Horses also have round, broad hips with strong, straight legs. They also have sturdy hooves that are good-sized. This helps provide them with a great gait with an uphill appearance.
Things to Know When Owning a Georgian Grande Horse:
Habitat & Stable Requirements 🌾
The Georgian Grande Horse is considered a large-scale animal. While they are relatively easy to care for due to their good health and similarities to other horses, you will need more space. Stalls should be big enough for your Georgian Grande to be comfortable. There are several flooring methods you can utilize. It is important to note that you do not leave a bare concrete floor for any horse to stand on. You will need to ensure rubber mats and proper bedding are used to protect your horse’s legs and hooves.
Food & Diet Requirements 🥕
Georgian Grande Horses require a well-balanced diet. This diet should consist of high-quality pasture or hay that is also supplemented with healthy grains such as corn and oats. You’ll also want to provide your horse with a complete vitamin and mineral supplement. This is essential for maintaining a horse’s health. The amount of food a Georgian Grande requires is determined by their age, size, and level of activity. These horses also require close supervision of their body conditions and weight so their food amounts can be adjusted accordingly.
Exercise 🐎
Horses are required daily exercise to stay healthy. The Georgian Grande, considering its large size, definitely needs this. The least amount of exercise per day for these animals is 2 hours. This should be started with a 10- to 20-minute walk to allow the horse’s muscles time to warm up. Once this is finished, these horses can be walked, led, ridden, or released out into the pasture to play.
Training 🐴
One of the biggest draws to owning a Georgian Grande Horse is the ease at which they can be trained. These horses are highly cooperative, eager to please, and willing to learn. All this and the strong bonds these horses can form with humans make training them easier. With consistent work, the Georgian Grande can learn many equestrian lessons and disciplines. Their mild temperament and great training abilities make them ideal for equine therapy programs for emotional support and assistance to people with disabilities.
Grooming 🧽
Besides normal brushing and cleaning, a Georgian Grande’s tail and mane should be left at full length. Of course, if you plan on using your horse for jumping or hunting purposes the mane can be pulled. However, the tail should be left natural and not docked or clipped in any way. The legs can be feathered but if need be they can be clipped.
Your Georgian Grande will also need routine dental care. This includes routine examinations and cleaning, along with floating of the teeth, also known as filing. Your horse will also need routine hoof care. Regular trimming and shoeing can aid in keeping hooves healthy and fighting the possibility of lameness.
Lifespan & Health Conditions 🏥
Overall, Georgian Grande Horses are healthy horses. This is thanks largely in part to their genetic background. This doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to common issues other horses suffer from. To keep your horse healthy, you should maintain routine veterinarian checkups and preventative care to reduce risk factors.
Male vs Female
The biggest difference in appearance between male and female Georgian Grande Horses is the size. Typically, males stand taller and will weigh a bit more. Females normally look more feminine and dainty. When it comes to personality, you’ll find that females are a bit more docile and easy to train. Males can be more active and in some cases, become agitated easier. This often gives mares, or females, an advantage when it comes to showing and performance.
It should be remembered that hormones will play a role in both genders. While males, or stallions, are often castrated they still have hormones that can affect their behavior. The same can be said for females. When they are in season they can be considered unpredictable.
3 Little-Known Facts About Georgian Grande Horses
1. Georgian Grande Horses Are Great for Beginning Riders
People who are new to horseriding, or even youngsters, often do great will Georgian Grande Horses. The docile temperament and great mannerisms of these horses are ideal for beginners and children alike.
2. Georgian Grandes Form Deep Bonds
As we’ve mentioned, Georgian Grandes form deep bonds with their humans. With so many people turning to horses for assistance when it comes to disabilities and even for emotional support, this makes them a great breed for these purposes. As time passes, and this breed grows in popularity, you will see more Georgian Grandes entering equestrian programs such as these.
3. Georgian Grande Horses Get Along Well with Other Pets
Due to their docile natures, Georgian Grande Horses do well with other animals. Whether it be dogs, cats, or other farm animals, when socialized early on, these horses can tolerate and, in many cases, befriend several animals they come into contact with routinely.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the Georgian Grande is an amazing horse breed that is relatively new and on the rise. If you are a show rider or competitor, they make great additions to your team. If you’re a farmer, using one of these horses for working or riding may not be exactly economical. However, they are friendly, well-mannered horses that are pleasures to work with and great for riding, which makes them a great addition to any farm if you have the means.
Featured Image Credit: Vladimir Wrangel, Shutterstock
