Horse
Pronunciation:
noe-koe'-tah
Breed Description:
The Nokota breed of horse is a wild horse breed confined to southwester North Dakota in the United States. It is a light, angular horse, almost always blue roan of grullo in color, and is notable for its unusual 4-beat single-footing pace called an "Indian shuffle". Easily domesticated, the Nokota is used in ranch events and endurance riding predominantly. Today, the Nokota is managed into two distinct types. A lighter, rugged type which is kept similar to its Spanish ancestors, and a heavier type more similar to a Quarter Horse.
Temperament:
The Nokota breed of horse is a wild breed, but has a social and trainable temperament and is easily domesticated.
Height:
The Nokota breed of horse stands 14 to 16 hands.
Weight:
The Nokota breed of horse weighs 700 to 1100 pounds, depending on the type.
Health Problems:
The Nokota breed of horse is a rugged feral breed with no specific health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Nokota breed of horse is a wild breed from harsh countryside and can be kept outside in all conditions.
Exercise:
The Nokota breed of horse needs regular training and exercise to maintain its discipline and temperament. It has exceptional endurance and a willingness to work and can tolerate long hours of hard work.
Life Expectancy:
The Nokota breed of horse lives into its late twenties.
Grooming:
The Nokota breed of horse needs very little grooming.
Origin:
The Nokota breed of horse traces its ancestry to the horses of the Spanish Conquistadors, as do most wild North American breeds. In the 19th century settlers noticed the remarkable trainability of the Nokota, and began to add other breeds to the Nokota horses to develop traits for specific purposes. Those crossed with draft breeds resulted in the heavier Nokota type, and the addition of Thoroughbred racehorses created the lighter Nokota strain. The breed was officially recognized in the 1990s, and a studbook has been established and breeding is carefully controlled. 