Horses For Sale in Iowa

US-50629

Fairbank, IA

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Horses for sale in Iowa - find your dream horse

From ponies to drafts, Iowa is a state with a horse for everyone. Could your dream horse be among the horses for sale in Iowa right now? The ehorses website supplies the answer quickly and effectively. To start, filter by country and radius. Then, add some other criteria, such as the age, height, gender, and color of your ideal horse. The website reveals the most searched-for breeds among the horses for sale in Iowa, such as Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, and Drafts.

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Horses in Iowa

The economic impact of the horse industry in Iowa

Iowa currently ranks 17th in the USA for horse numbers, with 200,000 horses and over 47,000 horse owners. Equine facilities and land were valued at $5.6 billion in 2007. In the same year, total equine assets were valued at $8.3 billion. Iowa’s horse population is now largely in rural areas, providing thousands of jobs. In 2007, 145,000 Iowans were involved in some aspect of the industry. Horse owners spent $503 million on horse care, including vet and farrier services, feed, and bedding. Racing makes a major contribution to the state economy, with Thoroughbred output generating $143.3 million; Quarter Horse racing $16.7 million; and Standardbred Racing $7.5 million.

The history of horses in Iowa

Draft horse breeding has always been important in Iowa. Many drafts were imported from 1870 onwards as agriculture flourished. Percheron Horses came from France, Clydesdales from Scotland, and Shires from England, as well as Belgian Drafts directly from Belgium. The Duke of Normandy was the first Percheron stallion to be imported in 1869. All-rounders, such as Morgans, and harness horses, such as Standardbreds, were also popular in Iowa. Between 1910 and 1915, drafts numbered 1.5 million on Iowa farms. As agriculture expanded, so did showing and harness racing, especially at state and local fairs.

In 1868, General Samuel Armstrong founded the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. This important institution offered training to African American educators. These teachers then passed on practical knowledge, including horsemanship, to their students. Students learned about Morgans, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and heavy drafts, such as Percherons. By 1900, the equine population of Iowa was over half that of the human population. People numbered 2,231,853 and equines stood at 1,268,000. Horses were essential for agriculture and industry in the mixed economy of this state. Rural life at this time, including the contribution of draft horses, is celebrated in the state’s Living History 1900 Farm at des Moines.

Iowa State College (University) has always played an important part in education and horse breeding in this state. The first horse barn was constructed in 1870, and from 1925, included military stables. In 2020, the University of Iowa’s library held an exhibition, “The Pull of Horses,” outlining the contribution of working horses in urban areas.

The legacy of Old Granny

One of Iowa’s equine claims to fame is that it is the birthplace of Old Granny, the foundation mare of the only true American draft horse breed. Old Granny, the founder of the American Cream Draft, was born sometime between 1900 and 1905. She was bought by a dealer, Harry Lakin, who used her as a brood mare. Granny’s cream-colored foals were popular and sold for good prices. The American Cream Draft received breed recognition in 1950 and has many enthusiasts today.

Pony of the Americas

Iowa also gave the world the Pony of the Americas. Leslie M. Boomhower of Mason City, Iowa, created this attractive breed of Appaloosa-colored ponies in 1954. The original stock were an Appaloosa mare and Shetland pony, whose offspring, Black Hand 1, became a foundation sire.

Horse associations and activities in Iowa

Iowa Horse Council (IHC), founded in 1976, exists to support horses and horse activities in Iowa. As well as active draft associations, Iowa also has many racing associations, such as the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (ITBOA), The Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association (IQHRA), and The Iowa Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA). It is a little-known fact that Iowa is the state where TB numbers are growing the fastest. The Des Moines Springfest is a major multi-disciplinary horse-riding event. The Great River Saddlebred Association Benefit Show is another of Iowa’s most popular events. The Iowa Equitation Cup is held annually at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids.

Most famous horses in Iowa

As well as the legendary Old Granny, other famous drafts have contributed to the history of Iowa. One of these was a gray Percheron draft horse stallion named Jalap, born in 1909. He was imported in 1911 and sold to the Iowa State College (University) in 1915. Jalap cost $2500 and was a herd stallion until his death in 1930. Jalap was considered to be an outstanding example of the Percheron type. Iowa City had two very famous firefighting horses, Snowball and Highball, who worked together as a team in the early twentieth century. They also lived together in retirement, before dying within a short time of one another.

Horses For Sale in Iowa