The Standardbred horse is usually described as robust, rugged, loyal, sensible, level-headed, willing and capable of doing any job asked. Standardbred horses have a reputation for being 'bombproof' and many adoptions off the racetrack find homes as stellar trail horses for famillies.

Standardbreds have also been used as police horses for their dependability and stoicism. Standardbreds adapt easily to any riding discipline and show intelligence and willingness. Therefore, you will find them more and more as outstanding horses in many riding styles and all types of competition.

Standardbreds have often been said to resemble Thoroughbreds without the 'hot' qualities. Standardbred horses are of medium to large build, weighing between 900 and 1200+ pounds and ranging in size from 14.2 to 17+ hands. The Standardbred can be varied colours, usually bay or brown, or black, chestnut and sometimes grey. Other colours being reintroduced in Australia are the Skewbalds.

Courtesy of http://www.standardbredfanclub.com/breed.html

Myth #1 - Standardbreds are only pacers
False, Standardbreds are either "pacing bred" or "trotting bred". For racing purposes, the type of "breeding" dictates whether the Standardbred will be a trotter or pacer, however, there have been exceptions to this rule. The majority of Standardbreds in Western Canada are "pacing bred" or what is generally referred to as "pacers". With meets in Eastern Canada and the United States attracting many Western Canadian racing stables, the possibility exists that more "trotters" will be brought into this part of the country in the future.

Myth #2 - Standardbred pacers never trot
True, Standardbred pacers never trot IN A RACE. However, pacing does not dominate the rest of their daily activities. Standardbreds trot, and pace, from birth. The Standardbred has been taught that they must not break the pace - when they are training and racing - but do not get corrected for their gait when they are not in harness. Most Standardbreds possess a very string, smooth trot and love to "show off" when turned out in the pasture or paddock for a break from training and racing. Pleasure driving? Without racing equipment many Standardbreds enjoy trotting - even prefer to trot than pace. When unsure of a situation the pace gear takes over quickly, however, with patience and reassurance the "pacing moments" become non-existent.

Myth #3 - Standardbreds can not canter or lope.
False. Most Standardbreds love to race across the pasture at a canter/lope - even a gallop. Many times it is impossible to pick out the Standardbred in a herd of horses racing across a field. Standardbreds are horses with an extra gear - the pace, so naturally they have all the other "regular" horse gears.

Myth #4 - You can't ride a Standardbred.
Wrong again. More and more people are enjoying Standardbreds for pleasure riding, cattle penning, jumping, ranch work, competitive trail riding, endurance riding, even Western and English flat classes, barrel racing--the possibilities are endless. With time and patience, the Standardbred learns new skills. Their attitude and temperament make them willing partners in any equine endeavor you may attempt.

Myth #5 - If you ride a Standardbred, all it will do is pace at 40 mph.
False. Firstly, if a Standardbred could pace 40 mph under saddle, chances are the horse would still be on the racetrack making a tidy sum for its owners. In most cases, Standardbreds will start out quite slowly while trying to adjust to a rider. A Standardbred just starting under saddle feels like any other colt, being a little unsteady as they adjust to a rider's weight. The added bonus is that the Standardbred is comfortable with the saddle and bridle and the tacking up procedure, plus they already know how to steer, stop, stand, and back up.

Myth #6 - All Standardbreds are ugly.
False. There is no "typical looking Standardbred" nowadays. Individual Standardbreds have been mistaken for Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Arabians, Quarter Horses, Morgans, Tennessee Walkers... the list goes on. There is a look and style for every taste, and all Standardbred models come with the "standard equipment" i.e. exceptional temperament, good bone, strong feet, and a capacity for incredible endurance.

Myth #7 - All Standardbreds coming off the track will have bad legs.
Many Standardbreds are simply not fast enough to be competitive in the harness racing industry where a mile is regularly paced in well under two minutes. Instead of pushing the horse beyond his limit, physically and mentally, a trainer or owner will decide to "retire" the horse from racing. Some may never have raced but still have countless hours of handling and exercise; have received regular farrier, dental, and veterinary care; and are in excellent condition.

Myth #8 - Standardbreds are "hot" because they are race horses.
False. Standardbreds are generally very kind, gentle, and love to be handled. New challenges are accepted with interest and enthusiasm. Vehicles, tractors, harrows, water trucks, large moving gates, crowds of people, other horses in harness, horses under saddle, bicycles, hoses, showers, wheelbarrows, semi trucks, horse trailers... these are only a few of the everyday things a Standardbred accepts as normal. Having personal attention every day for most of their life, Standardbreds adore attention and return the affection readily.

"My Standardbreds are amazing. I honestly did not know too much about the breed, but when I first met Prancer and Ozzy, it was love at first sight. Those two are such amazing animals. I find that standardbreds have such different personalities from eachother.. For example, Prancer - She has such a 'fragile' way about her, she is so dainty in her movements, LOVES to show off while prancing around, but she is SO calm and cuddly. She is such a sweet girl. Then there is Ozzy - He is amazing. He loves attention, and always has to be with you, no matter what you are doing. He loves to cuddle.. he'll just rest his head on you and close his eyes.. but he definitely isn't a shy one.. When he wants something, he definitely lets you know. He is just so goofy, always making funny faces and such but yet, he is calm and also very sweet. The one thing that I find that Standardbreds have in common, is their calm and sweet demeanor. I have yet to see one that isn't like that. I love my Standardbreds.. I think everyone should start off with one." - Sara

"I had been without my own horse for, well, about 15 years when I stumbled across a picture of my now Standardbred. I just couldn't get him out of my mind and after six months of my boyfriend hearing about Stanley and wondering if this was my new boyfriend, he pushed me to go for a visit. My new Standardbred has been my new baby for not even three months now and he is sweet and snuggly. When he's not being a goofy 3 y/o, that is... So far he is a great listener on the lunge line and under saddle. Every day he gets better and I can't believe how far he's come from being a cart racer! I look forward to easing him into jumping one day!" - Lynnette

"We adopted our Standardbred this past year when we discovered we were going to lose one of our old boys here at the farm. We did not know very much at all about the breed other than a few snippets we had read on some websites. We decided to take the plunge and give Dancer a try after we heard about how great minded they are. We realize what a great transition it has been for our adopted guy, as he now enjoys a huge turnout and is with horses of all genders and sizes... He does like the ladies alot. We get a chuckle from him everyday, when he just has to take off running to get the ants out of his pants,chase the cows and calves, and push the bull off of his grass! We are working on getting him used to gathering cows, and hope to turn him into a good all round ranch horse." - Suzanne

"Since Jane, my Standardbred, has come into my life, I would never even consider adopting another horse that wasn't a Standardbred. She is the sweetest, most caring, gentle soul I have ever had the absolute pleasure to come into contact with in my life. She does and tries to do anything she is asked to do. She is patient and completely aware of everything around her. She is pretty much everything to me and I felt I had a connection with her from the moment i met her. She isn't just an animal, she is a part of me and I feel I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have her in my life." - Michelle

"I grew up on the border of New York and New Jersey where standardbreds are a dime a dozen. Our riding school was filled with ex-racers, and packed kids around small hunter courses, on long trail rides, not to mention the dozens of lessons given. Over the years, I forgot about the breed, and was consumed with riding warmbloods, thoroughbreds and the occasional stock horse. When I found J & M acres online, I noticed they had several standies for adoption. Immediately my memory flashed back to my childhood, and I relived so many moments aboard my favorite horses. However, this time being an adult and having over 2 decades of experience as well as the means to own another horse, I wondered what it might be like to bring along my own Standardbred. I looked around locally, and I realized there were no Standardbreds to be had. I talked to my contacts, and everyone thought I was crazy- these horses have a very poor image out here! I heard everything- from them being ugly to not being able to canter or carry a rider, or being just plain stupid. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I was more determined than ever- I knew I had to figure out how to get a canadian standardbred into the US. 

Having a teenaged horse currently, I picked a young horse to bring along - Ben just turned 3 in April. Since I've had him, he's grown to be over 16 hh, and is the second largest horse in the barn. I have been told, many times that he best behaved horse, and among 50 horses, that says a lot. The caretakers love him for his politeness- he never offers any trouble. Starting Ben under saddle was a complete non- event. He was already so well trained from his days on the track, completely bomb proof. J & M put some miles on him as well- I believe his second ride was out on the trails! Given that, my work was quite easy. Ben's training has gone very slowly to accommodate his growth spurts and age. He works about 3-4 days per week, and participates in regular dressage lessons where we slowly build his foundation of knowledge. Our plans this coming year are to compete in intro level dressage tests, and get out on the trails. Our future looking plans involve 3 day eventing, but we've got to wait until he gets a bit older before we begin that phase! Ben's other job is as a trainer. He is so quiet and well behaved on the ground, I use him in my groundwork training clinics for the members and volunteers at Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team. He is the perfect teacher, and absolutely trustworthy. 

I'd say to anyone looking for a solid horse in every way- look at the standardbred. Ben is a poster boy for the breed, and reminds me so much of my childhood equine friends. I personally will always look to adopting standies before any other breed now that I know where to find them!" - Allyson