Circus Lofts
Horseman Pouters
One of the Last True Dual Purpose Pigeon Breeds
The Horseman Thief Pouter is a relatively new breed to the US having been introduced in 2004 with four pairs of imports and has since been rapidly growing in popularity being exhibited in good numbers at all the major shows.
The origin of the Horseman Pouter is a mystery but many believe the breed was originally created as a cross between a Continental type Pouter and the now extinct breed known as the Horseman. The ancient Horseman is said to have looked somewhere between a Carrier and a Dragoon. It was a swift flying breed. The original cross was called the "Powting Horseman" which is how the name "Horseman Pouter" began. It is very possible that the birds came through Spain to Scotland in the 17th or 18th Century. The earliest reference that can be found is from Thomas Moore when he refers to the breed in 1735 when he says, “The Norwich Cropper appears to be a derivative of the "Powting Horseman." A quote from Jimmy Dolier's book, "Horseman Pouters," on page 80 says the Horseman is made up of one part Racing Homer with three parts Pouter. The actual word " Horseman" is the Scottish word for Highway Robber and the birds were originally used to catch food (in the form of other pigeons) for the table.
Horseman Pouters have an upright stance, upright and round globe with slightly long legs. They are not as extreme as most of the Pouter breeds, which gives them the streamlined look of the flying breed they were originally created to be. The standard calls for a bird around 10" high, so they are not a large breed. They make very good parents and rarely have any crop problems
Besides proper structure, the main focus in breeding is put on sex drive, intelligence, agility, flying ability, homing instinct and the ability and intent to seduce other pigeons, which results in a great temperament in the loft, show pen and in flying and clapping around outside in the yard and in the air. The Pouter breeds in general are very promiscuous and entertaining birds and the Horseman Pouter is much more so. This type of selective breeding makes for real characters in the loft, show pen and outside in the yard. There's never a dull moment with a Horseman around. Horseman really know how to put on a show, not only for other pigeons but for the show judges and their owners.
Horseman Pouters are truly one of the last dual purpose Pigeon breeds. They make excellent show birds standing truly royal and proud, blowing, strutting and showing a lot of fire in the show pens. There has been a growing amount of competition at the national shows each year with Horseman being among the most popular Pouters. It's great fun and a challenge breeding them to the show standard.
Horseman also come in a large array of beautiful colors. We have the three base colors of Blues, Ash Reds and Browns in the patterns Bar, Checker and T-Checker. Also the modifiers Dilute, Grizzle, Spread, White Grizzle, Indigo, Andalusian, Almond, Reduced, Dominate Opal, Recessive Red, Tortoiseshell and Powder.
Since the Horseman is made up of one part Racing Homer with three parts Pouter one top judge in the UK said he looks for a longer legged Homer look with an apple size globe. The body is also extended but not to the extreme. They should have the feel in the hand of a small racer, with tight, high quality feathering and strong muscles.
Being a true dual purpose breed if you like to fly your Horseman they are as entertaining as a kit of rollers. No, they don't roll, but what they do is let loose and express that fire and showmanship they are bred for in the air and on the ground! Around the yard they will clap, glide and show off by blowing. Many times they will take off in a kit and route out like Homers and all come back at once from seemingly nowhere clapping and blowing. It's quite a performance!
Countless Fanciers in Scotland fly Horseman Pouters in competition, with the aim of capturing other Flyers' birds. This has been common practice in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh for many years. The sport has it's origins in Spain with different versions with essentially the same basic principles being practiced in cities around the world. The sport consists of the the cock or hen enticing a rival bird back to its home loft by a variety of strategies. Upon entering the loft, it is captured and becomes the property of the capturer. Seduction is the most common method. A hen in a particularly attractive condition seduces another person's amorous cock back to her loft or to his, depending on which one wins.
Today working and exhibition birds are probably Scotland’s national breed, with their popularity constantly growing with entries of 300 Horseman at some of the larger shows.
Here in the US they are one of the fastest growing breeds, soon to be a major factor. We already have a national club, The Horseman Pouter Club of North American formed in 2006. See www.horsemanpouter.com/HPCNA.html
And yes they are as purebred as any other Pouter breed. I was talking to one of the biggest names in Pouters and told him
that I kept Horseman and he said "oh those Silesian crosses.." What? I guess since they are new to the US there's a lot of misinformation going around.
I love them and think they will soon be the most popular Pouter breed in the US. They are great show birds with many
challenges. they come in a vast array of colors. They have great personalities that will endure themselves to
you. They are great for beginners and experts and are never are expensive (I may be the last one to spend big bucks on them).
Many of the breeders will distribute quality birds at a very reasonable price.
It's not going to cost you an arm and a leg to get competitive birds. They are great fliers that entertain you in the air as much as rollers with their puffing, clapping and show-boating.
To me they are the way a Pouter was created to be.
Other Horseman Articles:
Pictured below are some of our breeders. None of these birds on this page are for sale. To see what we currently have up for sale go to our sale page.