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Breeds of Horses
Horses have evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed animal into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began to domesticate horses around 4000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BC. Worldwide many products are many from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares; however, in the US they are predominately used for sport and recreation.
Abaco Barb Horses are from the Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.
They are believed to be descended from horses from more than a dozen shipwrecks
during the Spanish colonization of the Americas and the Caribbean during the 15th
and 16th centuries.
Some horse breed historians also believe that the Barb horse
breed originated in northern Africa during the 8th century and Abaco
Barbs are often commonly confuse
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Abstang horses were created by Michele Brown of Utah in 1990
by breeding an unrefined feral mustang with an Arabian thoroughbred. The
Arabian horse then gave birth to what is now known as an Abstang.
Because this Abstang mixes two bloodlines, their
characteristics vary considerably. Especially since Mustang horses vary greatly
in physical appearance. Abstang horses have a straight profile and rounded
croup. They are generally a s
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Abtenauer Horses are a rare draft horse from the Abtenau valley, south of Salzburg in Austria. They are the smallest variant of the Noriker horse. They have short heads and strong necks with an average height of 15.3 hands. The average weight of an Abtenauer horse is 1,102 pounds, lighter than most Norikers. The Abtenauer is commonly black, chestnut, or blue roan colored coat and is a coldblooded horse breed. It has a well-shaped head and st ...
Abyssinian horses originated in Ethiopia and Eritrea, formerly known as Abyssinia. They are found today along the coastline of the Red Sea and in the Sudan. Abyssinian horses were first exported to England in 1861. The Abyssinian is on average about 13.3 hands high and has a wide variation in color and conformation. The Abyssinian’s coat is short and rough and special attention must be given to this breed to keep their coat clean and free of ...
Adaev, or Aedaevskaya, horses are native to the Caspian Depression of Kazakhstan and originally consisted of two sub-types of Kazakh horses, Adaev and Dzhab, or Jabe, horses. However, because Adaev horses were used extensively to improve the Jabe stock, the Adaev breed was nearly decimated. Due to an increased interest in preserving bloodlines of the breed, 27,000 Adaev horses were gathered by breeders in 1985 to restore their number. The b ...
Aegidienberger Horses are a small riding horse from Aegidienberger, Germany, and were first recognized as a breed in 1994.
Aegidienberger Horses were developed by Walter Feldman in 1994 in response to the need for horses larger than Icelandic Horses but still small and hardy enough to navigate difficult terrain, plus they need to be well suited for the warmer climates of central Europe. Feldman created the Aegidienberger breed primaril
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Ainos Ponies are an incredibly rare breed of pony found only on the western Greek island of Kefalonia in the Gulf of Pátras. Unfortunately, tourism, poaching, and the lack of grazing land threaten them and their numbers shrink every year.
Ainos Ponies are descendants of Pindos Ponies and they were originally used as pack animals or transport in the mountains. Today they live wild on the slopes of Mount Ainos.
While there have b ...
Akhal-Teke horses originated from
Turkmenistan and are best known for their intelligence, speed and endurance.
The Akhal-Teke typically stands
between 14.2 and 16 hands (58 and 64 inches, 147 and 163 cm) and there are currently
about 6,600 Akhal-Tekes in the world, found primarily in Turkmenistan and Russia,
with some also located in Europe and North America.
The Akhal-Teke bloodline dates
back thousands of years in Tu
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Albanian Horses originated in
the 5th century, during the Ottoman Empire. They are a small horse (12-13
hands high) and belong to the Balkan group. Native Albanian horses came from either
the Mountain or Myzeqea plains of Albania. Albanian Horses were originally thought
to have been created by breeding Arabian horses with the local Albanian horses,
which were likely combined with Tarpan, Turkmenian, or Mongolian stock breeds.
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Altai horses were developed in the Altai Mountains of Central
Asia and are highly adapted to the severe climates in the region. For many centuries,
they were bred for characteristics most needed by the mountain tribesmen and nomads,
including strong cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, and skeletal systems. They
are best known for strong physical attributes, hearty constitutions, and the ability
to adapt to harsh environments.
O
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Alter Real Horses come from Alter
de Chao, a small town in the Alentejo province of Portugal. They were created in
1748 and have a heavy Andalusian influence. They are also derived from the Lusitano
breed, but based on mostly Spanish mares. Alter Real Horses were designed to provide
high-class horses for equestrian activities at the royal court, and in particular
for the royal riding school in Lisbon.
Alter Reals have a small head
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Altmärkisches Kaltblut (cold
blood) horses were developed in the 19th century with a foundation stock of
Percheron, Belgian, and Shire horses. The result was a versatile, genial animal
with a good work ethic, gaining them instant recognition. Altmärkische Kaltblut
hosrse thrived until the early 20th century brought war, which took its toll on
many draft breeds of Europe.
Today they are very rare,
with a remaining population of 1
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Altwurttemberg horses were developed in Germany by the Wurttemberg Prince House, but without an obligatory breed goal. About thirty horses from Normandy were used between 1872 -1888, crossing with English Thoroughbreds, Holsteins, and Oldenburgs.
Eventually the Altwurttemberg horse was established. They are a strong and beautiful horse breed but unfortunately, they were not greatly appreciated or needed, so instead the Wurttemberg Spor ...
America 'albino' horses are actually not true albinos but instead they are what the American Albino Horse Club (now known as the White Horse Club) calls Dominant White. A Dominant White can be any horse, Quarter, Arabian, Standardbred, etc., that has a white coat with pink skin and dark eyes - black, brown, or blue. A true albino would, of course, have pink eyes, meaning the Dominant White actually carries off-color genes. Given the White H ...
American Cream Draft Horses are
the only draft horse native to the U.S.
They were developed in 1905 in
Iowa during one of the greatest declines in heavy horse use in history. The American
Cream Draft originated in the United States in the state of Iowa in 1905.
American Cream Draft Horses stand
on average 15.2 -16.2 hands high and are a medium-heavy draft horse. They weigh
between 1600-1800 pounds and a large sta
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American Drum horses are indistinguishable from Drum (British) horses. See Drum Horse description for more detail.
American Indian Horses (also
known as cow ponies, buffalo horse, mustang, Indian pony, cayuse, or Spanish pony)
are descended from horses brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors and colonists.
American Indian Horses proved
to be tough and thrived on the grassy plains of the Americas.
American Indian Horse’s registry
was created in 1961. The organization was started for the purpose of collecting,
recording, and preserv
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American Paint Horses were developed from spotted horses with
Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines. This combined both the conformational
characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern.
Color patterns differentiate the American Paint Horse from other
stock-type breeds. Each horse has a unique combination of white and any one of the
colors of the equine rainbow: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grulla, sorr
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American Quarter Horses are one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses in the United States. The breed originated about the 1660s as a cross between native horses of Spanish origin used by the earliest colonists and English horses imported to Virginia from about 1610. By the late 17th century, these horses were being raced successfully over quarter-mile courses in Rhode Island and Virginia, and hence received the name Quarter Horses. The ...
American Saddlebred Horses originated from Galloway and Hobbie horses imported from Britain. These two breeds were crossed to create the Narragansett Pacer, which was crossed to the Thoroughbred in the 1700s to produce the elegant “American Horse,” used for both riding and driving. Arabian and Morgan blood was later added to create the American Saddlebred. The American Saddlebred is considered the ultimate show horse. Horses are exhibited i ...
American Spotted Paso horses are the American version of the Peruvian Peso horse. One of the main goals for American breeders is to combine the smooth gaits of the Peruvian Paso horse with the colorful coat patterns of the pinto.
They originated with a pure black Paruvian Paso stallion named Janchovilla who was bred to pinto mares. Of the resulting foals about 3/4 of them were spotted and all of them carried the Paso gait.
Ther ...
American Walking Ponies were developed primarily as a show horse for gaited competition. Although they have three unique gaits, they are able to compete in seven.
They are essentially a cross between the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Welsh Pony. As a result of its Welsh pony heritage, they also make a good light hunter.
American Walking ponies are a relatively large pony-type (14 hands high). They have a a clean, smallish hea ...
American Warmblood is more of a "type" than a "breed" of horse. Like most of the European warmbloods, with the American Warmblood there is more emphasis on producing quality sport horses, rather than the preservation of any particular bloodlines. This allows for much diversity in the bloodlines of American Warmbloods. The American Warmblood has been influenced by the European warmbloods, the Thoroughbred and the Arabian, as well as some dra ...
Amur Horses are a light horse breed from Siberia of the
early 19th century that is sadly now extinct.
Their bloodlines were a combination of Transbaikal (Buryat) and
Tomsk heritage; they were bred primarily for riding. The Amur was a hardy and
strong breed with a finer conformation than generally found in colder northern
regions. The breed became extinct due to crossing with many of the other
Russian breeds including Orlov Trotter
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Anadolu Ponies, also
called Transbaikal Ponies, Native Turkish Ponies or just Turks, are the most
common Turkish horse breed. They are known for their speed, endurance, and
robust nature.
Anadolu ponies draw on
the blood of several ancient breeds, including the Arabian and Akhal-Teke, although
Anadolu bloodlines are ancient in their own right.
The Turkish people have always had a need for
this versatile native pony in
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Andean horses were developed in the harsh environment of the
Andes Mountains (above 9,000 feet) and display characteristics reminiscent of
Tibetan horses. The great altitude has created an animal with amazing lung
capacity and a thick, dense coat of fur. They are considered the Peruvian
national horse.
Andean horses, with their strength, great stamina, and
well-developed sense of balance and agility, are capable of climbing up
mounta
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Andino Ponies comes from the high peaks of the Andes in
Peru. Honed by natural selection in the tough terrain they inhabit, they are a
smart, robust, and surefooted.
They
are descended from the horses of Spanish Conquistadors. Over the centuries
natural selection has created a smaller, more compact animal well suited to the
local area. They are rarely found outside of Peru.
Andravida (also called the Eleia, Ilia, or Greek) horses are
a rare light draft breed found in the region of Ilia, Greece.
Andravidas are
predominantly brown, bay, chestnut, red roan, black and occasionally grey. The
head is rectangular in shape and plain with long ears and a straight profile.
The chest is broad and heavy-set with thick muscles; the back is slightly
dipped. Their temperament is described as willing but strong. The
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Anglo-Arab-Sardo,
or Anglo-Arab Sardinian,
horses originated in Sardinia, Italy.
When the Saracens
dominated the island of Sardinia, Arab stallions had been crossed with Sardinian
mares of smaller size. At the beginning of the 16th century those horse were used
for crosses with Andalucian stallions. In the course of the nineteenth century,
thanks to the introduction of English thoroughbreds (thus, the prefix
"Anglo").
Anglo-Arabian, or Anglo-Arab, horses ara a crossbred between Thoroughbred (thus, the prefix "Anglo") and Arabian horses. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice versa. It can also be a cross between either an Anglo-Arabian and a Thoroughbred or, alternatively, an Anglo-Arabian and an Arabian. Another permitted cross is between two Anglo-Arabians. No matter the cross, a horse must have a minimum 12.5 ...
Anglo-Kabarda Horses are russian horsese that were developed
by the cross between Kabarda and Thoroughbred horses in the 1920s and 1930s.
The goal was to produce a horse that was larger and faster than the native
Kabarda, but adapted to the climate of the northern Caucasus region of Russia
and able to maneuver in mountainous terrain.
They have a Kabarda head with Roman nose profile, straight
back, long legs, and well-developed joi
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Anglo-Karachai horses are a variety of Kabarda horse that
are bred specifically in the Karachai republic, Russia. They tend to be of the
most robust type of Kabardas horse and split off as their own breed during the
1960's. The introduction of Thoroughbred blood was what created the
Anglo-Karachai horse.
They were originated by crossing English, German, and French
Thoroughbreds with local Karachai horses. The breeding unoffic
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Appaloosa horses are known for their colorful leopard-spotted
coat pattern. They have a wide range of body types, stemming from the influence
of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern
is genetically the result of various spotting patterns overlaid on top of one of
several recognized base coat colors.
The Nez Perce people of modern day Oregon and Washington,
US, developed the Appaloosa br
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Appaloosa Sport Horses were created in the USA with the
intention of creating a European-style sport horse with appaloosa coloring. They
are strong, willing, tenacious and tough team player
This cross was achieved by crossing Appaloosa coloring with
the athletic qualities of the Trekehners. The result is a beautifully-colored
animal, larger and with finer lines than the original appaloosa.
Their head is erect
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Appendix Quarter Horses are the first generation cross
between a registered Thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse. They are
registered as appendix but not initially eligible for a full AQHA registration.
The cross began in Texas and quickly took hold when the
horse racing industry brought Thoroughbred bloodlines into the Quarter Horse
Association. Initially they were met with resistance by board members, but they
relente
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AraAppaloosa horses are a refined version of Appaloosa in many ways. The main registry for the Appaloosa horses was established in an effort to protect and develop the Appaloosa. Because of claims of similar ancient origins, the registry allowed the Appaloosa to be crossed with pureblooded Arabians. The AraAppaloosa of today is said to be a re-establishment or preservation of the best examples of the Appaloosa breed found, namely, in early ...
The Arabian's conformation and type have been selectively bred
for longer than any other breed of horse.
The Bedouins of the Arabian desert were dependent for survival
on their Arabian horses. While they valued the beauty of their horses, they were
equally adamant that their horses were strong, with deep chests, straight legs,
large joints and good lungs to carry them across large stretches of their desert
homeland. Historical fig
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Arabo-Friesian horses are known for their excellent
disposition as well as endurance and toughness. They are willing to please and
work, are obedient, and are known for their excellent movement characteristics.
Arabo-Friesians are a cross between Friesians and Arabians,
and they are a relatively new breed. During the Spanish invasion of the
Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries Arabian blood was first introduced
to the Friesian w
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Araboulonnais horses are a relatively new French breed
developed by crossing of Arabians to large, robust Boulonnais horses.
The origin of the Araboulonnais began late in the 20th
century. It was thought that the beauty and pep of Arabians would blend
wonderfully with the gentleness and soundness of the large Boulonnais. The
resulting cross was an animal that was more refined than the Boulonnais but
much larger and heavier than the Ar
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Aralusion, also called the Hispano-Arab, horse is a
relatively new breed achieved by crossing the high energy Arabians with the
noble Andalusians in equal parts. These are two of the older and most acclaimed
breeds on the planet, so their cross is a logical one. The resulting animal is
beautiful with high action, notable athletic ability, and fine confirmation.
Aralusians are animated and spirited with the strong Arabian
motion a
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Ardahan (also known as Malakin) horses are the only heavy
breed of horse native to Turkey. They are a between Ardennes, Percheron, Shire,
Clydesdale, Orlov horse with native Russian horses. About 150 years ago they
were brought to the eastern parts of Turkey by immigrant Turks from the
Caucasus. When they reached eastern Turkey, the resulting crosses were then
crossed with Anadolu horses.
They have a short muscular neck, stan
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Ardennes, or Ardennais, horses are a multi-talented horse
commonly used in endurance riding, general riding, and work activities. They
are one of the oldest breeds of draft horse, and originate from the Ardennes
area in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.
Their history reaches back to Ancient Rome, and throughout
the years blood from several other breeds has been added to the Ardennes,
although only the Belgian breed had any signifi
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Arenberg-Nordkirchen are small riding horses from north-west
Germany. They can be black, chestnut, bay, or gray, and are used for
sport/hobby horses (general riding and jumping).
Germany does not have a long tradition of small horse
breeding; the only native small horse is the Dülmener. From the early twentieth
century ponies and small horses were imported, mostly from Great Britain, and
some private individuals started breeding
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Argentine Anglo horses are from Argentina. They are well
known for their use in equestrian sports. They are lightweight horses that
exhibit a refined appearance and excellent performance capabilities. They are
also energetic, intelligent, and obedient.
In the 1960s Argentine Anglo horses were developed by
crossing English Thoroughbred stallions with Argentine Criollo mares to produce
the lightweight polo horses with great fitness and
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Born and bred in the sprawling plains of Argentina, the Argentine Criollo isn't just a horse breed; it's a symbol of resilience and tradition woven into the South American fabric. These compact, muscular horses, known for their intelligence and versatility, have been instrumental in shaping Argentinian history and culture.
Standing at an average of 14.2 hands, the Criollo prioritizes agility and endurance over sheer size. Their well-de
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Although the Argentine Polo Ponies are not considered a
breed, Argentina is recognized the world over for their fine polo horses, a
cross between Thoroughbred and Criollo blood.
They are bred to be quick, strong, agile, and to handle the
rigorous life of a polo horse with ease. Combining the speed and grace of the
Thoroughbred with the tireless work ethic of the Criollo creates horses that
look forward to and thrives on hard
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Argentinian Modeponies (also known as Bergmann Ponies and
Argentinian Fashion Ponies) have the same foundation as Argentinian Falabella
horses and are bred for beauty and intelligence. However they are more refined
and larger than Falabellas. While most are found in Argentina, small
populations can be found in the Netherlands and France.
On average they are 6.8 – 7.8 hands tall. They are tough and
durable. Their head is large and
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Ariègeois Ponies, also known as Merens ponies, are a
pure-black rare mountain pony native to the Pyrenees and Ariègeois mountains of
Northern Spain and Southern France. Thought to be of prehistoric ancestory,
these ponies were originally domesticated for use in mines and hauling timber.
These handy ponies were also indispensable to the mountain farmers of the area
and valued as hardy war mounts.
They are robust, kind, and easy to care
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Arravani horses are from Greece and are in danger of
extinction; there are only about 200-300 of them left in the world today.
Arravani horses are influenced by Egyptian Arabians, Medern,
Greek Thessaliern, Roman horses, and Turkish Arabian bloodlines. They are
personable and comfortable to ride.
For thousands of years they were used as agriculture workers
by local farmers and for transporting loads over stony
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Asiatic Wild (also known as Przewaslki’s, Takhi, and
Mongolian wild) horsesare a rare and
endangered subspecies of wild horse native to the Steppes of central Asia. Most
wild horses, such as Mustangs or Australian brumbies, are descended from
domesticated animals; however, Asiatic Wild horses have never been domesticated
and are the only known truly wild horse in the world.
Organizations from around the world have successfully br
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Asils are Arabian horses from the Asil region in Khuzestan. Rock carvings of horses have been found in the area that date back 5,000 years. Like many different types of Arabians, strains were developed by different families and breeders. They are raised for racing, transportation, and pleasure.
Asil horses have an average height of about 14.3 hands and are built for speed and stamina; they are quick and efficient. Their traditional col ...
Astrikan (also known as Kalmykskaya, Kalmyk, or Kustenair) horses are members of the Mongolian equine group.They are bred in the territory along the Volga and Ural rivers and are in danger of becoming extinct. They were brought by the Kalmyk people came to Russia from Dzungaria in the 17th century. They were described as plain, medium-sized horses that are very tough and possess speedy gaits. They look similar to Kirgiz horses, but tend to b ...
Asturcón, also known as Asturian, Horses are a pony from the
Asturias region of northern Spain. They are an ancient breed and their ancestry
is not known, although most likely they are a cross between Sorraia, Garrano,
and ancient Celtic ponies. They are usually brown or black, with minimal white
markings. They stand between 11.2 and 12.2 hands (46 and 50 inches, 117 and 127
cm).
Asturcón ponies have a naturally ambling gait that
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Augeron Horses were developed in Pays d’Auge ( an area in
Normandy France). They are also known Caen or Virois horses and they were
developed from the Percheron breed sometime around the 19th century.
In 1904, Augeron horses were sold in Argences and Bayeux of
Lower Normandy. People bought them for their homogeneity, beauty and high
value.
The Société hippique du trait augeron, or Augeron Horse
Society, was formed in 1
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Australian Draught Horses was developed from the
crossbreeding of four recognized pure draught horse breeds which were in
Australia since the colonial days: Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, Suffolk Punch.
The result is a hardy, strong draught horse with a good temperament.
The roots of the Australian Draught Horse date back to the
c.1854 importation of stallions and mares of various English and Flemish cart
breeds to Australia. Van Dieme
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Ponies were first introduced to Australia in 1803. By 1920,
a distinct type had emerged there. A stud book was opened nine years later
detailing the standards of conformation for the pony. The basic stock for the
Australian Pony is the Welsh Mountain Pony of Type A. Shetlands were introduced
to give solid constitution and strength. Thoroughbred, Arab, and Hackney were
later introduced.
Australian Ponies have a show quality h
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The Ancestors of the Australian Stock Horse were imported in
small numbers at the end of the 18th century from South Africa and are believed
to be of Arabian and Barb descent. Eventually more horses where imported from
England; mainly Thoroughbred and Arabian horses that were tough enough for the
rough Australian conditions.
Thoroughbreds became very popular at the beginning of the
19th century for horse racing. The horses that d
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Austrian Warmblood horses are, unsurprisingly, warmblooded
horses from Austria. They are the result of combining of multiple excellent
horse breeds.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was known for its horse breeding
programs which were based on a number of imperial stud farms. The role of these
farms was to produce farm horses for the citizens, riding and carriage horses
for the nobility, cavalry mounts and artillery horses for the
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Autre Que Pur Sang horse (AQPS) loosely translates to ‘other-than pure blood’ and is a classification used for race horses in France that are not of pure English Thoroughbred lineage. They must have 75% English Thoroughbred and less than 5% Arabian blood to participate. The rest of the bloodlines can be a mix of regional French saddle horses (like French Saddle Horse and Anglo-Arabian). These horses are run both on flat tracks and in steepl ...
Auvergne horses (Cheval d’Auvergne) are robust and hardy
light draft horse from the Auvergne region of south central France. They are
used mainly for trekking.
They have been crossbred several times throughout history,
with several distinct breeds sharing the name "Auvergne horse". A
small riding horse known as the "half-blood of Auvergne" was
primarily ridden by the cavalry at the beginning of the 19th century, but has
sinc
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Auxois horses are closely related to Ardennes horse and have
been bred specifically for immense size since the start of the 20th century.
Their origins are uncertain, although some sources say that
their ancestors were Burgandy horses, a heavy breed ridden by knights of the
middle ages. Breeding of the modern Auxois began in the 19th century in the
Cote d’Or and Yonne regions of France. The foundation horses were Percheron,
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Avelignese are heavy horses found throughout Italy. They are
beautiful and hardy enough to handle most any challenge.
Avelignese horses are one of the few breeds referred to as
surefooted styles. These surefooted horses can endure traveling through the
desert and in extreme temperatures without any issues. They can be utilized for
equestrian vaulting and also for therapeutic riding purposes as well. They have
been bred with a
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Azerbaijan horses are a mountain-steppe racing and riding
horse named after the geographic region where the horse was originally
developed: Azerbaijan in the Caucasus. They have long been native to the area
and are well adapted to herd life.
They were developed as a saddle-pack horse and favored as a
war horse due to their robust character. Over the years they have been enhanced
with both Arabian and Tersk horses.
They
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Azores Ponies
are from the Azores islands,
Portugal. They have a
wedge-shaped head and a straight or slightly rammed profile, with a wide
forehead and a small mouth section. Their neck is strong and goes into a long
shoulder. Their chest is deep, but narrow. Their hindquarters are somewhat
poor. They generally are brown.
Azores ponies are wiry, noble horses with a fiery temperament.
They are used in agriculture, but they a
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Azteca horses are medium-sized, light riding horse. They arernan extension of the Spanish horse. Although a majority of the horses in Mexicornare still of direct Spanish stock, the Azteca has become very popular in thernfew years that it has been an established breed.