Types and Breeds of Horses

Draft Horses

Bred to carry and pull heavy loads over twice their weight for short distances.

Draft Horses Weight

Weigh over 1600 lbs. and stand over 16 hands tall.

Draft Horses Uses

Freight hauling to carrying armored soldiers; they were the trucking industry, tractors and heavy haulers of the pre-modern era.

Draft Horses Temperament

Calm even temperament and level headed attitude (cold blood).

Examples of Draft Horses

Percheron, Suffolk, Belgian, Shire and Clydesdale.

Light Horses

Bred for speed, agility, endurance and riding.

Light Horses Uses

Used for every form of riding, from pleasure riding, to racing and ranch work.

Light Horses Characteristics

Vary greatly in height, weight, build and color; bred to be used under saddle.

Examples of Light Horses

American Quarter horse, Rocky Mountain horse, Pintos, Polo ponies and Morgans.

Hot Blood Horses

Some light horses considered hot blood as well: high energy, easily excitable and fleet footed.

Examples of Hot Blood Horses

Arabians, Andalusians and Thoroughbreds.

Gaited Horses

Light horses bred for riding but best known for their exceptionally smooth ride.

Gaited Horses Gaits

Three gaits: walk, trot and gallop plus pace, running walk, fox trot, rack and slow gait.

Gaited Horses Description

Known as the 'gentleman's horse', used for generals, officers, plantation owners and men of wealth.

Gaited Horses Uses

Prized for their show ring flair and smooth pleasure riding on the trail.

Examples of Gaited Horses

Skeio-Pace horse, Icelandic horse.

Warm Blood Horses

Middle weight horses created by cross of cold blood draft horse and a hot blood light horse.

Warm Blood Horses Characteristics

Tall, strong, athletic horse with sensible attitude and plenty of get-up-and-go.

Warm Blood Horses Dominance

Dominate dressage, jumping, harness and equestrian Olympic sports.

Examples of Warm Blood Horses

Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Selle Francaise, Trakehner and Holsteiner.

Ponies

Horse that measures less than 14.2 hands (14 in Australia); incredibly versatile horses bred to do virtually everything imaginable.

Welsh ponies

A type of pony known for its versatility and strength.

Icelandic Pony

A breed of pony originating from Iceland, known for its unique gaits.

Shetland Ponies

A small breed of pony originating from the Shetland Isles, known for its strength.

Hackney Pony

A breed of pony known for its high-stepping action and elegance.

Miniature ponies

Small ponies that are often kept as pets or for shows.

Non-horse Types of Equine

Related to horses and can interbreed with horses but are not horses themselves; examples include donkeys, zebras, and mules.

Donkey

A domesticated member of the equine family, known for its strength and sure-footedness.

Mules

A hybrid animal resulting from the cross between a horse and a donkey, known for its strength and agility.

Zebra

A wild non-domesticated equine known for its distinctive black and white stripes.

Zorse

A hybrid cross between a zebra and a horse, which is sterile like a mule.

Breed

A group of animals with common origin and distinctive characteristics not common to other horses.

Height

Measured in hands, where one hand equals 4 inches, taken from the top of withers to the ground.

Appaloosa

A light horse breed descended from Central Asia, known for its color variations and distinctive coat patterns.

Arabian

A light horse breed originating from Saudi Arabia, known for its dish face and endurance.

Palomino

A light horse breed of Spanish descent, characterized by its golden color and light mane and tail.

Quarter Horse

A light horse breed known for its versatility and power, originating from the United States.

Miniature Horse

A small breed of horse originating from England, typically no more than 34 inches tall.

Shetland Pony

A pony breed from the Shetland Isles, known for its shaggy coat and small size.

Belgian

A draft breed from Belgium, known for its size and strength.

Clydesdale

A medium draft breed from Scotland, known for its distinctive feathering and size.

Percheron

An intermediate draft breed from France, known for its docility and strength.

Shire

A large draft breed from England, known for its historical use as war horses.

Color Breeds

Any type or breed of horse accepted for registration based on color as the primary criterion.

Palomino (Color Breed)

A golden horse with a light-colored flaxen mane and tail, resulting from a cream dilution gene.

Pinto

A horse with a mixture of white and colored areas on its body.

Appaloosa Characteristics

Includes striped hooves, unpigmented sclera, and mottling of skin around nostrils, muzzles, and genitalia.