equine: type, classes, and breeds of horses

Breed

a __ of horses is a group of horses with a common ancestry that breed true to produce common characteristics such as function, conformation, and color

Breeding True

means that the offspring will almost always possess the same characteristics as the parents.

Horses and Ponies

two primary types of horses

14.2 hands (56.8 inch)

horses are __

under 14.2 hands

ponies are __

Light Horses

__ 12 to 17.2 hands high (hh) and weigh 900 to 1,400 pounds. they are used primarily for riding, driving, showing, racing, or utility on a farm or ranch. they are capable of more action and greater speed than draft horses

Draft Horses

they are 14.2 to 17.2 hands high and weigh 1,400 pounds or more. They are primarily used for heavy work or pulling loads. Historically, when they were bought and sold for work, they were classified according to their use as draft, wagon, farm chucks, or southerners.

Ponies

they stand 14.2 hands high or less and weigh 500 to 900 pounds. they possess a distinct conformation on a reduced scale. they are either draft, heavy harness, or saddle type

Warmblood Horses

they are fine-boned and suitable for riding. In some countries. it is distinguished as a horse having a strain of Arab breeding. Some groupings classify all light horses as warmbloods. According to some, all breeds that are not definitely Thoroughbred, draft, or pony are classified as __

Coldblood

they are heavy, solid, strong horses with a calm temperament. this term is probably best thought of as another way of describing draft horses.

Vladimir Heavy Draft Horse

__ hails from the former Soviet Union. They originated in Vladimir (hence the name) and Ivanovo, villages located north-east of Moscow. Bred originally from imported draft horse stock, Vladimir has named a breed in its own right in 1946. Extremely strong, relatively docile, and fast-maturing, these horses are used both for draft work and for troika sleighs.

Hanoverian

This German horse traces its bloodlines back to the Middle Ages. Originally used as a warhorse, it was later crossbred with horses from Spain and Asia to create a horse suited for the cavalry. The breed took off in 1735 when King George II (King of England but a German nonetheless) created his famous stud and training facility (still in existence today).

Akhal-Teke

they are believed to have been around for over 3,000 years. they come from Turkmenistan in Northern Iran and history suggests they were originally bred by Turkoman tribes. They have historically been used by cavalry members and racehorses. they are famous for their stamina, courage, and ability to exist in barren and arid environments.

Arabian

The origin of this horse is shrouded in myth and legend. Records suggest that they existed up to 5000 years ago in the Middle East. Historically, the Arab people rode only the mares into war and reserved the stallions for breeding. Today, they are immensely popular in America with breeding farms throughout the country.

Lusitano

origin is a bit murky, although it is thought that the current version of the breed is descended from the Andalusian (or similar breed). As with many of its brethren, the Lusitano was originally used in Portugal as a cavalry mount. Today they are known primarily for their quick-footed moves in Portugal’s bullfighting rings. They continue to be bred primarily in Portugal and Spain.

Percheron

it is a French breed. Today it is bred primarily in France; there is, however, a small but thriving population in the United States. They came into being from crossbreeding between Europe’s native “Forest Horse”, and Arabians, introduced to Europe by the Moors centuries ago. Historically, it has been used for transportation and draft work, pulling everything from stagecoaches to farm equipment.

Friesiann

it has a long and respected history in the Netherlands. Originating in Friesland in the Northern Netherlands, this breed is considered the oldest domesticated breed in Europe.

Friesian

The breed almost died out shortly before World War I as farm work and transportation became less dependent on literal horsepower. Today, its numbers are again on the uptick. While they are still primarily bred in the Netherlands, a handful of breeders exist in the United States.

Trakehner

The breed, as it exists today, gained dominance in the mid-1700s when the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm I, decided he wanted a new breed of horse for his cavalry. Between the World Wars, __ enjoyed a brief couple of decades as outstanding competitors in the show ring.

Clydesdale

it is one of the most famous breeds of draft horses despite being a relative newcomer to the equine world. Introduced in Scotland in the 1700s, these draft horses were used almost exclusively to pull wagons and other forms of transportation.

Don

it has been bred in the former Soviet Union since the 1700s. Originally on the small side, the breed gained in size in the 1800s after being cross-bred with Arabians and Karabakh. Known for its incredible stamina, it helped give the Cossack cavalry its fearsome reputation. Today it is a popular saddle horse, although it is still sometimes used in harness in a traditional “Tachanka”. They are still bred in Russia.

Gipsy Vanner

they are the mutt of the equine world. They are descended from a mix of Friesian, Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales pony. These extremely docile horses were originally bred exclusively in England and Ireland to pull the wagons of local gypsies (or Roma as they were sometimes known). For decades, they were bred exclusively in Britain. In the late 1990s, the breeding stock was introduced to America as well.

Fjord

they are believed to have arrived in Norway over 4000 years, and domesticated over 2000 years ago. Initially used by the Vikings as a warhorse, they evolved into a working horse, used by farmers laboring in the Norwegian mountains. While Norway continues to set the breed standard, they are bred in multiple countries throughout the world.

Pinto

it’s a color pattern that may apply to any one of a number of breeds. it is simply a horse that has large splotches of white and another color. while __ colored horses have existed since ancient times, today they are most commonly found in the United States.

Pura Raza Espanola

it has existed for centuries in Spain. The breed, as it’s known today, was created by King Felipe II in the mid-1500s. The Spanish King desired to bring to life the idealized horses depicted in paintings and statues. Breeding of the __ is strictly regulated by the ANCEE (National Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders’ Association), which has members from throughout the world.

Appaloosa

commonly pictured in old Westerns, was first bred by Native Americans in the American West. Their ancestors, however, are not American, but Spanish. When Spaniards arrived in America, the Native Americans were attracted to the spotted coats of the Spaniard horses and bred them to American horses. it remains incredibly popular in the United States, though breeders exist throughout the world.

Tennessee Walker

is a horse that was originally born and bred in the United States. The horse was developed by plantation owners in the Antebellum South who needed a horse that could easily roam the vast plantations. Today, they continue to be bred almost exclusively in the United States and Canada.

Shire

it is a bit convoluted. The short story is that it is descended from the Great Horse, a breed brought to England almost 1000 years ago. The name __ was not applied to the breed until the late 1800s. At that time, they were used for draft work, primarily pulling beer delivery carts. Today they are bred predominantly in England and the United States.

Shetland Pony

they can trace their ancestry back to the Bronze Age. They originated off the Scottish coast in the Shetland Isles. The Scots used them as beasts of burden, pulling carts and carrying coal and peat. In the 1800s, the ponies were exported to England, and later America, where they were used in the coal mines. Today they are bred in the UK, America, and Canada

Knadstrupper

they are newcomers to the horse world. The first foal was born in Denmark, on the Knabstrupgaard estate, in the mid-1800s. Owing to the combination of inbreeding and a fire that killed 22 breeding horses, they almost went extinct shortly after coming into being. Today these horses are bred in Denmark and the United States.

Marwari

it is a result of crossbreeding between Arabians and Indian ponies, have existed in India for centuries. As with many other types of horses, it was used historically as a cavalry horse. Until recently, it was bred exclusively in India. India is still home to the largest breeding farm in the world

Thoroughbred

they came into being in England in the 17th century when native English horses were crossed with Arabians. Unlike many other horses that started as work animals or bred for cavalry riders, they have always been used for racing and occasional saddle riding. They are an incredibly popular breed. Over 100,000 foals are registered as being born each year worldwide.

Kladrub

it is a Czech horse that is both old and rare. First foaled in 1579, the breed was created for carriage work, and was usually used in groups of four or six, pulling the imperial coach to important and solemn occasions. Today, they are bred almost exclusively at the Kladruby stud farm in the Czech republic.

Welsh Pony

it is a strong and hearty breed. Originating centuries ago in England (Wales to be specific), this friendly and adaptable breed has been used for everything from pulling carts to carrying riders. Today, they continued to breed in England, as well as throughout the United States and Canada.

Orlov Trotter

it was first bred in Russia by a Russian Count in the late 1800s. Unlike many of its equine counterparts, it was bred specifically for riding and harness racing. Although it is considered a Russian horse, the breed was created by crossing a variety of European mares with Arabian stallions. Today, they are bred almost exclusively in Russia and the Ukraine.

Miniature Horse

it is one of the smallest horse breeds. It has two height divisions. The tallest is no more than 9.5 hands (38 inches). they are often too small for riding. But they can pull carts, compete in obstacle courses and jumping, and serve as therapy animals.

Falabella

it is a miniature horse from Argentina. Its ancestral stock includes Andalusian and Iberian bloodlines. The horse is named for the Falabella family, who selectively bred small horses to create a consistently miniature version. they are used as guide animals due to their manageable size and trainable nature.