Horses

Types

• Heavy horses

• Light horses

• Pony

Clydesdale

Origin: Scotland

Size: Large (1,600-2,000 lbs)

Color: Bay with white markings; feathering on the legs

Characteristics: Strong and versatile; known for their gentle temperament and striking appearance.

Pecheron

   - Origin: France

   - Size: Large (1,800-2,200 lbs)

   - Color: Typically gray or black

   - Characteristics: Intelligent and easy to train; used for draft work and as a riding horse.

Shire

   - Origin: England

   - Size: Large (1,800-2,400 lbs)

   - Color: Black, bay, or gray

   - Characteristics:  One of the tallest horse breeds; known for their strength and calm demeanor.

Heavy horse

• Clydesdale

• Shire

• Percheron

Light breeds

• Arabian

• Thoroughbred

• Quarter horse

Arabian

   - Origin: Arabian Peninsula

   - Size: Medium (800-1,200 lbs)

   - Color: Various, including bay, gray, and chestnut

   - Characteristics: Known for endurance, intelligence, and distinctive head shape; often used in endurance riding.

Thoroughbred

   -  Origin: England

   - Size: Medium to large (1,000-1,200 lbs)

   - Color: Various, commonly bay, chestnut, and gray

   - Characteristics: Bred for speed; popular in horse racing and as sport horses.

Quarter horse

   - Origin: United States

   - Size: Medium (900-1,200 lbs)

   - Color: Various, including sorrel, bay, and black

   - Characteristics: Known for their agility and speed in short distances; popular in rodeo events.

Pony breeds

• Shetland

• Welsh

• Hackney

Shetland

   - Origin: Shetland Islands, Scotland

   - Size: Small (400-500 lbs)

   - Color: Various, including black, bay, and chestnut

   - Characteristics: Hardy and strong for their size; often used for children’s riding and driving.

Welsh

   - Origin: Wales

   - Size: Small to medium (400-900 lbs)

   - Color: Various, including gray, chestnut, and bay

   - Characteristics: Intelligent and versatile; used for riding and driving.

Hackney

   - Origin: England

   - Size: Small to medium (800-1,200 lbs)

   - Color: Typically bay, black, or chestnut

   - Characteristics: Known for their high action and elegance; used in harness and under saddle.

Body size

Ranges from small ponies (under 14.2 hands) to large draft horses (over 16 hands).

Markings

blazes, socks, and patches.

Common diseases

• Colic

• Laminitis

• Equine influenza

Colic

Abdominal pain; can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Laminitis

Inflammation of the hoof; often linked to diet and metabolic issues.

Equine influenza

Viral respiratory infection; vaccination is important for prevention.