BREEDS OF HORSE

Breeds of Horses

Domesticated

• Tamed for use by man

Feathering

• Fringe of hair around the horse’s foot just above the hoof

Hands

• The height of a horse, taken from the top of the withers to the ground. 1 hand=4 inches

Influences of Humans

• Selective mating of large, heavy muscled horses to produce work animals

• Development of refined, longer legged horses for speed

• Development of various gates for ease in riding or pulling

Types of Horses

Riding Horse

• Includes saddle, walking, stock, polo, hunters, jumpers, ponies

Race Horse

• Includes running (Thoroughbred, Quarter, etc.) and harness (trotters & pacers)

Driving Horse

• Includes heavy harness, fine harness, roadsters, and ponies (heavy & light harness)

Work Horse

• Includes draft, wagon, & exhibition

Light Horse Characteristics

• Height: 14 to 17 hands

• Weight: Weigh 900 to 1,400 pounds

• Primary use is for riding, driving or racing

• Generally more capable of more action and greater speed

• Most predominant types of horses used today.

• Popular for their ability in the show ring, speed on the racetrack, ability on the ranch, and leisure on the trail.

• Used primarily for riding, driving, or racing

• Generally capable of more action and greater speed than draft horses

Paint

• Origin: United States

• Color: White with any other color; may be overo and tobiano

• Height: 14 to 16 hands

• Weight: 750 to 1,300 pounds

• Uses: Stock, pleasure, show purposes, racing

• Developed from a base of spotted horses with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines. Very versatile breed standing

Saddlebred

• Origin: Fayette County, Kentucky

• Color: Bay, brown, chestnut, gray, black or golden

• Height: 15 to 16 hands

• Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds

• Uses: Saddle, pleasure, stock and fine harness

Appaloosa

• Origin: Palouse River, Idaho and Washington

• Color: Variations & combinations of colors and spots; eye encircled with white, mottled skin; hooves black & white striped

• Height: 14 to 15 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,200 pounds

• Uses: Stock, pleasure, race and parade

• Best known for its spotted coat

Arabian

• Origin: Arabia

• Color: Bay, gray, chestnut; white on head & legs is common

• Height: 14 to 15 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,100 pounds

• Uses: Saddle, show, stock, pleasure, racing

• Dished face is most distinguishing characteristic

• Finely chiseled bone structure, dished face, arched neck, comparatively level croup, high-carried tail.

• Known for speed, refinement and endurance

Morgan

• Origin: Vermont

• Color: Bay, brown, black, chestnut; white markings less common

• Height: 14 to 15 hands

• Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds

• Uses: Saddle, stock, harness, jumpers

• Known for easy manageability and remarkable endurance

Palomino

• Origin: Spain

• Color: Golden with white, silver or ivory mane & tail

• Height: 14 to 16 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,300 pounds

• Uses: Parade, pleasure, stock, saddle

Pinto

• Origin: United States, from horses brought in by Spanish conquistadors

• Color: Half color (bay, brown, chestnut) with white spots from 2 to 12 inches across

• Height: 14 to 16 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,300 pounds

• Uses: Hunters, polo mounts, racing, saddle, stock

Quarter Horse

• Origin: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado & Kansas

• Color: Chestnut, sorrel, bay, dun, palomino, black, brown & roan

• Height: 14 to 16 hands

• Weight: 1,050 to 1,300 pounds

• Uses: Stock, racing, pleasure

• Well-muscled & powerfully built; considered most versatile

Standardbred

• Origin: United States

• Color: Bay, brown, chestnut, black, gray, roan and dun

• Height: 15 to 16 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,300 pounds

• Uses: Harness racing, trotting or pacing, show

• Developed primarily for harness racing

Tennessee Walking Horse

• Origin: Tennessee

• Color: Sorrel, chestnut, roan, black, white, golden, gray, bay and brown

• Height: 14 to 15 hands

• Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds

• Uses: Pleasure, plantation walking, show

• The running walk is distinctive to the breed

Trakehner

• Origin: Trakehnen,Prussia

• Color: Should be solid color without excessive white markings

• Height: 15 to 16 hands

• Weight: 1000 – 1200 pounds

• “Floating trot” & excellent balance

• Dressage, hunting, jumping

Thoroughbred

• Origin: England, developed as a running horse

• Color: Bay, brown, chestnut, sorrel, black, gray; white on the face & legs is common

• Height: 15 to 17 hands

• Weight: 900 to 1,400 pounds

• Uses: Race horses, saddle, stock, hunters and jumpers, polo mounts

• Known for its use in horse racing due to their speed, agility, and spirit.

Draft Horse Characteristics

• A heavy or large horse bred for hard work such as plowing and driving.

• They are strong, docile, and patient.

• 16 hands or taller, large boned, feathered feet, weigh around 1,300 to 2,000 lbs

• Used primarily for heavy work and exhibition purposes

Belgian

• Origin: Belgium

• Color: Bay, chestnut, roan

• Size: Wide, deep, low set bodies

• Weight: 1,800 to 2,200 pounds

• Uses: Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

• Very docile & quiet

• Normally sorrel with a flaxen mane and tail.

• Most popular draft breed in the United States.

• Small head, powerful shoulders and hindquarters, and short legs.

Clydesdale

• Origin: River Clyde, Scotland

• Color: Bay and brown with white markings

• Height: 16 to 17 hands

• Weight: Male 1,500 to 1,900 pounds

• Uses: Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

• Superior style and action

• Heavy feathering of feet

• Well muscled with an arching neck and tall withers.

Percheron

• Origin: La Perche, France

• color: Black or gray

• Height: 16 to 17 hands

• Weight: 1,700 to 2,000

• Uses: Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

• Extremely docile

Suffolk

• Origin: Suffolk, England

• Color: Chestnut, varying from light to dark; no white

• Height: 16 to 17hands

• Weight: 1,400 to 1,800 lbs

• Uses: Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

• Excellent deposition

Hanoverian

• Origin: Hanover, Germany

• Color: Should be a solid color like brown; excessive white is not desired

• Height: 16 to 18 hands

• Weight: 1400 – 1700 lbs

• Noble horse with cooperative temperament, elastic gaits, outstanding ability in international equestrian disciplines

• Usage: Dressage, driving, jumping

Holsteiner

• Origin: Holstein, Germany

• Color: Bay with preference for no or few white markings

• Height: 16 to 17 hands

• Weight: 1300 – 1700 lbs

• Relaxed & willing temperament with good character & eagerness for work

• Usage: Dressage, jumping, driving, three day

Breeds of Ponies

Hackney

• Origin: Hackney, England

• Color: Chestnut, bay, brown; white markings are desirable

• Height: 11 to 14 hands (those under 14 are referred to as ponies)

• Weight: 600 to 900 pounds

• Uses: Valued chiefly for show purposes, heavy harness or carriage horses

Pony of the Americas

• Origin: Mason City, Iowa

• Color: Similar to Appaloosa

• Height: 11 – 13 hands

• Weight: 400 to 800 pounds

• Breed standard calls for conformation between Quarter Horse and Arabian

• Uses: Western type using pony for youth Created for smaller riders.

Shetland Pony

• Origin: Shetland Isles

• Color: Black, dark brown, bay, chestnut & spotted

• Height: 7 – 11 hands

• Weight: 300 to 500 pounds

• Develops long shaggy outer coat during winter months and has a full mane & tail

• Dished face, muscular neck, with short strong legs.

• Good natured and make good kid ponies.

• Uses: Child’s mount, harness, racing, roadster

Welsh Pony

• Origin: Wales

• Color: Black, gray, bay, roan, cream, chestnut

• Height: 11 – 13 hands

• Weight: 500 – 900 lbs

• Uses: Child’s mount, harness racing, pleasure, parade, hunting

Miniature Pony

• Origin: Europe

• Height: Normally less than 34 inches at the withers or 8-9 hands.

• Weight: 150 – 350 lbs.

• Color: bay, black, chestnut, gray, palomino, and pinto.

• Very friendly and alert

• Breed Association: American Miniature Horse Association.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are numerous breeds of horses, each with its own unique characteristics, history, and purpose.

These breeds have played significant roles in agriculture, transportation, sport, and leisure activities around the world.

The names of many horse breeds often reflect their origins. Others are named after their distinctive features or purposes.

Despite their differences in size, conformation, and temperament, all horse breeds share a deep connection with humans and have contributed to our history, culture, and livelihoods in various ways. Whether as working partners, competitive athletes, or beloved companions, horses continue to captivate and inspire people around the world.