Breeds of Horses

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

Classes of Horses Light Horse Breeds American Paint Horse Pinto American Saddlebred Horse Quarter Horse Appaloosa Standardbred Arabian Tennessee Walking Horse Palomino Thoroughbred Morgan

Classes of Horses Light horses Stand 14.2 to 17 hands high Weight 900-1,400 pounds Used primarily for riding, driving, or racing Generally capable of more action and greater speed than draft horses

Classes of Horses Pony of the Americas Shetland Pony Miniature Horse Pony Breeds Stand under 14.2 hands and weigh less than 900 pounds Breeds include: Pony of the Americas Shetland Pony Miniature Horse Welsh Pony

Classes of Horses Warmblood Breeds American Warmblood Holsteiner Hanoverian Trakehner

Classes of Horses Warmbloods Stand 15.1 to 17 hands high Weigh 1200-1600 pounds Used primarily as sporting horses in dressage, driving, hunting, jumping and three-day eventing Name originated from fact that they’re combination of “hot blooded” horses (Arabians & Thoroughbreds) and “cold blooded” horses (draft horses) Registries DO NOT have closed studbooks

Classes of Horses Belgian Percheron Clydesdale Shire Breeds include: Draft horses Stand 14.2 to 19 hands tall Weigh more than 1,400 pounds Used primarily for heavy work and exhibition purposes Breeds include: Belgian Percheron Clydesdale Shire

Types of Horses Riding Horse Includes saddle (3 or 5 gaited), walking, stock, polo, hunters, jumpers, ponies Race Horse Includes running (Thoroughbred, Quarter, etc.) and harness (trotters & pacers)

Types of Horses Driving Horse Includes heavy harness, fine harness, roadsters, and ponies (heavy & light harness) Work Horse Includes draft, wagon, & exhibition

American Paint Horse United States White with any other color Overo, tobiano, sabino 14.1 to 16.2 hands Eligible for registry if parents are registerd APHA, AQHA, Jockey Club (TB) Stock horses, pleasure horses, show purposes, racing

American Saddlebred United States (Kentucky) Bay, brown, chestnut, gray, black, golden 15 to 16 hands 3 gaited horses Walk, trot, canter 5 gaited horses Slow gait & rack Saddle, pleasure horses, stock horses, fine harness horses

Appaloosa United States (Ohio, Oregon, Washington) Nez Perc Indians Variations & combinations of colors & spots Blanket, snowflake, leopard Coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera, striped hooves 14 to 15.2 hands Stock horses, pleasure horses, race horses, parade horses, hunters & jumpers

Arabian Saudi Arabia Bay, gray, chestnut predominant; occasional white or black; white markings common 14.2 to 15.2 hands Dished face saddle horses, show horses, stock horses, pleasure horses, racing, endurance races, competitive trail rides

Morgan United States (Vermont) Predominantly bay, brown, chestnut; palomino, black, buckskin, some grays 14.2 to 16 hands Stamina, docility, beauty, courage, longevity Saddle horses, stock horses, harness horses

Palomino United States (Spanish descent) Golden with flaxen mane & tail no more than 15% dark or chestnut hair in either mane or tail 14.2 to 16 hands Parade, stock, pleasure, saddle, fine harness horses

Pinto United States (Spanish descent) White with any other color Tobiano & overo Color breed rather than type breed Registry accepts several different types of breeds Hunters, polo mounts, racing, saddle horses, stock horses

Quarter Horse United States (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas) Gray, black, bay, sorrel, chestnut, brown, buckskin, palomino, dun, grulla, red dun, blue roan, red roan 15 to 16 hands Well muscled & powerfully built Most versatile of all breeds First breed of horse native to US Stock horses, racing, pleasure horses, hunters, jumpers

Standardbred United States Bay, brown, black are predominant; also chestnut, gray, roan, dun 15 to 16 hands Pleasing conformation & abundance of style & quality important requirements Harness racing, trotting, pacing, show horses

Tennessee Walking Horse United States (Tennessee) Sorrel, chestnut, roan, black, white, golden, gray bay, brown 14.3 to 17 hands Flat-foot walk, running walk, canter Natural, inherited characteristics Pleasure horses, plantation walking horses, show horses

Thoroughbred England Bay, brown, chestnut, sorrel, black, gray; white markings common 15 to 16.2 hands Conformation emphasizes factors contributing to racing & sports Race horses, saddle horses, hunters, jumpers, polo mounts

Miniature Horse England Any color or marking pattern as well as any eye color acceptable No more than 34 inches Pets and show First used to pull ore carts in coal mines

Pony of the Americas United States (Mason City, Iowa) Very similar to Appaloosa; several color patterns acceptable Confirmation between that of Quarter Horse & Arabian Primarily used by juniors who have outgrown Shetland ponies but are not ready for a horse

Shetland Pony Shetland Isles Any color, solid or mixed Two classes of height Under 43 inches 43-46 inches Develops long shaggy outer coat during winter months & has full mane and tail One of oldest breeds in existence Used mainly by children for riding; harness, racing, roadster

Welsh Pony Wales Usually gray, roan, black, brown, bay, or chestnut Two division of height: A Division: cannot exceed 12.2 hands B Division: over 12.2 but not more than 14.2 Usually less than 500 pounds for A; 500-900 for B Used mainly by children for riding; harness racing, trail riding, parades

American Warmblood United States Any color; preferably solid with white markings 16 to 17 hands Dressage, driving, jumping, three day eventing

Hanoverian Germany Should be a solid color; excessive white is not desired 16 to 17 hands Noble horse with cooperative temperament, elastic gaits, outstanding ability in international equestrian disciplines Dressage, driving, jumping, three day eventing

Holsteiner Germany Bay with preference for no or few white markings 16 to 17 hands Relaxed & willing temperament with good character & eagerness for work Dressage, jumping, driving, three day eventing

Trakehner Prussia Should be solid color without excessive white markings 15.3 to 16.3 hands “Floating trot” & excellent balance First introduced to North America in 1957 with importation of 4 stallions and 12 mares Dressage, hunting, jumping, three day eventing

Belgian Belgium Chestnut & sorrel are dominant Draftiness, widest & deepest, most compact, massive draft breed 15.2 to 17 hands Docile, quiet, gentle Most numerous draft breed Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

Clydesdale Scotland Bay; four white socks & well defined blaze preferred Medium draft breed 16.2 to 18 hands Heavy feathering of feet Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work

Percheron France Black or gray most common Intermediate size 16.2 to 17.3 hands Extremely docile Noted for clean-cut head Docile Exhibition, special attractions, farm work

Shire England Black, brown, gray, chestnut, sorrel; excessive markings or roaning undesirable Large size 16.2 to 17 hands Used as war horses in 15th and 16th centuries Exhibition purposes, special attractions, farm work