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 BreedsAmerican Paint Horse PintoAmerican Saddlebred Horse

Quarter Horse

Appaloosa StandardbredArabian Tennessee Walking HorsePalomino ThoroughbredMorgan

Classes of Horses

Light horses Stand 14.2 to 17 hands highWeight 900-1,400 poundsUsed primarily for riding, driving, or

racingGenerally capable of more action and

greater speed than draft horses

Classes of Horses

Pony BreedsStand under 14.2 hands and weigh less than

900 poundsBreeds include:

Pony of the Americas

Shetland Pony

Miniature Horse Welsh Pony

Classes of Horses

Warmblood Breeds

American Warmblood HolsteinerHanoverian 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

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 HorseIncludes saddle (3 or 5 gaited),

walking, stock, polo, hunters, jumpers, ponies

Race HorseIncludes running (Thoroughbred,

Quarter, etc.) and harness (trotters & pacers)

Types of Horses

Driving HorseIncludes heavy harness, fine harness,

roadsters, and ponies (heavy & light harness)

Work HorseIncludes 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 grays14.2 to 16 handsStamina, docility, beauty, courage,

longevitySaddle 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 handsParade, stock, pleasure, saddle, fine

harness horses

Pinto

United States (Spanish descent)White with any other color

Tobiano & overoColor breed rather than type breedRegistry accepts several different types

of breedsHunters, 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

EnglandBay, brown, chestnut, sorrel, black, gray;

white markings common15 to 16.2 handsConformation emphasizes factors

contributing to racing & sportsRace horses, saddle horses, hunters,

jumpers, polo mounts

Miniature Horse

EnglandAny color or marking pattern as well as

any eye color acceptableNo more than 34 inchesPets and showFirst used to pull ore carts in coal mines

Pony of the Americas

United States (Mason City, Iowa)Very similar to Appaloosa; several color

patterns acceptableConfirmation between that of Quarter

Horse & ArabianPrimarily 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 handsB 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 StatesAny color; preferably solid with white

markings16 to 17 handsDressage, 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

GermanyBay with preference for no or few white

markings16 to 17 handsRelaxed & willing temperament with

good character & eagerness for workDressage, 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

ScotlandBay; four white socks & well defined

blaze preferredMedium draft breed16.2 to 18 handsHeavy feathering of feetExhibition 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