Equine Breeds
Appaloosa
• A “color breed”
• Used by the Nez Pence
Indians as war horses
• Originated from Spanish
horses left behind by
explorers
• Uses: Stock horses,
pleasure horses, race
horses, parade horses,
hunters and jumpers
Arabian
• Originated from
Bedouin desert - Arabia
• Not extremely muscled
(900-1000 lbs)
• Known for strength and
stamina
• Small muzzle, dished
face, & Feminine head
• High tail setting
• Short back
Lipazzan
• Developed in Spain
• Born brown or black
in color
• Changes to white or
gray at about 6-10
years of age
• Famous as dressage
performers
Morgan
• Developed in the United
States from one horse:
Justin Morgan
• America’s first breed of
light horse
• pleasing temperament,
easy manageability, and
endurance
• Uses: saddle horses and
harness horses
Mustang
• Developed by Mother
Nature in the Western
United States
• Near extinction in
1970
• Available through the
Adopt-A-Horse
program from the US
Government
Brumby
• Wild Australian Horse
Australian Stock Horse
American Quarter Horse
• Developed in the
United States as a race
horse for the 1/4 mile
• Known for speed,
strength & intelligence
• Most popular horse
breed in the world b/c
is the most versatile
• Muscular: 1050 to
1300 pounds
Saddlebred
• Developed in the United
States (Kentucky)
• 1000 to 1200 pounds
• 3-5 beat gaited walk
• Uses: pleasure horses, stock
horses, and fine harness
horses
Standardbred
• Fastest harness horse
in the world
• Name comes from the
fact that the horses
must meet a “specific”
standard.
• Bay, brown or black in
color
Paint
• “color breed”
• Originated in the United States
• 14-1 to 16-2 hands
• 750 to 1300 pounds
• Have two distinct patterns:
Overo & Tobiano
• Uses: stock horses, pleasure
horses, show purposes, racing
Palomino
• this is a “color breed”
• Originated in the United
States
• 14-2 to 16 hands
• 900 to 1300 pounds
• Uses: parade horses,
pleasure horses, stock
horses, saddle horses
Tennessee Walking Horse
• Originated in Tennessee
• Possess a unique “running
walk” smooth gait
• Very easy to ride
• Was the preferred horse of
traveling preachers
• Uses: pleasure horses,
plantation walking horses,
and show horses
Thoroughbred
• Designed to sustain speed
over distances while
carrying weight
• Average 16 hands in height
• Revolutionized the racing
industry
• Also used for hunters and
jumpers, and polo mounts
Draft Horse Breeds
American Cream Draft
• Originated from the
mare “Old Granny” in
Iowa in 1911
• Rich cream color with
white mane & tail
• Pink skin
• Amber colored eyes
• Average 1600-1800
lbs.
• Originated in Belgium Belgian
• American Belgian
Association is
headquartered in
Wabash, IN
• 16-2 to 17 hands
• 1850 to 2200 pounds
• Very docile and quiet
Clydesdale
• Developed in Scotland
• 16 to 17 hands
• 1500 to 2000 lbs.
• Commonly bay in color
• Known for four white
socks with “feathers”
• Made famous in US beer
commercials
Friesian
• Native to the
Netherlands
• Prior to WWI there
were only 3 sires still
alive
• Known for long tail &
mane
• Very calm breed
Percheron
• 16-1 to 19 hands
• 1700 to 2000 pounds
• Extremely docile
• Most popular draft breed
in the early 1900s
• Uses: exhibition, special
attractions, farm work, and
crossed with
thoroughbreds to produce
hunters and jumpers
Shire
• Developed in England
• Most common draft
breed in England
• Once used to carry
knights into battle
• Mostly black with
white legs
Shetland Pony
• Originated in the
Shetland Isles
• 43 to 46 inches tall
• 300 to 500 pounds
• Uses: child’s mount,
harness racing,
roadster
Welsh Pony
• Originated in Wales
• 12-2 to 14 hands
• 500 to 900 pounds
• Uses: child’s mount, harness
racing, pleasure riding, parade,
hunting
Miniature Horse
Donkey
Mule
Zebra
Prezwalskii’s Horse
