Equine Breeds

NOTES

Light Horses

• At least 14.2 hands tall at the withers

• 900 - 1400 pounds• Most common type of

horse in the United States

Breeds of Light Horses

Quarter Horse Known for athleticism and cow sense Most versatile breed Named for the “Quarter Mile Race”

American Quarter Horse• Developed in the US as a

race breed• Alert and willing

temperment• Named for their fast

times in the 1/4 mile• Known for speed,

strength & intelligence• Most popular horse breed

in the world

Breeds of Light Horses

Morgan Smaller in height (14 - 15 hands) Breed was founded by a single stallion (Justin Morgan) Noted for pleasing temperment and easy managability

Breeds of Light Horses

Paint Stock type horse Color patterns are called Tobiano and Overo Differs from a Pinto (Pinto Association is a color registry)

Breeds of Light Horses

Thoroughbred Breed bred for racing and sports Average height is 16 hands

Thoroughbred• Mediteranean • Designed to sustain

speed over distances while carrying weight

• Avg 16 hands• Long Distance

Runners• Revolutionized the

racing industry

Breeds of Light Horses

Appaloosa Unique color pattern of spots (predominantly over the hip) Breed Association was formed in 1938

Appaloosa• Well known for speed• Used by the Nez

Pierce Indians as war horses

• Avg. 15 hands• Originated from

Spanish horses left behind by explorers

• AKA “Appy”

Breeds of Light Horses

Arabian Head has a characteristically dished profile Stands between 14.2 and 15.2 hands

Arabian• Originated from Bedouin

desert• Known for strength and

stamina• Avg 14.2- 15.2• Small muzzle, teacup• High tail setting• Any horse in the world can

be traced to an Arabian• Have 1 less rib than other

horses. “Nadia Saklou”

Breeds of Light Horses

Palomino Color registry Color is light to dark of a 14 karat gold U.S. coin Mane and tail must be white

Lipazzaner

• Developed in Spain• Born brown or black• Avg 15.3 hands• Changes to white or

gray at about 6-10 years of age

• Famous as dressage performers

Saddlebred• Developed in Kentucky,

1832• AKA “Kentucky Saddler”• Ridden by many famous

riders– Paul Revere

– Daniel Boone

– Ulysses S. Grant

• Three and Five Gaited Horse

Standardbred• Fastest harness horse in

the world

• Name comes from... the horses must meet a “specific” standard.

• Bay, brown or black in color

• Cross between Morgan and Thoroughbred

Tennessee Walking Horse

• Originated in Tennessee

• Possess a unique running walk gait (6-12 mph)

• Very easy to ride• Preferred horse of

traveling preachers

Irish

• Ireland• Brown, Bay color• Avg 15.2 - 17• most slaughtered

breed• Short canon bone is

good for jumping

Breeds of Light Horses

Mustang Mustang means wild or stray Protected by the government Adopt a horse program

Mustang• Developed by Mother

Nature in the Western United States

• Avg 14.2 +/-• Considered the “True

Horse”• Near extinction in 1970• Available for adoption

via Government

Draft Horse BreedsUsed for Work

Largest Horses

American Cream Draft

• Originated from “Old Granny” (mare) in Iowa in 1911

• Rich cream color with white mane & tail

• Pink skin• Endangered

Belgian

• Originated in Belgium• Brown w/ white socks• Utilized in WWII• 15-17 Avg. height• Endures cold weather

Clydesdale

• Developed in Scotland• Bred for Agriculture

use• Commonly bay in color

(can be brown and black)

• Very Active• All white fetlocks• Avg 16.2 - 18 hands

Friesian

• Native to the Netherlands

• Prior to WWI there were only 3 sires still alive

• Known for long tail & mane

• Very calm breed

Percheron• Unclear origin, found

in Ice Age• The oldest equine

breed• Most popular draft

breed in early 1900’s• As strong as a

Clydesdale

Shire

• Developed in England• Most common draft

breed in England• Once used to carry

knights into battle• Mostly black with

white legs• AKA “Gentle Giant”

Ponies

Highland

• Originated in Scotland• Pony breed• Used in Army mounts

in WWI• Avg 14.2 and lower

Hackney

• From England• Heavy horse for its

size• Width through the

chest• Show, heavy harness

or carriage• Crossbred to produce

hunters and jumpers

Pony of America

• Very similar to Appaloosa

• Conformation between that of the Quarter Horse and Arabian

Shetland Pony

• Develops long shaggy outer coat during winter months and

has a full mane and tail