How to Choose the Right Horse Breed for Your Needs

Whether you're a first-time horse owner or looking to add another equine companion to your life, choosing the right breed is more than just picking the prettiest horse in the pasture. Different breeds have different temperaments, energy levels, and care requirements. Finding a breed that fits your lifestyle, goals, and experience level is key to a happy, healthy partnership—for both of you.

1. Start With Your Purpose

Ask yourself: what do you want to do with your horse? Trail riding, jumping, barrel racing, working cattle, showing, or just casual companionship? Certain breeds are better suited for certain disciplines. For example:

• Quarter Horses excel at western riding and ranch work.
• Arabians are known for endurance and spirit.
• Thoroughbreds are built for speed but require experienced handlers.
• Draft breeds offer strength and calm temperaments, great for driving or beginners.
• Ponies and smaller breeds can be fantastic for children or hobby riding.

2. Consider Your Experience Level

If you're new to horses, look for breeds known for calm temperaments and willingness to please. Breeds like Quarter Horses, Morgans, and Haflingers often make excellent beginner-friendly partners. High-strung or “hot-blooded” breeds might be better suited to more experienced handlers.

3. Think About Size

Larger horses may require more feed, stronger fencing, and bigger equipment. If you're a smaller rider or plan to do light trail work or driving, a pony or small horse might suit you perfectly. Miniature horses are adorable and great for groundwork or cart driving—but not riding.

4. Know the Maintenance Needs

Some breeds require more grooming, special diets, or attention to hooves and joints. For example, long-feathered breeds like Clydesdales need extra hoof care, and lighter-boned breeds may need joint supplements for certain activities.

5. Look Beyond the Breed

Temperament, training, and past experience are just as important as breed. A well-trained horse of any breed can outperform a poorly trained one in your desired discipline. Always meet the horse in person and take your time getting to know them.

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In the end, the “perfect” horse isn’t always about breed—it’s about fit. Matching your goals and lifestyle to the right type of horse increases the chances of a rewarding, long-lasting partnership. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts.

Horse Breeds: Abtenauer

If you're looking for a draft horse that is smaller than most others, you might be looking for the Abtenauer. Not a lot is known about these adorable draft horses because there isn't really an official registry for them. We don't even know how many there are today. But their bloodlines are incredibly pure because of their geographic isolation. They are almost never seen outside their region of origin, the Abtenau Valley in Austria.

We don't even really know where the Abtenauer comes from. It's thought to be descended from Greek military mounts that were left in the region when they were no longer needed, but this is speculation at best. All we know is that they have been in the Abtenau Valley for centuries. It's not expected that we'll ever know much more than that.

Standing only about 15 hands high, the Abtenauer is small for a draft horse. They're beautifully built and are incredibly graceful. Their low center of gravity means they have astounding balance and are not easily ruffled. Their sweet disposition makes them a great companion horse, especially for younger people. 

Unlike some other draft horses, the Abtenauer is born with a curly coat. Foals loose this coat as they mature. Typical colors for this breed are roan, black, and chestnut. Leopard spotting sometimes happens but is not desirable.

This undemanding breed is great for both agricultural work and as a pleasant companion. 

Horse Breeds: Abstang Horse

The Abstang Horse is a newer breed that is not yet widely recognized. It's actually a cross between the elegant Arabian and the sturdy Mustang. I find it a little surprising that it took so long for this cross to become popular given the inherently wonderful traits of two of the hardiest and most popular breeds on the planet.

The Abstang didn't exist at all until the 1990s when a woman in Utah (Michelle Brown) experimented with crossing the Mustang and the Arabian. She was hoping that the offspring would be both unique and desirable, and they absolutely were. She ended up with youngsters that were as eager to please as the Arabian and as spirited as an untamed Mustang. But the young horses were also a little reticent, requiring that she work to earn their trust. Once she did, they were impressive horses indeed.

She called her new breed the Abstang and in 1993 the International Abstang Registry & Association was founded. In order the qualify for registration, the horses must display the refinement and endurance of an Arabian and the fearless and stubborn nature of the Mustang.

The adult horses are usually small in size, hardy, and surefooted. Because the breed is still so new, and the Mustang can sometimes have a fuzzy coat, there is still some variation in the conformation and characteristics of the breed. The Mustang features can sometimes override the refinement of the Arabian, but this is not desirable. A more favorable conformation will include a straight profile and a rounded croup. All colors and patterns are acceptable in this adorable breed.

The Abstang makes a great endurance horse, but they can also be used for show and just for pleasure. They tend to be good on the ranch as well because they're so quite and surefooted. They are fearless and loyal as well as spirited and very tough, so they make great trail horses and can be used to herd cattle and sheep if necessary. 

All in all, the Abstang is an interesting and fun experimental breed that definitely has some promise.

Horse Breeds: Morab

Though the breed itself is relatively new, originating in the mid-1970s, crossing the Morgan and the Arabian was popular more than a century earlier. This particular hybrid led to a stunning champion show horse that was also graceful when trotting. Despite the popularity of the hybrid, it wasn't until the 1920s that anyone thought it might be a true breed. It was really a single man, William Randolph Hearst, who started the breed on his ranch in California. He was trying to create a sturdy workhorse, and when he crossed his Arabians with his Morgans, he coined the term "Morab" to describe the resulting offspring.

But this still wasn't the true start of the breed. It was another fifty years before the first registry for Morabs was created, which allowed breeders from across the country to register their horses as Morabs. At first, standards were quite lax, but today horses must have documented Arabian and Morgan bloodlines, with neither breed comprising more than 75% of the bloodline for an individual horse.

Intelligent and sweet, the Morab is a people loving horse, great with children and prized for their docile nature and calm disposition. The Morab brings all the best traits if the contributing breeds together, combining the muscular build of the Morgan with the speed and endurance of the Arabian. A rather compact horse, this breed is powerful and beautiful, exhibiting the flagged tail, upright neck, and expressive face of its parent breeds.

Standing between 14 and 15.2 hands high, the Morab is a stout and strong horse. They can be found in all solid colors, but, bay, chestnut, and gray are the most common. Tails and manes can be equally varied, with white or grey being common, but all colors are allowed.

They may have started as ranch horses, but today Morabs are common for both show and pleasure. They make great carriage horses and are often found competing in endurance or even competitive trail. For more information on this robust breed, contact the Purebred Morab Horse Association or the International Morab Horse Association.

Horse Breeds: Missouri Fox Trotter

As its name suggests, the Missouri Fox Trotter has its roots in Missouri, specifically the Ozark Mountains. They were created by crossing the region's Arabians, Morgans, and Thoroughbreds. This wasn't necessarily because the locals wanted to create a new breed, but more because those were the horses they had at the time.

The distinctive fox trot of this breed didn't have to be bred for. It developed because of the uneven terrain in the Ozarks. Because the smoothness of this gait, the Missouri Fox Trotter became prized above any other, and this is when selective breeding truly started. Other gaited horses, such as the Standardbred and the Tennessee Walker, were added into the gene pool to help stabilize the breed and ensure the fox trot would breed true.

Standing between 14 and 16 hands high, the Missouri Fox Trotter isn't a large horse, but he has a sweet face and a pleasant disposition. This breed can be found in all colors, including buckskin, pinto, and spotted. The truly distinctive thing about this breed is the fox trot, where the horse appears to trot with the rear legs but walk with the front legs. It's fascinating to watch, especially when you notice this gait does not bounce like the traditional trot. This lack of bounce makes for a smooth ride over most terrain. The horse nods with each stride and the gait has a particular rhythm that cannot be mistaken. All in all, this horse is a joy to watch.

The Missouri Fox Trotter was originally used for transportation and cattle work, and this really hasn't changed all that much. Today you're most likely to find this breed hard at work on the ranch, used for long distance trail riding, or simply for pleasure riding. For more information, contact The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.

Horse Breeds: Miniature Horse

Back in the 17th century, when oddities and strange animals were irresistible to the nobility, horses that were smaller than the norm were set aside and used in breeding programs across Europe. When crossed with the Shetland Pony, these smaller horses produced even smaller offspring. Those offspring with a less refined appearance were inevitably used in the mines as pit ponies, hauling carts of supplies and materials. Those more attractive ponies found their way into circuses and shows throughout the continent.

Over time, other breeds were added to the mix. The Hackney brought a little more refinement. Horses with pinto coloring were used to introduce new colors. Eventually, with selective breeding, horses that resembled smaller versions of Arabians, American Quarter Horses, and others came about, especially as the Miniature Horse spread throughout Europe and North America.

Unlike other breeds, Miniature Horses are measured in inches, not hands. They should stand no more than 34 inches at the base of the mane at the withers. That's under 3 feet, so these guys are a little small. For this reason, they are not ridden, not even by children. Despite this, they are vastly popular and available in practically every color, including palomino, pinto, and a strange pattern called Pintaloosa, which is really a cross between a pinto and an Appaloosa.

Though they cannot be ridden, Miniature Horses are used today for driving and in-hand classes such as obstacle courses and halter. For more information about this adorable breed, contact the American Miniature Horse Association.

Horse Breeds: Marwari

Though it's generally agreed that the Marwari originates in India, there's not much more known about the ancient history of this magnificent breed. We do know that horses with similar features, specifically the curved ears, appear in cave paintings that were in existence in 2000 BCE in the Rajasthan region of India. Indian warriors, usually referred to as Rajputs, used these horses as cavalry mounts. They have also been used as ceremonial mounts in various parts of the world.

Standing between 14.2 and 16 hands high, the Marwari is an average size horse. Its most amazing feature is clearly the curved ears, though no one really knows why the ears developed this curve. Some horses have ears that actually touch or cross, giving them an even more exotic appearance. But the ears aren't the only impressive feature. They also have gracefully arched necks and are sometimes born with a pacing gait called either the apchal or the revall.

The Marwari is a true desert horse, but it's not exactly like other desert horses. Though not exactly stocky, this breed is certainly heavier than you might expect, almost as heavy as the Spanish horses. They have a similar build to the Kathiawari, though we don't exactly know much about that breed either.

Available in just about any color (except chestnut), the Marwari is used today to pull tourist carts and is also frequently ridden by police and for ceremonial events such as weddings and festivals. For more information on this special breed, visit Horse Marwari.

Horse Breeds: Marsh Tacky

South Carolina can be boggy and hot and humid and generally unpleasant for people and horses alike. But there is one horse that is uniquely suited to the climate, and that is the Marsh Tacky. Descended from Spanish horses brought to the region in the 1500s, the Marsh Tacky's environment kept it isolated during the breed's formative years. This isolation resulted in a hardy horse well suited to traversing the marshes, swamps, and bogs while withstanding the ever-present heat and humidity.

Its versatility meant it could be used for plowing fields or hunting, ranching or transportation, or anything in between. Later it became a choice mount for soldiers in the area, especially during the American Revolution and the American Civil War. It was even used to patrol the beaches of South Carolina during World War II (WWII). Then, as happened to several other breeds of horse, numbers declined as the automobile and mechanized farm equipment became more popular. By the 1980s, the Marsh Tacky was feared extinct.

Luckily, they weren't, and with the help of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) and the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association (CMTA) the breed has slowly come back from the brink if extinction. But with less than 300 horses left in the world, it is still considered critically endangered.

There are a lot of wonderful things that can be said about the Marsh Tacky. It is gentle, sweet, and calm. It has great stamina, is incredibly strong, and is highly trainable. It's also a lovely companion horse. But probably its most distinctive trait is the Swamp Fox Trot. This is a unique gait that makes traveling over rough terrain a comfortable ride. It's also a gait no other breed has mastered.

The Marsh Tacky has a distinct appearance. With a wide forehead and a flat or slightly convex profile, the Marsh Tacky has a distinguished face. Its ears have a notch or inward point at the tips, the neck is wide, and the withers are pronounced. Not a tall horse, it stands between 13.5 and 15 hands high. Typical colors include bay, black, blue roan, chestnut, dun, grullo, red roan, and sorrel.

Used today for trail and pleasure riding, the Marsh Tacky is also suitable for endurance and competitive trail riding. If you want to get a good look at this breed, consider attending the annual Marsh Tacky races held at Hilton Head in South Carolina.

Horse Breeds: Mangalarga Marchador

Bred from horses originally from the Iberian Peninsula, the Mangalarga Marchador is the national horse of Brazil. If there is a foundation stallion of this noble breed, it would have to be Sublime, who himself was a product of horses brought over from Portugal in the early 1800s. Sublime was eventually put to mares from several different breeds already present in Brazil, including Andalusians, Barbs, Criollos, and Spanish Jennets. The resulting offspring, and their offspring, were referred to as Sublime horses, but the name was eventually changed to Mangalarga Marchador. This name was not chosen randomly, but was picked to honor the first hacienda to embrace the breed in Brazil.

In Sao Paolo, the Mangalarga Marchador was crossed with American Saddlebreds, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds to achieve a slightly different look. These horses and their descendants are not Mangalarga Marchadors but rather Mangalarga Paulistas. The original Mangalarga Marchador is still pity and unchanged, and has remained so since the 1800s.

Standing between 14.2 and 16 hands high, the Mangalarga Marchador has a lot in common with a well-bred Barb. They are very upright horses with strong hindquarters and a highly arched neck. The head should have a noble appearance and the ears should have an alert set to them. Being a gaited horse (hence the term 'Marchador'), this breed has two specific gaits. Both gaits are natural and fairly smooth, the marcha picada being a lateral gain and the marcha batida being a more diagonal gait. Picada is usually just a tad smoother, but it can be hard to tell the difference for the inexperienced.

Though this interesting breed can be found in all solid colors, chestnut, gray, and pinto are the most common. Today they can be found participating in many sports, including polo, endurance riding, and jumping. They are also popular for leisure pursuits and can be fun on a trail ride, especially because their gaits are natural ones, meaning all Mangalarga Marchadors can move in at least one of the recognized gaits without having to be taught to do so.

In the US, the US Mangalarga Marchador Association is one of the few associations to truly preserve, regulate, and register these beautiful horses. They work closely with their Brazilian counterparts to ensure the same standards are imposed regardless of where the horse is bred.

Horse Breeds: Lusitano

As breeds go, the Lusitano is actually quite new. It was officially created in the 1960s when Portuguese breeders decided to set their Andalusians apart from the Spanish Andalusians. To accomplish this, a studbook that included both Spanish and Portuguese horses was opened. Though it initially included both types of horses, the goal was to create a completely unique breed. The official name of the Lusitano is Puro Sangue Lusitano, which is Latin for 'Portugal'.

Standing between 15 and 15.3 hands high, the Lusitano has much in common with the Andalusian. So much in common that sometimes the only differences are lineage and usage. If you put the two breeds beside each other, however, you might notice that the Lusitano has a slightly more traditional convex profile. Sometimes you have to look closely to see the difference, but it is there.

Like the Andalusian, the Lusitano comes in a variety of colors. The most popular colors are bay and gray, but black, brown, chestnut, dun, and even palomino are also common. Other solid colors can show up occasionally as well.

Nimble, sweet, and hearty, the Lusitano is a quick-footed horse often used in Portuguese bull fighting (where the bull is not killed, by the way). They can also be seen frequently competing in dressage as well as traditional western pursuits. In fact, this versatile breed can do most things well, making it good for just about any equine activity.

Horse Breeds: Lippitt Morgan

All true Lippitt Morgan horses today share a common ancestor. They are descended from Figure, a bay stallion owned by Justin Morgan of Vermont. Figure was foaled in the late 1700s and used as a stud horse until his death in 1821. Figure's unique body was compact, muscular, and stylish. These traits are still present in his descendants.

Initially, this horse was simply referred to as the Morgan. In the early 1900s, the industrial age made working breeds like the Morgan obsolete. Many breeds actually died out during this time simply for lack of interest. This might have been the Morgan's fate if horse owners hadn't decided to use this stunning breed for recreational activities such as harness racing, dressage, and pleasure riding. Unfortunately, this meant that owners desired a horse with more speed and refinement, so the original traits of Figure were being washed out.

Preservation efforts began in earnest. Fullerton Phillips of Pennsylvania was determined to breed his own Morgan horses and collected quite a herd, but a storm stuck and killed many of his prized equines. Five years later, in 1927, Phillips died and his remaining horses were separated for sale.

Lucky for the Morgan, Phillips wasn't the only man who took an interest in this unique breed. Robert Lippitt Knight bought several of Phillips horses with the hope of truly restoring the Morgan breed. He basically succeeded, but when he passed away in 1962, his horses were slated to be sold at auction. Because many horse enthusiasts knew of Knight's work, most of the horses were bought by those who wanted to continue the breed.

In 1971, less than a decade after his death, those still working to preserve the breed added 'Lippitt' to the name, creating the Lippitt Morgan to recognize Knight's contribution to the breed's survival. Since then, there have been no outcrosses, so most Lippitt Morgans exhibit many of the traits so prized in Figure back in the 1700s.

Standing between 14.1 and 15.1 hands high, the Lippitt Morgan has a short head, medium-length neck, and an impressive, pronounced chest. The back is quite short when compared to other breeds, but the croup is relatively long. The legs of this interesting breed are long in the thighs, gaskins, and forearms, but short in the cannon bones. Though the Lippitt Morgan comes in many dark colors, bay, brown, black, and chestnut are most common.

Though once a popular workhorse, today the Lippitt Morgan is seen in a variety of disciplines. They are most common in driving competitions, but they can also be seen under the saddle. For more information, visit the Lippitt Morgan Breeders Association.

Horse Breeds: Lipizzan

Some breeds have a more aristocratic beginning than others. The Lipizzan is one of them. Sometimes called the Lipizzaner, this elegant breed has its roots in the time when Spanish-bred horses were considered perfect cavalry mount, especially in Austria. Because just about any Spanish-bred horse was prized, several came together to form the Lipizzan as the breed emerged. Let us not forget, however, that there is certainly some Arabian blood in this brilliant mount.

In 1562, Maximillian II brought several Spanish horses to the Austrian court and founded a stud at Kladrub. All were lovely. His brother, Archduke Charles II, created a similar studfarm at Lipizza in 1580. It was at Lipizza, which lies near the Adriatic Sea, where the breed finally started to flourish, mostly because of the introduction of the native Karst horses to the Lipizza and Kladrub bloodlines. So it should come as no surprise that the Lipizzan was named after this picturesque location.

Though the Lipizzan was named after Lipizza, Kladrub produced two of the foundation sires for the Lipizzan breed. Maestoso and Favory were Kladrub horses, while Conversano, Neapolitano, Pluto, and Siglavy all came from Lipizza. Today, these six horses are considered the foundation for the entire Lipizzaner breed.

If there is one horse that was bred for grace and power, it is the Lipizzan. They are the very picture of the perfect dressage horse because they were specifically bred for it. This may seem odd, especially since the Lipizzan was originally a cavalry horse, but consider the history of dressage for a moment. Dressage began as a way to train cavalry mounts in the finer points of high movements and collection. Since this is what the Lipizzans were bred for, they are naturally better at it than most other breeds.

Standing from 14.3 to 15.3 hands high, the Lipizzan is not actually white. Instead they are genetically grey. They are all born a brown or dark grey, but this gradually lightens until they reach have their 'white' coat at between 5 and 10 years of age. The 'white' horse is the most common color in the breed, mostly because the Austrian nobility preferred white horses and so selectively bred for that color, but the occasional bay or black adult does appear. Two hundred years ago there were Lipizzans of all colors, but this is almost unheard of now.

An ancient but relatively rare breed, The Lipizzaner is agile, lovely, and sweet. Registries around the world, such as Lipizzan Association of North America, are engaged in protecting and promoting this elegant breed so that future generations will get to enjoy them.

Horse Breeds: Knabstrupper

Back in 1812 Major Villas Lunn, who resided in Nordsealand, Denmark at the time, put a Fredricksborg stallion to a chestnut blanketed mare (who may have been of Spanish breeding). The resulting colt was colorful and spotted. He would be the foundation for what would eventually become the Knabstrupper.

This unique breed was once favored by kings and dukes across Europe. Frequently used for festivals and pleasure pursuits, the cavalry eventually started using them in Denmark for officer's horses. They were even used in breeding programs on the continent and beyond. One of the founding stallions of the Lipizzaner was a Knabstrupper by the name of Pluto. The end of World War II saw the Knabstrupper used in circus shows throughout the world.

Though the most popular pattern for a Knabstrupper is certainly the full leopard, which involves a full white background covered with bay, black, or chestnut spots, there are other acceptable patterns as well. These include the blanket, the snowcap, and the snowflake. There is also a pattern called the few spot, which is a horse that is almost solid white. When bred, the few spot always produces a spotted foal of some kind.

Standing from 15.2 to 16 hands high, the Knabstrupper actually has three varieties. The Baroque is the traditional horse; it reminds many of old circus horses because many old circus horses were indeed Knabstruppers. The Sport Knabstrupper resulted from a cross with European warmbloods and excels in all of the English sports. The Knabstrupper Pony is just a smaller version of the Baroque and is often used as a children's mount. All of these have great personalities.

Today, the Knabstrupper is primarily seen in dressage, eventing, and show jumping throughout the world. There were no Knabstrupper foals in North America until 2002, but it wasn't until 2003, when the American Knabstrupper Association was formed, that the Knabstrupper had anyone in North American to preserve and promote the breed.

Horse Breeds: Kerry Bog Pony

Though the exact origins of the Kerry Bog Pony are a bit of a mystery. But it is likely this hardy pony is a descendant of the Celdone ponies used by the Celtic settlers in northern Spain. As trade expanded across Europe, these ponies ended up in Ireland where they tended to roam free. Like many other Irish horses, they were used as pack and cavalry animals in the early 19th century. By the late 19th and early 20th century they were being used to haul peat from the bogs in Kerry, which is where the modern name of Kerry Bog Pony comes from.

The problem with this is that the horses were taken off the moors where they bred and put in stalls all alone. This meant there wasn't much in the way of breeding happening. For the Kerry Bog Pony the end was very near. In fact, by the 1980s they were very nearly extinct. Lucky for the Kerry Bog, John Mulvihill of County Kerry in Ireland decided to intervene. He gathered a small herd of ponies and began breeding them, keeping records all the while. He even gave them their modern name. With the help of a few other enthusiasts he formed the Kerry Bog Pony Society.

Despite all his efforts, it wasn't until 1995 that a breed standard was written by Timothy Clifford. Even after that standard was written it was another ten years before it was adopted by the Kerry Bog Pony Co-Operative Society Ireland. Once this standard was accepted, a studbook could also be established. At least the Kerry Bog Pony had a fighting chance. Its longevity was assured when it was imported into the United States. The breeding in America is overseen by the American Kerry Bog Pony Association, which ensures the European standards are strictly adhered to.

Since this breed evolved on the harsh moors of Ireland, it is a hardy breed with a sturdy body. Its compact body gives it good balance and its small head gives it a sweet appearance. The coat is long and dense, allowing the pony to survive the cold and damp so common to Ireland in the winter. Most ponies are bay or brown, but chestnut, dun, and gray are also acceptable.

Used today for riding and harness work, the Kerry Bog Pony isn't seen all that often outside of Ireland. Its sweet disposition and hardy nature makes it the perfect pony for children, however, so its worth taking a look at this cute little breed.

Horse Breeds: Kathiawari

Like many breeds, the Kathiawari is named for its place of origin. This sturdy breed was first found on the Kathiawari peninsula in western India and though we don't know exactly how it got there, it's probably a mix of Arabian and other desert breeds. Their ancestors probably wandered in from other parts of India, but we'll never really know for sure.

There is some confusion between the Marwari and the Kathiawari. They're sometimes even considered the same breed, but the Kathiawari is stockier and has finer facial features than the Marwari. Crosses between the two breeds are common, but they're not the same horse. The are indeed separate breeds.

This breed is on the smaller side as horses go, standing no more than 14.2 hands high. The Kathiawari is a sturdy little horse that is far stronger than it seems. Like the Marwari, it has the classic tipped-in ears, though the Kathiawari's are just a little shorter and a little more curved. They also have a less 'Roman' appearance than its sister breed.

Most colors and many patterns are acceptable. The Kathiawari can be found in all solid colors with the exception of black (who knows why). Almost all variations of cream, including cremello and palomino, are common in the Kathiawari. Probably the most unexpected (and most interesting) pattern you might find in this breed is pinto. A pinto horse of this side is just really cute.

The Kathiawari was mostly used as a utility horse on the farm, but they were also used for riding, driving, and even carrying mounted police officers. Most of these uses continue today. For more information on this cute little breed, visit The Indigenous Horse Society of India.

Horse Breeds: Irish Draught Horse

There are two breeds truly native to Ireland, and the Irish Draught Horse is one of them. Because this breed has been around for so long, it's really not clear where the Irish Draught Horse originally came from. One theory is that Thoroughbred stallions were put to Irish mares, and those mares were a curious mix of whatever horses swam ashore after shipwrecks and the stock brought over by Anglo-Norman invaders. It is likely that from these horses a strong workhorse was developed, though we'll probably never know for sure. This workhorse would eventually become the Irish Draught Horse.

Originally, the Irish Draught Horse was probably a farm horse used for just about any farm job that needed a horse. They pulled ploughs, served as mounts, and carried loads wherever necessary. Today it is more common to see crossbreeds such as the Irish Draught Sport Horse (the Irish Draught Horse crossed with a Thoroughbred), the Irish Hunter, and other mixes competing and winning in show jumping and eventing competitions around the world.

Standing from 15.1 to 16.3 hands high, the Irish Draught Horse is a powerful breed that is strong and bold. Its movements are commanding and sure, its jump nearly perfect, and its nature kind and intelligent. These traits combine to produce a horse that is easy to train and excels in many areas. Just about any color is acceptable in this noble breed.

Though this horse is found throughout the world, many horsemen can go their entire lives without actually seeing an Irish Draught Horse (though they are likely to see the Sport or Hunter varieties at competitions). Today the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America is one of several associations trying to preserve and protect this rare breed.

Horse Breeds: Icelandic Horse

The Icelandic Horse is an ancient breed, so we cannot be truly certain of its origin. It was probably brought to Iceland by the Vikings in either the 9th or 10th century, but we can't know this for sure. This noble breed has many characteristics in common with the Mongolian Horse, but so little is known about its ancestry that it is impossible to say if these horses have a common ancestor.

Regardless of where the horse originally came from, the Icelandic Horse has spent the better part of a millennium isolated from other horse breeds. This has resulted in a pure horse with a hardy constitution. They were, and are, prized in Iceland for their well-rounded abilities and were used as both workhorses and for transportation. Today, this sweet horse is used for sheepherding, transportation, and competition.

Standing from 12 to 14 hands high, the Icelandic Horse can come in practically any color or pattern except for the spotted patterns. The hooves tend to be feathered and some horses have a slight beard on the chin, but only in the winter. These traits are common in breeds that have developed in cooler climes independently of other horses.

The most defining trait of the Icelandic Horse is the distinctive gait. Like most breeds, it can trot and canter, but it also has a more unusual gait called the tolt. This gait, which is similar to a rack, involves a four-beat gait with a high-stepping movement. The tolt is smooth and beautiful and can range in speed from a walk to a gallop. Many Icelandic Horses move with a flying gait, which is a two-beat gait where both legs on the same side move as one. Like the told, this gait is lovely to behold.

With its sweet face and cheery disposition, the Icelandic Horse is a fun and expressive companion. For more information on this unique breed, see The United States Icelandic Horse Congress.

Horse Breeds: Highland Pony

Of all the breeds of pony native to Great Britain, the Highland Pony is both the largest and the strongest. This surefooted little horse hails from the north of Scotland, one of only two breeds to truly originate in this area. The Highland Pony evolved naturally, with very little input from humans. It was shaped entirely by the harsh environment so characteristic of northern Scotland. This resulted in a strong breed with few natural flaws.

The Highland Pony was prized by farmers (also called crofters) in Scotland as an all-purpose horse. It could haul the plow one day and bring home a hunter's kill the next. Able to haul up to 200 pounds of deadweight, this larger pony was a favorite as a pack animal and trail horse. Today the Highland Pony is popular as a family pony, especially for young children.

Standing from 13 to 14.2 hands high, the Highland Pony is typically a dull dun in color. Other acceptable colors include black, brown, chestnut, and even gray. Most ponies have a flaxen mane and tail, especially the darker coat colors.

Because of its natural origins, this breed usually sports some primitive markings. This can include a dorsal stripe, zebra patterning on the legs, and feathering at the base of the legs. There may also be a short beard on the chin.

With a muscled neck and a broad forehead, these little horses have a strong and muscular appearance. They are popular for pulling smaller carts and are great with children and other animals. They also make an appearance in the show ring, particularly in driving and other sporting events. Today, The Highland Pony Society is the society most concerned with the breeding and preservation of this strong pony.

Horse Breeds: Hanoverian

Most warmblood breeds are named after their region of origin, and the Hanoverian is no exception. This majestic breed originates in Lower Saxony, which is now part of northern Germany but was once the kingdom of Hannover. Hence the name.

The Hanoverian, however, isn't an ancient breed. In 1714, King George I of England (who was the original elector of Hannover) decided to send several English Thoroughbreds to Hannover in an attempt to refine the native stock in that region. His son (George II) wanted to supply the military with top cavalry mounts and create the perfect working horse for the local farms. To do so, he created a state stud at Celle in 1735. At first, he used black Holsteiners, but eventually Thoroughbreds were added to the breeding program. And thus the Hanoverian was born.

The original station in Celle is still the center of the Hanoverian breeding program. Many of the best examples of this prime eventing breed come straight from Celle, and all true Hanoverians can trace their lineage back to this first stallion station.

The Hanoverian can stand between 15.3 to 17 hands high. Acceptable colors include bay, black, brown, chestnut, and gray. The Hanoverian is purely a sporting horse, so the conformation of the haunches is of the upmost importance. For this reason, horses that do not conform to the established standards are not bred. In fact, they are typically sterilized to avoid accidental breedings.

This breed has powerful hindquarters, but also possesses the grace necessary to compete in dressage. They can really move, typically covering ground with a spring in their step. The movement is full of grace, power, and impulsion, giving them an aptitude for jumping. They can also be used for farm work or employed as trail horses. In short, they are versatile enough to suit most purposes and beautiful enough to attract just about anyone.

Many of these stunning horses can be found competing and winning in dressage, jumping, eventing, and combined driving. They're even seen in the hunter ring. Today, the American Hanoverian Association is primarily involved in their breeding and conservation in North America.

Horse Breeds: Haflinger

The true origins of the Haflinger horse are a little murky, but they may have been present in the southern Tyrolean Mountains of Austria and northern Italy since medieval times. Perhaps even longer, though independent evidence of this is hard to come by. At any rate, this horse breed is named for the village of Hafling in the Tyrolean Mountains where they served as farm horses. This stocky breed has always been a general purpose horse, so its uses on farms was almost limitless.

The breed has been kept fairly pure throughout the centuries, with only one known outcrossing having occurred during the recorded breeding of Haflinger horses. This outcrossing happened in the 1800s when the stallion Folie was bred to a Haflinger mare. Folie's sire was half Arabian, making Folie only mostly Haflinger (he was one-quarter Arabian). All other recorded breedings have been pure.

All Haflingers have a similar appearance. Chestnut, whether light or dark, is the only acceptable color. The mane and tail are always white (or very near to white). White markings, particularly on the face, underbelly, and legs, are common. Standing from 13.2 to 15 hands high, the Haflinger horse is a sturdy but elegant medium-sized breed. They are also athletic enough for farm or other work.

Today the Haflinger is used primarily for riding and driving, though there are still some used for farm work in the Tyrolean Mountains. They are no longer confined to Austria and Italy, but can be found around the world.