Horse Breeds
What's Your Favorite Breed?
Researching the various types of horse breeds can be helpful to any equine enthusiast. If you are looking to buy a new horse or for your first horse, having an understanding of the profile each breed offers can help you make a better decision.
There are a variety of different breeds to consider, and some are more common in the U.S. than others. Since this site focuses on the stock horse industry, we will begin with a tour of common stock horses.
Stock Breeds
American
Paint Horse
- Best known for its pinto patterns, the paint horse is one of the
fastest growing horse breeds in the United States. The coloring of this
breed is typically white combined with any other coat color. There are
a variety of patterns and many are acceptable as long as there is no
Appaloosa patterning.
American Quarter Horse - The most popular of breeds in the United States and is a part of the largest breed registry in the world. The quarter horse is a very versatile breed, able to be shown in everything from speed to western to english classes. Their temperament makes them a wonderful family horse and their versatility makes them a wonderful show horse.
Appaloosa Horse - The Appaloosa is also well known for its distinctive coat pattern and a few other color characteristics. These characteristics include a spotted coat pattern, striped hooves, mottled skin, and white sclera (around the eye). Another highly versatile breed, used in both western and english disciplines. Appaloosas are even used in horse racing and various speed events.
Pony of the Americas - A breed developed for smaller riders, the POA stands at 11.2-14.0 hands tall. This breed must exhibit Appaloosa markings including any of the coat patterns, white sclera, mottled skin, and striped hooves.
Color Breeds
Buckskin Horses - The buckskin horse is a color breed in which the term refers to the coat color of the horse. Buckskin horses are used for a variety of disciplines and also can be considered a stock breed.
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Breed Directory
American Saddlebred - A "gaited" horse that was developed in Kentucky are known for their comfortable gaits while riding. Common uses for this horse include dressage, hunter/jumper, saddle seat, and fine harness disciplines. Saddlebreds are able to move in a flashy and high-stepping gait pattern and are also called the "peacock" of horse breeds.Andalusian - An example of one of the oldest and most pure of horse breeds. The Andalusian horse is a Spanish breed of horse closely related to the Lusitano horse breed. In Spain they are typically used for dressage, working cattle, and even bullfighting. In the U.S. they are considered sport horses for their abilities to compete in dressage and show jumping.
Arabian - Bred for intelligence, endurance, and spirit. The Arabian horse is also an older breed available today. Originating in the Middle East, this breed of horse is largely known worldwide. Versatile in competition, you will find the Arabian competing in endurance riding, western events, english events, show jumping, speed events, and more.
Belgian - A draft horse breed, the Belgian horse is one of the strongest horses of all breeds. They are typically used for pulling weight and in pulling competitions. Originally developed in Europe, the main use of this breed was for farm work.
Clydesdale - A breed of draft horse originating in Scotland for pulling heavy loads. Now more numerous in the U.S. than anywhere else, the Clydesdale is used in parades and pulling competitions. They are also shown in driving and halter classes against other draft horses. A distinctive characteristic of the breed is the feathering of longer hairs present at the bottom of all four legs.
I will be continuing to add on to this list. If you don't see your favorite breed of horse listed on this page please head to the "contact us" page and let me know.
