Classifying Horse breeds There is a big number of horse breeds in the world, around 300 breeds exist.

Through selective breeding specific desirable characteristics are developed in a group of horses. After some generations of selective breeding a new breed is developed. A breed of horses is a group of horses with a common ancestry that breed true to produce common characteristics such as function, conformation, and color. Breeding true means that the offspring will almost always possess the same characteristics as the parents.

Recognized breeds of horses have an association with a studbook and breeding records. Many recognized breeds have certain foundation sires and all registered foals must trace their ancestry back to these stallions. For example, the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred are the Darley Arabian, the Byerly Turk, and the Godolphin Arabian. Justin Morgan is the foundation sire of the Morgan horse breed. Allen F-1, a Morgan stallion, is the foundation sire of the Tennessee walking horse.

People who found particular colors appealing established registries with color requirements. Some of these registries require only color for registration, but others have conformation standards as well.

The number of breeds is still growing as specific characteristics are bred for. On the other hand horse breeds do become extinct as well (Norfolk Trotter, Turkoman horse, Galloway Pony). Horses on the verge of extinction are the Caspian and the Canadian Horse, also the Shire, Hackney and Cleveland Bay are critical, but groups are working on keeping these breeds alive.

We can divide horse breeds up into different types or classes. These types can refer to size, temperament, body type or what sort of work they do. There are several ‘systems’ to classify horses.

Way 1: Classify horses by size. The first way to classify horses is to distinguish between horses and ponies. Generally above 14.2HH is a horse and under 14.2HH is a pony. Of course there are all kinds of exceptions. We have the miniature horses that are under 8.2HH and have more horse characteristics and thus qualified as a horse. There are certain breeds (like the quarter horse and Arabian Horses) that can be under 14.2HH and still be a horse. And there are short horse breeds (like the Caspian). Then there are the larger ponies, as the Pony of the Americas or the Welsh Cob, who can exceed 14.2HH. So size is not the only characteristic that makes a pony a pony. It is also a matter of general appearance. Ponies normally have thicker manes, tails and coats. Looking at

the proportions of ponies in relation to horses you can say that ponies usually have shorter and sometimes stockier legs, wider barrels and thicker necks. They may have smaller, broader heads. Their skeletal structure is often sturdier (though delicate pony breeds do exist). Ponies are considered quite hardy, strong and intelligent, which can make them quite stubborn. They are used primarily for children’s mounts and driving. Examples: Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, New Forrest Pony, Connemarra, etc.

(When looking at size: in Australia the term Galloway is used to describe a horse between 14HH and 15HH In New Zealand the term Park Hacks is used.)

Way 2: Classify horses by temperament. Cold Blooded - Cold blood often refers to draft horses. They have calmer temperaments and are slightly slower and gentler than warm and hot blooded horses. Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, Belgian, Breton, Friesian, Ardennais, etc. Hot Blooded - These are light horses. Hot-blooded horses are easily excited and might have more aggressive temperaments and are full of energy. Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Akhal-Teke, etc Warm Blooded - Warm blood is a mix between hot-blooded and cold-blooded temperaments. Can be described as an energetic horse with a calm temperament. Most breeds fall into this category. Danish Warmblood, Oldenburg, Hannoverian, Canadian Horse, Quarter horse, Morgan, Standardbred, etc.

Shetland  Pony Caspian  Horse

     Percheron  (Cold)         Thoroughbred  (Hot)                              Dutch  Warmblood  (Warm)

Way 3: Classify horses by body type Heavy horse - or draft horse. Heavily muscled, large framed, large boned and often have feathers. Used primarily for pulling and driving. In medieval times they were strong enough to carry a knight in armour. They are bred for strength and power. They are mostly cold blooded. They range in size from approximately 15.2 to 20 hands high, and are slower but more powerful than the light horse. Clydesdale, Shire, Belgian, Percheron etc. Light horses - The majority of riding horses around the world fall into this category. Swift and agile, light horses are those who are generally used for a variety of activities, including recreational and performance endeavors. They are considered either hot or warm blooded. Most of these breeds range from 14.2HH to 17.2HH. Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horse, Morgan, Hannoverian, etc.. Cob Type - The cob is generally a small horse (over 14.2HH), stout and stocky and with a steady temperament. Cobs are incredibly versatile, and are popular as an all-rounder for both pleasure riding and competition. Often the cob’s mane is hogged. Welsh cob, Irish cob, Gypsy cob.

     Shire  (Heavy)       Quarter  Horse  (light)         Welsh  Cob  (Cob)

Further Classification of horses by body type and uses Stock Type (Western) - Well-muscled, deep bodied. Used primarily for short-distance racing, ranch work, trail riding, roping, reining, cutting, pleasure and gymkhana events. They have power and quick starts, but also speed and suppleness. Suitable for working with cattle. Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa etc. Hunter Type- The term 'hunter' is a broad categorization used for horses and ponies either of a build and temperament to be used on traditional hunts, or of a type and confirmation to compete in show jumping events and other jumping classes. Hunters are smooth and graceful in movement and have a long low reach when moving. Thoroughbred cross, warmblood or any other breed. Saddle type – Build for pleasure riding and showing. Often have a higher set arching neck, higher tail carriage, often more animated movement. Long legs and more refined than stock or hunter type horse. A lot of the gaited horses are also Saddle type horses. Saddlebred, Morgan, Arabian. Hack - A 'hack' is a general term used to refer to a horse or pony used for pleasure riding on the road and in the country. Quality and good manners are very important. The term 'hack' is also used interchangeably to describe a pleasure ride. Thoroughbred or near Thoroughbred, Saddlebred, etc. Baroque Horses - a horse with a strong and very agile body type. Baroque horses tend to have a gentle temperament, and are famous for moving very expressively and smoothly. The distinctive movement of the Baroque horse is big, powerful, and very free. They are comfortable to ride at any gait and they are also very versatile horses, able to compete in a wide variety of events in addition to being pleasure horses. Used in classical dressage Lipizzaner, Andalusian, Lusitano, and Friesan horses.

Way 4: Classify horses by use. Sport Horses The term is usually applied to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping and combined driving, but the precise definition varies. Conformation has direct effects on the animal's movement and jumping ability. Bred for speed, endurance and suppleness. Mostly Warmblood horses, Thoroughbreds Race Horses These horses are lean, tall and speedy. They have deep heart girths for a lot of room for the hearth and wide nostrils. Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Standardbred. Endurance Horses These horses are small, lean and are tough. They have wide nostrils for air intake and outtake. Arabian and Arabian crosses.

Polo Pony Regardless of their height polo ponies are referred to as ponies, not horses. The polo pony is capable of short busts of speed. Characteristics are courage, stamina and natural balance. Mix of Criollo (Argentinian horse) with Thoroughbred or Welsh.

Way 5: Other classifications. Horses of colour - These horses feature unique spotted patterns that were developed by European explorers and Native Americans. Spotted horses are believed to have come to America with the Spaniards, where they interbred with the feral horses there. The Native Americans then domesticated them. Today, they are prized for their intelligence and easygoing nature. Paints, Appaloosa, Palomino. Gaited Type – Gaited horses are known for their extremely smooth, easy-riding gaits. Once developed for plantation owners in the South, who had to travel their farmlands and plantations for hours on end and wanted a comfortable ride. Now these people-oriented horses appear in the show ring and are used for trail riding, pleasure, driving and endurance. Tennessee Walker, American Saddlebred, Standardbred, Missouri Fox Trotter, Icelandic etc. There are other kinds of horse classification as well, for instance where the horse originates: The term Oriental horse refers to the ancient breeds of horses developed in the Middle East, such as the Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Barb and the now-extinct Turkoman Horse. They tend to be thin-skinned, long-legged, slim in build and more physically refined than other types, but with great endurance. Oriental horses, sometimes referred to as "hot-blooded" breeds, have a level of intelligence that allows them to be athletic, versatile, and learn quickly. They are bred for agility and speed and are generally considered spirited and bold. The Colonial Spanish horse is a foundation type of horse descended from the original Iberian horse stock brought from Spain to the Americas. The term encompasses many strains or breeds now found primarily in North America. Examples are Criollo Horse, Spanish Mustang, Galiceno, Sorraia, Abaco Barb. The Iberian horse is a title given to a number of horse breeds native to the Iberian Peninsula. At present, no less than 18 horse breeds are officially recognized, like the Lusitano, and Andalusian. Mountain and Moorland - 'M&M ponies' as they are often known, is a catch- all phrase to describe ponies of several hardy breeds that are native to the British Isles. Shetland, Exmoor and Dartmoor ponies and Welsh ponies, etc.

Other classes you might encounter are Pleasure horses, Show Horses, Riding Horses, Harness or Driving horses. These are types and classes of domesticated horses. We also have wild horses (Przewalski) and feral horses (mustangs, brumbies, Sable Island Pony). Then finally of course there is the group of Grade horses. Theses are horse whose parentage is unknown, unidentifiable, or they are of significantly mixed breeding. This differs from purebred animals of known bloodlines and also differs from deliberately crossbred animals that are produced with the intent of either creating a new breed of horse or an animal with characteristics that deliberately combine the strengths of two different breeds.