Equine Breeds

Mr. Caffee Northeastern Agricultural Education

Light Horses

• At least 14.2 hands tall at the withers • 900 - 1400 pounds • Most common type of horse in the United States

Appaloosa

• Well known for speed • Used by the Nez Pence Indians as war horses • Originated from Spanish horses left behind by explorers

Arabian

• Originated from Bedouin desert • Known for strength and stamina • Small muzzle • 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 • America’s first breed of light horse • Descended from one horse, Justin Morgan

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

American Quarter Horse

• Developed in the United States as a race horse • Named for their fast times in the 1/4 mile • Known for speed, strength & intelligence • Most popular horse breed in the world

Saddlebred

• Developed in the United States • Ridden by many famous riders – Paul Revere – Daniel Boone – Ulysses S. Grant – Stonewall Jackson – Robert E. Lee

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

Tennessee Walking Horse

• Originated in Tennessee • Possess a unique running walk gait • Very easy to ride • Preferred horse of traveling preachers

Thoroughbred

• Designed to sustain speed over distances while carrying weight • Average 16 hands in height • Revolutionized the racing industry

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.

Belgian

• Originated in Belgium • American Belgian Association is headquartered in Wabash, IN

Clydesdale

• Developed in Scotland • Commonly bay in color • Known for four white socks with hairy fetlocks • 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

• Unclear origin • The oldest equine breed • Most popular draft breed in the early 1900s

Percheron

Shire

• Developed in England • Most common draft breed in England • Once used to carry knights into battle • Mostly black with white legs