Horses were first domesticated about 6000 years ago. They were used to pull wheeled vehicles, chariots, carts, and wagons. Eventually they were used for riding, in war, and for hunting. Gradually horses became obsolete as a form of transportation, and motorized vehicles became more popular.
Nowadays, horses have many different jobs, from farming and ranching, to eventing, racing, trail riding, and much more. There are hundreds of different horse breeds, some with higher numbers than others. Ten of these hundreds of horse breeds stand out as the most popular., and each one has its own specialization.
If you are in the market for a horse, its best you do your research beforehand and find the breed that will suit your needs best. This blog post is an overview of the ten most popular horse breeds, their origins, characteristics, common uses, and temperaments. If you want to find the perfect horse breed for you, keep reading!
- American Quarter Horse
- Thoroughbred
- Arabian
- Appaloosa
- Morgan
- Clydesdale
- Shetland Pony
- American Paint
- Tennessee Walking Horse
- Mustang
1. American Quarter Horse
Origins: The Quarter horse is one of the most easily recognizable breeds in the United States. In the 1660s, imported English horses were crossed with the native horses of Spanish origins, with a little bit of Thoroughbred thrown in the mix. Initially they were used as racehorses running the quarter mile. This is where they get the name, the Quarter Horse. Eventually, Thoroughbreds took over the racing scene, and the Quarter Horse started to turn into more of a stock horse used by cowboys because of their innate cow-sense.
Characteristics: Quick and agile, short, stocky, heavy muscular development, short wide heads, deep broad chests
Common Uses: Riding, racing, herding, trail riding
Temperament: Calm, docile, intelligent, highly trainable, hardworking, eager to please
2. Thoroughbred
Origins: The Thoroughbred horse was developed in England for racing and jumping. They are still the fastest racers in the world and specialize in long distance races. They originated from Arabians and Barb horses in North Africa, and introduced to England in the third century.
Characteristics: Delicate heads, slim bodies, sensitive, high spirited, large expressive eyes, great stamina and courage
Common Uses: Racing, eventing, dressage, jumping
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, strong work ethic, athletic, spirited, bold
3. Arabian
Origins: The Arabian horse origins are shrouded in mystery. They can be found in Egyptian artwork 3,500 years old, but originally the nomadic people in the Arabian desert created and refined the breed for the purpose of being a desert warhorse. Many of their well known characteristics were originally adapted for the desert. They have also contributed traits to most of the modern breeds of light horses. Arabians need a gentle and fair hand, and will not tolerate abuse or ineptitude.
Characteristics: Compact, small head, protruding eyes, wide nostrils, marked withers, short back with one less vertebrate than all other horses, strong legs and hooves, fine and silky hair, mane, and tail
Common Uses: Extremely versatile and can excel is many different areas such as racing, showing, endurance riding, jumping, ranching, trail riding, and more
Temperament: Very friendly, love to please their owners, loyal, good companions, intelligent, sensitive, spirited
4. Appaloosa
Origins: The Appaloosa horses descended from wild mustangs in the Nez Percé Indian territory of North American. The wild mustangs were descendants of Spanish horses brought in by explorers.
Characteristics: Color is either solid color with white patch over hips and small round spots, or solid color with white dots all over body
Common Uses: Riding, farming, or circus because of their looks
Temperament: Independent, intelligent, courageous, fierce, one of the best riding horses for experienced riders
5. Morgan
Origins: The Morgan horse was one of the first breeds developed in the United States. The first sire, Figure, was owned by Justin Morgan. Figure passed down his distinctive traits and the ability to run faster, pull more, walk faster, and trot faster than other horses. The Morgan also influenced the American Quarter Horse, the Tennessee Walking Horse, and the Standardbred.Â
Characteristics: Smooth lines, small ears, expressive eyes, crested neck
Common Uses: All purpose, though lean towards riding-horse type, compete in riding and equestrian competitions, friendly and well suited for families
Temperament: Bold, intelligent, curious yet always alert, powerful, calm, gentle
6. Clydesdale
Origins: The Clydesdale is a draft horse breed which originated in Scotland. They were originally bred for heavy farm work, as well as industrial work. Today they are still used as work horses, but are also ridden as show horses and kept as pets.
Characteristics: Tall, muscular
Common Uses: Working horses, farming, logging, driving, showing, family horses
Temperament: Calm, gentle, confident, intelligent, well suited for beginners and families
7. Shetland Pony
Origins: The Shetland Pony originated on the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The breed adapted to Scotland’s harsh climate and minimal food supply. They were originally used as pack horses and worked in coal mines, and were also introduced in the United States as a pony for kids to ride.
Characteristics: One of the most intelligent breeds, long lived, need little care
Common Uses: Popular for a child’s pet or pony
Temperament: Brave, gentle, good-tempered, reputation for being very opinionated, can be challenging first pony because of intelligence, friendly
8. American Paint
Origins: The American Paint horse descended from Spanish conquistador’s horses, and became wild and roamed the deserts and plains in the western US. They were then domesticated for their work ethic and heart for cattle work. Paint is not just a color, but an actual breed with strict bloodline requirements and distinctive breed characteristics.
Characteristics: 15-16h, have some Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred characteristics as well
Common Uses: Versatile riding horse, does well in western disciplines, cattle work
Temperament: Amiability, good natured, innate intelligence, friendly, easygoing
9. Tennessee Walking Horse
Origins: The Tennessee Walking Horse originated from combining the Standardbred, Morgan, Saddlebred, and Thoroughbred breeds. It is Tennessee’s official state horse, and originated in the late 19th century/early 20th century.
Characteristics: Heavier, stouter, head carried low, smooth running walk comfortable for long distances, running walk is a natural gait that can be improved but not acquired
Common Uses: Trail riding, showing, people with knee and back problems tend to ride them more because of their smooth gaits
Temperament: Willing, calm, docile, laid-back, friendly
10. Mustang
Origins: The Mustang is the American feral horse. The Mustang name comes from Spanish word mesteño or monstenco, meaning wild or stray. They were originally Spanish horses, but mixed with several breeds over the years. Mustangs are mostly located in western region of the United States. The Bureau of Land Management controls the population, mainly by rounding them up and offering them for adoption.
Characteristics: Usually very trainable but spirited, very different from domestic horses
Common Uses: Can be great trail horses, endurance horses, dressage horses, jumpers, family horses, and more
Temperament: Highly intelligent, wise, curious, alert, observant, quick and eager to learn and please, rebellious, stubborn, sweet, friendly, very dependable and loyal once bonded
I hope this post about the ten most popular horse breeds, helped you understand the differences between horse breeds. Not all horses in each breed fit the breed standard, so it’s always important to go look at and try each horse before you purchase, to make sure the horse is the right fit for you!
Photos found on Google Images