Horse Breed Classifications

Horse Breed Classifications...

Horses are often referred to as types or by classifications such as warmblood, gaited, heavy horse, etc, and breed classifications can be the subject of much debate. Common horse breed classifications are as follows.

The Stock horse

The stock horse is short-coupled, deep-bodied and well muscled. They were developed to work cattle, and often will compete in rodeos. The Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Arabian, Paint, Morgan or P.O.A. usually predominate stock horse breeds. Their easy-going gaits are the walk, jog and lope.

The English style horse

Horses of this type are found in all light breeds. Their walk, trot and canter are popular for pleasure riding. English pleasure horses usually are more angular than stock horses and have more extreme style and action. Some of the popular breeds are Saddlebred, Morgan and Arab Horse.

The Hunter

A hunter is a large, clean-cut horse bred for cross-country riding and jumping. It moves boldly and briskly and has a long purposeful stride. They are usually Thoroughbreds or crossbreds selected for stamina, speed and surefootedness.

Ponies

Ponies are small horses of less than 14.2 hands in height at maturity. Most common are the Shetland and the medium-sized Welsh pony. These two breeds are often crossed with Arabians, Morgans and other breeds of light horses to produce larger, more spirited ponies. The POA is the result of cross breeding an Appaloosa with a Shetland. Hackney ponies are noted for their high trotting action and light carriage use.

Sports Horse (warmbloods)

Some of the popular breeds are Anglo-Arab, Holsteiner, Trakehner and Hanoverian. These breeds are used for dressage, jumping, combined training and combined driving. Warmbloods combine Thoroughbred and Arabian blood with draft breeds.

Gaited horses

These horses have a unique gait that results in a smooth and rhythmic comfortable ride. Each breed has a specific synchronous lateral gait that is characteristic to the breed. Some gaited breeds are Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Tennessee Walking Horse, Missouri Fox Trotter and Rocky Mountain Horse.

Registered Horses

Horses belonging to a specific breed with registration papers documenting the horses ancestry. Some registered breeds are considered purebreds. Other breeds of horses have open registries.

Crossbred

A crossbred horse is a horse that combines the characteristics of two or more horse breeds.

Colour Breeds

Coloured breeds are bred for their coat colors or markings. Some color breeds are Pintos, Palominos and Buckskins. These horses can sometimes be registered with more than one association.

Draft Horses

Draft horse breeds are heavily muscled horses used as workhorses. They stand 16 hands or taller and weigh 1,600 pounds or more. Breeds of draft horse include Percherons, Belgians, Shires, Clydesdales and Suffolks.