There are hundreds of horse breeds across the globe, some we see every day and some are far more elusive. In fact, some of them are rare enough to be considered endangered and that’s positively sad.
The Tip of the Iceberg
Take a look at a selection of the rarest horses on the globe, there might even be one or two in here you’ve never seen before. And this is just the start of the alphabet, I’ve got plenty more to come, video, images info & all!
Breeds You Don’t See Everyday
Build – Lean and elegant, high set head is long and slender with large nostrils.
Nature – Hardy and built to cover distance.
Colors – Can be bay, grey and dun, but a pale golden coat (often with a metallic sheen.
Origin – Descendant of the ancient Turkmenian horses and bred by the tribes of Turkoman. The Akhal-teke of today is bred in several central provinces of Asia.
More information – Akhal-Teke
Build – Medium-weight draft horse with a refined head
Nature – Draft horse docile
Colors – Deep cream, caused by a champagne dilution gene
Origin – America’s only native draft breed which originated in Iowa, the American Cream is a colored variant of the Belgian Draft Horse.
More information – American Cream Draft
Build – Resemble the original Morgan breed in confirmation.
Nature – Like poodles, the curly breeds are hypo-allergenic and do not cause allergic reactions in those with allergies to horses.
Colors – Common in horses of all colors, including horses affected by white patterns like appaloosa and pintos.
Origin – Thought to be descendants of ancient curly horses from Russia they were given the name Bashkir. Although it is unknown if the horses were imported to North America or if they crossed the Bearing Strait land bridge to the Americas on their own (which would make them a native American breed too).
More information – Bashkir Horse
Build –Small and robust, with a fine head, arched neck and thick, wavy mane and tail.
Nature – Highly energetic and possess endurance in abundance while remaining willing and docile.
Colors – Often black, but can be found in bay and chestnut.
Origin – Descendant of Arabian, Andalusian and Barbs and brought to North America by france in the late 17th century. These horses remained isolated from other bloodlines in harsh Canadian conditions long enough to develop into a new breed altogether.
More information – Canadian Horse
Build – Small in stature, but perfectly proportioned the Caspian horse is not a pony. Confirmation is similar to that of Arabian horses, delicate head, dished face, large nostrils, high set tail and flowing mane.
Nature – Affectionate, smart, adaptable and highly curious animals.
Colors – Mainly chestnut, bay and grey with occasional black or buckskins depending on breeding.
Origin – Evidence of these horses has been found (often in connection with royalty) since ancient times. Small and well formed the Caspian horse has graced the courts of the King Darius the Great in 600BC to to Queen Elizabeth II in the 20th Century. The interest of the Royal family has helped to keep this breed from extinction.
More information –Caspian Horse
Build – Two different types, one smaller and built more for pack and one taller and straight resembling coach horses.
Nature – Sensible and intelligent with built-in character, strong, bold and true.
Colors – Always bay in color
Origin – Comes from the Cleveland area of NE England and is Britain’s oldest breed of horse. Bred throughout the middle ages by the clergy as sturdy pack horses. This breed has influenced many European warmbloods and has often been used to improve breeding stock worldwide.
More information – Cleveland Bay
Build – Heavy draft horse breed, strong but well built and agile bred for their large, well-formed feet.
Nature – Docile and intelligent the Clydesdale makes a willing partner.
Colors – Black, chestnut and most commonly bay and can display roan and pinto white patterns. Often have white faces and long white socks with long feathers.
Origin – Developed in the early 19th century Lanarkshire district of Scotland for agricultural, hauling and warfare needs. It’s popularity grew worldwide, namely in British commonwealth countries where they were imported to increase local working stock.
More information – Clydesdale
Build – Small head with short crested neck, built straight and strong for high stepping movement.
Nature – High stamina and energy means high strung, best suited for harness racing.
Colors – Black, bay, chestnut, grey and dun.
Origin – Shares the name with another sub-section of the breed, the Dole Trotter was bred specifically as a carriage horse and is now used predominately for harness racing.
More information – Døle Gudbrandsdal