The horses are one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world. Man has been using horses for various purposes from ancient times. “Types of Horses” is a common question among the horse lover, owner, breeder, horseback rider, in equestrian sports, and in veterinary education. The selection of horses, inbreeding, cross-breeding, and outcrossing people has created more than 300 breeds of horses. All horse breeds or categories are not the same important. People select the desired types of horses according to their purpose, speed, endurance, efficiency, ability to work, and as a matter of pleasure and pride.
Most Common Types of Horses
There are many different types of horses in the world. The categories of horses are done in a different way by people according to the use, breed, size, specific features, and geographical locations. In my present article, I shall discuss the ten most common types of horses for your easy understanding. You may differ with my opinion but the classification varies from region to region, person to person, and as per breeding history. Breed of horses denotes that horses have few common characteristics like size, shape, body weight, use, color, marking, and uses.
Horse racing is one of the oldest entertainment of human beings where horses are used from ancient times. Horse racing gives pleasure, pride, enhances enthusiasm, and as a source of income. The racehorse is one of the important types of horses. Many breeds of horses are used for racing. The most common racehorse breeds are Arabian, Andalusian, American Paint Horse, Thoroughbred, Appaloosa, American Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Morgan, Black Forest, Warmblood, Tennesse Walker, and Hanoverian horses.
2. Draft Horses
Draft horses are other important categories of horses that mainly used for pulling horse carts, the agricultural field, Gypsy Caravan, security forces, and equestrian eventing. Draft horses become popular day by day due to their size, endurance, working ability, color, marking, and excellent outlook. The most common draft horse breeds are Friesian, Fjord, South German Coldblood horse, Russian Heavy Draft horse, Latvian horse, Shire horse, Clevland bay, Gypsy Vanner, and many more.
3. Warmblood Horses
Warmblood horses are those categories of horses that originated from both heavy draft horses( Hanoverian, Fjord) and lightweight horses( Arabian, thoroughbred, Akhal Teke, Morgan) through selective breeding. Most of the warmblood horses originated in Central Europe, especially Germany. Common warmblood horse breeds are Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Trakehner, Selle Francais, etc. Warmblood horse has more draft quality than racing quality.
4. Types of Horses: Cold Blood Horse
Cold-blooded horses generally are known as the draft horses or draught horses (in the USA) are mostly utilized in the agricultural field or in the forest. There is no relation with the blood of horse rather it is absolute with the origin and purpose of the horses. The most common cold-blooded horses are Belgian, Clydesdale, Shire, Ardennes, Ariegeois, Breton, Boulonnais, Friesian, Italian Draft horse, Percheron, Jutland horse, Noriker, North Sweedish Horse, South German Horse, and Vladimir Heavy Draft Horse. Coldblood horses also used for showing, logging, drafting and driving.
5. Light Horse Breeds
Light horse breeds are mostly available at present days. The lighter horses are smaller than the draft horses but heavier than the pony horse breeds. Lighter horses are mostly used in racing, ranches, eventing, showjumping, dressage, and equestrian sports. Light horse breeds maybe both warmbloods or coldblooded. The most common light horse breeds are Arabian, Andalusian, American Saddlebred, Friesian, Haflinger, Hanoverian, Dutch Warmblood, Canadian Sports Horse, Caspian Horse, Icelandic warmblood, and Lipizzenear.
6. Gaited Horses
Gaited horses are selectively bred from other horses that will perform natural horse gaits. They will perform four-beat horse gait naturally. The ability of the natural gait of a horse is called “ambling” gait. There are several breeds that have this capability of natural gaits through selective breeding of the dominant gene. The most common gaited horse breeds are Paso Fino, Rocky Mountain horse, Icelandic Horse, Marwari, Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, Walkaloosa, Spotted Saddle Horse, Camperio, American Saddlebred, and Peruvian Paso.
7. Pony Horses
Ponies are the smaller horse breeds of the horse family. They have a heavy muscular body, thick coat, strong legs but smaller in size. The pony horses are becoming popular day by day. Pony horses are kept for sporting and recreational purpose or even as a pet animal. Children liked Pony horses for riding, recreation, companion animals, and a source of pleasure. The most common pony horse breeds are Connemara Pony, Dartmoor Pony, Australian Pony, Australian Saddle Pony, Miniature Pony, New Forest Pony, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Australian Stud Pony, Hackney Pony, and Exmoor Pony.
8. Types of Horses: Small Horse Breeds
Small horse breeds are the smallest horses that are strong, hardy, and adaptive to every environment. The pony horses have just bellowed the 14.2 hands of height but there is no such height limit for the small horse breeds. The most common small horse breeds are Thumbelina, Noma Pony, Gouxia, Shetland Pony, and Falabella.
9. Mule Vs Horse
Mule is the result of cross-breeding between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). The offspring resulting from these breeding is neither a horse nor a donkey. The mule is lesser size than horses but stronger. Mule can sustain with minimum feed and care. They can carry weight equal to their body weight. Mostly the mules are used for carrying goods in hilly terrain by military, traders, and agriculture. Mules are resistant to many diseases and they can not give birth offsprings.
10. Miniature Horses
The miniature horse is not a breed rather they are bred in the smaller size from original breeds. The maximum height of the miniature horse is 34 inches at withers. These horses kept mainly for pet animals, driving, hunter-jumper, showing, pet animals, and as a source of pleasure. Miniature horses can be registered in their society.
Types of Horses: Concluding Remarks
It is a very common question about the types of horses or categories of horses to many horse lovers or academicians. There are many categories of horses according to use, breed, origin, geographical locations, and genetic characteristics. The above ten types of horses I have highlighted for your basic understanding. I think this piece of information will clarify many of your doubts. For further information, you can take the help of books, publications, expert suggestions, and open sources.