Country of Origin: Canada
Use today: The Newfoundland Pony is used for riding, driving and light draft work.
Color: Bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, gray, roan and white (pink skin). Pintos are not accepted.
Height: 11 to 14.2 hands

Profile: The Newfoundland Pony is a descendant of British breeds that were brought to the New Founde Land by English settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries and used for heavy work on the harsh terrain. The introduction of machinery in the 20th century, new laws limiting breeding, and the demand for horse meat for human consumption in Europe led to the near extinction of the Newfoundland Pony. However, the 1997 Heritage Animals Act of Newfoundland and Labrador protected the ponies by making it illegal to export them without a permit. Those that did leave the island went only to breeders and pony enthusiasts. The act also gave the Newfoundland Pony Society the responsibility of registering, promoting and protecting the ponies. Today, the Newfoundland Pony can be found throughout Canada and the United States but is critically endangered. It is considered a type of pony and is not an established breed

Characteristics: The Newfoundland Pony is hardy, adaptable, intelligent and even-tempered. It has a thick mane and tail, a heavy coat and feathers at the fetlocks. It varies in body type.

Nokotas

Country of Origin: North America
Use today: Nokotas are versatile and are in many riding circles including fox hunting, three-day eventing, dressage, reining, roping, cutting, trail riding and gaming. Some Nokotas are even gaited.
Color: Colors include blue roan, black, gray, overo, sabino, dun, grulla, red roan, brown, bay and chestnut
Height: 14 to 15 hands

Profile: Nokota horses are some of the last descendants of the wild horses of North Dakota. These hardy, smart horses lived on the open rangeland among other bands of horses in the western North Dakota badlands.

During the 1940s and 1950s, the Nokotas had an uphill battle as many wild horses were considered competition to domestic livestock and commonly eradicated. In 1947, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (THRO) was established in North Dakota and many Nokotas were fenced in the park. They were seen as unwanted nuisances and several of the horses were captured and sold to slaughter. However, public opposition led the THRO to change its policy and manage the herd of wild horses. Since the public was not familiar with the Nokotas, many stallions were removed and replaced with well-known breeds like American Quarter Horses, Arabians, draft-crosses and BLM mustangs. This led to two distinct types of Nokotas--the traditional type and ranch type. The traditional type preserves the ancient bloodlines of the Nokotas which include Spanish Colonial horse bloodlines where as the ranch type is more heavily boned and taller because of the influence from draft breeds, thoroughbreds and perhaps other larger Iberian horses.

To preserve the Nokota, the Nokota Horse Conservancy was created in 1999 to support the conservation, breeding and individual ownership of the Nokota horse.

Characteristics: The Nokota is a sound, athletic, handy, agile and hardy horse with great stamina. Nokota horses have a square, angular frame with prominent withers, distinctly sloped croup, low-set tail and strong bone/legs/hooves. Many have feathered fetlocks, and often their ears are slightly hooked at the tips. Nokota horses tend to mature slowly.

These go-anywhere, do-anything horses are brave and reliable, and they are intrinsic problem solvers. Belying their wild past, they tend to be kind and form very strong bonds with humans who treat them with trust and respect.

Norman Cob

Use today: Traditionally, the Norman Cob was used by farmers in Normandy for farm work, driving and riding.
Color: The most common colors are bay and chestnut; gray is less common.
Height: 15.3 to 16.3 hands

Profile: The Norman Cob officially became a breed in the early 1900s. Although the term cob usually denotes a type of horse rather than a breed, the French chose the name because they resembled the English Cob. A cob is usually an all-rounder, with the ability to carry a rider or work as a draft horse. The Norman Cob is still bred at the State stud in Le Haras du Pins in Normandy, France, called La Pin National Stud. The Stud is a national institution with 30 government-owned stallions of ten different breeds. Traditionally, the Norman Cob was used by farmers in Normandy for farm work, driving and riding. The breed is still found in local farms in Normandy.

Characteristics: The Norman Cob is chunky in build yet still possesses very smooth gaits. The most common colors are bay and chestnut; gray is less common. The tails are docked for harness purposes. The Norman Cob stands 15.3 to 16.3 hand high.

Norwegian Fjord

Use today: Leisure pursuits are much the same throughout the world—dressage, jumping, eventing, trail riding, competitive driving and hobby farming.
Color: All Fjords are dun in color.
Height: 13.2 to 14.2 hands

Profile: The Fjord is one of the world’s oldest breeds of horses. It is believed to have been in western Norway for more than 4,000 years and domesticated as early as 2000 B.C. Evidence shows that Vikings developed the Fjord as a as early as 2,000 years ago. Norwegian hill farmers used the horses as little draft animals. Early farmers used the ponies for plowing, carriage driving and riding. Leisure pursuits are much the same throughout the world--dressage, jumping, eventing, trail riding, competitive driving and hobby farming.

Characteristics: All Fjords are dun in color. Yellow dun is rare; gray dun and buckskin are more common. Many horses have primitive zebra striping on the legs and withers; most have a dorsal stripe. The breed stands from 13.2 to 14.2 hands high. Although it is considered a mini draft horse, the Fjord has smooth gaits, with movement similar to a riding horse, rather than high knee action like many draft horses. The mane is black in the center and white on the outside. Breed enthusiasts clip the mane in a crescent shape so it stands up.

Oldenburg

Use today: The Oldenburg excels as a sporthorse.
Color: Colors are bay, black, brown, gray and chestnut.
Height: 16.2 to 17 hands

Profile: The Oldenburg was created in the 17th Century through the endeavors of Count Johann XVI von Oldenburg and Count Anton Gunther von Oldenburg to create a grand carriage horse. Small breeding farms throughout the provinces of Oldenburg and East Friesland were developed. These original Oldenburgs were based on native Friesian stock, with Turkish, Neopolitan, Spanish, Danish and Andalusian influences. In 1950, the objectives of cavalry gave way to those of sport. Until this time Thoroughbred blood was used sporadically, but in 1959 crossings to athletic Thoroughbred stallions began in earnest. By allowing other breeds into their studbook, the Oldenburg Verband was able to create a superb sporthorse. This policy remains today, and breeders can choose the best stallions as long as they are approved and listed in the Oldenburg studbooks. Breeds include Trakehner, Westphalian, Holsteiner and Hanoverian.

Characteristics: Average height is 16.2 to 17 hands high; over 17 hands high is considered abnormal. Colors are bay, black, brown, gray and chestnut. Oldenburgs are known for their elastic gaits. They are branded on the left side flank with a large O topped with ducal coronet.

Paint Horse

Country of Origin: North America
Use today: The American Paint Horse is extremely popular in traditional stock-horse western events as well as a variety of other riding disciplines.
Color: American Paint Horses sport a combination of white and any other color of the equine spectrum
Height: 14.2 to 16.2 hands

Profile: In 1519, the explorer Hernando Cortes carried two horses described as having pinto markings on his voyage. This is the first known description of such horses in America. By the early 1800s, horses with Paint coloring were well-populated throughout the West. A favorite among American Indians, the loud-colored Paint horses were particularly well-liked by the Comanche Indian tribe. Evidence of this is found in drawings painted on buffalo robes. Throughout the 1800s and into the late 1900s these painted horses were called pinto, paint, skewbald and piebald. In the early 1960s, interest grew in preserving and promoting horses with paint coloring and stock horse builds. In 1965 the American Paint Horse Association formed, and today, the American Paint Horse is extremely popular in traditional stock-horse western events as well as a variety of other riding disciplines.

Characteristics: American Paint Horses sport a combination of white and any other color of the equine spectrum: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grullo, sorrel, palomino, buckskin, gray or roan. Markings come in any shape or size and can be located anywhere on the horse’s body. The variety of colors and markings appear in three specific coat patterns: overo, tobiano and tovero. American Paint Horses average 14.2 to 16.2 hands high.

Paso Fino

Use today: Today, the Paso Fino is shown in its traditional tack and is renowned as a competitive trail horse, possessing both speed and stamina.
Color: All colors and markings are found, including pinto and palomino.
Height: 13.2 to 15.2 hands

Profile: The Paso Fino’s earliest ancestry includes the Barb, Andalusian and the gaited Spanish Jennet, which came to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) with Christopher Columbus to be used as conquistadors’ mounts throughout the 1500s. The blood of the Spanish Jennet (now extinct) dominated the future of the Paso Fino; the unusual inherited gaits are the breed’s hallmark. The Paso Fino flourished in Puerto Rico and Columbia. Today, the Paso Fino is shown in its traditional tack and is renowned as a competitive trail horse, possessing both speed and stamina.

Characteristics: Although the Paso Fino walks and canters, it does not trot. Its natural, highly stylized gaits include the paso fino (slowest), paso corto (the preferred gait which is as fast as the trot) and paso largo (fastest). Each foot in the comfortable gait strikes the ground independently and in an even rhythm. The Paso Fino is a slight but elegant and refined animal standing from 13.2 to 15.2 hands high. All colors and markings are found, including pinto and palomino.

Percheron

Use today: Although work is what the heavy horses do best, they are valued riding horses and are beginning to make their mark in dressage.
Color: French Percherons are born black and turn gray by age 3. American and British Percherons are gray or black.
Height: 15 to 19 hands.

Profile: The Percheron developed in the Le Perche region in Normandy in 732 A.D. when Barb horses were left by marauding Moors after their defeat in the Battle of Tours. Massive Flemish horses were crossed with the Barbs to give the Percheron its substance. Arabian blood was also added. In the 1800s, the French government began breeding Percherons for cavalry purposes at the famed La Pin National Stud in Le Haras du Pins in Normandy, which still exists today. Although work is what the heavy horses do best, they are valued riding horses and are beginning to make their mark in dressage. Percherons are crossed to other breeds, such as Thoroughbreds, warmbloods and Spanish breeds, to create sporthorses.

Characteristics: Percherons range in height from 15 – 19 hands high. French Percherons are born black and turn gray by age 3. American and British Percherons are gray or black. Legs are without feathers. Percherons are said to be more energetic than other draft breeds. The French prized the horses as coach horses and called them Diligence horses (the French word for stagecoach). These horses had to pull a load quickly and with elegance, which is why Percherons also have the reputation as lovely movers.

Peruvian

Use today: The horses are prized pleasure riding mounts and are also found in traditional ranch work.
Color: The Peruvian Horse is found in all solid colors including buckskin, roan and palomino.
Height: 14.1 to 15.2 hands

Profile: Although thePeruvian Horse, also known as the Peruvian Paso, and the Paso Fino share the same earlier parentage (Andalusian, Barb and Spanish Jennet), and are both gaited, they are not the same breed. The Peruvian Horse’s ancestors were brought to Peru from the Iberian Peninsula by conquistadors and further developed there without the influence of foreign breeds. The horses are prized pleasure riding mounts and are also found in traditional ranch work. The Peruvian Horse is the National Horse of Peru.

Characteristics: The Peruvian Horse has the same type of four-beat gait as the Paso Fino, however, the slower gait is called the paso llano and the faster, more lateral gait is the sobreandando. The Peruvian Horse also has a unique way of moving called the “termino,” where the horse lefts his knee up high and swings the hoof outward. The Peruvian Horse is said to possess a natural brilliance and energy, which enthusiasts call “brio.” The breed is medium-sized, more muscular and bolder in appearance than the Paso Fino, and stands from 14.1 to 15.2 hands high. The Peruvian Horse is found in all solid colors including buckskin, roan and palomino.

Pinto

Use today: Since the Pinto is a color breed, popular uses include all disciplines depending on the horse type.
Color: Tobiano (a white horse with large patches of color over the entire body); and overo (a colored horse with uneven white markings on its sides).
Height: All sizes

Profile: Although spotted horses seem to have originated with American Indian horses, the distinctive two-toned coat pattern probably came to North America through Arabian and Spanish stock that accompanied early explorers. Early American Indians preferred the spotted color and bred horses specifically for this characteristic. Western settlers later bred their own horses to Indian ponies out of necessity, which also perpetuated the coloring. The Pinto and Paint are often lumped together as the same breed; however, the American Paint Horse must have original stock horse blood (American Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred parentage); the Pinto is a color breed, and horses can be of any parentage as long as coat requirements are fulfilled.

Characteristics: There are four types of Pintos: Stock (Quarter Horse type conformation); Hunter (predominantly Thoroughbred, Racing Quarter Horse or warmblood conformation); Pleasure (Arabian or Morgan conformation); and Saddle (Saddlebred, Hackney or Tennessee Walking Horse conformation). There are also two types of coat colors: tobiano (a white horse with large patches of color over the entire body); and overo (a colored horse with uneven white markings on its sides). Heights range according to type, including miniature.

Pony of the Americas

Use today: POAs compete in western, English and gymkhana.
Color: Most common are blanket patterns, though some are leopard or roan.
Height: 46 and 56 inches

Profile: The first Pony of the Americas (POA) was born in the spring of 1954 after an Arabian/Appaloosa mare accidentally bred to a Shetland stallion. The owner offered to sell the pregnant mare to a neighbor, lawyer and Shetland pony breeder Les Boomhower. Skeptical of this strange union, Boomhower waited until the foal was born before agreeing. The foal sported white with black marks resembling paint smears all over his body. Most intriguing to Boomhower was a mark on the colt’s flank that resembled a black handprint. Thus, the first POA was named Black Hand. Boomhower’s background in law aided in his decision to work with other Shetland breeders to create a new POA registry just for colorful, spotted ponies. Strict standards were set for the purpose of keeping the Pony of the Americas a mount for children. Today, height limit standards have increased slightly from the originals, which were 44 to 52 inches, but the Pony of the Americas remains a genuine children’s pony.

Characteristics: POAs must be between 46 and 56 inches. The POAs primary characteristic is its coat pattern, which can vary widely. Most common are blanket patterns, though some are leopard or roan. Mottled or parti-colored skin and white sclera are also characteristic. Striped hooves are an additional POA feature, though not necessarily always present.

Przewalski

Color: The Przewalski is mostly dun with black points, a cream stomach and a dorsal stripe.
Height: 12 to 14 hands

Profile: The three primitive horses considered to be the foundation of all domestic horses, the Forest Horse, the Tarpan and the Asiatic wild horse, were considered extinct until Russian cartographer Colonel Nikolai Przewalski saw a herd of dun colored horses while in southwest Mongolia in 1879. Zoologists hypothesized that these “Przewalski” horses were Asiatic wild horses. The Przewalski horse population was small but growing, until World War II when over-hunting threatened their survival. By 1969, the Przewalski horse was considered extinct in the wild. The purpose of the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalski Horse (FPPPH) was to set up in the late 60’s to open a studbook, help zoos with breeding and to re-introduce the horses to their native environment.

Characteristics: The Przewalski stands 12 to 14 hands high and is mostly dun with black points, a cream stomach and a dorsal stripe. The head is large with a Roman nose and a protruding profile. The mane stands up and ends between the ears with no forelock. They are tough horses that can go a long time without water and can exist on very meager rations. The Przewalski horse differs from modern day horse by possessing 66 chromosomes instead of 64.

Quarter Horse

Country of Origin: North America
Use today: The American Quarter Horse can be seen in virtually every riding discipline and still races a quarter mile at tracks throughout the United States.
Color: Colors include sorrel, bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino and cremello.
Height: 14 to over 16 hands

Profile: The American Quarter Horse traces its roots to early America, where settlers crossed English horses to those of Spanish ancestry, producing a compact and muscular horse. These horses could run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse, and also served as multi-use work horses and family mounts. In the 1600s, English colonists began calling these horses “Celebrated American Quarter Running Horses.” Later, Thoroughbred blood was also introduced. The American Quarter Horses moved west with the settlers and grew in popularity among ranchers, showing an inherent sense for working cattle. In 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association was founded, and the breed received its official name.

Today, the American Quarter Horse is the most popular American breed and can be seen in virtually every riding discipline. In addition, American Quarter Horses still race a quarter mile at tracks throughout the United States. They are also gaining popularity in Europe and around the world.

Characteristics: There are 16 recognized colors of the American Quarter Horse. The most prominent color is sorrel (brownish red). Other colors include bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino and cremello. American Quarter Horses range in size from 14 to over 16 hands high.

Racking

Use today: The Racking Horse is used and shown in pleasure and performance classes in both English and western, as well as competitive trail riding.
Color: The Racking Horse is found in many colors including palomino, buckskin, roan and spotted.
Height: Average height is 15.2 hands

Profile: The Racking Horse developed on Southern plantations before the Civil War and shares its parentage with the Tennessee Walking Horse. The Racking Horse’s comfortable gait made it easy for plantation owners to ride from field to field without fatigue. The breed registry was created in the 1970s to break away from the Walking Horse’s more showy action and to concentrate on the pleasure horse aspects of the Racking Horse. The Racking Horse is used and shown in English and western pleasure and performance classes, as well as competitive trail riding. In 1975, the Racking Horse became Alabama’s official State Horse.

Characteristics: The breed’s name refers to the rack—the old-fashioned term for a gait. The Racking Horse has a four-beat gait called the single-foot, where each foot touches the ground individually. Although this gait is natural, the Racking Horse can also have a show gait, which is a higher stepping, trained movement. The Racking Horse is found in many colors, including palomino, buckskin, roan and spotted. Its average height is 15.2 hands.

Ranger

Use today: Due to their initial use and breeding, the Colorado Ranger excels at ranch work and other western riding.
Color: They come in a broad spectrum of colors and even include blanket and tri-colored leopard patterns.
Height: 14.2 to 16 hands

Profile: In 1879, General Ulysses S. Grant was given two stallions by a Turkish Sultan, one was an Arabian (Leopard) and the other a Barb (Linden Tree). The horses were brought to America, and in 1894 they were bred with native cowhorse mares in Nebraska. Their descendents were named Colorado Rangers in 1934 after several horses were exhibited by pioneer breeder Mike Ruby at the Denver Stock Show. A breed association was later set up and all horses today must include the two Colorado Ranger foundation stallions in their pedigree: Max #2 and Patches #1. Due to their initial use and breeding, the Colorado Ranger excels at ranch work and other western riding.

Characteristics: Because of its Arabian and Barb ancestry, the Colorado Ranger is more refined than the usual western breeds. They come in a broad spectrum of colors and even include blanket and tri-colored leopard patterns. The Colorado Ranger is not an Appaloosa or Paint cross-breed nor is it a color breed. The color is actually an ancestral trait; in fact, some Appaloosas are said to have Ranger connections. Horses stand from 14.2 to 16 hands high.

Rocky Mountain

Use today: Today the breed is a favorite mount for pleasure, competitive trail and endurance racing.
Color: The Rocky Mountain Horse is found in all solid colors with limited white facial markings.
Height: 14.2 to 16 hands

Profile: The Rocky Mountain Horse originated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky in the late 1800s. The breed gets its name from its foundation stallion, a gaited horse from the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain Horse was the farmer’s best friend--pulling a plow during the week and taking the family to town on the weekend. It was also the prized mount of area doctors and traveling preachers. The comfortable ambling, four-beat gait made it a horse that people of all experience levels could ride. Today the breed is a favorite mount for pleasure, competitive trail and endurance racing.

Characteristics: The Rocky Mountain Horse is a medium-sized breed that stands from 14.2 to 16 hands high. Its comfortable four-beat gait is called the single foot (similar to the rack), in which each hoof hits the ground independently and can be performed at varying speeds. The Rocky Mountain Horse is found in all solid colors with limited white facial markings.

Saddlebred

Country of Origin: North America
Use today: Horses are exhibited in driving, English—most notably saddleseat—and western classes.
Color: All colors are found, including pinto.
Height: 15 to 17 hands

Profile: The American Saddlebred originated from Galloway and Hobbie horses imported from Britain during the early part of America’s history. These two breeds were crossed to create the Narragansett Pacer, which was crossed to the Thoroughbred in the 1700s to produce the elegant “American Horse,” used for both riding and driving. Arabian and Morgan blood was later added to create the American Saddlebred. The American Saddlebred is considered the ultimate show horse. Horses are exhibited in driving, English—most notably saddleseat—and western classes.

Characteristics: The American Saddlebred is either three-gaited or five-gaited, which includes the standard gaits and the slow gait and rack. Both gaits are highly animated and elegant. The hooves hit the ground individually in both gaits, but the rack is much faster. The American Saddlebred must posses an elegant appearance, with bright facial features, a long arching neck and a high-stepping movement. All colors are found, including pinto. Horses stand 15 to 17 hands.

Selle Francais

Use today: The breed excels in show jumping but is also successful in eventing and dressage.
Color: Horses are found in all colors, but chestnut and bay are the most common.
Height: 15.2 to 17 hands

Profile: The Selle Francais (or French Saddle Horse) is a warmblood type developed in the government stud farms in Le Pin in Normandy, France, in the 1800s. Where most warmbloods were crossed with draft types and Thoroughbreds, the Selle Francais was created by crossing the Anglo-Norman saddle type with the French Trotter. Other French breeds were later mixed in such as the Angevin, Limousin and Corlais. After World War II, the emphasis turned to breeding saddle horses rather than farm and cavalry horses and many regional breeds began to resemble one another. In 1958, the French government brought these breeds together under one name, le Cheval de Selle Francais. The breed excels in show jumping but is also successful in eventing and dressage. Some Selle Francais horses are run in what the French call “other than Thoroughbred” races.

Characteristics: The Selle Francais studbooks are not closed, but the genealogy is usually Thoroughbred, French Trotter and Anglo-Arab. The Selle Francais is a muscular and athletic horse, with an elegant profile. Horses are found in all colors, but chestnut and bay are the most common. The breed stands from 15.2 to 17 hands high.

Shetland

Use today: Today, Shetlands are popular children’s riding ponies and are driven by all ages.
Color: The Shetland comes in all colors except spotted.
Height: 28 to 46 inches

Profile: Off the coast of Scotland lie the Shetland Islands, native habitat of the smallest pony in Britain: the Shetland Pony. It’s thought that the breed evolved on the Scandinavian tundra and was possibly brought over by Viking raiders. Shetlands are used for almost every aspect of equine work: harness, packing, riding, mining, novelty, and even circus acts. The Shetland made its mark in the19th Century, as a pit pony in the coal mines. Its small size and tough nature made it the perfect worker for a coal mine, and many spent their entire lives underground. A Shetland crossed with an Appaloosa made the Pony of America, and crossing with the Hackney created the American Shetland, and the Shetland is the base for the Argentine Falabella mini. Today, Shetlands are popular children’s riding ponies and are driven by all ages.

Characteristics: The Shetland is not measured in hands and stands from 28 to 46 inches in all colors except spotted. Its abundant mane and tail protect it from harsh island weather. Shetlands possess sturdy legs and hooves, wide backs and broad hindquarters.

Shire

Use today: Today, the horse is used to pull drays (carts) for pub deliveries and in parades.
Color: Its colors include black, brown, grey and bay with white feathers on the legs.
Height: up to 19 hands

Profile: The Shire is the most popular draft horse in the United Kingdom. The Shire made its first appearance on British soil in its original form of the Great Horse, which was brought by William the Conqueror in 1066. In the early 17th century, Dutch contractors, who were helping drain the fens in the east of England, brought with them their native horses, the Friesian and the Flemish Horse. These horses remained in the area and were bred to the descendants of the Great Horse. This resulting breed was called the Black Horse, and later the English Cart Horse. The name was changed in the late 1800s to the Shire, possibly in honor of its development in the Fen country of Lincolnshire, and its use in the counties of Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Today, the horse is used to pull drays (carts) for pub deliveries and in parades.

Characteristics: The Shire is the largest draft horse, standing up to 19 hands high and weighing a ton. Its colors include black, brown, grey and bay with white feathers on the legs.

Spanish Mustang

Country of Origin: Iberian Peninsula
Use today: endurance/trail riding, team penning and gymkhana in additon to other pleasure riding and showing pursuits.
Color: Bay, black, chestnut and white are common colors. Pinto and Appaloosa markings are also found.
Height: 13.2 to 15 hands

Profile: The Spanish Mustang is a descendent of horses brought to the New World by the Spaniards in the 15th century, starting with Columbus' second journey. Breeding farms were established, and through trade and the settlement of new land, these Spanish horses eventually spread throughout North America. Horses that escaped domestication and those that were lost or stolen developed feral herds, in which only the strongest horses survived. They were later given the name "mesteno," a Spanish word that roughly translates as "feral" or "wild." Over time, the Spanish Mustang's numbers grew, and it was the most common type of horse until the 1800s when further domestication and crossbreeding took their toll.

In the 1920s, Wyoming rancher Bob Brislawn, who regularly worked with Spanish Mustangs, realized that the qualities of the original type were disappearing. He later acquired two stallions from a feral herd and began breeding them to his mares. In 1957, he established the Spanish Mustang Registry, the first and oldest Mustang registry in the country.

The Spanish Mustang is not to be confused with the Mustangs managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Although the two horses have similar qualities because of their Spanish ancestry, the Spanish Mustang has been selectively bred to maintain the most original qualities of its predecessors.

Characteristics: Spanish Mustangs have small to medium ears and a straight or concave forehead with a convex nose. Fairly pronounced withers lead to a short back, rounded rump and a low-set tail. The cannon bones are short and larger in circumference than in other breeds. The hooves are sound and have thick walls. Many Spanish Mustangs are gaited.

Standardbred

Use today: Standardbreds are used for harness racing, pleasure driving and under saddle.
Color: All solid colors are found, with brown, black and bay the most prominent.
Height: 15.3 hands

Profile: In 1849 Hambletonian 10, the foundation sire of the American Standardbred was born. His offspring went on to set records in the harness racing world. The name Standardbred refers to the “standard” that was set in 1879 that established a certain speed requirement (three minutes to a mile) before registration was allowed. Today, the Standardbred competes in harness racing all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Europe. The typical racing length is 1 mile, and both trotters and pacers (where horses trot in lateral paired legs rather than diagonal) are raced. Retired racers are favored by the Amish for pulling buggies. They are also retrained under saddle for both English and western disciplines. The Standardbred is one of the foundation breeds for the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Characteristics: The limbs and hocks of the Standardbred are very strong and able to withstand the constant pounding that trotting and pacing speed requires. It stands an average of 15.3 hands high and comes in all solid colors with brown, black and bay the most prominent. Blue and red roan are also seen.

Suffolk

Use today: Today, the horses are used for hobby and historical farming as well as pleasure driving.
Color: The Suffolk Punch breed exhibits seven different shades of “chesnut” (the preferred old-style spelling).
Height: 16.1 to 17.1 hands

Profile: The Suffolk Punch is the oldest of Great Britain’s heavy breeds, dating back to at least the 16th century. The early breeding may have been influenced by the Norfolk Roadster, Norfolk Trotter or Norfolk Cob, and the breed’s size may have come from Belgian draft blood. All modern Suffolks can trace their male line back to Thomas Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, born in 1768. Many farmers bred their mares so many times that the stallion’s influence on the breed was permanent. The Suffolk Punch was imported to America in the 1800s to fill the huge demands of the agriculture industry.

Characteristics: The Suffolk Punch breed exhibits seven different shades of “chesnut” (the preferred old-style spelling). Mares are 16.1 to 16.2 hand high and stallions are 17 to 17.1 hands high. The Suffolk is a small draught horse, around three-fourths of a ton, and is without feathered legs. The word punch was an old slang term to describe a jolly, solid, hearty character, which describes the Suffolk perfectly.

Sweedish Warmblood

Use today: The Swedish Warmblood excels in all Olympic disciplines, in particular jumping and dressage.
Color: All solid colors.
Height: 16 to 17 hands

Profile: Evidence shows that equines have been in Sweden since 4000 B.C. In the 1500s, the Swedish government began importing horses, most notably Dutch Friesians and some saddle breeds, to improve the indigenous Scandinavian horse. The national stud farms were located in Flyinge, Stromsholm and Kungsor. In 1658, the Swedish King Carl X Gustav set up a Royal Stud at Flyinge, choosing the best horses from the national studs. Traditionally, breeding of warmbloods in Sweden focused on two goals: farming and cavalry. In 1874 the Swedish government began inspections to stop indiscriminate breeding and create cohesive breeds, one of which was the Swedish Warmblood. The breed included the blood of the Anglo-Norman, Trakehener, Thoroughbred and Hanoverian. Unlike other warmblood breeds, the Swedish Warmblood was bred to be a saddle horse only. The Swedish Warmblood excels in all Olympic disciplines, in particular jumping and dressage.

Characteristics: The studbook for the Swedish Warmblood remains open and many breeds are allowed, as long as they can pass the difficult inspection and fulfill requirements. Breeds include all European warmbloods, Thoroughbreds and Arabians. The Swedish Warmblood is a strong, athletic animal with beautiful flowing gaits. Horses are found in all solid colors and stands from 16 to 17 hands.

Tennessee Walker

Use today: The Tennessee Walker is shown English and western, and they are prized mounts for leisure riding and trail.
Color: The Tennessee Walker can be found in the following colors: black, bay, chestnut, sorrel and white.
Height: 15 to 16 hands

Profile: The Tennessee Walking Horse is an American original, developed in central Tennessee in the late 1800s. The horse’s genealogy includes a mixture of breeds that settlers brought with them, such as Morgans, Narragansett Pacer and Canadian Horses. One characteristic of this new breed was the horse’s smooth gait, which was later called the running walk. This gait replaced the ordinary bouncy trot and made it easy for farmers, deliverymen and doctors to sit for hours in the saddle. The Tennessee Walker is shown English and western, and they are prized mounts for leisure riding and trail.

Characteristics: The Tennessee Walking Horse is a noble looking animal with a straight profile and an upright build. In the running walk, each hoof hits the ground independently; the gait can be as fast as the canter. The smooth canter is often described as a “rocking chair” canter. The horses are shown flat shod (Plantation Walker) or with weighted shoes (Performance Horse). The Tennessee Walker stands from 15 to 16 hands high and can be found in the following colors: black, bay, chestnut, sorrel and white.

Thoroughbred

Use today: The Thoroughbred is often used for racing, hunting, jumping, dressage and eventing
Color: The Thoroughbred is found in all solid colors.
Height: 15.3 to 17 hands

Profile: Throughout equine history few breeds have impacted the horse world quite like the Thoroughbred. Three foundation sires, the Byerly Turk, the Godolphin Arabian and the Darley Arabian, were bred to native English horses to create the breed in the early 17th century. The Thoroughbred first made its mark as a racehorse, shaping a sport so favored by the gentry that racing was dubbed the sport of kings. With its famous speed and stamina, the Thoroughbred quickly found its way into other sports, such as hunting, jumping, dressage and eventing. It has contributed its bloodlines to many breeds, including European warmbloods and the American Quarter Horse.

Characteristics: The Thoroughbred stands from 15.3 to 17 hands high and is found in all solid colors. Its long bones and graceful movement give the horse an elegant presence. The Thoroughbred’s long neck and powerful haunches help propel it forward in a galloping stride that is over 20 feet long--moving at a speeds of over 30 miles an hour.

Trakehner

Use today: Today, the Trakehner is prized all over the world for its jumping and dressage talents.
Color: The Trakehner is found in all solid colors.
Height: 16 to 17 hands

Profile: The Trakehner is one of the oldest European warmblood breeds, with its history going back more than 400 years. The breed is based on a local horse (then found in East Prussia) called the Schweiken. The Schweiken was well known for its endurance and versatility and was considered the perfect breed for cavalry horses. King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia selected seven horses from various stud farms and took them to the new royal stud Trakehnen to create lighter cavalry horses in 1732. From 1817 to 1837 English Thoroughbreds and Arabian stallions were mixed into the breed. These additional bloodlines refined the Trakehner, giving it the lovely floating trot and elegant canter that is the breed’s hallmark. Today, the Trakehner is prized all over the world for its jumping and dressage talents.

Characteristics: The Trakehner stands from 16 to 17 hands on average and in all solid colors. At first glance, grace and presence mark the Trakehner. Although it is a solid breed, the Trakehner is lighter than any of the other warmbloods. The head is refined with large eyes. The long legs and a long, well set neck add to the refined appearance.

Welsh

Use today: It’s now found in the hunting field, under saddle and in competitive carriage driving.
Color: Welsh ponies and cobs come in all colors, including roan and palomino but not pinto.
Height: Varies by section

Profile: The wild wind-swept hills and valleys in Wales developed the characteristics of the Welsh Pony and Cob. Through the years, they lent their use to hill farmers and shepherds, landowners and deliverymen. In 1901, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society was established in Wales. Since the original wild pony had evolved into different looking animals, to establish a standard for each type the studbook was divided into sections A, B, C and D.

Characteristics: The Welsh Mountain Pony, section A is the smallest at 12 hands high and the only one still living semi-feral in Wales. The Welsh Pony, section B, is a fancy child’s show pony at 13.2 hands high, found in hunter, pony classes and driving. The Welsh Pony of Cob Type, section C is 13.2 hands high and was traditionally used in the slate mines and farms. Today, it is ridden in hunter/jumpers, under saddle classes and harness. The stocky Welsh Cob, section D is 13.2 hands high and up and was once used on farms. It’s now found in the hunting field, under saddle and in competitive carriage driving. The legs are lightly feathered.

Welsh ponies and cobs come in all colors, including roan and palomino but not pinto.

Westphalian

Use today: Today, the Westphalian is bred for versatility: pulling a carriage, jumping, dressage, and eventing.
Color: The breed is seen in all solid colors.
Height: 15.3 to 16.2

Profile: Westphalia is the largest state in Germany and home to the Westphalian warmblood horse. Horse breeding is a tradition in Westphalia dating back centuries. In 1826 the National stud in Warendorf was founded for organized breeding of cavalry horses crossing East Prussian stallions with Oldenburgs, Hannoverians and Anglo-Norman horses. In the early years before the tractor first came on the scene, the Westphalian was considered the quintessential farm horse—the horse that could plow the field, pull a cart to town and even carry a rider. Today, the Westphalian is bred for versatility: pulling a carriage, jumping, dressage, and eventing.

Characteristics: The Westphalian has a lighter build than some other warmbloods, with strong well-muscled hindquarters, nicely set neck that comes high out of the withers, shoulders with good angles and a lovely freedom of movement. Yet, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact conformation of a Westphalian. Since they are not specialists for any one type of sport, one Westphalian can look different from another. Westphalians are branded on the hip with an outlined W with a small design over it. The breed stands 15.3 to 16.2 hand high and is seen in all solid colors