There are many horse breeds spanning different areas throughout the world. However, some breeds are far more popular than others for a variety of reasons. Most of the time, it comes down to their skills, special qualities, temperament, and breed.
For example, some horse breeds excel in racing, while others are better at pulling carts. When looking for a horse that suits your needs, consider the breeds below. After all, they’re popular for a reason!
Let’s take a look!
5. Appaloosa
Looking for a horse with loud color and quirkiness galore? You need an Appaloosa! Appaloosas are often spotted or colored horses that have a great level of appeal.
Though, sometimes, they can be born without any spots at all! In this case, some will eventually get spots while others will stay a solid color for the rest of their life. This breed is super versatile and excels in pleasure riding, trail riding, western pleasure, and even games.
While they excel in those specific disciplines, they are a great choice for all-around events. Some have even had great success while jumping and performing in upper-level disciplines. These horses ooze loyalty, patience, quality, and fun, but they can be hot-headed.
They certainly keep you on your toes. Appaloosas come in a variety of base colors, including bay, black, chestnut, palomino, roan, and even buckskin.
4. Warmblood
When it comes to the most popular horse breeds, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t name the almighty Warmblood. Warmbloods are extremely athletic horses who often excel in show jumping, dressage, and upper-level competitions. Warmbloods are very competitive and sophisticated horses but have been known for having quirky temperaments.
There are also different types of Warmbloods. Some types include Arabian Warmblood, Dutch Warmblood, and Swedish Warmblood. While these horses are stunning, they do need experienced riders due to their busy minds and other complexities.
Some people say that Warmbloods are the ultimate performance horse. Warmbloods are mostly always solid colors such as chestnut, bay, black, and gray.
3. Quarter Horse
Small yet mighty is the slogan for this beautiful breed. Quarter Horses are great for both beginner and experienced riders. They are incredibly athletic, compact, agile, and catty.
Quarter Horses are excellent performance horses and excel in reining, cutting, working ranch, and barrel racing due to the immense strength in their hindquarters and quick movement. Sometimes, Quarter Horses are even used for racing due to their athletic ability! Though this is more common in America than anywhere else.
Quarter Horses come in many colors, including roan, buckskin, perlino, chestnut, bay, black, dun, grullo, and palomino.
2. Arabian
Arabians, also known as Arabs, are one of the most recognizable breeds. They often have petite, dished faces, arched necks, and a high tail carriage with flashy, smooth movement. One of the downsides to this breed is that the shape of their heads often causes breathing issues.
Some breeders breed for appearance rather than effectiveness which leaves this breed with large nostrils, big eyes, and a very concave nose. While beautiful, this can lead to quite a few problems. Aside from this, Arabians are stunning horses that have been around for thousands of years.
They have fantastic endurance, immense speed, and strong bone. These horses are very elegant when they move. Most commonly, Arabians are used for endurance riding, dressage, and trail riding.
Arabians often need more experienced riders as they can be very spooky (scared), hot-headed, and silly. Arabians are often gray, but can also be bay, black, chestnut, and roan.
1. Thoroughbred
Ranked first is the ever-so-athletic Thoroughbred. Often referred to as ‘racehorses’, Thoroughbreds are hot-blooded horses known for their ability, speed, agility, and quirky spirits. While big and beautiful, these horses are not for the faint of heart.
Most often used for racing, when Thoroughbreds retire from the track, they often become showjumpers, eventers, dressage prospects, barrel racers, and even pleasure horses. They have also been known to compete in the Olympics!
They do make excellent multipurpose horses due to how versatile they are. They can do low-level, high-level, and anything in-between. Thoroughbreds are not for beginners and often need experienced riders due to their quirky behaviors.
Fun fact: In Australia and America, Thoroughbreds are known as ‘the poor man’s performance horse’ since they can sell for as little as $1. Though, in the UK, they are very highly regarded and quite expensive.
Most commonly, Thoroughbreds are black, bay, gray, and chestnut. However, they can also come in colors, including roan and palomino. Though, this is rare.
There’s even a Colored Thoroughbred industry in which people are breeding ‘blingy’ and colored Thoroughbreds for the racetrack.
