1. HORSE BREEDS ALPHABET
By Tosha Wixom

2. ARABIAN HORSE
The Arabian Horse originated on the Arabian Peninsula
It’s head shape & high tail carriage is very recognizable.
They’ve developed high spirit and alertness, since they were often used for war
Fact: Arabian Horses are about 14.3 hands high, and weighs around 900 pounds

3. BLACK FOREST HORSE
Also known as the Black Forest Cold Blood
They originated in Germany
They are a draft horse, & originally worked in forests, plus pulled carriages
Since Black Forest Horses are gentle and good-natured they have became a common riding horse
Fact: Black Forest Horse is about hands high & weighs around 1,100 pounds

4. CLYDESDALE HORSE
Clydesdales developed on a farm in Clydesdale Scotland
They are a type of draft horse
Their neck is long & arched, their shoulders are sloped and muscular
Clydesdale's actions are energetic and ground covering
Fact: Clydesdale Horses are about hands high, & weigh around 2,000 pounds

5. DANISH WARMBLOOD
A sport horse breed of Denmark
Common competitions, in which Danish Warmblood perform is dressage
They are an uncommon breed in the U.S., but a new Association is promoting the breed
Fact: Danish Warmblood Horses are about hands high

6. EAST BULGARIAN HORSE
East Bulgarian Horse is a Warmblood breed of horse
Their a light work horse, and can do several competitive sports like dressage and eventing
They have a long straight back as well as muscular neck & legs
Fact: East Bulgarian horse is about hands high

7. FRIESIAN HORSE Fact: Friesian Horses are about 14.2-17 hands high
The Friesian horse originated in Friesland, Netherlands
Some characteristics include a black coat, a black long, thick (often wavy) mane and tail, plus silky hair on their lower legs
They are a light draft horse and are very quick & graceful for their size
Their used in harness, under saddle, and dressage
Fact: Friesian Horses are about hands high

8. GYPSY VANNER HORSE The Gypsy Vanner Horse originated in Ireland
They are usually a tobiano color (a spotted color pattern)
Plus they have some draft horse characteristics, they are heavy boned, and powerful with a short neck & back
They have a outstanding endurance and can go long distances without tiring
Fact: Gypsy Vanner Horses are about hands high

9. HOLSTEINER HORSE The Holsteiner Horse originated in Germany
Before the use of mechanization Holsteiner horses were used in agriculture as coach horses, and sometimes just for riding
They are very talented in show jumping, dressage, combined driving & eventing
In general Holsteiners will have a round, soft, light gait
Fact: Holsteiner Horses are about hands high

10. Icelandic Horse The Icelandic Horse originated from Iceland
Since horses are prohibited from being imported to Iceland, and not allowed to return once they are exported they have very few diseases
The breed first developed in the 12th century and brought by early settlers
During this time the Icelandic Horse was almost wiped out due to Iceland’s harsh temperatures, and a volcanic eruption in the 1780s
Fact: Icelandic Horses are about hands high and weigh around pounds

11. JUTLAND HORSE
Jutland Horses are a breed of draft horse which was originated in Denmark
They are traced back to the Middle Ages when knights would use them for jousting
They have short stocky legs, usually a high carried, muscular neck and upright shoulders
Fact: Jutland Horses are about hands high and weigh around 1,430 – 1,760

12. KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN SADDLE HORSE
Developed in eastern Kentucky United States
A distinguished trait that the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse has is a natural gait called a amble; this gait is gentle and smooth over rough terrain which allows the rider to sit almost motionless
They are compact well muscled, refined and athletic
Fact: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses are about hands high

13. LIPIZZANER HORSE
Lipizzaner Horses were developed in the 16th century at a stud farm in modern day Slovenia
Lipizzaner horses are a sport horse that competes in dressage and driving
They have a sturdy arched neck, small ears, a long head, straight body and are well muscled and strong
The Lipizzaner Horse usually matures slowly, but lives and performs longer than most breeds
Fact: Lipizzaner Horses are about hands high

14. MORGAN HORSE
Morgan Horse is one of the earliest breeds of horses developed in the U.S.
In the 1840’s they were used as harness racing horses because of their trotting ability
They were also used in many wars as well as the Pony Express
They have strong legs, laid back shoulders, and a arched neck
All Morgans can be traced back a stallion named Figure, his owner Justin Morgan is how the breed got it’s name
Fact: (Morgan Horses are about hands high & weigh around 950 pounds)

15. NORTH SWEDISH HORSE The North Swedish Horse originated from Sweden
They are considered to be a light draft horse, and are used for agriculture & forestry work, as well as harness racing
They are easy to work with, strong, durable, plus have a long- stride and energetic trot
The North Swedish horse is also a very healthy, & active horse
Fact: North Swedish horses are about hands high

16. ORLOV TROTTER HORSE
The Orlov Trotter Horse originated in Russia
Usually Orlov Trotter horses are born with a darker gray or black coat, but will eventually lighten up as they get older until their coat is completely white
They are mainly used for riding & harness racing
They are valued for their ability to work hard, combined with their elegance & beauty
Fact: Orlov Horse is about hands high

17. PERCHERON HORSE
The Percheron Horse originated as a draft horse in northern France
The Percheron was specifically bred to be a war horse, it was mostly used in World War 1 by the British, & hauling heavy items
They are now used for forestry work, show jumping, and pulling carriages
Some characteristics include being alert, intelligent, willing to work, and easy to train
Fact: Percheron Horses can be from hands high and weigh anywhere from 1,900 pounds to 2,600 pounds

18. QUARTER HORSE
The Quarter Horse was a mixed breed of English horses, & a Chickasaw breed brought to the U.S. by Spanish Conquistadors.
They are a sturdy, quick, nimble horse, which soon dominated the quarter mile track (that’s how they got their name)
Due to their speed, maneuverability, and instinct for working with cattle, Quarter horses soon became a favorite for Cowboys
Fact: Quarter Horses are about hands high, and weigh around 1,000 pounds

19. RUSSIAN DON HORSE The Russian Don horse originated in Russia
Some characteristics are straight shoulders, long back strong tendons, and tough hooves
They were used in cavalry, since they could cover lots of distance in little time, with energy left for battles, they also pulled tachankas
They are now commonly used just for ridding, & harness
Fact: Russian Don horses are about hands high

20. SPOTTED SADDLE HORSE
The Spotted Saddle breed was developed in the United States
Since it was cross bred with pinto & gaited horses, the bred possess a smooth gait, strength, gentleness, plus it’s good on rough, or steep trails
Their ears are long, & are very alert, they have long slopping shoulders and hips (very common in gaited horses
Fact: Spotted Saddle horses are about hands high

21. THOROUGHBRED HORSE The Thoroughbred horse originated in England
Since they are known for their speed & agility, thoroughbreds are used as racing horses
They are also used in combined training, show jumping, dressage, & polo
Because thoroughbreds perform with maximum effort, they have a higher chance of having an accident, or having health problems (including bleeding from the lungs)
Fact: Thoroughbred horses are about 15.2 – 17 hands high

22. UKRAINIAN RIDING HORSE
The Ukrainian Riding horse was developed in Ukraine
They do compete riding, and are talented at eventing, show jumping, and dressage
They have a long muscular neck, the back is long also
Fact: Ukrainian Riding horses are about 15.1 – 16.1 hands high

23. VIRGINIA HIGHLANDER HORSE
The Virginia Highlander horse originated in United States
They are very well tempered, and have a natural single foot gait
Their coat colors include gray, roan, chestnut, and white
Fact: Virginia Highlander horses are about hands high

24. WALER HORSE
The Waler Horse originated in Australia
They have great endurance and are strong when under extreme stress from lack of water and food due to Australia’s climate
Waler horses were used in cavalry because of their steady gaits allow them to walk fast, for a long time without going into a trot
Fact: Waler horses are about 15 – 16 hands high

25. XILINGOL HORSE They are used as a light draft horse and for riding
The Xilingol horse originated in Mongolia
They are used as a light draft horse and for riding
They were developed by breeding a Chinese Mongolian, and Russian Thoroughbreds
Fact: Xilingol horses are about 15.2 hands high

26. YAKUTIAN HORSE
The Yakutian horse was originated in Siberia
They have a thick mane, and a heavy hair coat in order to stand the extreme frozen climate of Yakutia
They have the ability to search through deep snow to graze on the vegetation
Fact: Yakutian horses are about 14.3 hands high

27. ZWEIBRUCKER HORSE
The Zweibrucker horse is a type of German warmblood breed
They are a type of sport horse, & compete in dressage, eventing, show jumping, & combined driving
They are a large framed, powerful, elegant horse with a flexible gait
Fact: Zweibruker horses are about 15.3 – 16.3 hands high