HORSE BREEDS Characteristics & Uses

Belgian Native to Belgian Docile Willing worker Short feathered muscular legs Weighs between 1800 & 2000 pounds Heavy muscled Uses Draft horse

Shire Originated in England High energy Great endurance Very docile Great strength and very sound Primary source of improvement of U.S. equine draft horse stock Uses Primarily draft horse

Clydesdale Developed in Scotland Very active Intelligent disposition Close movement Sound Heavy muscled Uses Mainly draft horse

Percheron Originated in France Know for its substance and soundness Imported into U.S. in 1839 Draft breed Uses Shown in competition hitching and halter classes

Quarter Horse Principle development in southwestern part of U.S. Known for its great speed at one-quarter mile One of the most popular breeds in U.S. Disposition makes it great for a variety of uses Uses Dressage, jumping, rodeo, western show, etc.

Appaloosa Introduced by Spanish Imported to Mexico in early 1700’s Gentle disposition Versatile Good endurance Durable hoofs Uses Excel in a variety of events, everything from dressage to roping

Arabian Discovered by Bedouins tribe Responsive Fast Gentle, affectionate nature High endurance Arabian blood flows in all breeds of light horses Uses Endurance rides, halter, dressage, jumping

Paint Descendants of two- toned Spanish horses Have APHA, QH, or TB parentage and meet minimal color requirements Have distinct color patterns: overo, tobiano, and tovero USES Rodeo, pleasure, trail, show, ranch

Standardbred Considered to be the fastest harness horse in the world. Influence by Norfolk Trotter Averages 15.2 hands Thoroughbred is its ancestor Uses Primarily harness racing

Thoroughbred Can carry weight with sustained speed over extended distances Originated in England Generate the most money of any breed Breeding stock is tightly regulated Most visible breed Uses Racing, showing, jumping, dressage, speed events

Morgan Developed in 1791 in Springfield, Massachusetts Deep muscling Straight clean legs Good Conformation Only about 14 hands Gentle disposition Uses Show, Trail riding, Mount for police squads

Saddlebred Traditional mounts of the south Smooth, easy riding Gaited breed Was a favorite mount during the Civil War High action Uses Trotting racing, showing, pleasure riding

Tennessee Walking Horse Developed in Tennessee Cross Standarbred, Morgans, Thoroughbred and Canadian Swift and smooth Known for unique gaits Uses Pleasure, trail and show horse

Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Developed in the rugged Ozark hills Easy gaited Can walk with front feet and trot with hind feet Gentle disposition Make excellent mounts for children Uses Trail rides, endurance rides

Peruvian Paso Linked to Barb horses Trotting horse Only natural gaited breed that can guarantee its gait to 100% of its offspring Good temperament Uses Parades, pleasure riding, show

Hackney Origins in Norfolk, England Unending endurance Remarkable movement Powerful and elegant structure Uses Show and driving