Horse Breeds: A Beginner's Guide to Light Horses, Drafts, and Ponies
There are more than 300 horse breeds in the world, but most fit into three simple groups: light horses, draft horses, and ponies. Light horses are lean and quick. They are the ones people ride, race, and show, like the Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, and Arabian. Draft horses are big and strong. They were bred to pull heavy loads, like the Clydesdale and the Shire. Ponies are small, under 14.2 hands (58 inches) at the shoulder, like the Shetland. In the US, the American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed. This guide walks you through each group, the best-known horse breeds in each one, and a few words you will hear at the barn, like "hand" and "hot blood."
In this article
- What are the main types of horses?
- How are horses measured?
- Which light horse breeds should you know?
- Which horse breeds are known for their color?
- What are the biggest draft horse breeds?
- What is the difference between a pony and a horse?
- What do hot blood, warmblood, and cold blood mean?
- Horse breeds at a glance
- Which horse breed is best for a beginner?
- FAQ
What are the main types of horses?
Most horse breeds fall into one of three groups. The group tells you a lot about a horse's size, build, and the job it was bred for.
- Light horses are slim and fast. Most riding horses are light horses.
- Draft horses (also called heavy horses) are tall and very muscular. They were bred to pull plows, wagons, and logs.
- Ponies are small but tough. Many are strong for their size and live a long time.
A breed is a group of horses with shared traits that pass from parents to foals. Most breeds have a club, called a registry, that keeps track of each horse's family tree. You can see a full list of breeds on Britannica's horse breeds page.
How are horses measured?
Horses are measured in hands. One hand is 4 inches. You measure from the ground to the top of the withers, the bony spot at the base of the neck.
So a horse that is "15.2 hands" is 15 hands plus 2 inches. That is 62 inches, or just over 5 feet at the shoulder. The number after the dot is inches, not tenths. That is why you will never see "15.5 hands."
Which light horse breeds should you know?
These are the breeds you are most likely to meet on a trail, at a show, or at a horse rescue.
American Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse got its name from winning short races of a quarter mile. It is fast off the line, calm, and smart with cattle. Its breed club, the American Quarter Horse Association, began in 1940. It is the largest horse breed registry in the world. In 2020, it registered its 6 millionth horse. Quarter Horses do ranch work, trail riding, and rodeo.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is the racehorse. It was bred in England in the 1600s and 1700s. Every Thoroughbred traces back to three stallions brought to England from the Middle East. Thoroughbreds are tall, lean, and full of energy. Many leave racing when they are still young. Lots of these "off-track" horses go on to new jobs in jumping, trail riding, or just retirement.
Arabian
The Arabian is one of the oldest horse breeds. It comes from the Arabian Peninsula. You can spot one by its curved, "dished" face, big eyes, and tail held high. Arabians are smaller than many breeds but have huge stamina. They are stars in endurance riding, where horses cover 50 to 100 miles in a day. Many other breeds, including the Thoroughbred, have Arabian blood.
Morgan
The Morgan is one of the first breeds made in America. All Morgans trace back to one small, strong horse named Figure. He belonged to a teacher named Justin Morgan in Vermont in the late 1700s. Morgans are compact, friendly, and good at many jobs.
Tennessee Walking Horse
This breed is famous for its smooth "running walk." It is a gliding gait that is easy on the rider's back. That makes it a favorite for long trail rides.
Standardbred
Standardbreds race while pulling a light cart, called harness racing. They either trot or pace. Like Thoroughbreds, many retire from racing young and are adopted as riding or driving horses.
Mustang
Mustangs are the free-roaming horses of the American West. Many are related to horses brought by the Spanish in the 1500s. The US Bureau of Land Management looks after many herds and runs a wild horse adoption program. Mustangs are known for being tough, sure-footed, and smart.
Which horse breeds are known for their color?
Some breeds are famous for their coats. But be careful: a color is not always a breed.
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is known for its spotted coat. Spots can cover the whole body or sit like a blanket over the hips. Appaloosas also tend to have mottled pink and dark skin near the nose and eyes, white around the eye, and striped hooves. The breed is linked to the Nez Perce people of the Pacific Northwest, who were known for breeding fine horses. Its breed club, the Appaloosa Horse Club, keeps the records today.
A soft, easy tee for anyone who can spot an Appy from across the field.
Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse has big patches of white and another color. It also has Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred parents in its family tree. Here is the catch. "Pinto" just means a horse with patches. Any breed can be a pinto. A Paint is a pinto that also meets the Paint breed's family-tree rules.
Friesian
The Friesian comes from Friesland, in the Netherlands. It is almost always solid black. It has a long, wavy mane and tail and silky hair, called feathers, on its lower legs. Friesians move with high, proud steps, so you often see them in shows and films.
What are the biggest draft horse breeds?
Draft horses are the gentle giants of the horse world. Many stand over 17 hands and weigh close to a ton. They are often called calm and patient.
- Clydesdale. From the Clyde Valley in Scotland. Known for white "feathers" on the legs and a high step.
- Shire. From England. It is one of the tallest horse breeds in the world.
- Percheron. From France. Most are gray or black.
- Belgian. From Belgium. Often a golden chestnut with a pale mane. One of the most common draft breeds in the US.
Big horses come with big bills. They eat more hay, need larger shoes, and need wider stalls. See what that adds up to in our post on how much it costs to own a horse.
What is the difference between a pony and a horse?
The main difference is height. A pony is under 14.2 hands, or 58 inches, at the withers. Ponies also tend to have thicker manes, shorter legs, and wider bodies for their size.
- Shetland pony. From the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Tiny, but very strong for its size.
- Welsh pony. From Wales. Pretty, smart, and a popular first mount for kids.
- Connemara pony. From Ireland. Tall for a pony and a great jumper.
What about miniature horses? They are even smaller than most ponies. The American Miniature Horse Association allows horses up to 34 inches tall. Still, they are bred to look like small horses, not ponies. Some even work as therapy animals.
What do hot blood, warmblood, and cold blood mean?
These words are not about body heat. They describe a horse's usual energy and temper.
- Hot bloods are lively, quick, and sensitive. Arabians and Thoroughbreds are hot bloods.
- Cold bloods are calm and steady. Most draft horses are cold bloods.
- Warmbloods are a mix of the two. They were bred for sports like jumping and dressage. The Hanoverian and Dutch Warmblood are two examples.
Keep in mind that each horse is still a one-of-a-kind animal. A calm Thoroughbred or a feisty draft horse is not rare at all.
Horse breeds at a glance
Heights are typical ranges. Each horse can be a bit bigger or smaller.
| Breed | Type | Typical height | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Horse | Light | 14 to 16 hands | Short bursts of speed, ranch work, calm mind |
| Thoroughbred | Light | 15.2 to 17 hands | Racing, jumping, high energy |
| Arabian | Light | 14.1 to 15.1 hands | Dished face, stamina, endurance riding |
| Appaloosa | Light | 14 to 16 hands | Spotted coat, striped hooves |
| Friesian | Light (heavy build) | 15 to 17 hands | Black coat, long mane, high steps |
| Clydesdale | Draft | 16 to 18 hands | White leg feathers, gentle nature |
| Shire | Draft | 17 to 19 hands | One of the tallest breeds |
| Shetland | Pony | Under 11 hands | Tiny, tough, thick coat |
| Miniature Horse | Miniature | 34 inches or less | Small size, therapy work |
Which horse breed is best for a beginner?
For a new rider, the horse's age and training matter more than its breed. A calm, older horse with years of good training is the best teacher. Still, some breeds are known for steady minds:
- Quarter Horses are often calm and easy to handle.
- Morgans are friendly and willing.
- Tennessee Walking Horses give a smooth, comfy ride.
Also, think about time. Horses often live 25 to 30 years, so a horse is a long promise. Read more in how long horses live. And if you want to help a horse in need, many great horses wait at rescues and sanctuaries. Learn how senior horses are cared for in our post on horse retirement sanctuaries.
Frequently asked questions
How many horse breeds are there?
There are more than 300 horse and pony breeds in the world. The exact count changes based on who is counting, since some groups list rare local types as their own breeds.
What is the most popular horse breed in the US?
The American Quarter Horse. Its breed club is the largest horse registry in the world, and it passed 6 million registered horses in 2020.
What is the biggest horse breed?
The Shire is one of the tallest horse breeds. Many stand 17 to 19 hands. Clydesdales, Percherons, and Belgians are also very large.
Is a Mustang a breed?
Not quite. Mustangs are free-roaming horses with mixed family trees, many with Spanish roots. Some groups keep records for Mustangs, but most people use the word to mean the wild horses of the American West.
Is a pinto a breed?
No. Pinto is a coat pattern with big patches of white. Many breeds can be pinto. The American Paint Horse is a breed that often has this pattern.
For horse people, every breed
Quarter Horse, Shire, or barn pony: if you love them all, this one is for you.
A cozy crewneck that says it plainly: horses, period.
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