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The word "breed" applies to a group of horses selectively bred over a sufficient period of time to ensure consistency in character, appearance, and action. Horse breeds can be divided into six general groups:

Arabs

The Arab breed has been preserved for thousands of years. They are relatively small in size, beautiful, and muscular. They can be very wild or very gentle. A full-blooded Arabian is known as a hot-blood.

Thoroughbreds

The Thoroughbred horses were originally bred in England as racers. They have a brave and hearty nature with a muscular form. They make excellent riding horses and are the breed at the Triple Crown.

Warm Bloods

Like the Arabian horses that are hot-blooded, any breed of horse with a trace of Eastern blood is said to be a warm-blood.

Trotters

You can probably guess what these types of horses were bred for. Horses like the French Trotter were made for show to “strut their stuff”.

Cold Bloods

Horses from Central Europe that are heavily built are considered cold-bloods. They are adept for work and excellent for pulling and are also known as draft horses.

Ponies

Any horse with a height to the withers of 15hh (15 hands high) or less is considered pony-sized. Ponies move differently than full-grown horses and have larger bodies in proportion to their height.

Of course, there is no “perfect” breed of horse. When deciding on Horse Breeds, it is important that you find a horse that fits you and your lifestyle.