Appaloosa
An Appaloosa's most well known characteristic is its spotted coat. These are the different patterns of the coat: A leopard appaloosa has spots all over its coat. A blanket appaloosa has a dark body with a "blanket" of white with many spots over the horse's hindquarters. Snowflake patterns in Appaloosas are also common. The Nez Perce Indians were the first people to breed the Appaloosas. Native Americans bred these horses to scare off the "spirits". When warriors would go on journeys they would paint themselves and ride on a Appaloosa or a pinto/paint. It was believed that if they followed this protocol, they would stay protected. Some of the characteristics of Appaloosas are white sclera in the eye, striped hooves, mottled skin, and very thin manes and tails. Appaloosas stand from 14.3 to 16 hh (hands high). Appaloosas are diverse horses who can jump, race, do games, perform in English Equitation as well as Western pleasure. RedHorseGirl's horse is an Appaloosa and she thinks he's the GREATEST ever!
Arabian
Arabian's are known for there graceful beauty. Their head is small, concave, and dished, with small, curved ears. They have a very long, arched neck. This is what makes them so beautiful! Arabians have five spinal vertebrae. This is very different because other breeds of horses have six spinal vertebrae. This give arabians a shorter back. Arabians stand around 15 hh (hands high). Another attribute of Arabians is that of their incredible stamina and endurance. Arabians are a popular mount for endurance races due to the fact that they are so agile and tough. Arabians are also the oldest known, purest breed known to man. They have been racehorses, mounts for Arabian sheiks, jumpers, barrel racers, and lots more.
Clydesdale
Clydesdales are very sweet horses. They maybe huge but they are very sweet and gentle. These gentle giants are good for riding, carriage businesses, parades, show driving, pleasure, and farm work. Clydesdales may also be the most well known heavy breed/coldblood horse, due to their rise to fame as Budweiser horses. Clydesdales stand from 16 - 19 hh (hands high).
Dutch Warmblood
When you breed a Trakehner, Gelderland, and a Thoroughbred together, you get an awesome performance horse, called the Dutch Warmblood. The Dutch Warmblood is good for jumping, dressage, and carriage driving. If you go to a high-end horse show, or watch the USEF Equestrian Trials, you may see some versatile Dutch Warmbloods. This horse stands from 16 to 17 hh (hand high).
Miniature
So small and cute, the miniature horse stands from 6 to 7 hh (hands high). This cute little horse acts like a normal horse physically. People will correct you if you say this horse is a miniature pony; they are certainly NOT! The correct term is miniature horse. This horse is kept as a pet most of the time. If you're wondering if you can ride this tiny equine, the answer is yes... if you're a tiny tot!! But if you're four and older, don't try this incredible feat of riding a miniature horse!
Morgan
Morgans are very strong horses. They have a very strong, beautiful, arched neck. They also have a very deep chest, which gives them endurance. They are willing to do whatever you ask them! They tend to be smallier, they rarely reach more than 15.2 hh (hands high).
Paint
The paint horse is the #2 largest breed in the world. They are very mellow, easygoing, and eager to please. There are different color patterns like the appaloosa. There's the tobiano, white base with dark patches. And the overo, dark base with white patches. These horses look and act a lot like quarter horses. They stand anywhere from 15 to 16 hh (hands high).
Quarter Horse
Quarter Horses are all muscle. They have muscular necks and very powerful hindquarters. Their legs are straight and solid. These horses got their name from their immense speed. Contrary to popular belief, Quarter horses are the fastest horses in the world - over a quarter mile, that is. If you race a thoroughbred (the worlds fastest horse over long distances, like a full mile) and a fast Quarter horse for a quarter of a mile, the Quarter horse would win. Like the paint horse these horses have a huge population. They stand anywhere from 14.3 to 16 hh (hands high) and are extremely popular mounts because of the fact that they can do pretty much anything other horses can do. Whether it's racing, pole weaving, reining, cattle herding, jumping, English equitation, you name it, and the Quarter horse probably can do it, will do it, or already has done it. NOTE: Picture below is not depicting a Quarter Horse. Rather, it is a picture of paint horses.
Tennessee Walker
Tennessee Walkers are known for it's running walk. When they walk, it is a smooth walk and there head nods in a rhythm. They stand between 15 - 17 hh (hands high). You can ride them on trails, western, or english. These horses are gentle horses, who love people and are willing to please!
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbreds are the worlds fastest horse over long distances. These equine athletes are bred for racing, and lots of it. All Thoroughbreds trace back to three main stallions: the Godolphin Arabian, the Byerly Turk, and the Darley Arabian. Some typical characteristics of Thoroughbreds are long legs, high withers, longer hocks than most breeds, and straight facial profile. They stand anywhere from 15 to 17 hh (hands high). They are very willing and spirited. BlueHorseGirl has ridden a lot of Thoroughbreds and wouldn't suggest them for beginners, but there are some very well trained Thoroughbreds that can be perfect matches for beginners. It all depends on the horse.
