The creation of horse breeds is to serve people’s wants and needs. You may be curious to know, how many horse breeds are there?
In the past, horses were for work and transportation. Similarly, today we enjoy their companionship and sports activities. However, we still improve the horse breeds as it has always been for centuries.
The Original Domestic Horses
The origin of the ancestor of today’s domestic horse is in Eurasia. That is hundreds of centuries ago. Hence the beginning of domesticating horses was approximately sixty centuries ago in the Eurasian Steppe. In addition, a 2017 study shows that modern horses are the descendants of two breeds. That is, the Turkoman horse- similar to the Akhal-Teke breed and the Arabian horse.
Horses spread in the world through theft, gifting, war, and trade. As a result, people started breeding to get desirable characters so that they could meet work requirements. Thus, breeding was for finding characters such as stamina, strength, and speed. Hence, breeders would keep track of the traits and lineage of their horses.
The studbooks emerged in the 1700s, in which they held the official record of their horse’s pedigree. As a result, numerous types and breeds of horses we see today arose.
What are the Main Horse Types?
There are two main types: ponies and horses. Ponies are below 14.2 hands tall, while horses are 14.2 hands or more. Furthermore, there are stock horses, driving classes, and draft horses. Their primary purpose is companionship, meat, racing and riding for light horses, hunting, or working livestock. Thus, most horses are more than one of the basic types.
Horse Breeds Development
The development of most horse breeds was when the horses were mainly used as a mode of power and transport. For instance, strong horse breeds like Percheron, Belgian, and Clydesdale were for pulling heavy carts. Other horse breeds development was for racing. These include Thoroughbred and the American Standardbred.
The development of Arabians was for swift rides in the desert. Cleveland and Hackney’s horses breeding was for pulling buggies and carriages. Riders use the Kentucky mountain saddle horses to comfortably and efficiently ride them over mountainous terrain. Some horse breeds like Andalusian and Lipizzaner were in use to carry soldiers during the war.
Moreover, breeds like the Welsh pony and Shetland pony worked on farms and in mines. In addition, there are also breeds for companionship and entertainment, which include miniature horses and the tiny Falabella. All these horse breeds have their origins from various locations across the world. As such, each era has people developing species that will serve specific needs. That is why there are numerous horse breeds.
Color Breeds
Some horses qualify for registration because of their color, regardless of their original breed. They have the most desirable and flashy colors like pinto, buckskin, and palomino. There are color breeds with a pedigree component, but some care about the horse’s coat color. Of course, certain horses with documented lineage can register with a color breed registry and breed registry. This way, their value is increased.
Number of Horse Breeds
How many horse breeds are there? Calculating the exact number of horse breeds is difficult. Most horse types are either blended into other kinds severally or sprouted from other species. Oklahoma State University has a resource named the Breeds of Livestock. Here, they have a list of 217 different horse breeds from Zhemaichu to Abyssinian. Elwyn Hartley Edwards had a horse encyclopedia with a list of more than 150 horse breeds. It includes most ancient species that don’t exist but whose descendants we see today.
Most horse breeds in the encyclopedia are horses whose registries exist. Therefore you can trace the bloodlines to ensure purity. Generally, the horse breed numbers keep increasing. This forces equine lovers to compile the endangered and rarest horse breed data.
Breeds of The World
There is no exact number of horse breeds in the world. It means that people have manipulated horse genetics to create horses with diverse traits. However, here is a list of common horse breeds around the world.
1. Asia
Arabian
This horse breed is valued for its intelligence, speed, gentleness, beauty, and stamina. Its development was in the 7th century in Arabia.
Marwari Horse
The Marwari horse is among the rarest horse breeds. Its origin is in the Marwar of Rajasthan, India.
Bali
Bali horses are self-sufficient and quite hardy. They can survive by themselves. You cannot shoe them since they are tough animals.
Akhal-Teke
It’s a Turkmen horse breed known for its intelligence, endurance, distinctive metallic sheen, and speed.
Przewalski horse
This horse is one of the wild horses found in Mongolia. They are considered ancestors to the domestic horse.
Japanese Native Horses
There are two recognized horses; the Yururi island horse and the Kandachi horse.
Yili
The Yili is a miniature horse from Xinjiang, China.
Vietnamese Hmong horses
They are believed to originate from the Timorean, Sichuan, and Mongolian horses. The Vietnamese Hmong horses have a diminutive size ranging between 10 to 11 hands.
Manipuri Pony
Manipuri pony is a miniature horse from a traditional Indian breed. They originate from Manipur and Assam in north-eastern India.
2. North America
American Bashkir Curly
These horses vary in body types, colors, and sizes but have one curly hair gene. They are believed to originate from Nevada.
American Cream Draft Horse
The development of the Cream Draft horses was in the 20th century in Lowa. They descended from a cream-colored mare.
American Miniature Horse
Miniature horses are elegant and of small equines.
American Morgan Horse
They are famous for their versatility and are used in both Western and English disciplines. Their origin is in the United States.
American Mustang
Mustangs roam freely in the American West. They are the descendants of horses imported by the Spanish to America. The Mustang is often described as a wild horse. But since they are descendants of a domesticated horse, they are referred to as feral horses.
American Paint Horse
The horse is well-balanced, strong-boned, and short-coupled with a versatile build. In addition, the horses have a remarkable degree of beauty and refinement, specifically the head and neck. Its coat pattern is the most apparent breed, hence defining the breed.
American Quarter Horse
The stocky and short Quarter horses have heavy muscular developments like broad and deep chests and tiny wide heads. Besides, they have essential qualities for cutting cattle from herds. These qualities include short-distance speed, fast starting, and stopping. In addition, they have excellent turning ability.
American Saddlebred
They have short and strong backs. Unlike most light breeds, they have rounder barrels. The Saddlebreds are descendants of the riding-type horses that existed in the American Revolution era.
Appaloosa Horse
These are American horse breeds that were once Spanish horses. They are famous for their spotted coat pattern. The variety has various types of body sizes influenced by horse breeds throughout history.
Azteca
The Azteca horse’s origin is in Mexico. It has a subtype in the United States called the American Azteca. They may have any solid color while their subtypes have Paint coloration. This horse is famous for competing in some English disciplines and most Western disciplines.
Canadian Horse
Canadian horses come from Canada. They are well-muscled and robust and are usually dark-colored.
Chincoteague Pony
These are wild horses common in Assateague Island. They are feral animals hence descendants of domestic horses that transformed to a wild state.
Colorado Ranger
This horse breed originates from the high plains of Colorado, United States. They are descendants of two stallions that were imported to the United States from Turkey.
Florida Cracker Horse
These miniature saddle horses are 13.2 to 15.2 hands tall and weigh between 700 to 1000 pounds. Their origin is in Florida, United States.
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
This breed comes from Florida, United States. Their builds and genetics are similar to most Spanish-style horses.
Kiger Mustang
This horse breed location is in Oregon, United States.
Missouri Fox Trotter
The origin is from Missouri, United States. Their development was by settlers of the Ozark Mountains in the 19th century. They transformed into gaited breeds and were appreciated for their smooth gaits, stamina, and stock horse abilities.
Palomino Horse
Palomino horses are distinguished by their gold, yellow, or cream coat and silver or white tail and mane. They originate from Spain.
Paso Fino
The Paso Fino has a beautiful appearance, smooth-riding gait, and brilliant presence. Its origin is from Colombia.
Peruvian Paso
Though new in North America, their origin is South America. The Spanish settlers imported them to Peru four centuries ago.
Pinto Horse
Pinto horses have coat colors consisting of large white and other color patches. They originated from the United States.
Pony of the Americas
The first development was in the Lowa, United States.
Rocky Mountain Horse
Rocky Mountain horses are hardy, surefooted, and good-natured. Their origin is the Appalachian Mountains in the United States.
Spanish Mustang
The Spanish Mustang is an American horse breed and descended from Spain. Breeding was during America’s conquest.
Spanish-Norman
Spanish-Norman horses are versatile horses originating from France.
Standardbred
This horse breed was developed in the 1800s in New England. The breeding purpose was for horses that could race, pace, and trot in harness and under saddle.
3. Europe
Belgian Draft Horse
Their origin is Belgium, Europe. Primarily, their breeding purpose was to knights during the war.
Breton
Breton horses are used for heavy farm and draft work, with their origin being France. Their development was from crossing Oriental and European horse breeds.
Don Horse
The horse is one of the oldest Russian riding horses. They originated from Southern Russia over two centuries ago.
Exmoor Pony
The Exmoor Pony is a British Isles native known as an endangered breed. Wild horses like Potok probably influenced the Exmoor ponies.
Highland Pony
Highland ponies are very hardy, great for riding for both adults and children. They originated from Scotland.
Irish Draught Horse
The Irish Draught horse is an Ireland breed. Its development was for farm use.
Spanish Barb
The Spanish Barb horse results from a cross between the Berber horse or African Barb with the local horses of the Iberian Peninsula.
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbreds development was in England. They are mainly for jumping and racing. The breed origin is from Barb and Arab horses imported to England in the 3rd century.
Welsh Ponies
Welsh Ponies are breeds from four horse breeds that were closely related. They include cob and pony types originating from Wales, United Kingdom.
4. South America
Argentine Criollo
Criollo horses are hardy and known for endurance. Their origin is the South American regions of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Chilean horse
This South American breed descended from Spanish horses.
5. Australia
Australian Stock Horse
Breeding of this horse was for conditions in Australia. As such, they are very hardy. You will appreciate the Australian Stock horse for its excellent temperament, agility, and endurance.
6. Africa
Donkey
Their first invention was in Turkey.
Zebra
The first breeding of Zebra was by the U.S government in the 20th century. Its use was investigating telegony and inheritance. Although they are related to horses, they are not of the same species. However, they are fast and can do up to 65 kph while galloping.
Conclusion
Getting the exact number of horse breeds in the world is almost impossible. However, some types checked out and developed over centuries. It doesn’t matter what you need from a horse, either for hunting, sports, or pleasure riding; there is always a perfect breed for your needs.
