HORSE BREEDS ALPHABET

1. HORSE BREEDS ALPHABET By Tosha Wixom

2. ARABIAN HORSE Fact: Arabian Horses are about 14.3 hands high, and weighs around 900 pounds • The Arabian Horse originated on the Arabian Peninsula • It’s head shape & high tail carriage is very recognizable. • They’ve developed high spirit and alertness, since they were often used for war

3. BLACK FOREST HORSE Fact: Black Forest Horse is about 14-15 hands high & weighs around 1,100 pounds • Also known as the Black Forest Cold Blood • They originated in Germany • They are a draft horse, & originally worked in forests, plus pulled carriages • Since Black Forest Horses are gentle and good-natured they have became a common riding horse

4. CLYDESDALE HORSE Fact: Clydesdale Horses are about 16-17 hands high, & weigh around 2,000 pounds • Clydesdales developed on a farm in Clydesdale Scotland • They are a type of draft horse • Their neck is long & arched, their shoulders are sloped and muscular • Clydesdale's actions are energetic and ground covering

5. DANISH WARMBLOOD Fact: Danish Warmblood Horses are about 16.2-17 hands high • A sport horse breed of Denmark • Common competitions, in which Danish Warmblood perform is dressage • They are an uncommon breed in the U.S., but a new Association is promoting the breed

6. EAST BULGARIAN HORSE Fact: East Bulgarian horse is about 15-16 hands high • East Bulgarian Horse is a Warmblood breed of horse • Their a light work horse, and can do several competitive sports like dressage and eventing • They have a long straight back as well as muscular neck & legs

7. FRIESIAN HORSE Fact: Friesian Horses are about 14.2-17 hands high • The Friesian horse originated in Friesland, Netherlands • Some characteristics include a black coat, a black long, thick (often wavy) mane and tail, plus silky hair on their lower legs • They are a light draft horse and are very quick & graceful for their size • Their used in harness, under saddle, and dressage

8. GYPSY VANNER HORSE Fact: Gypsy Vanner Horses are about 14-17 hands high • The Gypsy Vanner Horse originated in Ireland • They are usually a tobiano color (a spotted color pattern) • Plus they have some draft horse characteristics, they are heavy boned, and powerful with a short neck & back • They have a outstanding endurance and can go long distances without tiring

9. HOLSTEINER HORSE Fact: Holsteiner Horses are about 16-17 hands high • The Holsteiner Horse originated in Germany • Before the use of mechanization Holsteiner horses were used in agriculture as coach horses, and sometimes just for riding • They are very talented in show jumping, dressage, combined driving & eventing • In general Holsteiners will have a round, soft, light gait

10. Icelandic Horse Fact: Icelandic Horses are about 13-14 hands high and weigh around 730-830 pounds • The Icelandic Horse originated from Iceland • Since horses are prohibited from being imported to Iceland, and not allowed to return once they are exported they have very few diseases • The breed first developed in the 12th century and brought by early settlers • During this time the Icelandic Horse was almost wiped out due to Iceland’s harsh temperatures, and a volcanic eruption in the 1780s

11. JUTLAND HORSE Fact: Jutland Horses are about 15-16.1 hands high and weigh around 1,430 – 1,760 • Jutland Horses are a breed of draft horse which was originated in Denmark • They are traced back to the Middle Ages when knights would use them forjousting • They have short stocky legs, usually a high carried, muscular neck and upright shoulders

12. KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN SADDLE HORSE Fact: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses are about 11-16 hands high • Developed in eastern Kentucky United States • A distinguished trait that the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse has is a natural gait called a amble; this gait is gentle and smooth over rough terrain which allows the rider to sit almost motionless • They are compact well muscled, refined and athletic

13. LIPIZZANER HORSE Fact: Lipizzaner Horses are about 14.2-15.2 hands high • Lipizzaner Horses were developed in the 16th century at a stud farm in modern day Slovenia • Lipizzaner horses are a sport horse that competes in dressage and driving • They have a sturdy arched neck, small ears, a long head, straight body and are well muscled and strong • The Lipizzaner Horse usually matures slowly, but lives and performs longer than most breeds

14. MORGAN HORSE Fact: (Morgan Horses are about 14.1-15.2 hands high & weigh around 950 pounds) • Morgan Horse is one of the earliest breeds of horses developed in the U.S. • In the 1840’s they were used as harness racing horses because of their trotting ability • They were also used in many wars as well as the Pony Express • They have strong legs, laid back shoulders, and a arched neck • All Morgans can be traced back a stallion named Figure, his owner Justin Morgan is how the breed got it’s name

15. NORTH SWEDISH HORSE Fact: North Swedish horses are about 15.1-15.3 hands high • The North Swedish Horse originated from Sweden • They are considered to be a light draft horse, and are used for agriculture & forestry work, as well as harness racing • They are easy to work with, strong, durable, plus have a long- stride and energetic trot • The North Swedish horse is also a very healthy, & active horse

16. ORLOV TROTTER HORSE Fact: Orlov Horse is about 14-17 hands high • The Orlov Trotter Horse originated in Russia • Usually Orlov Trotter horses are born with a darker gray or black coat, but will eventually lighten up as they get older until their coat is completely white • They are mainly used for riding & harness racing • They are valued for their ability to work hard, combined with their elegance & beauty

17. PERCHERON HORSE Fact: Percheron Horses can be from 16.2-19 hands high and weigh anywhere from 1,900 pounds to 2,600 pounds • The Percheron Horse originated as a draft horse in northern France • The Percheron was specifically bred to be a war horse, it was mostly used in World War 1 by the British, & hauling heavy items • They are now used for forestry work, show jumping, and pulling carriages • Some characteristics include being alert, intelligent, willing to work, and easy to train

18. QUARTER HORSE Fact: Quarter Horses are about 14-16 hands high, and weigh around 1,000 pounds • The Quarter Horse was a mixed breed of English horses, & a Chickasaw breed brought to the U.S. by Spanish Conquistadors. • They are a sturdy, quick, nimble horse, which soon dominated the quarter mile track (that’s how they got their name) • Due to their speed, maneuverability, and instinct for working with cattle, Quarter horses soon became a favorite for Cowboys

19. RUSSIAN DON HORSE Fact: Russian Don horses are about 15.1-15.3 hands high • The Russian Don horse originated in Russia • Some characteristics are straight shoulders, long back strong tendons, and tough hooves • They were used in cavalry, since they could cover lots of distance in little time, with energy left for battles, they also pulled tachankas • They are now commonly used just for ridding, & harness

20. SPOTTED SADDLE HORSE Fact: Spotted Saddle horses are about 13.3-16 hands high • The Spotted Saddle breed was developed in the United States • Since it was cross bred with pinto & gaited horses, the bred possess a smooth gait, strength, gentleness, plus it’s good on rough, or steep trails • Their ears are long, & are very alert, they have long slopping shoulders and hips (very common in gaited horses

21. THOROUGHBRED HORSE Fact: Thoroughbred horses are about 15.2 – 17 hands high • The Thoroughbred horse originated in England • Since they are known for their speed & agility, thoroughbreds are used as racing horses • They are also used in combined training, show jumping, dressage, & polo • Because thoroughbreds perform with maximum effort, they have a higher chance of having an accident, or having health problems (including bleeding from the lungs)

22. UKRAINIAN RIDING HORSE Fact: Ukrainian Riding horses are about 15.1 – 16.1 hands high • The Ukrainian Riding horse was developed in Ukraine • They do compete riding, and are talented at eventing, show jumping, and dressage • They have a long muscular neck, the back is long also

23. VIRGINIA HIGHLANDER HORSE Fact: Virginia Highlander horses are about 13 - 14 hands high • The Virginia Highlander horse originated in United States • They are very well tempered, and have a natural single foot gait • Their coat colors include gray, roan, chestnut, and white

24. WALER HORSE Fact: Waler horses are about 15 – 16 hands high • The Waler Horse originated in Australia • They have great endurance and are strong when under extreme stress from lack of water and food due to Australia’s climate • Waler horses were used in cavalry because of their steady gaits allow them to walk fast, for a long time without going into a trot

25. XILINGOL HORSE Fact: Xilingol horses are about 15.2 hands high • The Xilingol horse originated in Mongolia • They are used as a light draft horse and for riding • They were developed by breeding a Chinese Mongolian, and Russian Thoroughbreds

26. YAKUTIAN HORSE Fact: Yakutian horses are about 14.3 hands high • The Yakutian horse was originated in Siberia • They have a thick mane, and a heavy hair coat in order to stand the extreme frozen climate of Yakutia • They have the ability to search through deep snow to graze on the vegetation

27. ZWEIBRUCKER HORSE Fact: Zweibruker horses are about 15.3 – 16.3 hands high • The Zweibrucker horse is a type of German warmblood breed • They are a type of sport horse, & compete in dressage, eventing, show jumping, & combined driving • They are a large framed, powerful, elegant horse with a flexible gait