| For centuries, horses have been one of the most | | | | makes for a great racing horse. Because of this, this |
| popular domesticated animals. While today, people | | | | breed of horse can be quite expensive. If you are |
| enjoy riding and racing them, in the past they were | | | | looking for a horse for the family, though, this might not |
| domesticated because they were the primary mode | | | | be the best choice since these can be too fast and |
| of transportation for many. | | | | dangerous for inexperienced riders. |
| People from almost every corner of the globe have | | | | If you are looking for a horse that could help out on a |
| owned horses for one reason or another, and it is for | | | | farm or a ranch rounding up cattle, or for a tough |
| this reason that there are now so many different | | | | horse that can compete in races and competitions, |
| breeds. However, all horses fall into one of three main | | | | then you may want a Quarter Horse. This is an |
| categories: pony, light, and heavy classifications. If you | | | | American horse breed that got its name for being able |
| are unfamiliar with horse breeds, this is a good starting | | | | to race at a good pace for a quarter of a mile. It is a |
| place. | | | | pretty tough breed, but also good for taking on a |
| From this point, some people like to further classify | | | | leisurely ride. |
| horses into the subcategories such as draft horses, | | | | A smaller horse that is also family-friendly as well as |
| gaited horses, and warmbloods. So these are terms | | | | hard working is the Morgan Horse. A man named |
| that you might hear when people talk of horse breeds. | | | | Justin Morgan, who was amazed by the strength and |
| But for all intents and purposes, we will stick with the | | | | loving nature of his little horse, developed the Morgan |
| three main categories for this article. | | | | breed. This breed has a strong body with a friendly |
| Knowing about these different breeds might give you | | | | disposition. |
| an idea of what kind of horse will be best for your | | | | Other popular light horse breeds include the Paint, the |
| situation - and will let you in on which horses are good | | | | Standardbred, the Appaloosa, the Saddlebred, the |
| for children, which are good for the whole family to | | | | Tennessee Walking Horse, and the Paso Fino. |
| ride, which ones are good for racing, and which ones | | | | Heavy Breeds |
| will help out on the ranch. | | | | There are two types of heavy horses: horses that |
| Pony Breeds | | | | were once used in battle and draft horses. The |
| The smallest of the popular pony breeds is the | | | | warhorses went through tough training to ready them |
| Shetland Pony, and for this reason, it is often the first | | | | for battle, while the draft horses were used to work |
| horse given to children. While the Shetland is usually | | | | on farms or to pull carts and wagons. |
| sweet and relaxed, this breed can, on occasion, get | | | | The Percheron is a smaller heavy horse, but still quite |
| feisty. So no matter what breed of pony, children need | | | | powerful. This horse breed is intelligent and has a |
| to be supervised with horses of any kind. | | | | friendly nature, so it is easier to train than others, and |
| The Connemara Pony, is larger than the Shetland, and | | | | can be a good animal for the family or the farm. |
| for this reason, often makes a great pony for older | | | | However, if color is important to you, you might note |
| children. Another good breed for this young adults and | | | | that it only comes in gray or black. |
| young teens is the Welsh Pony, which is just a little bit | | | | The most famous of the draft horses is probably the |
| larger than the Connemara. | | | | Clydesdale. This attractive horse has been bred to do |
| Light Breeds | | | | hard work, but it also has a friendly nature, so it makes |
| People often mistake the Miniature Horse for a pony, | | | | for a good horse to ride on, too. |
| but it is not classified as one because it does not have | | | | Some other popular draft breeds include the Belgian, |
| the same characteristics as those of the pony breed. | | | | and then the rarer Shire and Suffolk Punch breeds. |
| This light breed horse is often a companion for children | | | | Of the war horse breeds, the Lipizzaner is the |
| as well as a guide for the disabled. | | | | probably most famous. This is most likely because |
| One of the most loved horse breeds around falls into | | | | these horses often travel around doing performances |
| the category of Light Horses - the Arabian. These | | | | for Austrian events. |
| horses are not only attractive, but in general, are also | | | | As you can see, there are many breeds to choose |
| known for being sweet, loving, graceful, and speedy. | | | | from, and hopefully this will give you some idea of |
| Everything about this horse seems to be perfect - | | | | what type you are looking for. The best thing to do, |
| from its kind nature to its speed and endurance while | | | | however, is to see how different horses interact with |
| racing. | | | | you individually when shopping for a horse for you and |
| A descendent of the Arabian, the Thoroughbred, is | | | | possibly for your family. |
| another popular light breed. This horse is quite fast, so it | | | | |