| A horse is a horse of course, so what is a breed? | | | | Much of how the horse developed can be learned |
| There are more than 150 different breeds of horses in | | | | from his history. As early man became more mobile |
| the world. Horses were originally a source of food and | | | | horses began to be used as pack animals and later |
| hunted by man. Since man has been domesticating | | | | became a harness animal to replace oxen. Today |
| horses he has bred for selective traits. That is man | | | | horses are used mainly for sport or pleasure. |
| has bred for developing physical characteristics | | | | You may often hear of a breed and live never to see |
| needed to perform a certain type of work. | | | | one in person. Some horse breeds are very rare and |
| Breeds began to take form by demand. When man | | | | other horse breeds are in other parts of the world. It is |
| needed horses to move heavy loads, horses were | | | | not always easy to tell a breed of a horse at first |
| bred for strength. When man needed transportation he | | | | glance. Most horse and ponies are cross bred, that is |
| bred for speed and endurance. Horses are used in | | | | they descend from different breeds. |
| several ways overtime and different breeds continue | | | | Knowing different horse breeds and their specific traits |
| to be developed. We can classify each breed into | | | | certainly helps out when you want to buy a horse! |
| three main categories, namely: light, heavy and pony. | | | | There is always the possibility of a scam in any |
| The Arabian horse is light and refined; it is the oldest | | | | market and the horse industry is no different. Read |
| and purest of all horse breeds. The Arabian developed | | | | about the horse breed before you make your |
| as a fast horse with endurance, able to long distances | | | | purchase. |
| in dry climates. | | | | If you are looking to buy a quiet horse for calm, no |
| Heavy draft horses, such as the Belgian Horse | | | | fuss long trail rides then you sure do not want to buy a |
| developed from the need to pull plows and help with | | | | thoroughbred that just ended his race career. You |
| other farm work. Ponies have developed from most, if | | | | might be more suited to a Quarter Horse, but they are |
| not all breeds, being needed to transport children as | | | | not available in every country. |
| well as to work in mine shafts. Ponies have also been | | | | Look at your local classified ads, visit a riding stable |
| beneficial for work where the forage was insufficient | | | | and find out what type of breeds are available and |
| to support larger draft animals. | | | | then read about that horse breed! You do not need to |
| Other jobs horses have been bred to perform include | | | | get suckered into buying a horse that is bred for pulling |
| carrying heavily-armored knights, herding other animals, | | | | carriages. Knowing at least something about the breed |
| pulling carriages, racing and packing supplies. Man has | | | | would prepare you. It will save you time and money |
| taken the job and the horse and bred for selective | | | | and if you still want to buy the horse, you will sure |
| traits to produce a capable animal. | | | | know that you are in for a bumpy ride! |