Popular Breeds of Horses

If you are thinking of getting a horse or you are a horse enthusiast looking to make an addition to your stable. You might want to consider some of the most popular breeds of horse available. The top five popular horse breeds around today are the Arabian, the American Paint Horse, the American Quarter Horse, the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Thoroughbred. All of these breeds have some advantages and special characteristics.

The Arabian horse is a lean and compact horse. It usually measures between 14 and 15 hands and have delicate heads, narrow muzzles and expressive wide-set eyes. Their neck is long and slender while the coat color can be gray, chestnut, white or black. They excel in many areas including competitive equestrian events and they were originally bred to travel long distances under difficult desert conditions. They are an elegant yet tough breed and have earned their rightful place as one of the world's most popular equine breeds.

The American Painted Horse is a another popular breed and is commonly confused with the Pinto because it looks exactly the same. However, the Pinto is a color breed and the American Paint Horse is its own distinct breed. Paint horses are frequently used for racing and often as stock horses. This breed was developed from the Thoroughbred and the Quarter Horse.

One of the most popular horses all over America is the American Quarter Horse. Originally bred to race short distances they are now used for many different purposes and you find them working on ranches, competing in western and classic equestrian events and serving as much loved companion horses. Normaly chestnut in color but other colors are seen as well. Strong and majestic horses they do often sport white facial coloring like blazes, stripes and stars.

Next there is the Appaloosa which was bred by the Nez Perce Native American tribe and features distinctive coat spotting. The Appaloosa is often used for equestrian shows, jumping and as a companion horse. They are very distinct and beautiful since their bodies are strong and muscular yet able to make their way though treacherous conditions and terrain. Their usefulness and exellent temperament together with their exotic beauty make them much loved among horse enthusiasts.

Our final highlighted, popular breed of horse is the Thoroughbred. This is a hot blooded horse which was bred for racing. The Thoroughbred can also be used for shows, jumping and dressage. This breed is a muscular yet compact breed thanks to its Arabian background. You will find many horse enthusiasts who will tell you there is no horse more majestic or regal than the Thoroughbred. As with all of the breeds mentioned in this article, the Thoroughbred would make a superb addition to any stable.



Horse Breeding News:
EUR˜Thoroughbred provides introduction to horse racing (Thoroughbred Times)
The most visually powerful scene in Thoroughbred also answers the question newcomers surely will ask as they watch sheikhs spend millions at sales, owners despair over an ill-timed injury, and breeders, trainers, and gamblers devote time and money to the sport...

Horse breeder Thomson dies at 98 (The Santa Ynez Valley News)
Walter J. Thomson, founder of the Rancho Felicia breeding program in Santa Ynez, died Feb. 1 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, after a long illness, with his wife Mary Jean at his side...

Florida thoroughbred breeders run into hard times (The Ocala Star-Banner)
By Carlos E. Medina Correspondent Florida's thoroughbred breeding industry, consistently second in the nation behind Kentucky, has seen its market share in the foal crop shrink.(The Associated Press/file)..

Medaglia dOro to shuttle to Australia (Thoroughbred Times)
Multiple Grade 1 winner Medaglia dOro , sire of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, will shuttle to Australia for the 2010 Southern Hemisphere breeding season...

Praying for rain (Straight Furrow)
The farm is dry, production is dropping and what rain that hits our region seems to fall in a horse shoe fashion right around our farm completely missing us. As I write, the promise of thunderstorms looms and we wait in hope...



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