Horse breeds

Horse Breeds over the centuries

Did you know there are estimated to be 58 million horses worldwide! 10 million are in the United states. There are over 350 horse breeds. Horse breeds range from riding horses, sport horses, ponies, show horses and work horses. How did we get so many types of horses? First horses needed to be domesticated. Horses were domesticated around 4,000 years ago. Man breeded horses based on their needs in their region. You can find many stories of horses painted on ancient walls to biblical records of men on their fearless horses.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11

Horses are classified under 3 categories

Hot blood: Horses that are spirited and are known for their speed and endurance. Hot blood horses include Arabians and Thoroughbreds.
Cold Blood:Horses are slower and are built to do heavy work. These horses are known as Draft horses.
Warmblood: you guessed it… they are crosses between Hot and Cold blood horse breeds which include Dutch Warmbloods.

Horse facts

Horses range from 120 pounds - 2,200 pounds. Their life expectancy is 25-30 years old. On average a horse reaches a height of 14.2 hands high. What is a hand you ask? A hand is about 4 inches. It is the distance from the outside of your thumb to the outside of your pinkie finger. This method of measuring a horse's height from the ground to the top of his withers (top of shoulder) has been around for centuries and is universal with all countries.

Horses still run wild and are protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Horses are very social animals and run in herds of about a dozen. The herd leader is usually a Stallion (male horse). A herd consists of Mares (female horse), foals ( young horses under 1 years old) and yearlings ( young horses 1-2 years old). Fillies ( females under 4 years old) and colts ( males under 4 years old)

Horses paint embellishments in our natural landscapes with their beautiful colors.

Basic Colors of horses

Bay- brown with black points. They can be light brown to dark brown. Dark brown horses are usually mistaken for a black horse.

Chestnut- also known as Sorrel- light red to dark red

Brown- brown with no black points.

Black-- All black. If their skin is black, they are also known as a True black.

Grey- usually has black skin. May look white but their hair is not a solid white. An all white horse is rare.

I hope you learned something new about horses and if you are like me. I’m sure you will want to learn more about how special each specific breed is and what makes them so unique. Please check out our list of specific horse breeds to learn more.