Horse Breeds - Quick Trivia on Some of the Common Breeds

Horses have many breeds. They come from different places and have different characteristics. However, an ordinary man who might have not been exposed to these animals (nor have heard of the different breeds) may have a hard time classifying them. Well, here are some, if not the most common, horse breeds, their qualities and origins. 



First is the Thoroughbred horse. Thoroughbreds are said to originate from the seventh century Britain. These horses are 62-68 inches high and can weigh from 800lbs to 1700lbs. These horses are characterized by long forearms, lean muscles, and powerful hunches, making it the ideal breed for racing, although it is also used for simple riding activities.

The Thoroughbred is ideal for racing. Photo grabbed from Katelyn Cooper

Another breed we have is the Arabian horse. Arabians are said to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula and was the horse breed used by historical figures such as Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. It has a distinct face shape, stands 57-61 inches tall, and weighs at about 800lbs to 1100lbs, a bit lighter than the Thoroughbred. These horses may be used in sports such as horse racing, as well as pleasure riding and trail riding.

The Arabian Horse
photo grabbed from Barbara Radtke

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Known for its eye-catching spotty coat, the Appaloosa horses were bred by the Nez Perce tribe from the Spanish horses in America in the 16^th century. The tribe was said to have occupied the Palouse River area, and any horse that was bred there was called “A Palouse River horse”, which eventually became “Appaloosa”. These horses stand 56-64 inches tall, and weighs at around 150lbs to 1250lbs. Like the Arabian and the Thoroughbred, Appaloosas are bred for horse racing, and can be used for casual trail riding. 

Photo grabbed from Kathleen Mills

Last but not the least is the Miniature horse, sometimes called Minis, are known for their small sizes. They are 34-38 inches tall. Dating back to the 17^th century, most of these horses were bred to become the pets of the English Nobility; some were used to work in coal mines. Today, Minis are used as pets, used in pet therapies, as companion animals, as well as assistants of the blind and of the hearing-impaired people. 

Miniature horses. Grabbed from Laura Hiller.

These horses are the most common horses yet not everyone can identify them, except for the minis. I might not be able to list down all horse breeds and their qualities in this article but do expect for articles on various breeds soon.