Equine Evolution, Horse Types, and Today’s Breeds
With hundreds of different horse breeds around today, it can be overwhelming to try and understand them all. Fortunately, horses can be broken down into five main types, or classes, which all breeds fall under. Each of these types has distinct physical traits and uses, so it can be a great way to narrow your search for the perfect horse.
The modern horse’s ancestor can be traced back 55 million years, though humans didn’t start domesticating and breeding equines until about 6,000 years ago. All horse breeds can be divided into five types: Draft Horses, Light Horses, Gaited, Warmbloods, and Ponies. Each type has distinguishing physical markers and disciplines they are best suited for.
These types have led to some of the most popular horse breeds today, including American Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Clydesdales.
Source: Canva
The Origin of Horses
The earliest known ancestor of today’s modern horse is Eohippus angustidens or the dawn horse. It lived about 55 million years ago and was the size of a fox. Over millions of years, it grew larger and adapted to grasslands.
Horses, or Equus, as we know them today came about around 5 million years ago. Humans started to domesticate and breed horses for specific purposes about 6,000 years ago.
Horse Uses: Past and Present
Horses have been a steadfast part of civilization for thousands of years. They’ve been used for travel, pulling carts, hunting, farming fields, in the military, and for sport.
Nowadays, horses are used mainly for pleasure as well as for competition and racing.
Five Types of Horses
Let’s take a closer look at the five types of horses and which breeds fall into each type.
Draft Horses
Draft horses are one of the easiest for both equestrians and non-horse people alike to spot, thanks to their tall and thick builds.
Description of Physical Traits
Draft horses are tall, usually ranging from 16 hands to 19 hands tall (over five feet tall at the withers). They’re also heavy (weighing between 1,400 and 2,000 pounds) and have thick, stocky builds.
Many draft breeds also have thick manes and feathers around their fetlocks.
Purpose
Draft horses were bred for hard work like pulling heavy loads, working farms, or carrying heavily armored soldiers. They typically have calm temperaments and are level-headed.
3 Examples of Breeds
- Shire
- Percheron
- Clydesdale
Draft horse. Source: Canva
Light Types
Light types have more diversity than draft horses. They can vary more widely in height, build, and even color.
Regardless, all light horses were bred for riding, endurance, agility, and speed.
Description of Physical Traits
Light horses are known for being angular and lean, perfect for athleticism and elegance. They have slight builds, long legs, and beautiful necks. Light horses can range in height from 15 to 17 hands.
Purpose
Light horses were bred to be ridden, usually with speed. Because they are known for being high-energy, quick-footed, and easily excitable, they’re often used for things like racing.
3 Examples of Breeds
- Thoroughbred
- Arabian
- Andalusian
Arabian horse. Source: Canva
Gaited Types
Gaited horses are similar to light horses but were bred to have a much smoother riding gait.
Description of Physical Traits
Gaited horses have the same lean, slender build as light horses, but are capable of different gaits. They have higher-set heads, long necks, and sleek faces.
Purpose
Where most horses walk, trot, and canter, gaited types can also do the running walk and foxtrot, among others. Each leg moves independently, which allows for a butter-like riding experience.
3 Examples of Breeds
- Paso Fino
- Tennessee Walking Horse
- American Saddlebred
American Saddlebred. Source: Canva
Warmblood Types
Warmblood types are often confused with light horses by non-equestrians. They’re a middleweight type (somewhere between the build of a light horse and a draft horse).
The name warmblood comes from these horses having a combination of cold blood (draft) and hot blood (light) traits.
Description of Physical Traits
Warmbloods are strong, tall, and athletic. Typically, they range from 16 to 18 hands and weigh between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds. They come in a range of colors and have elegant, flowy movements.
Purpose
Warmblood types are bred to have high energy but sensible brains, making them well-suited for athletic pursuits like
3 Examples of Breeds
- Oldenburg
- Hanoverian
- Holsteiner
Warmblood. Source: Canva
Pony Types
The biggest difference between pony types and the other types is height: ponies are typically shorter than 14.2 hands.
Description of Physical Traits
Ponies are easily recognized by their diminished statures (short legs, stocky necks, and pudgy bellies). They come in a range of sizes, from miniatures (34 inches tall) to ponies (up to 14.1 hands).
Purpose
Despite their small sizes, ponies were bred to work. They can be used for just about anything, from pulling carts to harness sports to being ridden (by children), and used as pack horses.
3 Examples of Breeds
- Shetland
- Connemara
- Dartmoor
Pony. Source: Canva
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the 5 categories of horses?
The word “categories” can be interchangeable with “types.” The five categories of horses are draft horses, light horses, warmblood horses, gaited horses, and ponies.
Q: What are the top 5 most popular horse breeds?
Five of the most popular horse breeds include the American Quarter Horse, the Arabian, the Thoroughbred, the Friesian, and the Clydesdale.
Q: What are the major types of horses?
Types can be interchangeable with categories. The main types of horses include draft horses, light horses, warmblood horses, gaited horses, and ponies.
Q: What are horse breeds that start with “A”?
There are 39 horse breeds that start with “A.” Some are commonly known, like the American Belgian Draft, the American Paint Horse, the American Quarter Horse, the American Warmblood, and the Appaloosa.
Others, including the Abaco Barb, the Akhal-Teke, the Austrian Warmblood, and the Azteca horse, are a bit more exotic.
Q: What are the top 10 most common breeds of horses?
Ten of the most common breeds of horses include Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, Appaloosas, Clydesdales, Morgans, Arabians, Mustangs, Tennessee Walkers, and Paint horses.
Dartmoor pony. Source: Canva
Parting Thoughts
Each type of horse offers something different, whether it’s their height, build, temperament, or preferred discipline. Knowing more about the different types of horses will help you choose your next partner more wisely.
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
- Say Yes to the Horse: 11 Best Breeds for First Time Horse Owners
- 8 Ancient Horse Breeds with Historic Influence
- 7 Amazing Gaited Horse Breeds You Need to Meet
- 5 Best Horse Breeds for Rugged Mountain Hunting
- Elevate Your Ride With These 6 Tall Horse Breeds
- Friendly and Fun: 4 Best Horse Breeds for Beginners
- Stay Calm and Ride On: 5 Calmest Horse Breeds
- Heavyweight Champs: 5 Best Horses for Larger Riders
Sources
Origin of domestic horses uncovered in central Asia | Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)
