Horse Breeds

Where is the American Paint Horse from? It is believed the American Paint developed from horses brought to North America by the Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortes. The American Plains tribes were attracted by the colors and hardiness of these horses. What does the American Paint Horse look like? American Paints stand about 14-16 hands high. […]

The Naragansett Pacer was the first horse breed bred in the United States, but unfortunately it is now extinct. Sales to the Caribbean and cross-breeding diminished the breed to the point of extinction, and the last known Pacer died around 1880. Historical records show that many famous personages owned Pacers, George Washington among them. The […]

The Mustang is a descendant of horses brought to America by the Spanish. Small and compact, they are hardy horses. They are not considered wild, but are feral horses since their forbears were domesticated horses. They are called Mustang, a word derived from the Spanish, mestango or mesteno, meaning “stray livestock animal.” The Mustangs ancestry […]

The Lusitano is the national horse of Portugal. It is named for Lusitania, a name given to the Iberian peninsula by the Romans. What does the Lusitano look like? The Lusitano is a compact horse with a thick mane and tail. It stands 15-16 hands tall. Colors are solid colors of horse, rarely seen are […]

The Spanish Horse is intelligent and even-tempered, eager to please. They take part in dressage, jumping and driving competitions. Known for its bravery, in Spain, this horse is ridden in the bullfighting arena. The Spanish Horse has been used to improve many other breeds including American breeds. Where does the Purebred Spanish Horse come from? […]

The American Saddlebred is a popular parade mount and often used for trail riding. It has a comfortable gait and a steady temperament. In horse shows, it is most commonly seen in Saddle seat style riding, and in various types of driving. Where did the Saddlebred get its start? In the 1830s, the Kentucky Saddler […]

Tennessees are calm, even-tempered, gentle horses. They are used for ranch work and for pleasure riding. They perform in western style events, movies and TV. With their wonderful temperament, they are part of riding programs for the handicapped. Where did the Tennessee Walking Horse get its start? The Tennessee Walking Horse was bred from the […]

Irish farmers in the early 20th century wanted a versatile horse that would work the land, be ridden for fox-hunting, could jump and pull a carriage. Selected crossings produced the Irish Draught Horse. What does the Irish Draught Horse look like? The Irish Draught is a powerful horse but not ponderous. It stands 15.1-16.3 hands […]