Humanity’s distinctive relationship with horses has resulted in additional than 300 distinctive breeds, and quite a few variations in measurement, coat shade, and character have developed consequently. There are good-natured domesticated breeds and skittish wild horses, highly effective workhorses and delicate miniatures, shaggy coats and modern ones.
The horse is likely one of the most recognizable animals, due to a protracted shared historical past with humankind. Whereas people have domesticated over a dozen completely different mammals, few animals have as many relationships to us because the horse—from farm animal to mode of transport to beloved companion.
1 of 10 Akhal-Teke Horse olgaIT / Getty Pictures A shiny coat is one method to stand out within the animal kingdom, and the Akhal-Teke is famed for having the sleekest of all. The hair construction on the microscopic degree is the rationale for the Akhal-Teke’s shimmering coat. The clear outer layer, or medulla, is outsized and acts as a prism to bend and mirror mild, revealing the trademark golden sheen. The breed originated in Turkmenistan, the place tribesmen relied on its endurance and hardy nature to cross the arid panorama. It stays a nationwide image for the nation, showing on forex, stamps, and the official coat of arms. Legend has it was the breed of Bucephalus, Alexander the Nice’s well-known steed. Right now, this horse is a well-liked alternative in dressage, leaping, and endurance races, due to its construct and athleticism. It’s described as “clever, fast to be taught and mild, however will also be very delicate, spirited, daring and cussed.”
2 of 10 Bashkir Horse The Bashkir Curly is thought for its poodle-like coat. Penella22 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 The Bashkir is one other breed with a novel coat. This horse, from the mountainous Bashkir area of southern Russia, sports activities a thick, curly coat that gives safety in opposition to the tough winters of the Ural Mountains. Even its mane is curly, rising into lengthy ringlets. They shed this coat in the summertime, revealing straight or barely wavy hair beneath. They make glorious pack and path horses and have a mild nature that fits them effectively to kids and any form of remedy work. A breed present in North America, typically known as the American Bashkir Curly, looks as if a detailed relative, however researchers have by no means discovered a direct hyperlink between the 2. One concept is {that a} widespread ancestor may have crossed the land bridge over the past Ice Age.
3 of 10 Black Forest Horse Carl Steinbiesser / Wikimedia Commons / Public Area The Black Forest Horse is characterised by its distinctive coloration, which defines the breed—a deep chestnut coat with a flaxen mane and tail. Originating within the Black Forest area of southern Germany, the breed dates again about 600 years. It almost disappeared within the 1900s, as mechanical farming took over and the necessity for draft horses waned. It’s nonetheless thought of an endangered breed, with a inhabitants of about 750, however its reputation is rising, due to its contrasting two-tone look and its power. It is described as certainly one of Europe’s oldest cold-blood breeds, identified for its skill to work in rugged, mountainous environments whereas sustaining a gradual temperament.
4 of 10 Camargue Horse Picture Supply / Getty Pictures Camargue horses are one of many oldest breeds, famed for his or her white coat and semi-feral existence within the marshes of the Camargue area in southern France. The romantic picture of a band of those horses galloping via water is so iconic that photographers and wildlife lovers usually e book sightseeing excursions to expertise it in particular person. When skilled, they’re most frequently utilized by farmers as cowhorses to spherical up cattle and herd bulls. They’re ceaselessly use for path rides alongside shorelines and moist marshy areas.
5 of 10 Exmoor Pony Franz Marc Frei / Getty Pictures One other uncommon breed that lives in semi-feral situations is the Exmoor pony. These small, hardy horses are native to the moors—or grasslands—of southwest England. This stocky breed has diversifications that permit it to thrive in moist locations, together with a “toad eye,” with extra-fleshy eyelids that assist deflect water. In winter, this hardy breed grows a protracted, two-layer coat, with a heat, woolly beneath layer and a shaggy topcoat that mix to repel the chilly. On the finish of World Struggle II, there have been solely 50 ponies left grazing on the moors, which meant the genetic pool had vastly shrunk. Since then, greater than 20 herds have developed via tight monitoring and breeding laws. These ponies are collected from the moors each autumn for his or her homeowners to find out which foals needs to be retained or handed on to different farms and to watch their situation, i.e. that are susceptible to not surviving the upcoming winter on the moor.
6 of 10 Falabella Pony Andyworks / Getty Pictures The Falabella is among the many smallest horse breeds, measuring 24-32 inches tall on the withers. This Argentinian breed is taken into account a miniature horse, fairly than a pony, attributable to its tiny stature and slender proportions; ponies are often of a stockier construct. It was created by breeding a number of completely different breeds, together with Shetland ponies, Welsh ponies, and small Thoroughbreds. Whereas this breed is not any working horse, people have nonetheless discovered a job for which it’s well-suited. Its small stature and pleasant disposition make it a perfect information animal for bodily disabled folks.
7 of 10 Fjord Horse Bianca Grueneberg / Getty Pictures The Norwegian Fjord is an historical breed that farmers have favored as a piece horse for hundreds of years. Previous to that, it was a combating horse for the Vikings, and thus traveled the world, influencing future populations of Highland ponies and Icelandic horses. Its most notable high quality is its dun coloration with a two-toned mane. The surface hairs are cream-colored, with an internal streak of darkish brown or black. The mane naturally grows lengthy, however homeowners usually reduce it quick in order that it stands on finish and emphasizes the two-tone coloration. It is also an undersized working horse, with the the power and musculature, however not the tall stature, of different draft horses.
8 of 10 Irish Cob Lynn Bystrom / Getty Pictures The Irish Cob is a draft horse breed that originated as a caravan horse, historically used to tug vardo wagons by Romanichal Travellers in England. It’s identified greatest for its black and white piebald coloration—although it may be of any shade—and the thick feathering that covers its hooves. Although Travellers hardly ever use vardoes in modern instances, the breed continues to be a supply of satisfaction for its distinctive look and historic significance.
9 of 10 Przewalski’s Horse Dieter Hopf / Getty Pictures The Przewalski’s horse is an endangered horse discovered solely within the steppes of central Asia, in Mongolia. It is also the one remaining really wild horse; all different “wild” horse breeds are feral horses that escaped domestication. Researchers imagine that these horses as soon as ranged throughout a lot of Europe and Asia, however people and livestock ultimately took over most of their habitat. Its look units it aside, with a big head, a thick neck, and most notably, a brief, erect mane. Its identify in Mongolian, “takhi,” means “spirit.”
