Breeds, Types, and Classes of
Horses
Chapter 3
Breeding True:

The offspring will almost always posses
the same characteristics as the parent
3 Foundation Stallions of
Thoroughbred
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Darley Arabian
Byerly Turk
Godophin Arabian
Foundation Sire of the Morgan
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Justin Morgan
Foundation Sire of the Tennessee
Walking Horse:
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Morgan Stallion
Allen F-1
Morgan stallions contributed to
the development:
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Standardbred
Quarter
American Albino
Palomino
Height:
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Measured in hands
From top of withers to the ground
Hand = 4 inches
Classification of Horses:
Light: 12-17.2 hands
900 to 1400 lbs
Used for: riding driving show, racing, or
utility on farm or ranch
 Draft: 14.2-17.2 hands
1400lbs or >
Used for: heavy work or pulling
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Ponies: 14.2 or < hands
500 to 900 lbs.
Warm vs Cold Blood:
Warm: refers to temperament of light to
medium horse breeds
-fine boned and suitable for riding
-all breeds not definitely
 Cold: heavy, solid, strong horses with a
calm temperment
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Cob:
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Sturdy, placid horse
14.2 to 15.2 hands
Not heavy or coarse enough to be draft
Hack:
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Enjoyable
Good riding or driving
Saddlebred in America
Miniature Horses:
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34 inches at the withers max
Feral Horses:
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Once domesticated and now wild
ADA – mustang
Donkey breeds:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Mammoth Jack
Large Standard
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey
American Spotted Ass
Miniature donkeys: 36 inches or < in
height
Mule or Hinny: cross between
donkey and horse
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Mule: offspring of a male donkey (jack)
and a female horse (mare)
Hinny: cross male horse (stallion) and a
female donkey (jenny)
Mare
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Female horse
Usually after having an offspring.
Filly

Young female horse
Brood Mare
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Mare that is used strictly for breeding
Stallion
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Male horse
STUD
Colt
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Young male horse
Gelding
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Castrated Male Horse
Foal
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Young Horse male or female
Hand
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Unit of measurement for horses
4 inches
Pony
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A breed of horse that is under 14.2
hands.
Light Horse
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Most horses, riding size.
Above 14.2 hands
800 – 1200 lbs.
Draft Horse
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Work horses
Above 14 hands
1100 – 2500 lbs
Colors of Horses
Black
Solid black all over its body
Mane, tail, skin and points black
Bay:

always has a black
mane and tail and
usually has black
points. Can vary
from a light,
yellowish tan to a
dark, rich reddish
brown color.
Brown

Coat varies from
medium to dark
brown
Sorrel or Chestnut
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Basically red
Mane and tail never
black
Gray
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Mixture of black and white hairs
Dark skin
Born dark and lighten with age
Paint
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Piebald: black and white
spot
Skewbald: white and
any other color than
black
Tobiano: white color
extends downward over
the horse’s back
Overa: white extends
up from the belly and
legs towards the back
Palomino
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Golden color, with a
light colored mane
and tail
Mane and tail can be
white, silver, or ivory
Buckskin or Dun
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Modifications of the
bay color pattern
Color ranges from
pale yellow to a dirty
canvas color
May show a dark
stripe down its back
and across its
shoulders
White
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A true white is born
white and stays
white
Pure white hair,
pinks skin, and
brown or blue eyes
Blue or Red Roan
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Has a mixture of
white and colored
hairs