The most beautiful horses in the world

All horses are beautiful of course, but there are a few unique horse breeds that are extraordinary in their appearance. We have selected seven of the most beautiful horses in the world for you to feast your eyes on, but remember that beauty is subjective and a matter of taste! 

This does not mean that no horse, whatever its breed, can be beautiful. This list is simply meant to highlight some superb members of the equine world. If you've had the opportunity to see any of these horses in person, share with us in the comments section below.

Here is our list of the seven most beautiful horse breeds in the world:

The Clydesdale

The Clydesdale is a breed of heavy draft horse originating from Lanarkshire, Scotland, near the River Clyde. The breed was improved around 1715 by the mating of a Flemish stallion with local mares, Shire blood was introduced later. Clydesdales were brought to North America around 1842 but never became a popular workhorse in that region.

These giant draft horses weigh on average 800 to 920 kg as adults, and typically measure 1.62 to 1.82 meters. The Clydesdale was originally used for farming, hauling coal in Lanarkshire and heavy haulage in Glasgow.

Today, Clydesdales are still used for farming, logging, and driving. They are also known to be the most popular breed choice for carriage services and parade horses due to their white, feathered feet.

The Knabstrupper

Are you in awe of these famous leopard horses? So you are certainly not the only ones! The Knabstrupper shares the same color genes as the horse breed Appaloosa. This gene that is responsible for the spotted horse coat pattern is known as the leopard complex.

Due to a limited number of horses, the breed almost became extinct due to inbreeding issues. She was saved when, in 1971, a breeder brought Appaloosa stallions to Denmark to add new "blood" to the breed's bloodlines.

The Gypsy Cob

The Cob Gypsy breed is often considered a “human-sized” draft horse. These horses were originally bred to pull gypsy carts, and it was easy for them to do so thanks to their heavy bones and broad-shouldered body structure.

A fun fact about these horses is that there is no difference between a Cob Gypsy and a Gypsy Vanner horse. These horses were bred on the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and are still popular today. They are wonderful family horses and are loved for their calm nature.

The Akhal-Teke

While not all of these horses shine like gold, they are nonetheless strikingly beautiful. This rare breed is characterized by the metallic luster of its coat that shines and dazzles as soon as the light hits it. A former racehorse, this national horse of Turkmenistan comes in an astonishing variety of colors. There is of course the best known which is the golden coat, but there are also shades of black, bay, chestnut, buckskin, cream and gray.

This breed of desert horse has unique characteristics. For example, the natural gait makes these horses appear to be flying while trotting. And their beautiful coats are thought to serve as camouflage in their desert habitat.

The Haflinger

Haflinger horses are known for their golden manes, but these go naturally with their golden chestnut coat. It is a breed of mountain horse native to Austria and northern Italy.

This horse has historically been used for work assistance for centuries. The Halflinger has retained some characteristics such as its neck and its wide feet. Today, the breed is found in many activities horse riding.

Frisian

Large, black and beautiful, the Friesian horse is a sight not to be missed. These magnificent horses are true "black beauties" and are as graceful as they are powerful, adored by many horse lovers around the world. The Friesian originates from Friesland (pronounced "Fryslan" in the Frisian language), a province of the Netherlands in northwestern Europe.

This breed of light horse is original, with elegant movements that attract attention. Friesians are high-stepping horses that are versatile and easy to train. Interesting fact to note: the Friesian is not always black, some are also chestnut.

The Arabian horse

Did you know that every breed of horse on Earth can be traced to an Arabian horse? Considered the most authentic horse breed of all, these amazing horses are known for their striking and distinctive features. Anyone who owns one of these horses can tell you how special they truly are. Centuries of close interaction with humans have helped make these horses one of the most social horse breeds of all.

Their wide, round nostrils, finely chiseled dish-shaped face, and super erect ears are a telltale sign of the breed that every horse lover knows. And their frames, long and slender like a ballerina, make them real beauties. Some believe that these horses have inhabited the Earth for almost 5,000 years.