Horse breed: the complete guide to equine breeds

The equestrian world lists more than 300 horse breeds, each shaped by centuries of selection, climate and human needs. A horse breed is never the result of chance: it carries a territory, a profession and a temperament. For those new to the world of horses, this diversity can seem dizzying. You are looking to understand what distinguishes a Percheron from a Selle Français, or you are considering purchasing your first horse and are unsure about which breed to choose. This guide takes you through the five major families that structure the modern equine world: draft horses, saddle horses, sport horses, ponies and miniatures. We also detail the French breeds, a true living heritage recognized by the IFCE and the National Stud Farms, then we provide you with the concrete criteria for choosing the breed suited to your practice. A passion that is cultivated on a daily basis, even in the horse figurines which inhabit the shelves of lovers of the discipline.

## Comparative table: the 5 big families of horses Before going into detail about the breeds, here is an overview of the five families that structure the equine world. Classification is based on size at the withers, morphology and historical function. This grid allows you to quickly locate any cross breed in a meadow or competition.

Family	Medium size	Temperament	Main use	Example Breeds
Draft horses	1.60 to 1.80 m	Calm, docile, powerful	Agricultural work, teaming, logging	Percheron, Comtois, Shire
Saddle horses	1.55 to 1.70 m	Live, versatile	Leisure, dressage, walking	French Saddle, Purebred Spanish, Friesian
Sport horses	1.60 to 1.75 m	Energetic, athletic	CSO, dressage, eventing	Hanoverian, Holsteiner, French Trotter
Ponies	1.00 to 1.48 m	Robust, durable	Initiation, leisure hitching	Shetland, Connemara, Pottok
Thumbnails	less than 0.90 m	Soft, familiar	Company, show	Falabella, American Miniature

## Draft horses: power and heritageDraft horses embody quiet strength. Selected for centuries to pull plows, stagecoaches or mining convoys, they combine impressive musculature, a calm character and remarkable docility. These giants can weigh from 700 kg to more than a ton at the withers, making them the most massive horses on the planet. ### Origin and history of draft breeds Most European draft breeds were established in the 19th century, a time when agriculture and transportation were entirely dependent on animal traction. The arrival of the engine almost condemned them to disappearance in the 1950s to 1980s. Conservation programs, carried out in particular in France by the National Stud Farms and the IFCE, offered them a second life through new uses: leisure driving, ecological logging, equestrian tourism. ### The 9 French draft breeds France has the richest draft breed heritage in Europe, with nine officially recognized breeds. - **Percheron**: originally from Perche (Orne, Eure-et-Loir), gray or black coat, size 1.60 to 1.85 m. Emblematic breed, exported all over the world, used in driving and shows. - **Comtois**: originally from Franche-Comté, chestnut coat with washed mane, 1.50 to 1.65 m. Very present in the Jura, used in logging and tourist traction. - **Breton**: two subtypes (Trait Breton and Postier Breton), roaned chestnut coat, versatile, excellent in driving. - **Ardennes**: considered the oldest draft breed in Europe, originating from the Franco-Belgian Ardennes, robust and rustic. - **Boulonnais**: the "thoroughbred" of draft horses, gray coat, elegant, originating from Boulonnais (Pas-de-Calais). - **Cob Normand**: intermediate between line and saddle, ideal for sports driving, originating from Normandy. - **Poitevin Mulassier trait**: very rare breed (less than 400 individuals recorded), historically used to produce the Poitevin mule. - **Auxois**: close cousin of the Ardennes, originally from Burgundy. - **Trait du Nord**: close to Boulonnais and Ardennais, concentrated in Hauts-de-France. Each of these breeds remains associated with a specific region, and several have built active conservation networks with their breeders and their breed associations. ### The large foreign draft breeds Beyond our borders, three races stand out as monuments of the world of lineage. - **Shire**: the English giant, up to 1.95 m at the withers and more than a ton. Considered the largest horse breed in the world. - **Clydesdale**: the Scottish trait, recognizable by its abundant dewlaps and its pangaré bay color. - **Noriker**: the Austrian alpine trait, sure of its feet, excellent in the mountains. ### Current uses Draft horses have regained modern relevance. Forest logging (exploitation of sensitive plots without heavy machinery), tourist hitching in historic town centers, pulling ecological collection bins in certain towns and equestrian shows offer them new outlets. Their majestic appearance also inspires decoration: a Percheron figurine or Shire naturally finds its place in an enthusiast's window. ## Saddle horses: elegance and versatility ### What is a saddle horse? We speak of a saddle horse to designate any equine morphologically adapted to be ridden. Unlike the draft horse, it has a finer bone structure, a raised withers, a carried neck, supple gaits and a livelier temperament. The saddle horse family includes recreational, traditional, Iberian, Arabian and American breeds. ### French saddle breeds- **Selle Français**: born from crosses between the Norman Half-Blood, the English Thoroughbred and the Anglo-Arab. It is the French national sporting breed, excellent in show jumping and eventing. - **Anglo-Arab**: resulting from the crossing of Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred English, it combines endurance, nervousness and elegance. To better understand its athleticism, discover our article dedicated to horse anatomy. - **Camargue**: small rustic horse (1.35 to 1.50 m), gray coat when mature, raised in semi-freedom in the Camargue marshes. Used for bull sorting and working riding. ### Iberian and Baroque breeds These breeds embody equestrian nobility and the tradition of academic dressage. - **Pure Spanish Breed (PRE, Andalusian)**: often gray coat, arched neckline, raised gaits, star of classic dressage and showmanship. - **Lusitano**: Portuguese cousin of the PRE, appreciated for horseback bullfighting and dressage. - **Frisian**: entirely black Dutch breed, flowing mane and tail, baroque silhouette. Very present in shows and in prestigious carriages. - **Lipizzan**: Slovenian breed used by the Spanish School of Vienna, master of high school dressage. ### Oriental and Mediterranean breeds - **Thoroughbred Arabian**: one of the oldest breeds in the world, renowned for its endurance and distinctive head. It has influenced almost all modern sporting breeds. - **Beard**: ancient North African breed, robust, agile, founder of numerous Iberian breeds. - **Akhal-Téké**: originally from Turkmenistan, coat with golden highlights, one of the rarest and oldest breeds in the world. ### American breeds - **Quarter Horse**: the most represented breed in the world, with more than 5 million registered individuals. Queen of western disciplines (reining, cutting). - **American Paint Horse**: piebald cousin of the Quarter Horse. - **Appaloosa**: recognizable by its spotted coat, developed by the Nez Percés of North America. - **Paso Fino**: South American breed known for its exceptionally comfortable lateral gait. ## Sport horses: performance in competition ### What is a sport horse? Sport horses are the result of rigorous selection geared towards Olympic performance: show jumping (CSO), dressage, eventing. They are almost always **half-bloods**, that is to say horses resulting from a cross between a Thoroughbred (warm blood) and a heavier horse (cold blood or half-blood). Each European country has one or more dedicated studbooks which supervise reproduction. ### German saddles Germany historically dominates the production of sport horses, with five major studbooks. - **Hanoverian**: probably the best known, he excels in dressage and show jumping. - **Holsteiner**: historically specialized in show jumping. - **Oldenburg**: selected for modern dressage. - **Westphalian** and **Trakehner** complete the high-level German selection. ### Belgian and Dutch saddles - **BWP (Belgian Warmblood)** and **SBS**: Belgium, stars of international show jumping. - **KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland)**: Dutch studbook, regularly ranked world number one in show jumping. - **Zangersheide**: young private Belgian studbook created by Léon Melchior, pure-play CSO. ### Trotters and thoroughbreds - **French Trotter**: French racing breed, used for harnessed and mounted trotting, sometimes converted into a leisure horse after a career. - **English Thoroughbred (Thoroughbred)**: the reference for galloping, founder of almost all sport horses. - **Standardbred**: American trotter. ### Show jumping horse, dressage, complete: which breeds?In practice, a show jumping rider chooses a KWPN, a Selle Français or a Holsteiner. The experienced trainer favors a Hanoverian, an Oldenburg or a PRE for high school. Eventing (the triathlon version of horse riding) often rewards Irish Sport Horses, converted Thoroughbreds and Selle Français. ## Ponies: robustness and initiation Beware of the preconceived idea: a pony is not a “little horse”. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) defines the pony by its height at the withers, less than 1.48 m, and classifies it into four categories (A, B, C, D) according to stature. ### French ponies - **Pottok**: small Basque pony (1.15 to 1.32 m), semi-wild, robust, excellent for initiation. - **Landais**: close cousin of Pottok, originally from Landes. - **Mérens**: black Ariégeois pony, rustic, perfect for mountain hiking. - **Castillonnais**: rare Pyrenean breed, bay color. - **Henson**: recent breed (1983), born in the Bay of Somme for equestrian tourism. ### British ponies - **Shetland**: the smallest British pony (less than 1.07 m), intrepid, essential for little ones. Its endearing appearance also makes it a beloved subject in horse stuffed animal for young budding riders. - **Welsh**: four sections (A, B, C, D), versatile, excellent in pony competitions. - **New Forest** and **Dartmoor**: English ponies from the heathers of southern England. - **Connemara**: the large Irish pony (1.38 to 1.48 m), very popular in pony show jumping and adult riding. ### Nordic ponies - **Fjord**: Norwegian pony, isabelle coat, two-tone brush-cut mane. - **Icelandic**: the only breed to have five gaits (including the tölt and the skeið), national symbol of Iceland. - **Konik Polski**: rustic Polish pony, morphologically close to the extinct tarpan. ## Miniature horses and rare breeds ### Falabella, American Miniature Horse, Guoxia Smaller than ponies, miniature horses come from a long selection process. - **Falabella**: Argentinian breed selected for nearly 150 years by the Falabella family, from a core of Shetland ponies crossed with Thoroughbreds. Adult height less than 0.86 m. - **American Miniature Horse**: North American cousin of the Falabella, standard set at less than 0.86 m. - **Guoxia**: tiny Chinese horse (around 1.10 m), known for more than 2,000 years. ### Endangered or rare breeds Some breeds are flirting with extinction. The **Trait Poitevin Mulassier** (less than 400 head), the **Castillonnais**, the **Henson** and the **Mérens** are the subject of active conservation programs. The **Barbe horse** of North Africa, cradle of so many Iberian breeds, is also classified as threatened. ### The Przewalski, the only remaining wild horse The **Przewalski's horse** (Equus ferus przewalskii) is the only truly wild horse still existing today. Extinct in the natural state in the 1960s, it was reintroduced in Mongolia from zoo individuals. There are approximately 2,000 individuals alive, half of whom are in the wild. ## French breeds: the French equine heritage France has **47 equine breeds officially recognized** by the French Horse and Equestrian Institute (IFCE). This figure makes it one of the richest countries in the world in terms of equine diversity, with a dense network of breed associations and National Stud Farms. ### The 9 French draft breeds Percheron, Breton, Comtois, Ardennais, Boulonnais, Cob Normand, Trait Poitevin Mulassier, Auxois, Trait du Nord. Each is associated with a historical region: Perche, Brittany, Franche-Comté, Ardennes, Boulonnais, Normandy, Poitou, Burgundy, Hauts-de-France. ### French saddle and sport breeds- **Selle Français**: national sporting breed. - **Anglo-Arab**: flagship of South-West breeding. - **Camargue**: small rustic horse from the Provençal marshes. - **AQPS (Other Than Thoroughbred)**: obstacle racing breed. ### French pony breeds Pottok, Landais, Mérens, Castillonnais, Henson, French Selle Poney, French Connemara, French Welsh. Each French pony tells a story of a territory: Basque Country for Pottok, Landes for Landais, Ariège for Mérens, Pyrenees for Castillonnais, Baie de Somme for Henson. This territorial anchoring makes French equine heritage a cultural asset in its own right, like the Camargue which symbolizes Provence or the Pottok which embodies the Basque Country. ## How to choose your breed of horse? Choosing a breed is not trivial. A horse lives 25 to 35 years and represents a heavy moral, technical and financial commitment. Four criteria structure a reasoned decision. ### Depending on the discipline practiced - **Leisure, walks**: Camargue, Connemara, Fjord, Mérens, Cob Normand. Calm, safe and versatile breeds. - **Dressage**: Hanoverian, Oldenburg, PRE, Lusitanian, Selle Français. Flexible and focused mechanics. - **CSO (show jumping)**: KWPN, Holsteiner, BWP, Selle Français. Power and composure. - **Endurance**: Purebred Arabian, Anglo-Arab, Akhal-Téké. Breeds built for distance. - **Hitch**: draft breeds, Norman Cob, Friesian. Docility and power. - **Western (reining, cutting)**: Quarter Horse, American Paint, Appaloosa. ### Depending on your rider level A beginner rider will favor a breed known for being calm and tolerant: Fjord, Haflinger, Connemara, Cob Normand. An experienced rider can consider a more sensitive horse (Thoroughbred, PRE, Akhal-Téké) which requires finesse of aids and firmness. ### Depending on budget The purchase of a recreational horse ranges between €3,000 and €8,000. A sport horse with show jumping potential starts at €15,000 and can reach several hundred thousand euros for a future champion. Monthly maintenance (pension, farrier, veterinarian, dentist, food, insurance) represents on average **300 to 600 € per month** in France, depending on the region and type of accommodation. You must also budget for riding accessories (saddle, net, helmet, boots) and the horse's daily needs (rugs, grooming products, treats) available in horse accessories. ### Depending on your body shape A 90 kg rider will not comfortably ride a 1.20 m Pottok. The rule of thumb adopted by most equestrian centers: the rider and his equipment must not exceed **15 to 20% of the horse's weight**. For a rider weighing 80 kg, we are therefore aiming for a horse of at least 450 kg, either a standard saddle horse or a light draft cross. ## Celebrate the passion for horses every day Loving a breed often means wanting to find it beyond the boxes and the arena. Whether you are a Percheron at heart or fascinated by the elegance of the Friesian, the Univers Cheval boutique offers you the opportunity to extend this passion on a daily basis. A realistic equine figurine of your favorite breed finds its place on a desk or a shelf, a horse painting transforms a wall into a tribute to galloping, and horse jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, pendants) allow you to wear your discipline on a daily basis. For a rider, a horse ring engraved with an equestrian motif makes a memorable companion gift. And for the youngest riders who are learning the pony club on a Shetland or Connemara, a soft toy bearing the image of their favorite horse accompanies them every evening.The equine world is rich with more than 300 parallel stories. Each race tells a geography, a profession, a link between man and animal. Choosing your breed, knowing it, celebrating it: is to fully enter into the great equestrian tradition.