Some horse breeds are now classified as endangered. This section of Chevaux du Monde highlights these rare breeds, their conservation status, and the preservation efforts undertaken by passionate breeders around the world.
The gradual disappearance of these rare horses is a warning sign: each breed represents a unique cultural, historical, and biological heritage. Behind every breed name lies centuries of selection, adaptation to a territory, and the relationship between humans and horses. Losing a breed means losing a part of our shared memory.
The causes of this threat are multiple: modernization of agriculture, economic decline, disappearance of traditional uses, or the standardization of breeding in favor of more productive breeds. Yet these horses still play a vital role in genetic diversity, essential for the resilience of equine populations against diseases, climate change, and the needs of the future.
Preserving endangered horse breeds means protecting a living heritage. Thanks to breeders, associations, and conservation programs, some populations are finding hope again. But public awareness remains crucial: by discovering these breeds, sharing their stories, and supporting local initiatives, everyone can contribute to their survival. Together, let us protect these precious witnesses of the millennia-old bond between humans and horses.
Endangered – Data 2025
Discover the Abtenauer, a local variety of the Noriker, a rare Austrian draft horse, compact and perfectly suited for mountain work.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Albanian pony, a hardy and docile horse, adapted to mountainous terrain and traditional uses in Albania.
Estimated population: 8000
Endangered – Data 2024
Rare light draft and saddle horse originating from the region of Elis in Greece. Discover the Andravida (also called Eleia), its ancient origins, unique morphology, traditional use, and current endangered status despite the creation of a modern stud-book.
Estimated population: 70
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Ardennais, a powerful, rustic and versatile draft horse breed from the Ardennes region.
Estimated population: 3200
Endangered – Data 2018
Discover the Auxois horse, a powerful and docile French draft breed. Learn about its origins, physical traits, and traditional and modern uses.
Estimated population: 299
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Bardigiano horse, a small mountain pony from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Height 135–149 cm, weight 350–450 kg. A robust and versatile breed, ideal for driving, leisure, and light agricultural work. Complete information on its studbook, history, and breeding perspectives.
Estimated population: 3500
Endangered – Data 2024
Découvrez le cheval Bosniaque, un poney rustique des montagnes, reconnu pour sa robustesse, son caractère docile et son patrimoine génétique unique.
Estimated population: 15000
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Boulonnais horse, a powerful, elegant and gentle French draft breed from the northern coast of France.
Estimated population: 1800
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Breton Horse, a powerful and versatile French draft breed known for its strength, endurance, and heritage. Origins, traits, breeding, and uses.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Calabrese horse, an Italian breed from Calabria, admired for its elegance, agility, and qualities in sport and traditional riding.
Estimated population: 1350
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Camargue horse, an iconic breed from southern France: robust, hardy, and adapted to wetlands.
Estimated population: 20000
Endangered – Data 2023
Découvrez le cheval Castillonnais, race rare et montagnarde originaire de l'Ariège, idéale pour la randonnée, l'attelage et les loisirs.
Estimated population: 600
Endangered – Data 2019
Discover the Cretan horse, or Messara, a rare breed from Crete: height 1.34–1.40 m, weight 300–400 kg, fine Arab-type build and unique arravani gait, perfect for trekking on rugged terrain.
Estimated population: 1000
Endangered – Data 2016
Discover the Croatian Coldblood (Hrvatski hladnokrvnjak): full breed standard, history, breeding zones, temperament and future of this rustic horse.
Estimated population: 150
Endangered – Data 2016
The Dales Pony is a powerful, enduring, and gentle British pony, ideal for driving, trekking, and work over challenging terrain.
Estimated population: 900
Endangered – Data 2010
Discover the Dutch Draft, a powerful and gentle draft horse from the Netherlands, valued for its strength, hardiness, and agricultural use.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2022
Discover the Døle Draft Horse, a robust and versatile Norwegian breed. Height 145–163 cm, weight 500–700 kg, used in draft work, driving, and leisure.
Estimated population: 4270
Endangered – Data 2024
Learn about the East Bulgarian Horse, a rare sport breed from the Balkans, with its history, traits, and uses in equestrian sports.
Estimated population: 200
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Eriskay pony, a rare breed from the Outer Hebrides: height, weight, physical traits, origin, uses, and breeding areas.
Estimated population: 408
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Exmoor Pony, an ancient and hardy British breed, renowned for its resilience and dark brown coat.
Estimated population: 3000
Endangered – Data 2025
Discover the Falabella, one of the smallest horse breeds in the world: docile, elegant, hardy, and native to Argentina. Used in driving and equine therapy.
Estimated population: 600
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Faroe Islands Pony, a rare and hardy breed. Learn about its size, weight, origins, and unique adaptations to extreme climates.
Estimated population: 100
Endangered – Data 2016
Discover the Frederiksborg horse, an elegant and powerful Danish breed. History, conformation, temperament, breeding, and future of this unique baroque horse.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Galician pony, a native breed from Galicia, rustic and resilient, adapted to mountainous terrain. Height, weight, uses, history and breeding.
Estimated population: 300
Endangered – Data 2025
Discover the Gallega pony, a rustic breed from Galicia: morphology, temperament, uses, breeding and key facts.
Estimated population: 1650
Endangered – Data 2017
Discover the Gelderland horse, descended from the Guelders horse: a Dutch breed both elegant and powerful, renowned for driving and sport.
Estimated population: 635
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Giara Pony, an indigenous Sardinian breed living semi-wild on the Giara di Gesturi plateau. Hardy, enduring, and rare, it represents a unique genetic and cultural heritage of Italy.
Estimated population: 650
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Gidran horse, a rare Hungarian half-bred with oriental and Arabian roots. Medium size 155–170 cm, weight 450–600 kg. Noble, versatile, and valued in Central Europe.
Estimated population: 350
Endangered – Data 2024
The Groningen horse is a Dutch breed known for its strength, elegance, and versatility in driving, dressage, and leisure riding.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the Hackney horse, a British breed famous for its elegance, spectacular high-stepping trot, and excellence in competitive and show driving.
Estimated population: 2999
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Hucul pony, a hardy mountain horse of the Carpathians, known for its rusticity, endurance, and unique cultural heritage.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2025
Discover the Jutland, a compact and muscular Danish draft horse, often chestnut-colored, with a calm and hard-working temperament, ideal for farming and shows.
Estimated population: 1000
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Karabakh horse, Azerbaijan’s emblematic breed, famed for its golden coat, endurance, speed, and unique cultural heritage.
Estimated population: 1500
Endangered – Data 2016
Découvrez le Kerry Bog Pony, un poney irlandais ancien et rare du comté de Kerry. De petite taille (102-117 cm) et robuste (200-300 kg), il est reconnu pour sa rusticité, sa douceur et son rôle historique dans les tourbières d’Irlande.
Estimated population: 335
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Kladruber, a Czech baroque carriage horse, renowned for its power, elegance, and distinctive gray and black coats.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2022
Discover the Landais Pony, a rare and versatile French breed, ideal for driving, trekking, and children's riding.
Estimated population: 700
Endangered – Data 2020
Discover the Latvian Horse, a versatile breed from Latvia, robust and elegant, used for driving, equestrian sports, and agricultural work.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2025
Discover the Lithuanian Draft Horse, a strong and docile breed, ideal for farm work, heavy pulling, and traditional rural use.
Estimated population: 900
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Luxembourg Warmblood: an elegant sport horse from Luxembourg, standing 1.62–1.72 m and weighing 500–650 kg. Ideal for show jumping, dressage, and eventing, combining power, balance, and versatility.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover the size, weight, morphology, coat, and temperament of the Majorcan horse — a rare breed native to the island of Mallorca.
Estimated population: 300
Endangered – Data 2022
Discover the Muraköz horse, a rare Hungarian draft breed from the Muraköz plain. Strong, docile and powerful, used for farming, driving and breeding.
Estimated population: 220
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Nonius horse, a robust and elegant Hungarian breed from the Mezőhegyes stud. Valued for versatility, endurance, and a docile nature, it remains a precious genetic heritage.
Estimated population: 1000
Endangered – Data 2017
Learn all about the Pleven: standards, history, behavior, breeding, and future of this Bulgarian warmblood horse recognized for equestrian sport.
Estimated population: 97
Endangered – Data 2022
Discover the Poitevin Mulassier, an iconic French draft horse from the Marais Poitevin, known for its strength, rarity, and role in mule breeding.
Estimated population: Unknown
Endangered – Data 2023
The Pottok is a hardy pony from the Basque Country, known for its freedom, strength, and use in trekking and riding schools.
Estimated population: 3000
Endangered – Data 2023
Discover Przewalski's Horse, the last surviving wild horse species, a symbol of the Mongolian steppe, rare, robust, and preserved through conservation programs.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2019
Discover the Salernitano horse, an elegant and athletic Italian breed from Campania. Height, weight, traits, history, uses, studbook, and breeding prospects.
Estimated population: 140
Endangered – Data 2024
The Sarcidano Horse is an ancient native breed of Sardinia, known for its hardiness, unique genetics, and remarkable historical heritage.
Estimated population: 1200
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Shire, a giant and elegant English draft horse, famed for its strength, towering stature, and calm, gentle temperament.
Estimated population: 2000
Endangered – Data 2015
Discover the Silesian horse, a Polish improved draft breed, renowned for its strength, elegance, and versatility in driving and agricultural work.
Estimated population: 1600
Endangered – Data 2024
Discover the Suffolk Punch, a rustic, powerful, and gentle British draft horse, renowned for its chestnut coat and legendary strength.
Estimated population: 550
Endangered – Data 2024
The Trait du Nord is a massive and docile French draft horse, used for driving, farm work, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
Estimated population: 750
Endangered – Data 2021
Discover the Wielkopolski, an elegant and robust Polish horse, valued for its versatility in equestrian sports, driving, and leisure riding.
Estimated population: 1071
Endangered – Data 2025
The Žemaitukas horse is an ancient Lithuanian breed, robust and versatile. Standing 128–138 cm and weighing 350–420 kg, it is valued for endurance, hardiness, and historical importance in European breeding.
Estimated population: Unknown
