Shire harness. - CC BY 2.0 - Just chaos

Breeds to discover

Shire United Kingdom

Discover the Shire, a giant and elegant English draft horse, famed for its strength, towering stature, and calm, gentle temperament.…

View breed Explore the inventory
Akhal-Teke stallion presented in traditional costume. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton

Breeds to discover

Akhal-Teke Turkmenistan

The Akhal-Teke, a 3,000-year-old breed from Turkmenistan, captivates with its unique golden coat and legendary endurance. Discover one of the oldest horse breeds in …

View breed Explore the inventory
Humayun, Marwari stallion - Public domain - Virendra.kankariya

Breeds to discover

Marwari India

Marwari, a saddle horse from India known for its inward-curving ears, endurance, and graceful appearance.…

View breed Explore the inventory
KWPN horse during a dressage competition. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Chefsna

Breeds to discover

KWPN Netherlands

The KWPN, a renowned Dutch warmblood, excels in show jumping, dressage and driving. Carefully selected for performance and sporting elegance.…

View breed Explore the inventory
Trotting Friesian. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - B0rder

Breeds to discover

Friesian Netherlands

The Friesian, an iconic breed from the Netherlands, stuns with its jet-black coat, flowing mane, and remarkable talent in driving and dressage. Discover this excepti…

View breed Explore the inventory

The encyclopedia of horse breeds around the world

Discover detailed breed profiles, educational articles, and useful resources to better understand the origins, temperament, conformation, coat colours, and uses of horses from around the world.

Navigation

Explore the site

Shire harness. - CC BY 2.0 - Just chaos
Akhal-Teke stallion presented in traditional costume. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton
Humayun, Marwari stallion - Public domain - Virendra.kankariya

All breeds

Browse the complete inventory of horse breeds from around the world.

Explore breeds
Akhal-Teke stallion presented in traditional costume. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton
Humayun, Marwari stallion - Public domain - Virendra.kankariya
KWPN horse during a dressage competition. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Chefsna

A–Z list

Find breeds sorted alphabetically for quicker browsing.

View the A–Z list
Iceland is renowned for horseback riding. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Jóna Þórunn
Comparison between a vaulter performing on a horse guided on a circle and a Cossack trick rider at a gallop.
Vaulter performing a balance exercise on a bay horse guided by a lunger during a competition.

The blog

Read guides, comparisons, and educational articles about horses.

Visit the blog
Automne, a strawberry roan French Saddle Pony, in Brittany. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Tsaag Valren

Endangered breeds

Discover threatened breeds and the conservation efforts linked to them.

View endangered breeds
Equid types

Main families of equids

Discover riding horses, draft horses, gaited horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, primitive horses and miniature horses.

Equid types

Explore the major equid types with illustrated breed profiles and clear category groupings.

Explore equid types
Ploughing with a draft horse in Bulgaria at the beginning of the 20th century. - Domaine public

Draft Horse Breeds

Symbols of strength and tradition, draft horses have shaped history.

Explore draft breeds
Akhal-Teke stallion presented in traditional costume. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton

Riding Horse Breeds

Versatile and athletic, riding horses remain central to modern equestrian life.

Explore riding breeds
Pony breeds

Pony breeds

Hardy, spirited and versatile: discover pony breeds from around the world.

Explore pony breeds
Disciplines

Equestrian Disciplines

Discover horse breeds associated with the main sporting, working, and leisure disciplines.

Equestrian Disciplines

Explore the major equestrian disciplines, their technical requirements, and the horse breeds best suited for racing, dressage, and western riding.

Explore disciplines
Racing horse breeds

Racing Horse Breeds

Discover breeds selected for speed, competition and horse racing.

Explore racing breeds
Dressage horse breeds

Dressage Horse Breeds

Elegance, precision and harmony: discover breeds that excel in dressage.

Explore dressage breeds
Western horse breeds

Western horse breeds

Agility and responsiveness: discover iconic breeds of western riding.

Explore western breeds
Featured
A Tibetan nomad and his Jiaoke-type Hequ horse in Gansu, China. - CC BY 2.0 - gill_penney
Breed of the day

Hequ – Nanfan

Country: China · Category: Pony

Chinese horse breed from the Tibetan Plateau, the Hequ (Nanfan) is known for its hardiness, endurance, cold resistance, and high-altitude adaptation.

Discover this breed

Featured on 08/16/2026

To explore
View all ›
Shire harness. - CC BY 2.0 - Just chaos

Shire

United Kingdom · Draft Horse

Discover the Shire, a giant and elegant English draft horse, famed for its strength, towering stature, an…

View breed
Akhal-Teke stallion presented in traditional costume. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton

Akhal-Teke

Turkmenistan · Riding Horse

The Akhal-Teke, a 3,000-year-old breed from Turkmenistan, captivates with its unique golden coat and lege…

View breed
Humayun, Marwari stallion - Public domain - Virendra.kankariya

Marwari

India · Riding Horse

Marwari, a saddle horse from India known for its inward-curving ears, endurance, and graceful appearance.…

View breed
KWPN horse during a dressage competition. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Chefsna

KWPN

Netherlands · Riding Horse

The KWPN, a renowned Dutch warmblood, excels in show jumping, dressage and driving. Carefully selected fo…

View breed
Trotting Friesian. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - B0rder

Friesian

Netherlands · Riding Horse

The Friesian, an iconic breed from the Netherlands, stuns with its jet-black coat, flowing mane, and rema…

View breed
Ardennes stallion from the Fourneau Saint-Michel estate in Saint-Hubert (Belgium). - CC BY 3.0 - Marie-Claire

Ardennais (Draft)

France · Draft Horse

Why is the Ardennes horse so strong? Discover this powerful draft horse from the Ardennes and its many us…

View breed
Ploughing with a draft horse in Bulgaria at the beginning of the 20th century. - Domaine public

Bulgarian Draft Horse

Bulgaria · Draft Horse

The Bulgarian Draft, a cross of Russian and Ardennes bloodlines, was officially recognized only in the 21…

View breed
Percherons harnessed at the 2011 World Championships, Haras National du Pin. - CC BY 2.0 - INRA DIST from France

Percheron

France · Draft Horse

Discover the Percheron, a French draft horse breed renowned for its strength, elegance, and versatility. …

View breed
A model of a piebald Irish Cob with its characteristic abundant mane, at a show in Prague, Czech Republic. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Karakal

Gypsy Cob – Irish Cob – Gypsy Vanner (Tinker)

Ireland · Riding Horse

Why is the Irish Cob so loved? Gentle, hardy and versatile, this horse with abundant feathering is ideal …

View breed
Presentation of a Selle Français stallion at the Cluny National Stud Farm. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Eponimm

Selle Français

France · Riding Horse

The Selle Français, France's premier sport horse, excels in show jumping and dressage at the highest leve…

View breed
Chestnut Brumby in Kosciuszko National Park - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Thennicke

Brumby

Australia · Riding Horse

The Brumby, Australia’s wild horse, sparks debate: heritage or invasive species? Discover its origin and …

View breed
Black Nonius at Mezőhegyes National Stud in Hungary, 2007. - Public domain - Tommy lieven

Nonius

Hungary · Riding Horse

Discover the Nonius horse, a robust and elegant Hungarian breed from the Mezőhegyes stud. Valued for vers…

View breed
Guides & reading

Latest articles

Visit the blog ›
Iceland is renowned for horseback riding. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Jóna Þórunn

Trail Riding

First Horseback Trail Ride: How to Prepare

Preparing for your first horseback trail ride involves much more than choosing a scenic route. A successful ou…

Lire l’article
Comparison between a vaulter performing on a horse guided on a circle and a Cossack trick rider at a gallop.

Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting vs Cossack Trick Riding

Equestrian vaulting and Cossack trick riding both involve performing gymnastic or acrobatic movements on a mov…

Lire l’article
Vaulter performing a balance exercise on a bay horse guided by a lunger during a competition.

Vaulting

Vaulting Competitions: Format, Tests and Scoring

An equestrian vaulting competition brings together a horse or pony, a lunger and one or more vaulters. Dependi…

Lire l’article
Illustration of six equestrian vaulting positions performed on a bay horse wearing a vaulting surcingle.

Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting Moves: Main Exercises Explained

Equestrian vaulting exercises combine balance, strength, flexibility, coordination and control. They are perfo…

Lire l’article
Vaulting - Public Domain - Catherina2

Vaulting

How to Start Equestrian Vaulting: Beginner’s Guide

Equestrian vaulting can be discovered without extensive experience in traditional horse riding. The first sess…

Lire l’article
Vaulting demonstration at the Cadre Noir. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Croquant

Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting: Definition, Principles and Practice

Equestrian vaulting is a discipline in which one or more vaulters perform gymnastic and acrobatic exercises on…

Lire l’article
Pair driving with straps – CC BY-SA 3.0 – René Beideler

Driving

How Much Does a Complete Carriage Driving Setup Cost?

The price of a complete carriage driving setup varies greatly depending on the type of driving, the number of …

Lire l’article
Team in a marathon obstacle – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Eponimm

Driving

How Does a Single, Pair, or Four-in-Hand Horse Team Work?

Carriage driving involves one or more horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules pulling a horse-drawn vehicle. Dependi…

Lire l’article
Pair-horse hitch with a wagonette in the water. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - CLAVELLOUX

Driving

What Is Carriage Driving? Complete Guide to This Equestrian

Carriage driving is an equestrian discipline in which a horse-drawn vehicle, such as a carriage, cart, or wago…

Lire l’article
Young horse being lunged during a training session in an outdoor arena

Dressage

How does dressage training begin for a young horse?

The beginning of a young horse’s dressage training is a crucial stage in both its future athletic career and i…

Lire l’article
Black dressage horse performing a collected movement with its rider during an indoor competition

Dressage

Why do some dressage horses cost millions ?

In the world of high-level dressage, some horses reach prices that seem almost unreal. It is not uncommon to s…

Lire l’article
Dressage horse performing a collected trot with its rider during an outdoor competition

Why do dressage horses seem to dance ?

For many spectators, dressage horses sometimes appear to dance. Their movements seem fluid, rhythmic, light, a…

Lire l’article
Dressage horse performing a flying change with its rider in an outdoor arena

Dressage

How do horses learn flying changes?

Flying changes are among the most famous exercises in dressage. When perfectly performed, they give the impres…

Lire l’article
Dressage horse with an arched neck working in an arena with its rider

Dressage

What is a horse on the bit ?

The expression “on the bit” is one of the most important — and also one of the most misunderstood — concepts i…

Lire l’article
Dressage, passage Trakhener - CC BY-SA 3.0 - BS Thurner Hof

Dressage

What is passage in dressage ?

Passage is one of the most famous and spectacular movements in classical dressage. For many spectators, this g…

Lire l’article
A rider and their top-level dressage horse perform a series of movements on which they will be judged. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Nordlicht8

Dressage

Why do dressage horses have arched necks ?

Dressage horses often have a silhouette that is instantly recognizable. Their elevated head carriage, collecte…

Lire l’article
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and TSF Dalera BB during the freestyle test of the Grand Prix Final Individual Dressage, Paris 2024 Olympic Games - CC BY 4.0 - Eponimm

Dressage

How does dressage scoring work ?

Dressage is often considered one of the most technical equestrian disciplines to judge. For many beginner spec…

Lire l’article
A rider from the Cadre Noir performing a piaffe. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Alain Laurioux

Dressage

What is piaffe in dressage?

The piaffe is one of the most famous and impressive movements in classical dressage. For many spectators, this…

Lire l’article
Purebred Spanish horse. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Realinou

Dressage

Is dressage bad for horses?

Dressage is often seen as one of the most elegant equestrian disciplines. Horses appear light, perfectly balan…

Lire l’article
Dressage competition at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. - CC BY 2.0 - fallingdominos

Dressage

Why do dressage horses lift their legs so high ?

Dressage is often considered one of the most elegant and impressive equestrian disciplines. For many people di…

Lire l’article
Discovery

Lesser-known breeds to discover

Explore the inventory ›
Automne, a strawberry roan French Saddle Pony, in Brittany. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Tsaag Valren

French Saddle Pony | PFS

France · Pony

Discover the French Saddle Pony, a versatile sport pony prized for show jumping, dressage and eventing.…

View breed
Nemo, an Auvergne horse from the Rocs de la Serre equestrian center, being ridden on a trail ride in 2007. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Stephanemartin

Auvergne Horse

France · Riding Horse

Discover the Auvergne Horse, a hardy French mountain breed known for its bay coat, compact build, gentle …

View breed
Jaca Navarra mares. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - LANKIDE GORRITXIKI

Jaca Navarra

Spain · Pony

Discover the Jaca Navarra, a small rustic equine breed from Navarre, adapted to mountainous areas and pre…

View breed
Hispano-Bretón horse in Ávila, in the Sierra de Gredos, autonomous community of Castile and León in Spain. - Public domain

Hispano-Bretón

Spain · Draft Horse

Discover the Hispano-Bretón, a robust Spanish draft horse descended from the Breton and adapted to the mo…

View breed
Henson horses in Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Nicolas Torquet

Henson

France · Riding Horse

Discover the Henson, a French horse created in the Bay of Somme for outdoor riding, known for its dun coa…

View breed
Hispano-Arabe horse mounted in Doma vaquera - CC BY-SA 2.0 - Manuel Gómez

Hispano-arabe | Aralusian

Spain · Riding Horse

Discover the Hispano-Arabian, also known as the Aralusian, a Spanish sport horse from PRE and Arabian blo…

View breed
Minorquin horse in show - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Marta Ensesa

Minorquin

Spain · Riding Horse

Discover the Minorquin, an elegant black horse from Menorca, known for dressage, equestrian shows and its…

View breed
Corsican breed mare. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Ciriolla

Corsican Horse

France · Riding Horse

Discover the Corsican Horse, a hardy island breed standing 1.30 to 1.52 m, renowned for its sure-footedne…

View breed
The black AQPS horse Vent des Dunes (2009–) during a steeplechase at the Corlay Équipôle in June 2021. – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Tsaag Valren

AQPS | French Chaser

France · Riding Horse

Discover the AQPS, also known as the French Chaser, a French horse selected for jump racing and developed…

View breed
Ase Català - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Wohleber

Ase Català

Spain · Donkey

The Ase Català is one of the world's largest donkey breeds. Discover its origin, temperament, history and…

View breed
Miranda donkey, *Equus africanus asinus*, a Portuguese domesticated subspecies of the African donkey – CC BY 3.0 – Aloisio

Burro de Miranda

Portugal · Donkey

Origin, temperament, morphology, history and conservation: discover everything you need to know about the…

View breed
Paso Fino performed during a show. - CC BY 2.0 - Just chaos

Paso Fino

Colombia · Gaited Horse

Elegant, comfortable, and renowned for its natural gaits, the Paso Fino captivates riders around the worl…

View breed

Did you know?

The Clydesdale, a large Scottish draft horse with abundant feathering, has become a symbol in advertising.