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.…

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

Breeds to discover

Akhal-Teke Turkmenistan

A 3,000-year-old golden horse? Discover what reliable sources really reveal about the Akhal-Teke, its history, metallic sheen and genetics.…

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Humayun, Marwari stallion - Public domain - Virendra.kankariya

Breeds to discover

Marwari India

Discover the Marwari, a Rajasthani horse with inward-curving ears: history, conformation, temperament, breeding, uses and conservation.…

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

Breeds to discover

KWPN Netherlands

Discover the KWPN, a Dutch horse selected for dressage, jumping and driving: history, breeding directions, conformation, temperament and health.…

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Trotting Friesian. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - B0rder

Breeds to discover

Friesian Netherlands

The Friesian is a black Dutch horse with abundant mane and feathering. Explore its history, conformation, temperament, breeding and health.…

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Equid types

Main families of equids

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

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

Equid types

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

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Grey Boulonnais broodmare, in Samer - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Amélie Tsaag Valren

Draft Horse Breeds

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

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Riding Horse Breeds

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

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Pony breeds

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

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Disciplines

Equestrian Disciplines

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

Pack horse / Pack animal

Cavalry / Military

Equestrian Disciplines

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

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Racing Horse Breeds

Discover breeds selected for speed, competition and horse racing.

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Dressage Horse Breeds

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

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Western horse breeds

Agility and responsiveness: discover iconic breeds of western riding.

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Featured

Breed of the day

09/30/2026

Breed of the day

Slovak Warmblood – Slovenský teplokrevník

Country: Slovakia · Category: Riding Horse

Discover the Slovak Warmblood, a sport horse from Slovakia, renowned for its elegance, strength, and versatility in equestrian competitions.

Discover this breed

Featured on 09/30/2026

To explore

Latest articles

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Trail Riding

First Horseback Trail Ride: How to Prepare

Preparing for your first horseback trail ride involves much more than choosing a scenic route and packing a fe…

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Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting vs Cossack Trick Riding

Circle vaulting and Cossack vaulting both belong to the broad family of equestrian acrobatics. In both cases, …

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Vaulting

Vaulting Competitions: Format, Tests and Scoring

An equestrian vaulting competition is not simply about performing the most impressive figures possible. Vaulte…

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Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting Moves: Main Exercises Explained

Equestrian vaulting figures are positions and movements performed on a horse or pony moving on a circle under …

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Vaulting

How to Start Equestrian Vaulting: Beginner’s Guide

Equestrian vaulting combines horsemanship, gymnastics and teamwork. The vaulter performs exercises on a horse …

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Vaulting

Equestrian Vaulting: Definition, Principles and Practice

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

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Driving

How Much Does a Complete Carriage Driving Setup Cost?

The cost of a complete horse-driving setup can range from a few hundred euros for very basic second-hand equip…

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Team in a marathon obstacle – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Eponimm

Driving

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

Horse driving involves one or more equines pulling a horse-drawn vehicle. Depending on the configuration, one …

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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

Horse driving is an equestrian activity in which one or more equines pull a vehicle to which they are connecte…

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Young horse being lunged during a training session in an outdoor arena

Dressage

How does dressage training begin for a young horse?

The training of a young dressage horse does not begin with piaffe, flying changes or collection. Before tackli…

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Dressage

Why do some dressage horses cost millions ?

In high-level dressage, some horses can reach prices of several hundred thousand euros and, in exceptional tra…

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Dressage horse performing a collected trot with its rider during an outdoor competition

Why do dressage horses seem to dance ?

To many spectators, some dressage horses appear to dance. This impression is particularly striking in highly c…

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Dressage

How do horses learn flying changes?

Flying changes are among the most recognisable movements in dressage. When perfectly performed, the horse chan…

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Dressage

What is a horse on the bit ?

The expression “on the bit” is one of the fundamental concepts of dressage, but it is also frequently misunder…

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Dressage

What is passage in dressage ?

Passage is one of the most characteristic movements of high-level dressage. With its elevated strides, pronoun…

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Dressage

Why do dressage horses have arched necks ?

High-level dressage horses often have an instantly recognisable silhouette: a relatively elevated and rounded …

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Dressage

How does dressage scoring work ?

Dressage uses a scoring system that differs considerably from disciplines in which the result is determined pr…

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

Dressage

What is piaffe in dressage?

Piaffe is one of the most characteristic movements of high-level dressage. To a spectator, it often resembles …

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Purebred Spanish horse. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Realinou

Dressage

Is dressage bad for horses?

Dressage can create two almost opposite impressions. On one hand, there is the image of an athletic horse prec…

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Dressage

Why do dressage horses lift their legs so high ?

Dressage produces some of the most spectacular movement seen in equestrian sport. During extended trot, the li…

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Discovery

Lesser-known breeds to discover

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French Saddle Pony | PFS

France · Pony

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

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Jaca Navarra

Spain · Pony

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

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Hispano-Bretón

Spain · Draft Horse

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

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Henson

France · Riding Horse

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

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Auvergne Horse

France · Riding Horse

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

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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…

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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…

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Minorquin

Spain · Riding Horse

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

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Burro de Miranda

Portugal · Donkey

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

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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…

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Paso Fino

Colombia · Gaited Horse

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

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Ase Català

Spain · Donkey

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

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Did you know?

The Marwari from India is known for its inward-turning ears that nearly touch at the tips.

Shire United Kingdom

Akhal-Teke Turkmenistan

Marwari India

KWPN Netherlands

Friesian Netherlands

The encyclopedia of horse breeds around the world

Explore the site

All breeds

A–Z list

The blog

Endangered breeds

Equid types

Draft Horse Breeds

Riding Horse Breeds

Pony breeds

Equestrian Disciplines

Racing Horse Breeds

Dressage Horse Breeds

Western horse breeds

Breed of the day

Most popular breeds

Shire

Akhal-Teke

Marwari

KWPN

Friesian

Gypsy Cob – Irish Cob – Gypsy Vanner (Tinker)

Brumby

Ardennais (Draft)

Selle Français

Percheron

Bulgarian Draft Horse

Pura Raza Española (PRE) - Andalusian horse

Latest articles

First Horseback Trail Ride: How to Prepare

Equestrian Vaulting vs Cossack Trick Riding

Vaulting Competitions: Format, Tests and Scoring

Equestrian Vaulting Moves: Main Exercises Explained

How to Start Equestrian Vaulting: Beginner’s Guide

Equestrian Vaulting: Definition, Principles and Practice

How Much Does a Complete Carriage Driving Setup Cost?

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

What Is Carriage Driving? Complete Guide to This Equestrian

How does dressage training begin for a young horse?

Why do some dressage horses cost millions ?

Why do dressage horses seem to dance ?

How do horses learn flying changes?

What is a horse on the bit ?

What is passage in dressage ?

Why do dressage horses have arched necks ?

How does dressage scoring work ?

What is piaffe in dressage?

Is dressage bad for horses?

Why do dressage horses lift their legs so high ?

Lesser-known breeds to discover

French Saddle Pony | PFS

Jaca Navarra

Hispano-Bretón

Henson

Auvergne Horse

Hispano-arabe | Aralusian

Corsican Horse

Minorquin

Burro de Miranda

AQPS | French Chaser

Paso Fino

Ase Català

Did you know?

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