This document provides information on 10 common horse breeds: Arabian, Thoroughbred, American Saddlebred, American Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino, Morgan, Hackney, and Mustang. For each breed, it describes their origin, appearance, abilities, and uses. The breeds were developed for purposes including racing, riding, farming work, carriage, and living in the wild. The document aims to give readers an overview of key horse breeds for recreational and competitive riding.

1. Horse Basics 101
Breeds

2. Arabian
The Arabian, or Arab,
horse is a breed of horse
that originated on the
Arabian peninsula. With a
distinctive head shape
and high tail carriage, the
Arabian is one of the
most easily recognizable
horse breeds in the
world.

3. Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a
horse breed best known for
its use in horse racing.
Although the word
“thoroughbred” is
sometimes used to refer to
any breed of purebred
horse, it technically refers
only to the Thoroughbred
breed.

4. American Saddlebred
The American Saddlebred is a
horse breed from the United
States. This breed was referred to
as the "Horse America Made."
Saddlebred horses are also
referred to as the “Peacock of the
Showring,” due to their proud way
of moving, long, arched necks,
and high tail carriage.
Saddlebreds can be ridden saddle
seat, hunt seat, western, and
many other disciplines.

5. American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter
Horse, or Quarter Horse,
is a breed of horse that
excels at sprinting short
distances. Its name came
from its ability to
outdistance other horse
breeds in races of a
quarter mile or less.
Quarter horses are
usually ridden western or
hunt seat.

6. Standardbred
The Standardbred is an American horse
breed best known for its ability in
harness racing, where members of the
breed compete at either a trot or pace.
Bay is the most common color for
Standardbreds, but brown, black,
chestnut, or gray also are found. The
name Standardbred originated when
horses were registered in the official
studbook (Wallace’s American Trotting
Register, first published in 1871) if they
could meet certain standards of speed.

7. Tennessee Walking Horse
The Tennessee Walking Horse, or
Tennessee Walker, is a breed of
gaited horse known for its unique four-
beat running-walk and flashy
movement. It was originally developed
in the southern United States for use
on farms and plantations. Currently
they are both used for showing, as well
as being extremely popular trail and
pleasure riding horses, due to their
gentle natures and smooth gaits.

8. Paso Fino
The Paso Fino is a naturally
gaited light horse breed
dating back to horses
imported to the Caribbean
from Spain. Pasos are prized
for their smooth, natural,
four-beat, lateral ambling
gait. They are used in many
disciplines, but are especially
popular for trail riding, due to
their pleasant temperaments
and smooth gaits.

9. Morgan
The Morgan horse originated
from a stallion given to Justin
Morgan of Vermont around
1795. This breed has become
a most versatile horse for
riding, pulling carriages, farm
work. Morgans are a medium-
sized horse, and are known for
being good-natured and
willing. Their colors include
bay, dark brown or liver
chestnut, as well as others.

10. Hackney
Hackney horses, and ponies,
are a stylish carriage-type
horse breed. These days they
are used primarily as a show
horse, both for driving and
riding. Additionally, due to their
kind natures, they make
wonderful trail horses. They
were developed in England
during the 18th century, and
are noted for their high-
stepping and flashy trot.

11. Mustang
These North American wild
horses are descended from
horses brought to the New
World by the Spanish in the
16th century. This small and
stocky horse became a
distinct breed in the 19th
century. Today’s Mustangs
live on BLM lands in the
western United States.

12. The End 
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