There are more than 350 breeds of horses and ponies, but a few stand out as popular favorites. Five particular breeds and five general horse categories capture the hearts of horse lovers everywhere.

From working and racing to casual riding and equestrian competition, each horse has its special qualities. These horses typically have versatile abilities and good demeanors. They can be used for pleasure riding and competition, and many of them are suitable for first-time horse owners.

Here are 10 of the most popular horses.

Tip

Just because a horse breed is popular, that doesn’t make it low-maintenance. All horses are a big investment in terms of time, housing, care, and money. If you are considering horse ownership, weigh all these factors carefully.

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  • of 10
  • American Quarter Horse
  • Ken Gillespie Photography / Getty Images
  • Embraced by beginners and professional equestrians all around the world, the American quarter horse is famous for its agility, docility, and athleticism. Originally bred during the 1600s from English and Spanish thoroughbreds crossed with local breeds such as the Native American Chickasaw horse, it has the largest breed registry in the world. These horses are shining stars on the trail and in the show ring.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 950 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Medium-boned; finely chiseled head; wide forehead; flat profile
  • 02
  • of 10
  • Arabian
  • ŇÄĵŵÅ Ă. Мǻŗǻƒįę / Flickr / CC by 2.0
  • The Arabian has the oldest horse breed registry in the world. Its lineage goes as far back as 3000 B.C. In fact, every light horse breed, including Appaloosas, Morgans, and Andalusians, can trace their ancestry back to the Arabian. It can be a rather spirited horse breed, so not all beginners can handle it. But it’s also generally a loving and loyal horse.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 800 to 1,000 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Lithe, compact body; wedge-shaped head; short back with sloping shoulders and powerful hindquarters
  • 03
  • of 10
  • Thoroughbred
  • Debra Feinman / Getty Images
  • Thoroughbreds are the most popular racing horse in North America. This breed is considered a “hot-blooded” horse, which means it’s known for its agility, speed, and spirit. It’s a fine multipurpose horse that often has a career in other equestrian competitions besides racing, such as dressage and jumping. Or it simply lives its life as a companion animal kept for pleasure riding.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,000 to 1,300 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Deep chest; lean body; long, flat muscles, delicate head
  • 04
  • of 10
  • Appaloosa
  • Bob Langrish / Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images
  • The colorful spotted Appaloosa was originally developed for hunting and battle by the Nez Perce Native Americans. It’s believed to be a descendant of wild horses mixed with the thoroughbred, American quarter horse, and Arabian. This hardy, versatile horse is great for herding, pleasure riding, long-distance trail riding, and more.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 950 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Colorful coat pattern; mottled skin; striped hooves
  • Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05
  • of 10
  • Morgan
  • catnap72 / E+ / Getty Images
  • The strength and elegance of the Morgan have made it a popular horse breed. As the official horse breed of Vermont, the muscle of the Morgan was used for clearing and tilling New England farms during colonial times. Today, it’s a popular driving and riding horse. It’s surefooted over rough trail and dignified in the show ring.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,100 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Small ears; expressive eyes; crested neck
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  • of 10
  • Warmbloods
  • DEA PICTURE LIBRARY / Getty Images
  • In equine circles, the terms “hot-blooded,” “warm-blooded,” and “cold-blooded” are used to categorize a horse’s temperament, size, and origin. Medium-size horses, including the American quarter horse, Hanoverian, Cleveland bay, and Canadian, are considered warmbloods with a European heritage. They contain a touch of the spirit you get from lithe, “hot-blooded” thoroughbreds or Arabians combined with the calm demeanor of “cold-blooded” working horses. And that balanced temperament makes for a popular horse.
  • 07
  • of 10
  • Ponies
  • Ralf Nau / Getty Images
  • Ponies are another popular category of horses. In most cases, a horse that’s fully grown at 14.2 hands (57 inches) or less is considered a pony. (There are two exceptions: the miniature horse and the Icelandic horse.) The plucky Shetland and elegant Welsh are popular breeds of ponies. With their short stature, they are often excellent first horses for children.
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  • of 10
  • Grade Horses
  • Paul Souders / Getty Images
  • Grade horse—a horse of no particular breeding—is the fancy term for the mutts of the horse world. They differ from crossbreeds because crosses are the result of known pedigreed horses that are intentionally bred. Grade horses may not have a distinguished pedigree, but they can be just as versatile and loyal as any other horse. They also generally lack many of the genetic diseases that pass through purebreds.
  • Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09
  • of 10
  • Gaited Breeds
  • Ryan Courson Photography / Getty Images
  • Gaited horses are a category of horses that have been selectively bred for a smooth ride or ambling gait. These horses tend to go at an intermediate speed with a four-beat movement. Breeds including the Tennessee walking horse, Kentucky mountain saddle horse, Icelandic horse, and Paso Fino are popular choices for older riders, those who have joint issues, and anyone else looking for a bounce-free ride.
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  • of 10
  • Draft Breeds
  • Danita Delimont / Getty Images
  • Draft horses are cold-blooded, heavy horses known for doing work pulling heavy loads. Historically, they were also used in battle to carry the weight of heavily armored soldiers. These horses have thick coats and manes that enable them to endure cold weather, and they tend to have tranquil temperaments. The Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, and Belgian are some popular examples of these gentle giants. In addition, draft horse crossbreeds can be ideal first horses, as they’re often docile and loving.

American Quarter Horse

Embraced by beginners and professional equestrians all around the world, the American quarter horse is famous for its agility, docility, and athleticism. Originally bred during the 1600s from English and Spanish thoroughbreds crossed with local breeds such as the Native American Chickasaw horse, it has the largest breed registry in the world. These horses are shining stars on the trail and in the show ring.

Ken Gillespie Photography / Getty Images

Breed Overview

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)

Arabian

The Arabian has the oldest horse breed registry in the world. Its lineage goes as far back as 3000 B.C. In fact, every light horse breed, including Appaloosas, Morgans, and Andalusians, can trace their ancestry back to the Arabian. It can be a rather spirited horse breed, so not all beginners can handle it. But it’s also generally a loving and loyal horse.

ŇÄĵŵÅ Ă. Мǻŗǻƒįę / Flickr / CC by 2.0

Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds are the most popular racing horse in North America. This breed is considered a “hot-blooded” horse, which means it’s known for its agility, speed, and spirit. It’s a fine multipurpose horse that often has a career in other equestrian competitions besides racing, such as dressage and jumping. Or it simply lives its life as a companion animal kept for pleasure riding.

Debra Feinman / Getty Images

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)

Appaloosa

The colorful spotted Appaloosa was originally developed for hunting and battle by the Nez Perce Native Americans. It’s believed to be a descendant of wild horses mixed with the thoroughbred, American quarter horse, and Arabian. This hardy, versatile horse is great for herding, pleasure riding, long-distance trail riding, and more.

Bob Langrish / Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

Morgan

The strength and elegance of the Morgan have made it a popular horse breed. As the official horse breed of Vermont, the muscle of the Morgan was used for clearing and tilling New England farms during colonial times. Today, it’s a popular driving and riding horse. It’s surefooted over rough trail and dignified in the show ring.

catnap72 / E+ / Getty Images

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)

Warmbloods

In equine circles, the terms “hot-blooded,” “warm-blooded,” and “cold-blooded” are used to categorize a horse’s temperament, size, and origin. Medium-size horses, including the American quarter horse, Hanoverian, Cleveland bay, and Canadian, are considered warmbloods with a European heritage. They contain a touch of the spirit you get from lithe, “hot-blooded” thoroughbreds or Arabians combined with the calm demeanor of “cold-blooded” working horses. And that balanced temperament makes for a popular horse.

DEA PICTURE LIBRARY / Getty Images

Ponies

Ponies are another popular category of horses. In most cases, a horse that’s fully grown at 14.2 hands (57 inches) or less is considered a pony. (There are two exceptions: the miniature horse and the Icelandic horse.) The plucky Shetland and elegant Welsh are popular breeds of ponies. With their short stature, they are often excellent first horses for children.

Ralf Nau / Getty Images

Grade Horses

Grade horse—a horse of no particular breeding—is the fancy term for the mutts of the horse world. They differ from crossbreeds because crosses are the result of known pedigreed horses that are intentionally bred. Grade horses may not have a distinguished pedigree, but they can be just as versatile and loyal as any other horse. They also generally lack many of the genetic diseases that pass through purebreds.

Paul Souders / Getty Images

Gaited Breeds

Gaited horses are a category of horses that have been selectively bred for a smooth ride or ambling gait. These horses tend to go at an intermediate speed with a four-beat movement. Breeds including the Tennessee walking horse, Kentucky mountain saddle horse, Icelandic horse, and Paso Fino are popular choices for older riders, those who have joint issues, and anyone else looking for a bounce-free ride.

Ryan Courson Photography / Getty Images

Draft Breeds

Draft horses are cold-blooded, heavy horses known for doing work pulling heavy loads. Historically, they were also used in battle to carry the weight of heavily armored soldiers. These horses have thick coats and manes that enable them to endure cold weather, and they tend to have tranquil temperaments. The Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, and Belgian are some popular examples of these gentle giants. In addition, draft horse crossbreeds can be ideal first horses, as they’re often docile and loving.

Danita Delimont / Getty Images

  • How many horse breeds are there?
  • Around the world, there are over 350 different horse breeds.
  • What are the biggest horse breeds?
  • The Shire horse is the biggest, followed by the Clydesdale, the Belgian Draft, the Percheron, and the Dutch Draft.
  • How can you tell horse breeds apart?
  • While you can pay for a genetic test to tell you what breed a horse is, you can also make some good guesses by noting its color, markings, build, gait, and size.

Around the world, there are over 350 different horse breeds.

The Shire horse is the biggest, followed by the Clydesdale, the Belgian Draft, the Percheron, and the Dutch Draft.

While you can pay for a genetic test to tell you what breed a horse is, you can also make some good guesses by noting its color, markings, build, gait, and size.