The Different Breeds

There are more than 150 breeds and types of horses in the world today. The development of each of them has been influenced by man. When they where domesticated that then resulted in selective breeding and more nutritious feeding. Both of those things increase the size and quality of the horse. The biggest influencing factor was the work which man required their particular horse to perform. The terms coldblood and warmblood are used to describe horses. Coldblood is the heavy draught breeds. Warmblood is the lighter, riding type of horse. Some of my favorite types of horses are:

·         The Appaloosa: their spotted coat colouring traces back to stock imported by the Spanish Conquistadores. This spotted horse became particularly prized by the Nez Perce Indian tribe. The word Appaloosa is derived from Palouse country, an area named after the Palouse River. Following the defeat of the Indians by the US army the Appaloosa escaped being slaughtered and became scattered all around the US.    

·         The Clydesdale: is Scotland’s breed of heavy horse. They originated in Lanarkshire through which the Clyde River runs. They began to evolve during the second half of the 18^th century when Flemish stallions were used to improve the stock, descended from the pack animals, of local farmers. Shire blood was used in the breed’s development; the Clydesdale and Shire are believed to be of the same origin.

·         The Paint: they are found all around the world, but are mainly known to be associated with the North American Indians. This horse can be known as a paint horse or a pinto. The terms Overo and Tobiano are used to describe the two different types with in the breed.

·         The Palomino: Throughout history humans have prized horses with a golden coloured coat. Golden horses are referred to in Homer’s Iliad and in Norse legend. In Spain Queen Isabella encouraged their breeding and in Spain they are sometimes referred to as “Isabella’s”. Palomino horses are mainly associated in North America; they were introduced by the Spanish Conquistadores.