Types & Breeds of Horses Types & Breeds
You may be surprised to know that horses come in as many shapes, sizes and colors as dogs, with as many uses for sport and companionship. Horses are loosely grouped into three categories: heavy, light, and pony/miniature.
Heavy
“Heavy” or “draft” horses are equine weightlifters, bred to pull heavy loads. Traditionally, they were farm horses, but today are most often used for showing, parades, and corporate marketing purposes. Draft horses are universally heavy in build (some weigh over a ton), but have quite a wide range of heights, from 5 to 6.5 feet at the top of the shoulder.
Light
“Light” is what you’d consider an average-sized horse, from about 900 to 1,500 pounds, standing from just under 5 feet to 6 feet at the top of the shoulder. An astonishing range of breeds fall into this category, from the long, lean hot-blooded Thoroughbred racehorse, to the short, muscled and easy-going stock breeds that work cattle.
Ponies & Miniatures
“Pony/Miniature” are the smallest horses, most often used as children’s mounts or for driving light carts. They can range in size from just over 2 feet to just shy of 5 feet at the top of the shoulder.
