The Anglo-Arabian developed in southwestern France from Arabian and Thoroughbred horses, with contributions from local mares.
- Riding and sport
Breeds · directory
Horse, pony and donkey breeds
Each breed profile covers its history, physical characteristics, uses and genetics.
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73 profiles found
Andrea Ruzicka · CC BY-SA 2.0 DE 
Studio Delton · Public domain The Anglo-Norman Sport Horse, or CSAN, is bred for showjumping and eventing.
- Riding and sport
Sources: CSAN · IFCE — Écus 2025
Karakal · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Appaloosa is an American breed with a history connected to horses raised by the Nez Perce, or Nimiipuu, in the northwestern United States.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: Appaloosa Horse Club — Official Handbook 2026 · Chief Joseph Foundation
Trescastillos · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Arabian is a riding horse with its homeland in the Middle East.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: WAHO — VZAP · IFCE — Livre généalogique Arabe 2026
Steffen Heinz (Caronna) · CC BY 3.0 The Ardennes is a compact draught horse with a deep chest and powerful hindquarters.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 The AQPS is a horse bred for racing, particularly over jumps.
- Riding and sport
Sources: France Galop / Association AQPS
Stephanemartin · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Auvergne is a compact, versatile bay horse descended from the rural horse populations of the Massif Central.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Eponimm · CC BY 3.0 The Auxois is a large Burgundian draught horse selected for traction and long associated with farming.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Union nationale du cheval de trait Auxois — Règlement et programme de sélection, 29 avril 2023
Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Barb is a horse from the Maghreb, associated with travel, work and North African riding traditions.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: AFCB / OMCB · IFCE — Écus 2025
Sudorculus · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Poitou is a large donkey breed from western France.
Sources: Races mulassières du Poitou
Amélie Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Boulonnais is a draught horse from the Boulogne-sur-Mer region.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Syndicat hippique boulonnais — Programme de sélection, octobre 2025
Anrbo · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Celtika · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Breton is a draught horse from Brittany, with a homeland that also includes Loire-Atlantique.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: ANCTB · ANCTB / IFCE — 2025
Automodeller · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Camargue is a small riding horse from the Rhône delta, where breeding remains closely linked to wetlands and cattle work.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: AECRC — Programme de sélection du cheval de race Camargue, avril 2024 · AECRC — Origine de l’association
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Castillonnais is a mountain horse from the valleys around Castillon-en-Couserans in western Ariège.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: ANCCAP — Programme de sélection du cheval Castillonnais, V5-2026 · ANCCAP — Le cheval Castillonnais
Jean-René Gousset · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Comtois is a draught horse from the Jura plateaux in Franche-Comté.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: ANCTC · ANCTC / IFCE — 2026
Satu Pitkänen · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Connemara is a pony from western Ireland, where the same animals once worked the land, transported produce and carried family members.
- Riding and sport
Sources: CPBS — Breeding Programme 2025 · British Connemara Pony Society
Jiel Beaumadier · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Corsican donkey is associated with transport and farm work in Corsica.
- Work and transport
Sources: U Sumeru Corsu · IFCE — Écus 2025
ChevalCorse · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Corsican horse is a small riding horse associated with the island’s terrain and rural life.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: U Cavallu Corsu — Règlement et programme de sélection, 2023
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Cotentin donkey is a Normandy breed with a dove-grey coat, a dark cross and pale points.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Association de l’âne du Cotentin — Règlement et programme de sélection, document diffusé en 2024
GOETZ Christine · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Crème horse is bred for riding qualities and a pale coat associated with cream dilution.
- Riding and sport
Sources: AFCC · IFCE — Écus 2025
Béatrice Bla. · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Criollo developed from horses introduced by Europeans to South America and subsequently bred in varied environments.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: AFECC
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Dartmoor is a small, sturdy British pony used for riding and driving.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Association française du poney Dartmoor — Règlement et programme de sélection, 2024
Montanabw · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Demi-sang Arabe, or DSA, brings together crossbred horses with recorded Arabian ancestry.
- Riding and sport
Sources: ACA · IFCE — Écus 2025
Remy Overkempe · CC BY-SA 2.0 The Dutch Warmblood is a sport horse developed in the Netherlands. KWPN is the Dutch abbreviation for its royal studbook, the registry that records horses and their ancestry.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: KWPN — Historie · KWPN — Breeding directions · KWPN — Registration regulations, 2021 · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Atle Råsberg · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Fjord is a small horse from western Norway, long used for farm work and transport.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Norges Fjordhestlag — Breeding plan 2026 · AFCF — Programme de sélection, 31 août 2024
Dake · CC BY-SA 2.5 The Franches-Montagnes, also known as the Freiberger, is a riding and driving horse from the Swiss Jura.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: AFMF / FSFM · FSFM — 2026
Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 
PaterMcFly · CC BY 4.0 The French Miniature Horse, or CMF, is a small horse bred for balanced proportions and easy movement.
Sources: AFCM
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The French Saddle Pony is a sport pony developed by crossing several breeds.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: ANPFS — Programme de sélection · ANPFS — La race
Katia Fiche (Kili77) · CC BY-SA 3.0 The French Trotter is bred to race at speed while maintaining a trot, either pulling a sulky, a light two-wheeled vehicle, or carrying a jockey.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: SETF — Programme de sélection et règlement de monte 2026
Larissa Allen · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Grand Noir du Berry is a tall donkey with a black coat and pale areas on the muzzle, around the eyes and beneath the body.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Böhringer Friedrich · CC BY-SA 2.5 HorsesHaflinger
Origin: Historic Tyrol, particularly South Tyrol · Historic Tyrol (Austria and Italy)
The Haflinger is a small Alpine horse recognised by its chestnut coat and light mane and tail.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Haflinger Pferdezuchtverband Tirol · ANACRHAI — Storia della razza
Alain Laurioux CDDENE · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Hanoverian is a sport horse from northern Germany. Breeders combine recorded pedigrees, inspections and performance results when selecting future breeding horses.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Hannoveraner Verband — Breeding programme, 2025 · Hannoveraner Verband — Breeding programs · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Henson is a leisure horse developed around Somme Bay for trail riding and other outdoor rides.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Association du cheval Henson — Règlement et programme de sélection, juillet 2023
Confuslefu at English Wikipedia · Public domain The Highland is a compact Scottish pony with substantial bone and a dense winter coat.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Association française du poney Highland — Règlement et programme de sélection, 2023
Just chaos · CC BY 2.0 The Icelandic is a small riding horse whose history is intertwined with Iceland’s settlement and rural life.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: FEIF — Breeding Rules and Regulations 2026 · FEIF — WorldFengur
McCarthysIrishVanners · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Irish Cob is a compact, powerful horse with an abundant mane and tail and long hair around the lower legs, called feathering.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: France Irish Cob
Melyni at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Knabstrupper is a Danish breed often recognised by its spotted coat. Its markings range from a largely white body with coloured spots to much less obvious signs.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: KNN — Knabstrupperens historie · KNN — Knabstrupper Horse, 2026 · KNN — Breeding principles, 2026 · UC Davis VGL — Leopard Complex · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Landais is a French pony breed with a small population, associated particularly with the Adour floodplain.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Association nationale du poney Landais — Règlement et programme de sélection, 22 mars 2023
majdharma · CC0 The Lipizzan is a horse used for driving and haute école, the advanced work of classical dressage.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Lipica · Genska banka
Lbpetersen · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Lusitano is a horse from Portugal, bred particularly for riding.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: APSL
Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Mérens is a mountain horse from Ariège, recognised by its black coat and compact build.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: SHERPA Mérens France — Programme de sélection diffusé par l’IFCE comme PS 2024 · CNCE et UNIC — Le cheval de Mérens, Animal Genetic Resources Information, no 13
Trincao · CC BY 2.0 The Miranda donkey is a Portuguese donkey breed from the northeast of the country, shaped by life on the Miranda plateau and work on small farms.
- Work and transport
Sources: AEPGA
Gaitedhorse · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Missouri Fox Trotter developed in the American Ozarks. Its name refers to the fox trot, a gait in which a forefoot lands slightly before the opposite hind foot.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: MFTHBA — History of the breed · MFTHBA — Gaits · MFTHBA — Rulebook, 2025 · Missouri Secretary of State — State Horse · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Selena N · CC BY 2.0 Morgan bloodlines trace back to a stallion born in 1789, first known as Figure and later as Justin Morgan. The breed developed around compact horses used for both riding and driving.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: AMHA — About the Morgan: FAQ · US Equestrian — Morgan · AMHA — Registry FAQ · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Bureau of Land Management · Public domain Mustang describes horses of the American West whose domestic ancestors escaped or were released. Their descendants live freely in separate herds.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: BLM — Wild horse and burro myths and facts · BLM — Wild Horse and Burro Program · BLM — Program data, March 2026 · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The New Forest pony comes from Hampshire in southern England.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: NFPBCS — Breeding programme, October 2026 · IFCE — Programme de sélection New Forest 2026
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Norman Cob combines a substantial build with the active movement of its carriage-horse ancestors.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: SNEUCCN — Règlement et programme de sélection, 26 juin 2023
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Norman donkey is a small donkey historically used on Normandy’s dairy farms.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Olaf Kosinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Oldenburg is a sport horse developed in north-western Germany. Modern breeding accepts varied ancestry while selecting for sporting ability.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Oldenburger Verband — History · Oldenburger Verband — The association · Oldenburger Verband — Mares · FEI — Qui Vincit Dynamis (OLDBG) · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
H2O · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Paint Horse is an American riding horse bred for cattle work and western disciplines.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: APHA
4028mdk09 · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Percheron is a draught horse from the Perche region of western France.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Parc naturel régional du Perche · SHPF / IFCE — 2024
Poitou · CC BY 3.0 The Poitevin Mulassier is a large draught horse whose mares were selected to produce mules with the Baudet du Poitou donkey.
Sources: Races mulassières du Poitou — Règlement et programme de sélection, 17 juin 2023
Just chaos · CC BY 2.0 The Pony of the Americas, usually shortened to POA, is an American pony developed for young riders. It combines a small riding-horse build with leopard-complex patterns similar to those seen in Appaloosas.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: POAC — History · POAC — Judging criteria · POAC — Characteristics · POAC — Registration types · POAC — FAQ · UC Davis VGL — Leopard Complex · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Spiggot · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Pottok is a Basque pony, with part of its breeding population still living on mountain ranges.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: Association nationale du Pottok — Règlement et programme de sélection, 2019
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Provence donkey accompanied flocks between lowland Provence and mountain pastures, carrying shepherds’ supplies and equipment.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Association de l’âne de Provence
Yeguada San Joaquin · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Purebred Spanish Horse is a Spanish riding horse with particularly close historical ties to Andalusia.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: ANCCE · ANCCE — Programa de Mejora · MAPA — Programa de Cría PRE
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Pyrenean donkey includes two recognised types: the smaller, compact Gascon and the taller, more angular Catalan.
Sources: Association nationale des ânes et mulets des Pyrénées
Just chaos · CC BY 2.0 The Quarter Horse originated in the United States and takes its name from races over a quarter of a mile.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: AQHA — Official Handbook 2026 · AFQH
Heather Moreton · CC BY 2.0 The Rocky Mountain Horse developed in eastern Kentucky, in the Appalachian region. Despite its name, the organised breed did not originate in the Rocky Mountains.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: RMHA — Association history · RMHA — Breed standard · RMHA — FAQ · UC Davis VGL — Silver · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Eponimm · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Selle Français is a sport horse bred for jumping, quality of movement and responsiveness to its rider.
- Riding and sport
Sources: Stud-Book Selle Français — Programme de sélection, 1er avril 2025
Véronique Mestre Gibaud (Association française du Cheval Arabe-Shagya) · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Shagya Arabian was developed from Arabian ancestry at Central European studs, notably Bábolna in Hungary.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: AFCAS · IFCE — Écus 2025
Pitke · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Shetland is a small pony from the islands of the same name, north of mainland Scotland.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society
Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 The Shire is an English draught horse shaped by farming and the transport of heavy loads.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Shire Horse Society
Izzypie Isabella Marks, AU · CC BY 3.0 The Standardbred is an American breed developed for harness racing. Depending on their breeding and event, horses race at the trot or pace while pulling a sulky, a lightweight two-wheeled vehicle.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
Sources: USTA — What is harness racing? · USTA — Microchipping and DNA · USTA — Life after racing · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Just chaos · CC BY 2.0 The Tennessee Walking Horse developed in central Tennessee. Its best-known gait is the running walk, a four-beat movement faster than an ordinary walk, with the hind feet stepping beyond the tracks of the forefeet.
- Riding and sport
- Work and transport
Sources: TWHBEA — The breed · Walking Horse Owners Association — The breed · TWHBEA — Corporate rules · TWHBEA — Adopted horses · Avila et al. — Genes, 2022
Goki · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Thoroughbred developed in England through selection for gallop racing.
- Riding and sport
Sources: Weatherbys — General Stud Book · ISBC
Morgane THOMAS · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Trait du Nord is a large draught horse from the Hainaut near the Belgian border.
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Syndicat d’élevage du cheval Trait du Nord — Règlement et programme de sélection, 2026
Kathleen Conklin · CC BY 2.0 HorsesTrakehner
Origin: Historic East Prussia; modern breeding mainly in Germany · Historic East Prussia
The Trakehner is a riding and sport horse that originated in East Prussia.
- Riding and sport
Sources: Trakehner Verband
Michael Barbereau WMFr · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Vercors de Barraquand is a compact bay horse with an abundant mane and tail.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: ANCVB — Règlement et programme de sélection, octobre 2023
Pitke · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Welsh Mountain Pony is the small Welsh pony registered in Section A of the Welsh Stud Book.
- Riding and sport
- Driving
- Work and transport
Sources: Welsh Pony and Cob Society — Section A · WPCS — Pure Bred Rules of Registration
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Understanding the directory entries
Find where a breed began
The country and region on each card locate the breed’s place of origin. This geographical starting point connects its history with a place and the activities of the people who live there.
Connect breeds with human activities
Farm work, transport, riding or driving: the categories bring together past and present activities documented in the sources. A breed can be associated with several uses.
Explore a breed in more detail
The directory has 73 profiles covering breeds, studbooks and populations of horses, ponies and donkeys. Each describes their origins, characteristics and uses, along with registration rules where a registry exists. The Welsh profile covers only the Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A.
Read the profile: ArabianRead the profile: ThoroughbredRead the profile: LusitanoRead the profile: Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE)Read the profile: ShetlandRead the profile: ConnemaraRead the profile: Welsh Mountain (Section A)Read the profile: French Saddle PonyRead the profile: New ForestRead the profile: HaflingerRead the profile: FjordRead the profile: Icelandic horseRead the profile: AppaloosaRead the profile: Quarter HorseRead the profile: Baudet du PoitouRead the profile: Miranda donkeyRead the profile: Paint HorseRead the profile: FriesianRead the profile: ShireRead the profile: PercheronRead the profile: BretonRead the profile: ComtoisRead the profile: CamargueRead the profile: MérensRead the profile: CastillonnaisRead the profile: Selle FrançaisRead the profile: Anglo-ArabianRead the profile: French TrotterRead the profile: ArdennesRead the profile: BoulonnaisRead the profile: Auvergne horseRead the profile: Corsican horseRead the profile: HensonRead the profile: Vercors de Barraquand horseRead the profile: AuxoisRead the profile: Norman CobRead the profile: Poitevin MulassierRead the profile: Trait du NordRead the profile: DartmoorRead the profile: HighlandRead the profile: Landais ponyRead the profile: PottokRead the profile: Norman donkeyRead the profile: Cotentin donkeyRead the profile: Grand Noir du Berry donkeyRead the profile: Autre que Pur Sang (AQPS)Read the profile: Demi-sang ArabeRead the profile: French Dressage HorseRead the profile: Shagya ArabianRead the profile: CriolloRead the profile: Irish CobRead the profile: Franches-MontagnesRead the profile: LipizzanRead the profile: BarbRead the profile: Crème horseRead the profile: French Miniature HorseRead the profile: Anglo-Norman Sport HorseRead the profile: Bourbonnais donkeyRead the profile: Provence donkeyRead the profile: Pyrenean donkeyRead the profile: Corsican donkeyRead the profile: TrakehnerRead the profile: Dutch Warmblood (KWPN)Read the profile: HanoverianRead the profile: KnabstrupperRead the profile: Missouri Fox TrotterRead the profile: MorganRead the profile: MustangRead the profile: OldenburgRead the profile: Pony of the AmericasRead the profile: Rocky Mountain HorseRead the profile: StandardbredRead the profile: Tennessee Walking Horse