An Equestrian Breed Bucket List
Horse breeds are amazing. Horses have been bred for hundreds of years. The origins of many breeds began because people needed horses for a specific purpose. Cavalry horses, horses to pull carts or do agricultural work and farming, horses for show purposes, breeds to cater to the wealthy for riding and recreation, and so many other needs and reasons are why many of these unique horses breeds exist today. Here are some of the top unique horse breeds to add to your horse breed bucket list.[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook,Pinterest,Twitter,Total”]
Marwari
The Marwari horse is a unique horse breed that originates from the Marwar in India. The Marwari is known for its ears. These horses have ears that curve upward and inward toward each other, and the ears are so curved that they often touch each other.
This unique horse breed isn’t a giant horse. They usually stand anywhere between 14.2 and 15.3 hands tall. The Marwari can come in all sorts of colors- with pinto-type patterns being very popular. The horses were used for riding, packing, agricultural labor, and originally, as cavalry mounts. Today, the Marwari have expanded their talents to show jumping, dressage, and polo competitions. They are known to be a versatile, hardy, and brave breed of horse.
Akhal-Teke
The Akhal-Teke is well known for its illustrious coat. They have coats unlike any other breed that seem to shimmer. The most famous coloring is the gold-like hue Akhal-Tekes can have. This unique horse breed can have many coat-color variations- the most popular being the cremello or perlino coat colors. They also can have black, chestnut, bay or grey coloring – all with shiny, shimmering coats.
These horses are referred to the “greyhounds” of the horse world. They are long and lean with upright necks and a slim stature. Originating from Turkmenistan, the horses are said the have such lean statures because of the harsh landscape and the scarcity of food and water.
This breed is said to be one of the oldest breeds in existence as well as one of the scarcest. It is said that only several thousand of these stunning horses exist today.
Curly Horses (aka Bashkir Curlies)
The Curly Horse is a very unique horse breed. They can be seen in all sizes and colors, but their coats and manes are what really get the Curly Horse noticed. There are different variations to the extremity of the “curliness” in these horses.
The first is very minimal, with slight or little curls around the ears or fetlocks and a wavy mane and tail.
The second is a bit more dramatic with curled eyelashes and curls on their body coat along with a wavy mane and tail.
The last is known to be “extreme” with many curls all over their body. The Curly Horse’s winter coats will exhibit many more curls than their summer coats.
These unique horses are known to be friendly and docile. They have been used as children’s horses as well as therapeutic horses due to their calm demeanor. This is the only horse breed that is known to be hypoallergenic!
Black Forest Horse
The Black Forest horse is a unique horse breed that originated from Germany. This breed has a stunning contrast of coloring – they are usually a deep chestnut color with a stark, flaxen mane and tail. These horses are considered draft horses and have been used for agricultural work, pulling carts or sleighs and riding too.
Although they do not normally grow above 15.3 hands, their big-boned stature adds to the powerful composition of this breed. The Black Forest Horse is known as a gentle giant. They have a good temperament and are easy to work with and train.
The breed’s name “Black Forest” refers to the region in which they originated. They were used to pull and haul logs from the wooded forest areas of southwestern Germany.
Gypsy Horse
The Gypsy Horse is also known as the Gypsy Vanner, the Irish Cob, or the Gypsy Cob. This unique horse breed is known for its beautiful coloring, voluminous mane and tail, and heavy feathering on its legs. The breed originates from Ireland, where it was bred to pull Gypsy caravans and carts.
The horse can range in height from 14.3 to over 16 hands. They have a solid build with heavy bone structure and strong hindquarters and necks made for towing. They are a very friendly, docile breed and have been used as therapy horses. They also make great family horses and have also been seen in the dressage ring.
These horses made their first appearance in the U.S. in the late 1990’s and a registry for the breed has since been created.
Warlander
The Warlander horse has been a designated breed only since the 1990’s. The Warlander is a cross between a Friesian and purebred Iberian horses like the Lusitano or Andalusian. Although this type of cross breeding has taken place for hundreds of years, the Warlander became an official breed only recently.
The Warlander is said to be a breed that has all the most desirable qualities form the purebred Iberian horses and from the Friesian breed. These horses are bigger boned, with the ability to collect well with their strong hindquarters. They are also known to have good front leg action like the Friesian and Andalusian both have, and are also said the be intelligent. Their necks can be set high and have significant arch to them.
To be designated as a Warlander the breed has some specifications, including no other influence of any other breed.
Falabella
The tiny Falabella is one of the smallest horse breeds in the world. Similar to a minutare horse, the Flabella is known to have a lengthy life-span and small stature – reaching no more than 8 hands. This unique horse breed is considered a miniature horse breed – bred from the Falabella family in Argentina in the mid to late 1800’s.
To ensure the breeding and pedigree remains true to the Argentinian Falabella origins, DNA testing, FMHA registration, Argentinian breed certificates and other evidence may be required in order to be considered a true and proven Falabella miniature horse. The Falabella is considered a miniature horse and not a pony.
These horses represent some of the most interesting and diverse horse breeds located around the globe. Is there any breed you have on your horse breed bucket list?