The equestrian world is vast when it comes to breeds, disciplines, and competitions… A dressage horse is praised for its movements and elegance, while a Doma Vaquera horse must perform maneuvers that highlight its skills. Behind all these magnificent horses lies a specific breed or lineage. In this article, we’ll focus on explaining which horse breeds are the most sought-after, along with some interesting facts for enthusiasts of this rich and historic world.
1. Andalusian Horse or Pure Spanish Breed (PRE)
A horse native to Andalusia, officially recognized as the Pure Spanish Breed (PRE) and more commonly known as the “Spanish horse.”
It belongs to one of the oldest and most acclaimed horse breeds in the world. From its origins, it has been a beloved Iberian horse among nobility, known as one of the best horses in times of war due to its strength and robustness. In addition to its beauty—marked by a thick mane and tail—it is not a breed known for aggression, but rather for its intelligence and sensitivity. This horse has played a key role in the development of new equine breeds both in the Americas and in Europe.
Fun fact: This outstanding breed has also had its moment in cinema, appearing in films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as the horse ridden by Mel Gibson in the epic movie Braveheart.
2. Arabian Horse
The Arabian horse originates from the desert region between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, extending northward into parts of Iran and Iraq. Despite being a hot-blooded animal, the Arabian horse has a very good temperament. It is spirited and energetic, yet also very gentle and patient. Its appearance is particularly striking—always carrying its head and tail high. The head is wedge-shaped with large eyes and nostrils and a small muzzle. Today, Arabian horses are used to enhance other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and bone density. In fact, Arabian bloodlines can now be found in nearly all modern horse breeds.
Fun fact: They have a short back, high-set tail, very concave and angular facial profile, and four fewer bones than other breeds.
3. Appaloosas
A breed that originated in the United States, specifically in the state of Idaho, where its breeding began in the mid-1930s. Among its distinctive features is its coat and markings, which can appear in patterns such as leopard, spotted, mottled, or snowflake. It is one of the fastest horse breeds in existence. The Appaloosa has a calm temperament, is strong, intelligent, and quickly memorizes even the most complex tricks and jumps. Due to the cultural and historical importance of the Appaloosa, the state of Idaho declared it a symbol and part of its historical legacy. In 1975, it was officially named the state horse.
Fun fact: You’ve likely seen this breed on the big screen. Appaloosas are considered one of the most featured horse breeds in Hollywood film productions.
4. Quarter horse
A very distinctive and well-known horse in the United States, the “Quarter Horse” gets its name from its most famous trait: speed—especially over a quarter-mile distance. It is one of the most exported horse breeds from the country. This breed originates from a mix of Iberian and Oriental horses. Today, it is the most commonly used horse in western riding. Most of its body is compact, with the neck being the longest part, and its head is relatively small in proportion to its body. The Quarter Horse is known for having a pleasant personality. In fact, one of the many reasons for its popularity is its calm and gentle nature.
Fun fact: It is the most widely used horse in the world and is known for its strong bond with humans.
