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Types of horses are different from breeds of horses. There
are hundreds of different breeds, such as Thoroughbred, Arabian, Welsh pony, and
many others. However, there are only five types of horses.
There is hunter, a robust type of horse that is a good riding
horse and needs to be well balanced. It is a superb jumping horse, because it is
built for strength and speed. It is not a breed, because it lacks fixed common
characteristics according to the requirements of the environment in which it is
ridden. Many hunters contain pony blood, and some have Irish Draught,
Thoroughbred, and Cleveland Bay blood in them.
A hack is another type; this is used for a show horse. It has
supreme elegance, and its gaits are perfectly balanced; it has perfect manners.
Though most hacks are of Thoroughbred blood, many contain Anglo-Arab blood. A
hack is a model of good conformation, even though it is light and graceful, it
must be neither ponyish nor gangly.
Riding ponies are the children’s equal to the show hack, but
while it has the proportions of a Thoroughbred, it still holds the pony
appearance and character. In Britain, show riding ponies are exhibited in three
divisions according to their size. The base stock is largely Welsh Ponies, or
Welsh ponies with Arabian blood. Riding ponies’ action is similar to that of the
Thoroughbred, in that it is long and free. The Welsh pony blood in this type
provided essential pony character and added the substance. Arabian blood added
sound legs and manageable temperament.
The fourth type is called cob. It is one of the most
attractive horses. It isn’t a breed, although it is immediately recognizable. It
is an all-around horse. It is used under both saddle and harness. They are
sometimes bred in Ireland to Irish draft crosses. Some other sources are small
Thoroughbreds, Cleveland Bays, and pure Irish Draft. They have strong
hindquarters, legs that have a lot of bone, and a short, arched neck with
powerful sloped shoulders. Their manes are often roached (shorn off) to give the
horse a jaunty, sporting look. They are expected to behave and be a ‘gentleman’s
gentleman’.
Polo pony is the fifth type, and it is neither a breed nor a
pony anymore. It is recognized by its appearance and outline. It was bred to
play polo, as its name suggests. It has a distinct Thoroughbred appearance, and
to play polo it has to be fast, balanced, and it has to be low to the ground
with fast strides. They are from Quarter Horses, Criollo, and small
Thoroughbreds.
Types of horses are very different from breeds, although just
as important. Types are crosses of different breeds, so that makes them a mix of
several good and/or bad qualities. That way there is not just one or two things
about them that are typical in a breed. |
