Horse Basics Category

Horse Breeds From Hungary

Hungary FlagIt’s Friday and a good day to visit another exotic location and learn about the unique horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a peek at the breeds from Hungary.

Arabian Influence

There is a huge Arabian influence in the horses of Hungary. If it wasn’t in the breed’s bloodlines, it was probably added for refinement along the way somewhere. In fact, there isn’t a coldblooded horse native to the country and their one draft breed was brought to the area.
Read more →

Dun Horse Breeds


Many people claim that dun horses are inherently tougher than other colors. While this seems like a far out claim, it isn’t. Some of the oldest horse breeds on the planet are dun so it stands to reason that they are extremely tough animals.

Recognizing Duns

There are several other genetic combinations that can create animals with dun-like coloring. However, there are a few distinguishing characteristics that set the dun apart, they must possess at least one primitive marking – a dorsal stripe from mane to tail. Apart from that they can carry stripes on their forehead, chest, shoulders or legs – but if they don’t have a dorsal stripe they aren’t a dun.
Read more →

Horse Breeds From Greece

Greece FlagIt’s Friday and the perfect day to visit a new exotic location and learn about the fascinating horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a peek at the breeds from Greece.

War Horses

Greece isn’t home to a huge variety of horse breeds considering its great history and island formation. There is a strong delination between the two types of equines bred here, horses for war and ponies for agriculture. Modern horse stock is still reminiscent of ancient calvary animals carrying heavily armed knights off to battle. They are heavy of bone and thick with muscle.
Read more →

Horse Breeds From Germany

German FlagIt’s Friday and a great day to visit a new exotic location and learn about the amazing horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a look at the breeds from Germany.

Growing Them Strong

Germany is home to an incredible number of well-established breeds for the size of the country, each breed with their own story – many of which were changed forever by the events of the 20th century. Among the German breeds is my personal favorite & oldest of the German warmbloods, the Holsteiner. Descendant from marsh horses of the Elmshorn district of Holstein initially bred for war, this breed has gone on to become an incredibly versatile, athletic & level headed sport mount – on springs.
Read more →

Pinto Horse Breeds

Pinyo Horse BreedsAlthough I say this about a lot of colors, the pinto white pattern is hands down my favorite. Piebald, skewbald, sabino or tovero I love them all.

Lovely Spots

The distinction between pintos and paints is simple. Any animal with a pinto white pattern is a pinto, however only animals with Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred bloodlines are allowed to become registered paints. That said there are a number of other breeds that breed specifically for those lovely spotted coats and include a wider variety of genetics.
Read more →

Horse Breeds From Georgia

Georgia FlagIt’s the end of the week and time to visit another exotic location and learn about the amazing horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a look at the breeds from Georgia.

Growing Them Strong

Despite its small size Georgia is home to a variety of geography. This variety requires animals who can handle the intense variation in footing & vegetation while still thriving. There are only two breeds from Georgia that I can find, and you can bet they are tough as nails.
Read more →

Common Breed Confirmation Quiz

Common Breed Confirmation QuizThere are some breeds out there that most horse lovers can identify with just a single glance, others are far more difficult to decipher without further investigations.

The Ones You Know…Or Do You?

Today I wanted to focus on some of the more commonly found breeds and see just how fast my readers are on the draw when it comes to recognizing them. Instead of just showing pictures I thought I’d make it more fun by turning it into a quiz. There are 10 images of mystery breeds, guess each one and check your answers at the bottom of the post…no peeking.
Read more →

Horse Breeds From France

France FlagIt’s Friday again and time to visit another country of the world and see all of the amazing horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is absolutely an interesting ride. Today a look at the breeds from France.

Prehistoric Grey

The Camargue in France is home to one of the oldest horse breeds on the planet. They are though to be the ancestors of prehistoric animals that posed for ancient cave painters in southern France. These animals have, for the most part, left to let nature take its course. Although they’ve had outside influence over the centuries, strong bloodlines persist and natural conditions persistently adapt strong mammals.
Read more →