Horse Breeds, Ranked

One of the oldest breeds on Earth, depicted in art over 4,500 years ago, and a foundation bloodline for the Thoroughbred and countless others; still dominates long-distance endurance racing.

The world's premier racehorse, with every individual tracing to three foundation stallions imported to England from the Middle East in the late 1600s and early 1700s; they can gallop around 40 mph.

The most popular breed in the US with nearly three million registered, and the fastest horse over a quarter mile, clocking sprint speeds up to 44 mph.

Turkmenistan's national emblem, famous for a rare metallic sheen to its coat and remarkable endurance in desert heat.

A Dutch breed instantly recognizable by its glossy all-black coat and long flowing mane and feathering; a favorite in films and dressage.

An ancient Iberian breed prized for centuries as a war mount and now a top classical dressage horse, known for its strong build and thick mane.

A sure-footed breed that performs a unique smooth four-beat gait called the tolt; Iceland bans importing any horses to keep the bloodline pure.

The famous white horses of Vienna's Spanish Riding School, trained in classical 'airs above the ground' leaps; foals are born dark and lighten with age.

A Scottish draft breed made globally famous by Budweiser advertising, with feathered legs and individuals weighing close to a ton.

Developed by the Nez Perce people of the American Northwest, it is defined by its distinctive spotted coat patterns and mottled skin.

The free-roaming horse of the American West, descended from Spanish colonial stock; tough and iconic, though feral overpopulation is a contentious issue.

Among the tallest and heaviest breeds in the world, historically used to haul heavy loads; record individuals have stood over 7 feet at the withers.

One of America's earliest breeds, with all lines tracing to a single prepotent stallion named Figure; compact, versatile, and even-tempered.

A tiny, hardy pony from Scotland's Shetland Isles that is remarkably strong for its size, though it has a famously stubborn streak.

A small, sturdy Austrian and northern Italian breed, always chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail; a reliable all-purpose mountain horse.

One of the smallest horse breeds in the world, rarely exceeding 34 inches tall; charming as a companion but of little practical working use.

Bred for an exceptionally smooth running walk, but the show world is notorious for 'soring,' an illegal and abusive practice that deliberately injures the legs to exaggerate the gait.