There are so many breeds in the world that I can't tell you them all. Instead, I have chosen 2 popular breeds, 2 small ponies, and 2 big horses. I will tell you a little about each one.

Popular Breeds

Thoroughbreds

Thoroughbreds are probably the most popular breed there is. They are the fastest and most valuableof all the world's horse breeds. They support a huge, multinational breeding and racing industry. This breed evolved in England in the 17th and 18th centuries when native "running horses" were crossed with oriental stallions. The foundation horses were the Byerley Turk (1689), an Arabian, the Darley Arabian(1704), and the Godolohin Arabian. If you want to learn about the Godolphin Arabian here's a great book for you to read, King of the Wind By Marguerite Henry. It's a greatbook. Thoroughbreds are a horse of great quality and have near-perfect proportions. They are consdered a "hot blooded" breed. They have powerful quarters and long legs for speed. They have great athletic ability, physical and mental stamina, and are very courageous but they are high strung and have difficult temperaments. They are a great breed.

Arabians

Arabians are, for many reasons, my favorite horse. you'll probably see why by the end of thisinformation on the Arabian. You have just heard about the Godolphin Arabian in the paragraph above and now you will learn about the breed which he was a part of. Arabians are considered the fountainhead of all the world's breeds. They are the most ancient of all equine races. An Arabian type race of horses existed on the Arabian peninsula at least 2,000 years before the Christian era. The Bedouin people were closely connected with the "desert horse." They treated them like royalty and believed that their god(Allah) had created Arabians with "a handful of wind." The Arabian blood was spread throughout the known world by Muslim conquests in the 7th century. The Arabianbecame one essential factor in the world's equine development. The Arabian horse is an amazingly beautiful horse. Unlike most horses, which have 18 ribs, 6lumbar bones, and 18 tail vertebrae, the Arabian has 17 ribs, 5 lumbar bones, and 16 tail vertebrae. The Arabian is said to have a dish-shaped face, meaning that their faces dip in slightly between their eyes and nose. Their ears sometimes curve inwards. They are chestnut, bay, gray, roan, or black. Arabians are considered a "hot blooded" breed. They are friendly and inquisitive horses. Most Arabians measure around 15hh(hands)and are rarely over 15.2hh. They have silky tails, flat knees, and huge, widely spaced eyes. This breed runs with tail lifted and head held high. They seem to float when they run. Arabians are an amazing breed.

Small Ponies

Shetlands

Shetlands are a breed not big in size but big in power. They are capable of carrying a man overrough land and able to work in the fields under heavy loads. They are excellent in harness, can be ridden by kids, and is still in demand for circus work. Its original habitat is the Shetland Islands. As long as 10,000 years ago the ponies arrived in Shetland, probably from Scandinavia. They may have been related to the primitive Tundra horse. The first export of 75 ponies was in 1885 and was made to Eli Elliot in America. Since then, US and Canadian breeders have produced a new Shetland pony called the American Shetland. It has little resemblance to the original. The Shetland is hardy and able to thrive in the harshest environment. It is sound, robust, and long-lived. Its actions are quick, free, and straight. Shetlands are sensible and intelligent. They have small, alert ears, short legs, and hooves made of blue horn. They are measured in inches, not in hands. Most Shetlands stand up to 40 inches(104 cm).They are small but also kind and great horses.

Falabellas

The Falabella is claimed to be a miniature horse more than a pony because of its size and character.Miniature horses have been bred as pets and are known for their curiosity. Falabellas get their name from the people who developed the breed at the Recreo de Roca Ranch outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina. They crossed a very small Thoroughbred with the smallest Shetlands. Inbreeding often results in loss of vigor or conformational weaknesses. Falabellas can be used in harness but are considered unsuitable for riding. They have weak hocks, crooked legs, heavy heads, and other conformational defects. Falabellas are said to be friendly and intelligent as pets. They have thick manes and some attractive coat colors, like spot patterns. Falabellas stand up to about 7 hh. They are nice and kind pets.

Big Horses

Shires

Shires are big horses. They can weigh, when they are full grown, between 2,240 and 2,688 lb. They areconsidered a supreme draft horse. The name Shire comes from the English shires of Lincoln, Leicester, Stafford, and Derby. They are popular in Britain and their numbers are increasing. This breed comes from England s Great Horse of the Middle Ages which was the English, or Old English, Black. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the native stock was influenced a lot by Flanders horses, which had beenimported by Dutch contractors who were draining the English fenlands. The Friesian, another horse breed, was another element. The Packington Blind Horse was the foundation stallion of Shires. He appeared is the first stud book in 1878. In 1884, the Shire Horse Society replaced the English Cart horse Society and Shire came into being. Shires are gentle and easy to manage, despite their size and strength, which they are noted for. They are a cold blooded breed. Their lower legs are heavily feathered with fine silky hair. Their heads are broad, their necks are long, and the girth of a full-grown Shire can be 6-8 ft. wide.

Clydesdales

Clydesdales are big and strong. They originated in Clyde Valley, Scotland. In the 18th century, theDuke of Hamilton and John paterson imported Flemish stallions.Shire blood was also used to such a extent that Shire Clydesdale were two branches from a single breed. By the 19th century, breeders hadproduced a distinctive breed and draft horse. Clydesdales are of lighter build than Shires. They have cow-hocks that are characteristic and long necks, longer than Shires . Their feathering is heavy, but not coarse. The breeders give a lot of importance on good hooves. Clydesdales stand around 16.2hh. Their withers are higher than their croup. They have well-sloped shoulders and a finer head than most draft breeds. Their heads have a straight profile.