Understanding the vast diversity of horse breeds can be a challenge, even for seasoned equestrian enthusiasts. From the sturdy Shire to the nimble Shetland, each breed possesses unique characteristics shaped by history, environment, and selective breeding. This guide aims to demystify some of the most common horse breeds found in the UK and Ireland, providing insights into their size, temperament, origins, and typical uses. Whether you’re a budding horse owner or simply curious about these magnificent animals, this overview will serve as a valuable starting point for your exploration.
There are estimated to be over 350 breeds of horses worldwide, though an exact figure is elusive due to the lack of a universally agreed scientific definition for a horse breed. The definition of a breed typically involves distinct, true-breeding characteristics maintained over generations. Societies dedicated to preserving each breed ensure consistency, and stud books meticulously record pedigrees, especially for breeds like the Thoroughbred. This remarkable variety stems from centuries of selective breeding, tailoring horses for diverse tasks, from agricultural work and industry to sport and leisure. Many breeds also exhibit characteristics suited to their native landscapes and climates, a topic explored further in regional breed sections. The sheer diversity, exemplified by the size difference between a Shire horse and a Shetland pony, highlights the unique adaptability of these animals.
Horse Breeds by Region
While specific work or sport suitability is a primary breeding goal, the environment where a horse originates also significantly influences its physical traits. Consequently, many breeds are intrinsically linked to their place of origin, often bearing the name of that region. This guide highlights popular and well-known breeds from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, noting that it is not an exhaustive list but covers breeds commonly encountered in the UK and Ireland. This information is particularly useful for those considering purchasing a horse, helping to determine the appropriate size and type for individual needs and lifestyles.
English Horse Breeds
Cleveland Bay Horse
The Cleveland Bay, one of England’s oldest horse breeds, stands at 15.2–16 hands. Recognizable by its rich bay color, convex face, strong neck, and powerful hindquarters, it presents a noble appearance. Originally used for agriculture and coaching, the introduction of Thoroughbred blood later made it suitable for competitive sports like showjumping and hunting. Its calm and sensible disposition also lends itself to use in state occasions.
Dale Pony
Typically measuring 14–14.2 hands, the Dale Pony is a small but robust breed. With a strong neck, broad chest, and powerful hindquarters, its distinctive silky feathering on the legs and thick mane and tail provide hardiness against harsh climates. Permitted colors include black, brown, bay, grey, and roan. These brave, docile, and calm ponies are well-suited for family use, excelling in trekking, long-distance riding, and jumping.
Dartmoor Pony
Reaching up to 12.2 hands, the Dartmoor Pony is a small, hardy breed from Devon, known for its stamina. It features a small head with large eyes, a thick neck, and strong hindquarters. Bay, brown, or black are the common colors. Renowned for their sensible and good-natured temperament, they are excellent ponies for children and can carry small adults. They are often utilized in dressage, eventing, showjumping, and carriage driving. It’s important to note that not all wild ponies on Devon’s moors are purebred Dartmoors, as many are carefully bred by enthusiasts.
Exmoor Pony
Standing 11.2–12.3 hands, the Exmoor Pony is a powerful and stocky breed with short, strong legs and a thick neck. Known for its exceptional strength, stamina, and hardiness, it typically displays brown, dark bay, or dun coloring with distinctive pangaré markings. Historically used for pit ponies and agricultural work, Exmoors are now favored in sports such as showing, long-distance riding, and driving. They also play a role in conservational grazing.
Fell Pony
Closely related to the Dale Pony, the Fell Pony measures 13 to 14 hands. It shares the strong build, feathered legs, and thick mane and tail characteristic of its relative, prized for its hardiness, strength, and sure-footedness. Predominantly black and brown, bay and grey are also permitted. Originally bred in the Pennines, these agile ponies are excellent for cross-country, hunting, and trekking, and are known for their docile and sensible nature, making them great family ponies.
Hackney
The Hackney horse, ranging from 14.2 to 16.2 hands, is a slim breed with a naturally showy demeanor. It features a broad chest, crested neck, and expressive eyes. Permitted colors include solid shades like bay, brown, chestnut, and black, sometimes with white markings. Hackneys are renowned for their high-stepping trot and are ideal for show driving, showjumping, and dressage. A smaller variant, the Hackney pony, shares these characteristics.
New Forest Pony
Typically 12–14.2 hands, the New Forest pony has a long head, short neck and back, and strong hindquarters, known for hardiness and straight action. All colors are accepted except piebald or skewbald. Historically used in mining and farming, the breed was enhanced with Arabian and Thoroughbred blood, making them suitable for various sports including cross-country, dressage, and showjumping. They are intelligent, sure-footed, docile, and friendly family ponies.
Shire
The Shire, easily the largest horse breed at 16.2–18 hands, is characterized by its immense size, broad forehead, thick neck, and muscular body with feathered legs. Permitted colors for stallions include black, bay, brown, or grey, while mares and geldings can also be roan. Traditionally used as draught horses for heavy hauling, their docile temperament also makes them suitable for leisure riding and pulling carriages.
Suffolk Punch
Compact yet powerful, the Suffolk Punch stands 15.2–17.2 hands. This breed possesses a broad head, thick neck, short muscular body, and short clean legs, built for strength and energetic gaits. The only permitted color is ‘chesnut’. As one of Britain’s oldest heavy horse breeds, they were traditionally used as draught horses and are now seen in showing or pulling brewery drays, known for their docile, agile, and hardworking nature.
Thoroughbred
Reaching 14.2–17 hands, Thoroughbreds are powerful and graceful with a well-chiselled head, long neck, and muscular hindquarters. Any solid color is permitted, with bay, dark bay, chestnut, brown, and black being most common. Originating from the crossbreeding of Arabian stallions with existing breeds in the late 17th century, they are the foundation of Britain’s racing industry. Known for their spirited and bold nature, they excel as racehorses, competition horses, or leisure riding horses.
Scottish Horse Breeds
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale, standing 17 hands and over, is a large draught horse with a broad head, long thick neck, and strong hindquarters, noted for its feathered legs and capacity for heavy loads. Bay, brown, roan, and black are common colors, often with white legs and facial markings. Originating from Scotland’s Clydesdale Valley, they share traits with Shire horses but are generally more spirited. Used for agriculture, heavy hauling, parades, and as carriage horses, they are also favored by the British Household Cavalry.
Eriskay
The Eriskay, measuring 12 to 13.2 hands, is the native breed of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. It features a large head, well-muscled neck and shoulder, and a deep chest. Its dense, waterproof coat offers protection from harsh weather. Grey is the most common color, though bay and black are also permitted. Historically used as crofters’ ponies and draught animals, Eriskays possess a kindly, easy-going, and patient disposition, making them suitable for children and therapy riding.
Highland Pony
The Highland Pony, standing 13 to 14.2 hands, is a small, hardy pony with a broad head, strong body, and short legs. It grows a dense, weatherproof coat for year-round outdoor living. Permitted colors include dun, grey, black, brown, bay, and liver chestnut, often with a dorsal stripe. Valued for its sure-footedness on difficult terrain and its sensitive, docile, and intelligent temperament, it was traditionally used for farming, hunting, and hauling timber. Today, it serves as a trekking pony and for forestry work.
Shetland Pony
The Shetland Pony, a maximum of 10.2 hands, is one of the smallest breeds. It has a broad head, sloped shoulders, and short back and legs. Despite its diminutive size, it is strong, hardy, and adapted to sparse grazing. Any color is permitted except spotted. Originating from the Shetland Isles, these charming ponies are known for their character and can be stubborn. Historically used for pulling carts and ploughing, they now serve as mounts for young children, driving ponies for adults, and therapy animals.
Welsh Horse Breeds
Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A)
The smallest of the four Welsh breeds, reaching a maximum of 12 hands, the Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A) has a delicate head with large, sweet eyes, sloping shoulders, and short legs. Its movement is free and straight. Any color is accepted except piebald and skewbald, with grey being archetypal. These intelligent, friendly, and spirited ponies have historically served as pit ponies, farm ponies, and even cavalry mounts, and are excellent jumpers and children’s mounts.
Welsh Riding Type Pony (Section B)
Maximum 13.2 hands, the Welsh Riding Type Pony (Section B) shares many characteristics with the Section A but is slightly larger. It exhibits quick, free, and straight movement. Any color is permitted except piebald and skewbald. Similar to the Section A, they were commonly used as riding ponies by shepherds and farmers in the hilly regions of Wales.
Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C)
The Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C) is very similar to the Section B but is stronger and thicker set, with a maximum height of 13.2 hands. Any color is accepted except piebald and skewbald. Like the other Welsh sections, it makes an excellent riding pony for children or smaller adults and teenagers, and is a strong jumper.
Welsh Cob (Section D)
The largest and strongest of the Welsh breeds, the Welsh Cob (Section D) stands at 13.2 hands and over. It possesses a fine head, long neck, strong shoulders, deep girth, and a muscular back and hindquarters, with free and definite movement. Any color is permitted except piebald and skewbald. Sharing the intelligent, spirited, and willing disposition of other Welsh ponies, the Section D Cob is suitable for driving, trekking, and jumping, and can be ridden by both adults and children.
Irish Horse Breeds
Connemara Pony
The Connemara Pony, or “connie,” typically stands 12.2–14.2 hands. It has relatively short, strong legs, a finely shaped back and neck, and classic pony facial features. Permitted colors include grey, black, brown, bay, dun, chestnut, and palomino, but never piebald or skewbald. Bred in Ireland, Connemaras are known for their friendly, intelligent, athletic, and sure-footed nature. They are versatile, excelling in showjumping, dressage, eventing, and endurance riding, and are suitable for both adults and children. Crossing them with a Thoroughbred can create an excellent choice for older riders seeking a smaller pony.
Endangered and Rare Horse Breeds
Within the breeds listed, five are classified as “critically endangered” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust due to having fewer than 300 registered breeding mares: the Cleveland Bay, Hackney, Dales, Suffolk Punch, and Eriskay. The Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies are “endangered” (300–500 breeding mares), while the Clydesdale, Fell, and Highland breeds are “vulnerable.” The Shire horse is “at risk” with 900–1500 breeding mares. Many of these breeds face threats due to mechanization replacing their working roles or the high costs of conservation for wild breeds. Popular breeds today are typically those used for sport, leisure, or companionship.
This guide has provided an overview of common horse breeds in the UK and Ireland. For those interested in further exploring the world of horses, Horse & Country TV offers extensive training and learning guides. Subscribing grants access to sports coverage, live events, and equestrian news, fostering a vibrant community for horse lovers.
