Breeds and species
Horses
Horses for leisure, sport and driving – from the Lipizzaner to the Haflinger and the Arabian. Learn about their temperament, uses and needs for exercise, company and care.
23 animals in this selection Each has a story.
Animal list
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Horses Lipizzaner
Active The Lipizzaner (Equus ferus caballus) is a compact Baroque-type horse from the Lipica stud in Slovenia's Karst region, founded in 1580. Breed standards give a … 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Friesian
The Friesian (Equus ferus caballus) is a black, Baroque-type horse from the Dutch province of Friesland, with a KFPS studbook dating from 1879. Mares must meas… 16 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Haflinger
The Haflinger (Equus ferus caballus) is a small mountain horse from the Tyrol, founded on the stallion 249 Folie in 1874 and named after the village of Hafling… 25 – 30 yrsMedium -
Horses Lusitano
Active The Lusitano (Equus ferus caballus) is a riding horse of Iberian origin from Portugal, whose closed studbook is kept by the breeders' association APSL. The sta… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Trakehner
Active The Trakehner (Equus ferus caballus) is a warmblood riding and sport horse from former East Prussia whose breeding goes back to the Trakehnen main stud, founde… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Icelandic Horse
Active The Icelandic horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a small riding horse from Iceland, where the breed has lived with almost no contact with other horses for more th… 25 – 30 yrsMedium -
Horses American Paint Horse
Active The American Paint Horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a muscular, Quarter Horse-type riding horse from North America, known for the white patches in its coat. The… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Arabian Horse
Active The Arabian horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a light riding horse of Bedouin origin from the Arabian Peninsula. The Slovenian breeding programme recommends a he… 25 – 30 yrsMedium -
Horses Noriker
The Noriker (Equus ferus caballus) is a medium-heavy cold-blooded mountain horse from Austria whose studbook of origin is kept in Salzburg. It generally stands… 25 – 30 yrsGiant -
Horses Appaloosa
Active The Appaloosa (Equus ferus caballus) is an American riding horse breed that took shape among the Nez Perce people of the north-western United States. It stands… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Hanoverian
Active The Hanoverian (Equus ferus caballus) is a German warmblood sport horse from Lower Saxony whose breeding began with the founding of the Celle state stud in 173… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Holsteiner
Active The Holsteiner (Equus ferus caballus) is a German warmblood sport horse from Schleswig-Holstein whose history the breed society traces back to 1225. The studbo… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses American Quarter Horse
Active The American Quarter Horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a muscular riding horse from the United States, named after the quarter-mile races it was bred for. The Sl… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Shetland Pony
The Shetland pony (Equus ferus caballus) is a small, hardy pony breed from the Shetland Islands of Scotland, whose studbook of origin is kept by a society foun… 20 – 30 yrsSmall -
Horses Andalusian
Active The Andalusian (Equus ferus caballus) is a baroque riding horse from Spain, registered in its studbook as the Pura Raza Española (PRE). The breed standard sets… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Posavina Horse
The Posavina horse or Posavac (Equus ferus caballus) is a small coldblood from the flood meadows of the Sava river, bred as a native breed in both Croatia and … 25 – 30 yrsMedium -
Horses Oldenburg
Active The Oldenburg (Equus ferus caballus) is a German warmblood sport horse from the former district of Oldenburg in Lower Saxony, whose breeding was founded in the… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Shire Horse
The Shire Horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a heavy draught horse from England and a very tall breed, with a breed society dating from 1878. The Shire Horse Soci… 25 – 30 yrsGiant -
Horses Thoroughbred
Active The Thoroughbred (Equus ferus caballus) is a racing breed from England, bred worldwide above all for flat racing. The Slovenian breeding programme gives a heig… 25 – 30 yrsLarge -
Horses Percheron
The Percheron (Equus ferus caballus) is a cold-blooded draught horse from the Perche, a French region between Normandy and Paris. It stands 155–185 cm at the w… 25 – 30 yrsGiant -
Horses Welsh Pony and Cob
The Welsh Pony and Cob (Equus ferus caballus) is a hardy pony and cob breed from Wales, divided by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society stud book, first published in… 25 – 30 yrsSmall -
Horses Connemara Pony
Active The Connemara pony (Equus ferus caballus) is an Irish native pony breed from the Connemara district of County Galway, whose Studbook of Origin has been kept by… 25 – 30 yrsSmall -
Horses Belgian Draught
The Belgian Draught or Brabant (Equus ferus caballus) is a heavy draught breed from Belgium whose studbook has been kept by the KMBT since 1886. It usually sta… 25 – 30 yrsGiant
Showing 23 of 23
All animals in this selection are shown.
Which horse breed suits you?
Do not choose by appearance alone. Temperament, size, activity level and daily care needs matter just as much.
Think about how much time you can spend on grooming, training, play and companionship. Beginners often do best with breeds whose needs are clear and manageable.
Be careful with broad health claims: some breeds may be more prone to certain issues, so speak with a veterinarian or a responsible breeder.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a horse cost, and how much time does it take?
The purchase price is usually the smallest part of what a horse costs; most of it is ongoing care over the horse's whole life. Budget for livery or stabling, forage and bedding, the farrier, the vet, dental care, tack and public liability insurance. A horse needs care every day, even when you are not riding, so draw up a realistic budget and time plan before you buy.
Which horse is suitable for a beginner?
A beginner is better matched with a calm horse that already has steady experience under saddle than with a young, unbacked or green horse, whatever the breed. Breed tells only part of the story: the individual horse's temperament, its schooling and whether you have a qualified coach matter more. Learn to ride and care for horses at a riding school before considering one of your own.
How long do horses live?
With good care, horses and ponies can live well into their thirties, although the years in which they can be ridden or driven are often fewer. The first signs of ageing usually appear in the mid to late teens. Buying a horse is therefore a long commitment that includes caring for an older animal with an adapted diet and more frequent check-ups.