Horse breeds facts

Shires have held the world records for both largest overall horse and tallest horse at various times. The breed was valued during the Middle Ages, but the increasing role of gunpowder brought an end to the use of heavy horses in battle. Oliver Cromwell's cavalry favored lighter, faster mounts and the big horses began to be used for draught work instead.

American miniature horse. The American miniature horse should be identical in terms of profile and proportion to a horse of normal size. Those horses were bred in the United States by cross-breeding Shetland ponies with oriental horses.

Warm-blooded. Hot-blooded breeds like Thoroughbred and Arabian are good for racing, but too small for high jumping. Cold-blooded are slow and heavy.

Arabian. With a distinctive head shape, arched neck and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. Many Arabians appear to have a "white" hair coat.

Light saddle. Arabs are light and quick racehorses - called also hot-blooded.