Light horses are normally used for riding.
In general, horses are divided into three main types: heavy horses, light horses, and ponies. These distinctions are made primarily on size and weight, although they also sometimes take into account bone structure and overall strength. Most of the time, specific breeds are classified as one of these types, regardless of whether all members actually fall within the specification. Typing is often more of a generalized mode of classification and lacks the precision of something like racial distinctions. There are many different horse breeds, and what it takes to fit into a breed category is usually much more strict and involves things like pedigree and color. Guys tend to focus on proportions, size, and build.
Distinguish breed and type.
The three main types of horses are heavy, light, and ponies.
Horses are generally distinguished primarily by their breed. There are hundreds of known breeds, and several of those known as “archaic” breeds as well: archaic breeds no longer exist or have been included in other, more modern classifications. The distinctions created are usually certified by official registration agencies and usually have international consistency.
Heavy horse breeds include Clydesdale and American Cream Draft horses.
A horse’s breed tends to be more helpful when it comes to the horse’s genetic makeup, and often says more about its family lineage and color characteristics than anything else. Writing, on the other hand, is more commonly used to make generalizations about a horse’s capabilities. Certain types are better at doing certain jobs than others, for example, and may also be more prone to certain injuries or illnesses.
Heavy Horse Basics
The heavy horse looks exactly as its name implies: heavy. The body is strong, with a broad back and a rounded withers, which is located between the horse’s shoulder blades. On a heavy horse, the legs are short and thick to help them pull carts or plow fields. Heavy horses are specifically made for heavy duty work like farming. These types of horses also move with short steps and jerky movements to give them maximum traction. Heavy horses may also be exhibited at horse fairs and shows. Some different breeds of heavy horses include the Clydesdale horse and the American Cream Draft horse.
light horses
Light horses are generally used for riding. They are distinguished by more linear and angular bodies and typically longer legs; the saddles can be easily placed on the horse’s back, allowing for a comfortable ride. Light horses have longer torsos than draft horses and barely bend at the knees when moving. They are often considered delicate or dignified.
In most cases, these horses have true and false ribs, which help to position the saddle, among other things. The true ribs are generally considered to be the first eight ribs of the horse’s ribcage, which are flat so that the saddles lie just behind the trapezius muscle. The last ten so-called “false” ribs are rounded instead of flat. Some different breeds of light horses are Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Miniature Horses, not to be confused with the third type of horse, ponies.
ponies
Ponies are the last of the three main types of horses. They are naturally small in stature, and as such are often confused with miniature horses, which generally fall under the distinction of “heavy” based on their stocky build, or baby horses, as they are called foals. Ponies are unique in many important ways. They have naturally thicker manes, tails, and fur, for example; they also have smaller heads and thicker necks than any other type of horse. They often look a bit shrunken even as they grow and are popular choices for kids who ride bikes.
Ponies tend to be intelligent, friendly creatures with stubborn habits. Adults can usually ride ponies, although if a pony is trained by a beginner or a child, it may exhibit bratty behavior. One pony breed that many people may recognize is the Shetland pony.