Choosing a Breed

Asking a human pony's breed is a lot like asking a person's sign. A horse's breed often reveals its temperament, strengths, and weaknesses. But unlike star signs, a human pony can select a breed to match up with his or her personality or to project a certain image.

Choosing a breed is a big step. It's a way of telling the community and yourself that you are serious about your human pony persona, and that it requires more than just casual definition. It lets other players know how you think of yourself and how they, in turn, might think of you, too! Choosing a fitting breed will allow you to more fully explain yourself to those around you, facilitating a deeper and more immediate connection. Because your breed is meant to so fully reflect you, it should not be chosen haphazardly. In other words, know yourself and your pony persona very well before you seek to nail it down.

So how do you begin making this definitive decision? First you should decide which of the three different types, or bloods, best describes you: cold-, hot-, or warmblood.

Cold-bloods, also known as draft horses in the United States or draught or dray horses in the United Kingdom, have high endurance and very sweet dispositions. They are the gentle giants of the horse world. These large, powerfully built creatures were originally bred for hauling heavy loads and carrying armored knights, hence their large size. Their European origins led to a need for thick, warm coats, often with voluminous feathering around the hooves. Other characteristics include a short back and high shoulders. Many, though not all, also have a rounded, Roman profile. Cold-blood breeds include the Belgian, Clydesdale, Percheron, and Shire.

Hot-bloods were first bred in Arabia for speed and possess sleek, gracile bodies. They also have a fiery, sensitive temperament, which can make them difficult to work with. However, hot-bloods are far from spoiled, often pushing themselves so hard as to sustain injuries. Of course today they are often used as race horses. The only hot-blood breeds in existence are Arabians and Thoroughbreds.

As the name implies, warmbloods are literally a cross between cold- and hot-bloods. While not so demanding as hot-bloods, they are more practically built than cold-bloods. Though originally bred in Europe, warmbloods are often associated with cowboy culture. Warmbloods include breeds ranging from the American Quarter Horse to the Andalusian.

Does one those sound like a good basic fit? Then it's time to get more specific! Below, twelve common breeds are described in detail to help you find your breed based on appearance, temperament, intended use, and overall feel. This information can also be used in creating your pony skin, should you wish to wear one. Of course for some players, aesthetics come first, so, should you base your breed on your appearance, make sure your coloring, size, etc., match up with your chosen breed.

If a breed strikes a chord, look up as much information as you can about it. If it still feels good, congratulations! You've found your breed! Or, if nothing here seems like a good match, there are hundreds of breeds to choose from. Just stick to your search until you find that one breed of horse that clicks.

Andalusian (warmblood) The Andalusian is also known as the Purebred Spanish Horse or, in Spanish, Pura Raza Española, sometimes abbreviated as PRE. The Iberian Peninsula was the first European area in which horses were domesticated, but the exact origins of the ancient breed have been lost. Andalusians are the source for many breeds such as the Lipizzaner, Lusitano, and Kladruber. For many centuries they were the preferred mount of kings and today they are ridden by the rejoneadore. They have been cast in a number of popular movies, including The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Appearance: The Andalusian possesses a striking aquiline profile and a long tail that is usually waved. Their hindquarters are strong and well-jointed. While most are gray, they also come in bay, black, chestnut, and a characteristic mulberry color, sometimes being spotted or mixed in color.

Temperament: Proud, yet obliging, the Andalusian is an intelligent creature.

Use: The Andalusian's agility, natural balance, and showy gaits make it well-suited to the classical art of high dressage, Haute École.

You might be an Andalusian if...

You are a dressage horse with an appreciation for Spanish culture and long histories.

Appaloosa (warmblood) The Appaloosa was first bred by the Nez Perce tribe of the Pacific northwest for appearance as well as versatility. Its name is explained as a corruption of "a Palouse horse" in reference to a river local to the area of origin. While this probably won't come up in most play, there is a physical difference between modern American and European Appaloosas, with the American version being closer to the Quarter Horse.

Appearance: The Appaloosa is best known for its distinctive appearance. Almost everything about the horse is unusual. The mane is naturally sparse and short and the eye is encircled by a white sclera, like a human eye. The hooves are often marked with black and white vertical stripes. The spotted coat, its most distinctive feature, comes in five patterns: blanket (white over the hips, possibly with dark spots), marble (red or blue roan with dark coloring at the extremities and frost in the center), leopard (white with dark spots), snowflake (dominant spotting over the hips), and frost (white specs on a dark base).

Temperament: Appaloosas were bred to be sensible and manageable. The are often used in parades and enjoy being on display.

Use: The Appaloosa was bred for practicality in making its way through rough conditions and terrain over long distances, so it needed to be agile, tractable, and strong. But it was also bred for striking beauty, making it well-suited for various exploits, including showing, jumping, and pleasure riding.

You might be an Appaloosa if...

You are an exotically beautiful riding or show pony.

Arabian (hot-blood) The Arabian breed is the oldest and purest of all breeds, representing some form of every equine characteristic. Arabians originated, as their name implies, in Semitic regions. They were first bred for traveling over long distances in harsh desert conditions. Arabians are considered tough, yet elegant animals with a rich mythological history surrounding their progenitors, the mare Bas and the stallion Hoshaba. Thoroughbreds were derived from this breed.

Appearance: The Arabian has a slender, delicate build with large eyes and nostrils, but small, inwardly curving ears and a tiny muzzle. Their tails are rooted high up on the flanks. Arabians may be bay, black, chestnut, gray, or white in color. They are widely considered the most beautiful horses in the world.

Temperament: Though devastatingly beautiful, Arabians are usually regal, fiery, and difficult to handle. While some consider them passionate, others see them as being overly sensitive. They are also industrious and ambitious.

Use: Arabians make excellent mounts for long distance riding, being renowned for their stamina, but also make excellent show and competition horses.

You might be an Arabian if...

You have a royal bearing, are particular, are an excellent physical specimen, and want to be revered for your striking beauty and noble history.

Classic American Shetland (warmblood) The American Shetland is arguably the most popular pony in America, coming from Scottish stock. This pony is not, however, to be confused with the Shetland Pony, which is the smallest of the British ponies and endowed with a heavy coat and build.

Appearance: The Shetland is bay, black, brown, chestnut, cream, dun, gray, or roan in color. Its frame is gracile and refined, its tail rich and luxuriant.

Temperament: These ponies are considered to have a bratty disposition, but can be handled with proper training.

Use: Shetlands are used as harness ponies, but are more often trained to be ridden by children, to which their small stature makes them particularly well-suited.

You might be an American Shetland if...

You are a rascally pony who enjoys an association with the age play community.

Clydesdale (cold-blood) Clydesdales are most well-known for their size and strength, though they are smaller than the Shire. This draft horse is considered to be extremely elegant, in spite of its heavy build, with an eager, high-stepping gait. When Queen Elizabeth II saw one hauling a milk cart she was so impressed that she commanded that they be used to carry heavy drums in the Household Calvary Band! Clydesdales are also hard workers and are known as "the breed that built Australia."

Appearance: One of the reasons Clydesdales are so actively bred today is for their distinctive appearance. Their most distinguishing characteristics are the usually light colored feathering around the hooves, straight profile, and long tails and manes. The tails are often elaborately styled and there are competitions to judge their ornamentation.

Temperament: Like all cold-bloods, Clydesdales are gentle creatures, but are also flamboyant and spirited.

Use: First used for heavy labor, Clydesdales are still used in historical displays, such as pulling beer carts and wagons of tourists or other passengers.

You might be a Clydesdale if...

You are a work pony and take pride in your appearance.

Connemara Pony (warmblood) The Conenemara Pony is the only extant pony indigenous to Ireland, the environment of which has made the breed notably hardy. Over time, it has been extensively mixed with other breeds, from the Arabian to the Clydesdale, to produce an animal containing a number of desirable traits. When this practice threatened the breed's definition, the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society was formed to maintain purity. They have long lifespans, are athletic, and are particularly noted as being good show and sports ponies.

Appearance: The Connemara comes in bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, gray, palomino, and roan, but not pieblad or skewbald patterns. They have a compact build with short legs and are large enough to be ridden by adults.

Temperament: Connemaras are considered to be spirited and eager, but also very trainable.

 Use: Connemaras are very fast, with shoulders well-built for jumping, making them excellent sports ponies. They are considered the ideal competition mount for juveniles.

You might be a Connemara Pony if...

You are fond of Ireland, hardy, and athletic and may want to be used in show or for competition.

Friesian (cold-blood) The Friesian or Frisian is a light draft horse, originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, but also popular in Holland. Though considered ugly by the Romans, they have always been recognized as a powerful work horse. Over time their appearance was improved by mixing with Asian and Andalusian horses. They have also been used to beef up other breeds, such as Dales and Fell Ponies. During the Crusades, they carried Friesian and German knights into battle. Notable modern appearances include that of the Friesian Goliath in the movie Ladyhawke.

Appearance: Friesians are most well known for their black color, though the occasional chestnut Friesian is born. Their faces are described as expressive. Other physical characteristics include a long head with short ears, a wavy mane and tail, and feathering around the hooves. The hair is often deliberately left untrimmed and un-styled. They are relatively small, graceful, and nimble for a draft horse, being strong, but not massive. The body type of the Friesian is called Baroque, meaning that they are possessed of muscular builds with well-developed haunches, arched necks, full manes and tails, a straight or slightly Romanesque profile. Other Baroque horses include the Lipizzaner, Lusitano, and Knabstrup.

Temperament: Friesians are cheerful, willing, sweet, and docile, making them a pleasure to train.

Use: Friesians are considered good riding horse, but really excel as harness horses. Their elegant carriage and dark coloring made them particularly popular hearse horses. They have also been used in circus acts.

You might be a Friesian if...

You are a willing harness horse who perhaps has a flair for elegant, gothic style.

Hackney Pony (warmblood) The Hackney is bred as a horse and as a pony, with both variations sharing the same stud register. But the pony is not only a small version of the horse, retaining specifically pony characteristics. The horse is bred from Trotters and Roadsters, noted for their speed and stamina. They were so associated with carriage driving that they lent their name to the Hackney cab. The pony variety was begun by Christopher Wilson who mixed the horse with Fell Ponies to pull small carriages, which is why they were first called Wilson Ponies. He created a lovely little pony that today is mainly used in show. Their motion is exaggerated, high, and true. Ideally their hooves must move straight forward with no sideways motion at all. Their stamina was built up over time through competition, with the winners being bred to the exclusion of the losers.

Appearance: The Hackney is slender with a small head, convex profile, tiny ears, and large eyes. Their tails are set high and their long necks are carried high, a desirable trait in a carriage horse. Their suitability to being driven in harness is also visible in their strong shoulders and low withers. Their fine, silken coats are usually dark brown or black, but also come in bay and, occasionally, chestnut. The rare chestnut ponies often have flaxen manes and tails as well. Many Hackneys also have small, white markings about their bodies, heads, and legs. The pony must not exceed 14.2 hands and usually ranges from 12 to 14 hands high. (The horse may grow to 15.3 hands.)

Temperament: The Hackney is considered brave and friendly, making it a good companion horse as well as a show horse.

Use: The Hackney pony is mainly used in competition, particularly in competitive driving, in one of four divisions: cobtail ponies, harness ponies, pleasure ponies, or road ponies.

Cobtail Ponies: These ponies are shown with a braided mane and docked tail. They are usually taller, showing off their svelte form.

Harness Ponies: Ponies to be shown in harness are very small, not exceeding 12.2 hands. They are driven with a four-wheel viceroy, a light carriage fitted with one seat and pneumatic wheels. Harness ponies are judged on form, rather than speed.

Pleasure Ponies: Hackneys in this division are shown by children or amateur adults. While they are still judged based on the usual criteria, their temperament is a stronger factor, as the horse is meant to be a pleasure to drive.

Road Ponies: These ponies are judged on speed evidenced by the small, two-wheeled sulky they are driven with.

You might be a Hackney with if...

You are a pleasant little show pony who would like to pull a carriage or a harness pony who would like to be shown.

Hanoverian (warmblood) The Hanoverian has a long, well-documented history dating back to 1753 in Celle, Germany. The shifting focus of breeders over the centuries has resulted in an athletic, versatile horse that is well-honed enough to be used in competition, most notably as a show jumper and dressage horse. An interesting fact about the breed is that each Hanoverian approved for registry is branded with a distinctive brand, usually H-shaped, that varies according to the horse's location, parentage, and the time period.

Appearance: Hanoverians are equipped with long necks and powerful loins and quarters, improving their jumping ability. Their joints are large and there is little to no knee action in their strides. While the horse does come in every color, they are usually bay, black, brown, chestnut, or gray. Only small white markings are recognized by the register.

Temperament: The Hanoverian was bred not only on performance, but also on temperament. Thus, they are willing and reliable horses, easily trained.

Use: Throughout their long history, they have been bred for practicality and popularity, first for farm and harness work, then for high-class carriage work, then for carriage and military riding, then again for farm work but also riding and harness work, and finally as a sport and riding horse. Today Hanoverians are wonderful athletes, often used in the Olympics in English competition.

You might be a Hanoverian if...

You are athletic, move fluidly and appreciate a long, well-documented history, perhaps in the flavor of the rowing team at an Ivy League school.

Lipizzaner (warmblood) This breed is most often associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. They come of steady stock, being slow to mature and long-lived, which aids in the extensive training they traditionally must go through. They are well-disciplined athletes, once used in battle

Appearance: While adult Lipizzaners are almost always gray or white, the foals are born black, brown, or occasionally bay, lightening as they mature. They loose their color by six to ten years of age. Lipizzaners have short, powerful limbs and compact, muscular bodies.

Temperament: To facilitate the strict training they must go through, Lipizzaners are possessed of an extremely quiet, compliant temperament, being eager to please their trainers.

Use: While Lipizzaners make excellent carriage horses, they are more often used in Haute École, like their Andalusian relatives. They are trained to perform a difficult collection of movements called Airs Above Ground, first developed as military arts, now preserved for art's sake. You can see Lippizaner horses performing the Airs at http://www.lipizzaner.com/airs.asp.

You might be a Lipizzaner if...

You are a show pony who craves a distinguished, military history and enjoys strict, athletic training-and of course if you want to be gray or white!

Morgan (warmblood) The Morgan breed is named for the stallion of origin, Justin Morgan, a horse of questionable parentage with an interesting history. He, in turn, was named for his owner. They were the first documented American breed. Morgans were the chosen mounts of the US Army prior to mechanization.

Appearance: The Morgan comes in bay, black, brown, or chestnut. Until recently, no white or part-color Morgans were recognized. Their manes and tails are soft and silky. The tail is left long and flows until it reaches the ground, which isn't a far drop since Morgans tend to be rather small. In fact, particularly diminutive ones may be registered and shown as ponies, despite being horses!

Temperament: The Morgan is spirited and courageous, but also very bright.

Use: Morgans are versatile horses, used for everything from dressage to hunting to trail riding. The progenitor, Justin Morgan, was selected as a breed founder because of his incredible speed in cart racing.

You might be a Morgan if...

You are small in stature, fast, brave, strong willed and all-American.

Mustang (warmblood) Due to their time as feral horses after being released by or escaping from Spanish settlers in America, Mustangs are surprisingly fast horses with a hardy constitution, but are often poorly formed. The Mustang has been the foundation of a large number of American breeds. Today it is protected by law and continues to roam throughout the United States.

Appearance: Mustangs come in any color, often with primitive markings, such as a dorsal eel-stripe. Their Spanish ancestry is evident in the form of most Mustangs.

Temperament: As might be expected, Mustangs act as many feral animals do, being spirited and often unmanageable. However, devoted trainers, mainly of the cowboys and Indians persuasion, have broken and maintained relationships with them.

Use: Today Mustangs are not really in use, but their disassociation with humans and the accompanying process of shoeing has led to an animal that can travel over unyielding terrain with its unprotected hooves suffering little to no damage.

You might be a Mustang if...

You are rugged, fiercely independent, don't like rules, prefer the company of other ponies to humans, and have a tribal nature.

Quarter Horse (warmblood) The American Quarter Horse is so named because early English settlers enjoyed racing them over quarter-mile tracks. They are the first all-American breed and are appropriately associated with cowboys and herding. They are one of the most popular horses in America.

Appearance: Quarter Horses are normally chestnut in color, but other colors occur as well. They often sport white facial coloring like blazes, stripes, and stars and have a sturdy, chunky build. Their hindquarters are powerful and agile.

Temperament: Like most popular, practical breeds, the Quarter Horse has a fine temperament, being well-suited to new handlers.

Use: Quarter Horses are used in a variety of settings: on trails, for hunting, for Western competition, for work on ranches, for cutting (a rodeo event), and as pleasure horse.

You might be a Quarter Horse if...

You enjoy a variety of events and training and are smart and friendly.

Shire (cold-blood) The Shire horse is strongly associated with Britain. Indeed, it is called "Shire" because it was first bred in the midland shires of Lincoln, Leicester, Stafford, and Derby. Considered the paragon of draft horses, the Shire descends from the Great Horse, a medieval English warhorse; the heavy work horses of the Dutch; and the Flemish or Flanders Horse, all massive, strong animals.

Appearance: The Shire has a distinctive profile with a Roman nose, wide-set eyes, and a long neck-for a draft horse. They are traditionally black with white feathering, but also come in bay, brown, and gray. Their tails are usually docked to keep them from tangling in their harnesses.

Temperament: Shire horses are brave, stalwart, and diligent.

Use: Today Shire horses have been retired from practical use, but are still connected to their bucolic roots, being put into competition in plowing matches, the nostalgic breed being mainly supported by brewing companies.

You might be a Shire horse if...

You are a large, strong workhorse and an anglophile.

Tennessee Walking Horse (warmblood) The Tennessee Walking Horse is what is known as a gaited horse, originating from the southern states of America. It is noted for the smooth gait that made it comfortable for riding for many hours, perhaps while overseeing a large plantation. Its movement is broken down into three exceptional gaits: the flat walk, the running walk, and the chair canter. The running walk is the most outstanding of these gaits, replacing the usual trot and alleviating the need for posting. The horse's gliding movement is accentuated by hind shoes forged with elongated heels. Another peculiarity of this breed is that when moving, the Tennessee Walking Horse's head nods in time with its steps and the teeth click characteristically!

Appearance: The Tennessee Walking Horse is possessed of a large, square build. It comes in any color, but is usually solid. The tails are very long, often sweeping the ground.

Temperament: Besides its gait, the Tennessee Walking Horse is most noted for its calm, pleasant disposition. It is a steady and reliable horse.

Use: The Tennessee Walking Horse is used in a variety of pursuits, including show riding, dressage, trail riding, and ranching.

You might be a Tennessee Walking horse if...

You are a gentle, versatile animal with manners befitting a southern gentleman or lady and are willing to develop the proper gait.

Thoroughbred (hot-blood) Thoroughbreds were bred for racing and are the fastest breed in existence today. They are refined creatures, majestic and regal in bearing. They mature at an early age to give them a maximum career length on the race track, sometimes being raced as young as two years old, though this practice is considered irresponsibly greedy.

Appearance: Due to their Arabian ancestry, Thoroughbreds are a lanky, muscular breed. They have thin skins, a straight profile, and silky coats. They are bay, black, brown, chestnut, or gray in color.

Temperament: Thoroughbreds are courageous horses, showing praise-worthy endurance, but are also rather high-strung and can be unpredictable.

Use: Thoroughbreds are often used for their original purpose: racing. They can also be used as show horses and for dressage and are notably good jumpers.

You might be a Thoroughbred if...

You are noble and refined without being a snob, temperamental, swift, and enjoy myriad types of training which utilize your breeding.

Trakehner (warmblood) Also known as the East Prussian to reflect its location of origin, the Trakehner's roots extend back into antiquity. The modern Trakehner is a newer animal, more refined and attractive than its plain, hardy ancestors. The breed was officially established in 1732 with Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia's Royal Trakehner Stud Administration. From those sovereign origins, the horse has been mixed with other breeds, particularly Arabians and Thoroughbreds, to change their temperament, constitution, and suitability. Today the Trakehner, considered by many to be the paragon of the modern competition horse, is used to upgrade other breeds. Like many horses with long histories, the Trakehner has been tweaked over time to be used in everything from carriage driving to military service. Today their breeding is considered a governmental affair in Germany.

Appearance: The Trakehner head is similar to that of the Arabian and the Thoroughbred. Their necks are long with a wide area between the eyes and the ears are small and alert. Unlike the Arabian and Thoroughbred, the Trakehner's body is rectangular with short legs. This is not, however, to say that they are stocky. On the contrary, they are built very lightly for warmbloods. The breed is associated with an elk-horn brand that is imprinted upon the hindquarter and often engraved upon the headstall as well. They exist in any solid color.

Temperament: The intermixing with Arabians and Thoroughbreds has also had an affect on the Trakehner's temperament. While they are courageous and show great stamina, they are also spirited in the way so characteristic of hot-bloods.

Use: Noted for their floating trot, the Trakehner is considered an all around excellent competition horse, but it excels at dressage.

You might be a Trakehner if...

You are a versatile competition horse who enjoys the strict rules of a well-established stable.

Welsh Pony (warmblood) There are four different types of ponies that may be called a Welsh Pony: the Welsh Mountain Pony (section A), the Welsh Pony (section B), the Welsh Pony of Cob Type (section C), and the Welsh Cob (section D). The Welara is also something worth noting, being a Welsh Pony crossed with an Arabian and boasting its own registry. Here type B will be discussed, as it is the most versatile.

Appearance: The form of the Welsh Pony is reminiscent of the Thoroughbred, which is not surprising as they were bred out of a mixing of section A mares, section D stallions, Arabians, and small Thoroughbreds. The aim was to create a pony capable of carrying an adult rider. The Welsh pony may be of no more than 13.2 hands high in the United Kingdom and no more than 14.2 hands high in the United states. All colors are seen, with the exceptions of piebald and skewbald. The head is set with small, pointed ears, as is desirable for a pony. There is also a pronounced slope of the wither and shoulder, making for a very attractive stance.

Temperament: The Welsh Pony is considered a very likable animal. It is intelligent and friendly, with an even temperament, making it very popular with children-or at least their unadventurous parents.

Use: Welsh Ponies have always been used in riding, once to carry men out to hunt and shepherd, today for pleasure and junior competition.

You might be a Welsh Pony if...

You are a sunny, gracile, honest little pony who likes being ridden and working with Littles.

Hopefully one of the above breeds will at least be able to get you started on the journey of self-exploration leading to the discovering your inner pony and his or her equine roots. If you don't find what you're looking for, don't settle! Keep searching for that breed history that makes your hooves dance.

Resources

Edwards, Elwyn H. The Ultimate Horse Book. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 1991.

Horse Breeds. (n.d.) Horse Breeds: Basic Descriptions of Widespread Equine Breeds. In Horses and Horse Infomation online. By American Horse Rider. Retrieved May 2009. http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com.

List of horse breeds. (2009, May 26). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:26, June 05, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_horse_breeds&oldid=292392368.