Known scientifically as Equus ferus caballus, the horse belongs to the family Equidae. Horses come in various behaviors, colors and sizes, depending on the breed. They serve many different purposes in society, particularly in non-competitive recreational pursuits as well as sports competitions. Furthermore, people use this kind of hoofed mammal for therapy, assisted learning and agriculture.
Draft Horses. Clydesdales, Belgian Drafts, Percherons, and the Shire are probably the most popularly known draft (heavy) horses. Less known are the Suffolk, Boulonnais, Norwegian Fjords, American Cream Draft, Irish Draught or the French Mulassier (one of may endangered domestic draft species). Generally, draft horses are larger (up to 20 hands high), heavier, slower, large hoofed, heavy-limbed and more sure footed. They are used for pulling, harness teams, fieldwork, and shows; some drafts may be ridden dressage – this includes the Shire, Percheron, or Norwegian Fjord
Ponies and Miniatures (e.g. Shetland, Iceland). Less than 14.2 hands high, these creatures have minimal space requirements; feed costs of ponies and miniature horses are beneficial. Approaching extinction as European Royal Courts declined and facing continental scattering, some ponies were imported to the US to haul ore. Later, they were crossbred with draft ponies to produce a heavy boned workers. Others, like the tiny old-world Arabians, are scarce resulting from infusion with other small-blooded horses. American enthusiasts reestablished classic Arabian miniatures; they’re inter-continentally outsourcing.
Light horses (e.g. Arabian, Thoroughbred). These beauties are intermediate, rarely taller than 17 hands. The Thoroughbred is probably the best known breed in the world — and the most valuable.