Zohra Soltanabadi, riding instructor, horse breeder and wife of Kayhan Kalhor

Horse’s Size And Body Shape

Another clue as to what breed your horse might be is your horse’s size and body conformation. A horse that is 14.2 hands or smaller, for example, will be among the pony breeds. A large, heavy horse is likely among one of the draft breeds. Aside from size, there are also differences in body shapes. Some breeds such as the American Quarter Horse will have a shorter, more compact body – this helps them to easily and quickly maneuver on the ranch and in the show ring. Racing breeds, such as the Thoroughbred and Standardbred, will be taller and leggier, allowing for the long strides they need on the racetrack.