Horses remain one of the most popular animals in the world, with millions watching the latest sporting action involving stars of the equine form. The majestic beasts have the ability to capture the imagination of millions from around the world, as they can move effortlessly and glide through the air to the amazement of those watching the action.
Horses take center stage in a number of different sports, including Equestrian based events and horse racing. One of the most popular events in the latter is the Breeders’ Cup, and you can find out more about the likely horses involved at the U.S. event by studying the twinspires.com/breeders-cup/contenders. But, what are some of the prettiest horse breeds in the world?
Thoroughbreds
For those who watch horse racing throughout the year, thoroughbreds are the breed of horse that amazes on track. This is the most popular type of breed in the world, with the horses renowned for their intelligence and friendly nature. However, when they get on track, they are natural competitors that are born to run at the fastest speeds.
Thoroughbreds are easy to identify as they have long legs and are more muscular than other types of horses. Horses in this breed can come in a variety of colors, including grey, brown, chestnut, and black. Legendary race horses such as Secretariat, American Pharoah, and Justify were all thoroughbred horses.
American Quarter Horses
While thoroughbreds remain popular in the United States, it is matched in terms of popularity in North America by Quarter Horses. While Quarter Horses remain extremely beautiful to look at, they are completely different when compared to a thoroughbred. The most eye-catching difference between the two breeds is the size, as Quarter Horses are typically tiny in comparison.
However, what they lack in terms of height, they are certainly able to make up for in terms of pace, as they are able to hit speeds of 88 mph. That makes Quarter Horses one of the fastest breeds in horse racing. They first originated over 200 years ago in the United States and were named after the distance in which they would compete over. As well as racing, Quarter Horses are also used for polo and show jumping.
Arabian Horses
One of the most beautiful breeds of horses the Arabian Horses. This breed originates from the Arabian Peninsula but has quickly spread worldwide due to war and trade. Arabian horses are more compact than thoroughbreds, but they have become one of the most popular breeds to race. However, races involving the Arabian breed will typically not include thoroughbred runners, and they are typically competed at the end of a race card.
Arabian horses are renowned for their stamina and their grace when running. Like thoroughbreds, they are also incredibly intelligent, but unlike the prior mentioned breed, they are typically much better trainers. Arabian horses typically weigh up to 600 kg and can grow to a height of 61 inches. Arabian horses are typically the most popular horse breed used in television and films due to their beauty and ability to become unflustered around huge numbers of people.
Most Famous Horses
Some of the most famous horses throughout history have been revered for their beauty. Secretariat remains one of the most celebrated in history, as American chestnut landed the prestigious Triple Crown following his victory in the Belmont Stakes in 1973.
Man o’ War is another of the most popular chestnut horses in history, with the American-trained horse winning 20 of his 21 career starts, which included victories in the Belmont Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Kenilworth Park Gold Cup.
