| It has been known that horses ran wild for thousands | | | | developed by humans, which may also explain the |
| of years before mankind discovered them. The first | | | | reason for the extinction. Horses are natural animals, |
| domesticated horses go back to Asia during about | | | | and are meant to exist naturally. If humans step in and |
| 3000 to 4000 B.C. Of course, at this time they were | | | | try to create their own breed, the odds are that the |
| used for meat, and it was not until later that they were | | | | horse will eventually cease to exist. |
| used as work animals that could pull people and cargo. | | | | Most horse breeds are categorized by continent. It's |
| There are many different horse breeds, and most | | | | rare to find and African breed roaming around in |
| come from different areas of the world. These breeds | | | | Europe for example. Much like other animals, horses |
| have adapted and changed over time. There are | | | | are generally indigenous to the land they originally |
| approximately 500 different horse breeds worldwide. | | | | came from, and so the breeds usually stay on their |
| Generally speaking, in order to be classified in this list, | | | | particular continent. In Kentucky, there is a museum |
| the horse must be 14.2 hands tall or more. Anything | | | | dedicated to honoring all of the many beautiful horse |
| smaller or shorter is considered to be a pony breed. | | | | breeds of the world. For fans of horses, this is a must |
| Believe it or not, there are some horse breeds that are | | | | see. Observing and understanding the hundreds of |
| now extinct. Some of these include the Irish hobby, the | | | | horse breeds from around the world makes one truly |
| Norfolk trotter, the Chapman horse, and the Poznan, | | | | appreciate the grace and beauty of these large and |
| just to name a few. Most of these breeds were | | | | mysterious animals. |