Mainly used as heavy draft work horses on farms, Percherons also can be ridden and shown; the breed was first developed in Medieval France to carry knights into battle.
The Quarter Horse is a versatile breed, used for everything from trail riding to dressage. The American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world.
Used in open-gaited horse shows, the Rocky Mountain Horse actually got its start in Kentucky, used to plow fields, herd cattle, travel over steep and rugged trails, and drive the buggy.
The very large Shires are popular and skillful draft animals.
Longer and more muscular than Thoroughbreds, the Standardbred, is primarly used in harness racing.
The large, easy-going Suffoks can be used for heavy hauling.
Tennesee Walking Horses have a long history in America; they're an ideal for performance and pleasure showing, as well as general riding.
Developed in England for racing, Thoroughbreds are still among the fasted horses bred.
The extremely rare Poitou Donkey, with its long, shaggy coat is mainly used as a draft animal.
Developed in the Mediterranean, Miniature Donkeys can make good pets and are best kept with other animals.
Mules were developed to provide a strong, placid animal for packing, riding and driving. Breeding a female horse to a male donkey creates a mule, and breeding male horse to a female donkey creates a hinny (less common); both are usually sterile.
The history of this mainly riding horse began with the birth of colt with a pure white coat, though the colors vary today.
