Top 14 Most Popular Horse Breeds in North America

Popular Horse Breeds

In 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) completed an equine census that included statistics on breed populations in the U.S. While this census only reflects horses kept on commercial farms, it offers valuable insight into North America's most popular horse breeds. ^[4]

Here is a list of the most popular horse breeds in the United States according to data from the USDA.

American Quarter Horse (42.1%)

Thoroughbred (7.1%)

American Paint Horse (6.8%)

Miniature Horse (5.1%)

Draft Horses (4.7%)

Tennessee Walking Horse (4.5%)

Grade Horse (4.1%)

Arabian (3.9%)

Standardbred (3.7%)

Warmbloods (3.2%)

Saddlebred (2.5%)

Appaloosa (1.9%)

Morgan (1.4%)

Mustang (1.0%)

Top 14 Most Popular Horse Breeds in North America – [List]

1. American Quarter Horse

By a wide margin, the American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in North America.

Quarter Horses are one of the oldest recognized American horse breeds. Initially bred for quarter-mile races, Quarter Horses thrive as western mounts and working ranch horses. They are well-known for their excellent character and versatility. ^[6]

Household surveys by the AHC indicate there are 2.1 million Quarter Horses living in the U.S. ^[3] This accounts for 42.1% of horses in all commercial operations included in the 2015 USDA census, representing the majority of horses in the West and South Central regions. ^[4]

The American Quarter Horse Association is the official North American breed registry for Quarter Horses. The AQHA maintains the records of over 6 million Quarter Horses registered since 1940.

2. Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred is the second most popular equine breed in North America. Thoroughbreds are characterized as being fast, athletic horses.

The U.S. horse racing industry produces tens of thousands of Thoroughbreds each year. Many of these off-the-track Thoroughbreds find successful second careers as riding horses after retiring from their racing careers. ^[7]

The AHC survey reported a U.S. population of 1.1 million Thoroughbreds. ^[3] These horses comprised 7.1% of the resident horses in the USDA census, and they are most common in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. ^[4]

The Jockey Club maintains the official North American breed registry for Thoroughbred horses. Their pedigree database dates back to the late 1800s and contains information on over 1.8 million horses. ^[7]

3. American Paint Horse

The American Paint Horse is one of the fastest-growing horse breeds in North America, closely related to the Quarter Horse. In the 2015 USDA census, American Paint Horses accounted for 6.8% of resident horses. ^[4]

These horses are particularly favored in Western disciplines due to their distinct coat colours and stock horse bloodlines that help them stand out.

The American Paint Horse Association is the official breed organization for Paint Horses and processes approximately 50,000 new registrations each year. ^[8]

Unlike some breeds, American Paint Horses must meet both colour and bloodline requirements for registration.

4. Miniature Horse

American Miniature Horses are the smallest equine breed in the world. These horses resemble full-size horses, but stand less than 34 inches tall at the withers.

Miniature Horses accounted for 5.1% of the horse population reported by the USDA census. ^[4] In North America, Miniature horses are popular companion animals, driving horses, and halter show horses. Some minis work as guide animals.

The American Miniature Horse Association is North America's largest breed registry for miniature horses.

5. Draft Horses

Draft horse breeds, also known as draught horses or heavy horses, are a group of large horse breeds primarily bred for heavy work such as plowing, farming, and hauling heavy loads. Together, draft horses make up 4.7% of the U.S. equine population included in the USDA census. ^[4]

Popular draft breeds in North America include:

Belgian Draft Horse

Clydesdale

Shire

Percheron

These heavy horses are most common in the Northeast region of the United States. Some communities still rely on draft horses as strong working animals, but these gentle giants are also popular for recreation.

6. Tennessee Walking Horse

Tennessee Walking Horses are one of the most popular breeds of gaited horses in North America.

Gaited breeds have smooth ambling gaits that are comfortable to ride. The Tennessee Walking Horse performs a unique four-beat running walk.

In the USDA survey, Tennessee Walking Horses accounted for 4.5% of the total U.S. equine population. ^[4] These horses are most popular in the American South, where they originated.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association manages the North American breed registry for these horses.

7. Grade Horse

In the USDA census, horse owners classified 4.1% of horses as grade horses, which are horses that lack documented pedigree or purebred ancestry.

These horses don't have registration papers with any breed organization. ^[4]

8. Arabian

Arabians are one of the oldest and most famous horse breeds in the world. Originally from the Arabian Peninsula, these light horses are beautiful and charismatic, with a talent for endurance riding.

Arabian horses made up 3.9% of horses in the USDA census, but some data suggests the U.S. population of Arabians is larger. The AHA estimates over 400,000 registered purebred Arabians live in the United States. ^[4]

Most modern breeds of riding horses carry influences from Arabian bloodlines. The Arabian Horse Association is the official breed registry for Arabian horses in North America.

9. Standardbred

The Standardbred horse is an American harness racing breed. Standardbreds are classified as trotters or pacers, depending on the gait they use to race.

These horses are the fastest trotting breed in the world, but their talents aren't limited to the racetrack. Like their Thoroughbred relatives, many Standardbred racehorses have successful second careers.

According to the USDA, 3.7% of horses included in the 2015 census were Standardbreds. These horses are more common in the Northeast region. ^[4]

The U.S. Trotting Association is the regulatory body for North American harness racing and Standardbred registrations.

10. Warmbloods

Warmbloods include several breeds of sport horses primarily originating from Europe. Together, these horses comprise 3.2% of the equine population in the USDA census. ^[4]

Popular warmblood breeds in North America include:

Oldenburg

Hanoverian

Dutch Warmblood

Holsteiner

Selle Francais

American Warmblood

Canadian Warmblood

Many warmblood registries have open studbooks and rigorous selection procedures for breeding stock. These horses are bred to compete at the top level of equestrian sport.

11. Saddlebred

The American Saddlebred is a gaited horse breed with roots in Colonial America. Their elegant looks and high-stepping gaits make Saddlebreds popular show horses. These horses can perform ambling gaits called the slow gait and the rack.

These horses accounted for 2.5% of the horse population in the 2015 USDA report. ^[4]

The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association maintains a registry of nearly 250,000 American Saddlebreds.

12. Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is a popular American horse breed known for their distinct spotted colouring. They are versatile horses that stand out in many different disciplines.

Appaloosas made up 1.9% of all included horses in the 2015 USDA census. ^[4]

The Appaloosa Horse Club is the official breed registry for Appaloosa horses in North America. All horses must meet colour and pedigree requirements for full registration as an Appaloosa.

13. Morgan Horse

The Morgan horse is a versatile American breed popular with pleasure riders. Morgans are known for their dependability and willingness. Their sturdy builds and kind characters make these horses well-suited for many disciplines.

The 2015 USDA report found Morgan horses made up 1.4% of the studied equine population. ^[4] The Morgan horse is also the official state animal of Vermont.

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is the official breed registry for Morgans. The AMHA oversees a registry of approximately 90,000 living registered Morgans.

14. Mustang

The Mustang is an iconic feral horse breed from the American West. Mustangs accounted for 1% of the U.S. horse population in the 2015 USDA census. ^[4]

Free-roaming herds of Mustangs still inhabit public lands, but these equines aren't truly wild. They descend from domesticated horses brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Mustang adoption programs help these horses transition to private homes. ^[9]

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) monitors feral Mustang populations. The BLM estimates there are more than 82,000 wild horses and burros on public lands. ^[10]