I.Introduction

There are many breeds of horse, and for centuries on end horse breeders have selectively chosen the best specimens to fulfill a variety of important human needs. From the endurance of Arabian horses to the speed of the thoroughbred to the sturdiness of the pony, horses have been serving mankind for nearly as long as humans have existed.

Whether your idea of the perfect horse is a black horse, a white horse, a brown horse or a spotted horse, there are horse breeds available for your taste. In addition, there are types of horses that are perfect for dressage, great at show jumping, or just perfect for hacking around on the trails. No matter which horse breeds you look at, there will be something at which they excel.

Part of the reason for the versatility of various breeds of horse is the result of genetics. For example, the strong hindquarters and compact nature of the Andalusian horse make it perfect for the world of dressage, and for many years the Portuguese have used the power of this strong white horse in their training and breeding programs.

Other types of  horse, like the Friesian, are perfectly suited to pulling carriages, and in ages past they also served as the sturdy warhorses of knights as they rode into battle. These are just but two examples of the versatility of the many breeds of horse.

Many modern advances, from taming the earth through farming, to conquering the west, would have been impossible for humans without their equine companions. From the mustangs and appaloosas favored by the Indians, to the speedy and strong quarter horses ridden by the earliest cowboys, all these breeds of horse have helped make the human race what it is today.

Horses have fascinated mankind for almost as long as their have been people on the earth. The earliest people peering out from their caves may have looked out at the horses and ponies running free, marveling at their grace, their speed and their beauty.

Even today, our love affair with horses continues unabated, from the magnificence and freedom of wild horses to the majesty of equestrian sport. Some