Name of breed: Marismeño Country of origin: Spain Breed origin: The Marismeño is an endangered breed, and one of the oldest in Europe. It is native to the marshlands of the Guadalquivir River in Andalusia, Spain. Current populations exist mostly within the Doñana National Park, a 543 km2 nature reserve of marshes, sand dunes and shallow […]

Name of breed: Selle Français, also known as the Cheval de Selle Français Country of origin: France Breed origin: Like most warmblood horse breeds, the Selle Français was developed with a mixture of different and diverse breeds. In the 19th century, Norman breeders imported Thoroughbreds and Norfolk Trotters, crossing them with their native stock. These […]

Name of breed: Dole, but it’s also known as the Dølehest, Dole Trotter, Dole Gudbrandsdal, Ostlandhester and Norwegian Trotter. Country of origin: Norway Breed origin: The Dole is the largest of Norway’s four native horse breeds. It originated in the Gudbrandsdal valley in the east of Norway and while organised breeding only began in the […]

Yep, it’s as weird as it sounds – no, weirder, actually. The Welsh Christmas-time tradition of Mari Lwyd involves a hobby horse made by mounting a horse’s skull on a stick, with a white sheet decorated with ribbons and bells concealing the man beneath, who animates the horse. The Mari Lwyd, the white mare, is […]

Name of breed: Criollo, sometimes called the Argentine Criollo Country of origin: South America – Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay Breed origin: The Criollo is synonymous with the gaucho (the horseman and cowboy of the pampas) – the saying goes that a gaucho without a horse is the same as a man without legs. The Criollo’s […]

If you are visiting Spain in May – maybe even to experience our rides in Andalusia or Catalonia, or the Dressage Ride – then you MUST visit the Jerez Horse Fair! This festival is an annual event in Andalusia, the southwest region of Spain, homeland of the gorgeous Andalusian horse. Thousands of visitors flock to […]

Name of breed: Dales Pony, or simply Dales Country of origin: United Kingdom Breed origin: A native mountain and moorland pony from the Yorkshire Dales of England, this breed was originally developed as a pack pony for the lead industry, which flourished in the region from Roman times until the mid-19th century. Teams of nine […]

Name of breed: Cleveland Bay Country of origin: England Breed origin: The Cleveland Bay is England’s oldest breed of horse, although the Cleveland Bay Horse Society and studbook was not formed until 1884. It is also the last remaining pure breed of warmblood! The origins of the Cleveland Bay predate any written records of its […]

Name of breed: Belgian Draught Horse, also called the Belgian Heavy Horse or simply the Belgian. Country of origin: Belgium Breed origin: The Belgian Draught Horse is a breed from the Brabant region of modern Belgium. Many believe it is descended from the destrier – the best-known Medieval war horse. Regardless, it is certainly true […]

Name of breed: Welsh Pony and Cob Country of origin: Wales Breed origin: The Welsh Pony and Cob is technically four closely related breeds, all of which developed in Wales. There is evidence to suggest that a Welsh-type pony existed before 1600 BC, and these ponies were certainly well-established by the time the Romans reached […]

Name of breed: Australian Pony Country of origin: Australia Breed origin:This flashy little breed has a history that coincides with European settlement in Australia. When the First Fleet anchored off the Australian coast in 1788, nine horses were brought ashore. These, plus the horses in the fleets that followed, formed the basis of many of […]

Name of breed: Warlander Country of origin: Many! Breed origin: The Warlander was developed by crossing Friesians with purebred Iberian horses – typically Andalusians, but Lusitano and Menorquín bloodlines are also allowed. Although the Warlander wasn’t recognised as a breed until the late 20th century, the crossing of Friesian and Iberian horses has a history […]

In 2015, Michelle Payne became the first female jockey ever to win the coveted Melbourne Cup. Ride Like a Girl is her story.  Far more than a feel-good horsey flick, far more than a rags-to-riches Aussie battler tale, Ride Like a Girl is a story about family, equality, and sheer grit. I saw it with […]

Name of breed: Vyatka, or Viatka Country of origin: Russia Breed origin: The Vyatka is named after the river of the same name that flows through the region of Kirov Oblast in western Russia. The Vyatka horse was developed in this area, which was once also known as the Vyatka region, between the 14th and […]

Name of breed: Nonius Country of origin: Hungary Breed origin: This heavy-boned warmblood breed is named after its foundation stallion, Nonius, an Anglo-Norman horse who was captured in France during the Napoleonic Wars and brought back to the Hungarian State Stud. Nonius was either a plain-looking horse or a living collection of conformation faults, depending […]

Name of breed: Tersk Country of origin: Russia Breed origin: The Tersk horse was developed from the 1920s to 40s at the Tersk and Stavropol studs in the North Caucasus mountains in Russia. The Tersk Military Stud was established in 1921, in the aftermath of the Russian Civil War, in order to restore Russia’s much-depleted […]

Name of breed: Fell Pony Country of origin: England Breed origin: The Fell Pony originally lived in the fells of northwest England, specifically Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland (Cumbria). The name ‘fell’ comes from the Norse word for hills, and these ponies’ ancestors lived in the area long before the Romans came to England in the […]

Name of breed: Misaki Country of origin: Japan Breed origin: The Misaki horse is one of eight native Japanese breeds of horse. Although it is quite short, it is always described as a small horse rather than a pony. The Misaki comes from the Miyazaki Province, and remains dating back to 1185-1333 have been found […]

Name of breed: Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese Country of origin: Austria and northern Italy Breed origin: The Haflinger is a breed of horse that developed in Austria and northern Italy (namely the South Tyrolean mountains) during the late nineteenth century. The breed’s ancestry traces back to the Middle Ages. Writings from the era describe […]

Name of breed: Bardigiano Country of origin: Italy Breed origin: The Bardigiano is a small breed of horse named after the town of Bardi in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region. It is thought to be descended from horses ridden by Belgian Gauls who invaded Italy during the Roman era. The horse of the Gauls is also […]

Bonjour Madame and Monsieur and welcome to the Route du Poisson (say that in your best French accent)! Also known as the Fish Road, this 300-kilometre cart horse race through the French countryside is a popular event that occurs every two years along the route from Mareyeuses de Boulogne to Compiègne. It is not a […]