The Shetland Pony is one of the smallest breeds of equines in the world. They are the modern descendants of ancient ponies that roamed the Shetland Isles of Northern Scotland for thousands of years. Today, Shetlands are beloved family members and riding ponies for small children. Although too small to carry an adult rider, Shetland Ponies are popular driving ponies that can pull twice their weight. These ponies are known for having big personalities that outsize their short stature. Often cheeky and opinionated, Shetlands have gained fans throughout the world. However, their health and nutritional needs are very different than those of larger horse breeds.

Welsh Ponies are one of the most popular breeds of small equines worldwide. Breed registries recognize four sections of Welsh Ponies depending on size and type, ranging from the smallest Welsh Mountain Pony to the sturdier Welsh Cob. The breed descends from the Celtic Ponies that roamed the mountains of Wales for thousands of years. The harsh climate of their native home produced a hardy equine, and refinement from Arabian blood helped develop the beautiful Welsh Pony of today. While beloved for their elegance and versatility, certain sections of Welsh Ponies are more susceptible to congenital health problems. Like most ponies, they are also at risk of metabolic disorders and require careful attention to their feeding programs.

The Tennessee Walking Horse or Tennessee Walker is a gaited breed known for its unique four-beat running walk. Developed initially as a light riding horse in the American South, Tennessee Walking Horses continue to enjoy popularity as a flashy recreational mount. Tennessee Walking Horse competitions allow riders to show off their horse's natural animated movement. However, some of these competitions have witnessed controversial practices as a result of trends towards exaggerated performances. The striking appearance of these horses allows them to stand out in the show arena, but their calm dispositions and smooth gaits also make them ideal trail and pleasure horses. With quality care, these horses can continue to shine throughout their athletic careers and long lives.

The Lipizzaner, or Lipizzan, is one of the most culturally significant European horse breeds. Made famous by the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, these horses are recognized worldwide for their classical dressage ability. Named for the stud farm where they originated, the Lipizzaner is the product of nearly five centuries of selective breeding. However, the breed's famous bloodlines were almost lost during WWII. While initially developed as the ultimate military horse and most commonly used in classical riding schools, the Lipizzaner is also a popular dressage mount for pleasure riders. And with correct care and management from their owners, these horses can lead exceptionally long lives.

The Gypsy Vanner is one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. Also known as the Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, and Romani Cob, these horses resemble a smaller version of draft-type breeds and come in many different coat colours. This breed descended from crosses between draft horses and native ponies in Ireland and Great Britain. Once used to pull the vardoes of nomadic Romanichal Travelers, Gypsy Vanners today serve as pleasure mounts in multiple riding and driving disciplines.

The Percheron is a French draft horse breed known for its power and versatility. Although the breed's exact origins remain a mystery, these horses likely descend from the heavy war horses ridden into battle by Medieval knights. Percherons gained popularity on both sides of the Atlantic as versatile farm horses for agriculture work. Their strength allowed them to haul heavy freights, but the beauty these horses inherited from Arabian bloodlines made the breed stand out from other drafts.

The Clydesdale is an iconic breed of draft horse from Scotland. Made famous by the Budweiser Clydesdales that pull the company's beer wagon at special events, the breed is renowned for its distinctive looks and powerful pulling ability. These horses originated in Lanarkshire, Scotland, where breeders developed Clydesdales for draft work on the local farms. Clydesdales are primarily used as carriage horses today, but they also make enjoyable pleasure mounts for riders who prefer larger horses.

Andalusian horses belong to a lineage of baroque horses originating from the Iberian Peninsula, a region of southwestern Europe that contains modern-day Spain and Portugal. Today, the Andalusian name is most commonly used in North America to refer to horses with Spanish ancestry. Although many of these horses belong to the Caballo de Pura Raza Española (PRE) breed, not all Andalusians in North America are eligible for PRE registration. Historically, PREs, Lusitanos, and Andalusians all come from one breed. While differences between Portuguese, Spanish, and North American breeders separate the breeds, these horses share similar characteristics that make them popular pleasure and competition mounts.

The Standardbred is an American breed developed for the sport of harness racing. But just like their Thoroughbred ancestors, these horses can go on to successful second careers as riding horses after they leave the racetrack. Standardbreds are classified as trotters or pacers depending on the gait they use for races. Bred initially from horses that could trot one mile in a standard time, the American Standardbred is now the fastest trotting breed in the world. While high-stress racing careers can lead to health problems even after Standardbreds arrive at their new homes, careful management can help these horses thrive. Many Standardbred owners enjoy these ex-racehorses as friendly and willing pleasure mounts.