HomeHorse17 Most Famous Warhorse Breeds of the World Reviewed For You

17 Most Famous Warhorse Breeds of the World Reviewed For You

Warhorses were one of the highly valued animals during the middle-aged period. Many horse breeds are developed especially for the war. The war horses carried knights and soldiers to the war field. Modern cavalry and tanks originated from the warhorses. Warhorse breeds are places of interest to many horse lovers of the present day.

Most Popular Warhorse Breeds


Warhorse breeds usages, and purpose is limited at present days. The selection and breeding of warhorse breeds are based on size, stamina, intelligence, and loyalty. The most common war horse breeds are Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian, Mongolian, Sire, Hanoverian, and many more. I shall discuss the world’s most common war horse breeds in my article.

Most Common Warhorse Breeds

1. Arabian Horse


The Arabian horse is one of the finest and oldest war horse breeds. The horse breed originated in the Arabian Peninsula. The people of these areas were involved in the war throughout the year. The horse is fiery and agile; stamina and endurance were second to none. The horse breed has contributed to the development of many horse breeds worldwide.

Arabian Horse Breeds

The Arabian horse was popular among Roman and Persian emperors from ancient times. The Muslims, Egyptians, and Ottomans traveled the horses throughout the world.
The Arabian horse is famous for its beauty, speed, endurance, stains, and hardiness. The horse is fit for courser and charger. The horse is also appropriate for almost all equestrian sports.

2. Warhorse Breeds: Friesian


The Friesian horse is one of the noble warhorse breeds from ancient times. The horse breed originated in the Netherlands and is considered the Knight’s horse. The horse is well-muscled, speedy, and has excellent stamina. The horse is lighter, and the average height is 15 hands (60 inches).
The requirement for warhorses declined as the modern war machine was invented. The Friesian horse is also suitable for dressage, eventing, show jumping, and driving.

Versatile Use of Friesian Horse

3. Percheron Horse


The Percheron is one of the tallest warhorse breeds that originated in northwestern France. The horse was used as Knight’s horse on the battlefield. The horse is ideal for the French Cavalry due to its larger size and stamina. The horse was also used for carrying carts and agricultural work. The horse was further bred with Thoroughbred as used as a Police horse.

Interesting Facts on Percheron Horse

4. Shire Horse


The shire horse is one of the most popular English Warhorse breeds. The horse breed passed its golden time during the 15th Century. The horse is intense, robust, challenging, and beautiful. The horse was in high demand from 1509 to 1547, the period of Henry VII. The horse is also used for agriculture, transportation, draft work, forestry, and brewer industry. The giant horse breed, sire, is still prevalent in riding, driving, and showing.

Stamina of Shire Horse

5. Warhorse Breeds: Marwari


Marwari is an Indian Horse Breed that originated in the Southwestern part of India. The horse was developed by breeding local horse breeds with Arabian horses. The horse is medium in size, hardy, energetic, speedy, and beautiful. The Marwari horse was part of the Indian Cavalry during the 16th Century. The horse was bred with Thoroughbred and made ideal for dressage and polo.

Marwari Horse of India

6. Warhorse Breeds: Mongolian


The Mongolian horse is one of the oldest warhorse breeds in the middle age. The horse symbolized power and victory during the period of Genghis Khan. The horse was a matter of fear to the enemies, and the Mongols fought thousands of battles on this horseback. The horse is famous for its exceptional hardiness, stamina, and conformation.

Mongolian Horse

The Mongolian horse is the most genetically diverse. There are more than three million horses in Mongolia, which serve as means of transportation in many parts of the country.

7. Andalusian Horse


The Andalusian horse is the Noble horse of Europe that originated in the Iberian Peninsula. The horse was one of the most famous battle horses ridden by Knights and Kings. The horse was the pain part of Spanish and English Cavalry during the 15th Century.

Physical Characteristics of Andalusian

8. Warhorse Breeds: Destrier


Destrier is the earlier form of the draft horse of today. The horse became a warhorse due to its size, stamina, and calm temperament. The horse remains silent during the sound of armor and the fog of war. The destrier horse is extinct today and mixed up with the draft horse breeds.

Warhorse Breeds Destrier

9. Thessalian Horse


Thessalian is the horse of Alexander. The horse originated in Greece and is part of the history of the Roman Emperor. The horse is medium in size, has almost 15 hands (60 inches), and has excessive stamina. The horse breed is now extinct, and very few numbers exist in the world.

Thessalian

10. Warhorse Breeds: Courser


The Courser horse was a small, highly mobile war horse breed of middle age. The horse was used for speedy attack and rapid strike. The horse was ridden without armor and used for a specific mission.

Courser Horse

The Destrier, courser, and Palfreys are not recognized horse breeds; they are used for specific purposes. The name of the horses came from their use on the battlefields.

11. Palfreys Horse


Palfreys are the warhorse breeds of the middle ages. The horse breed was smaller than the Destrier but with more stamina. The horse can pass long distances without taking much rest. The horse gave a comfortable journey for the knights and kings.

12. Warhorse Breeds: Rouncys


Rouncys are the famous war horse breed of medieval ages that was less costly than Destrier. The horse was used for carrying loads of war. The archers used the horses on the war field due to their speed and calmness. The horse breed is also used in agriculture and forestry.

Rouncys Horse

13. Iberian Horse


Iberian horses were famous war horses during the 15th Century. The horses are in the categories of Iberian horses are Andalusian, Garrano, Lusitano, and Pottoka. The horse was recognized for its beauty, stamina, gait, posture, and hardiness.

Lusitano Horse Breed

14. Warhorse Breeds: Holsteiner


Holsteiner is one of the oldest Warmblood horse breeds of Europe that originated in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. The horse was bred initially by monks for more extended mounts on battlefields. The horse is now produced for an excellent jumper, dressage, and show jumping.

Holsteiner Horse

15. Hanoverian Horse


Hanoverian is one of the oldest Cavalry horse breeds that originated in Hanover, Germany. The horse breed was used on the battlefield to carry knights and kings. The horse is used in agriculture, pulling carts, carriages, parades, and pleasure riding.

Hanoverian Horse Breed

16. Warhorse Breeds: Ardennes


The Ardennes is a horse breed for the war that originated in the Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The horse was used to carry the armored troops and artillery guns. The Roman Knight, Julius Ceaser, called the horse rustic, hardy, and tireless. The horse with excellent conformation is well-muscled and has good bones.

Ardennes Horse

17. Boulonnais of Flanders


The Boulonnais of Flanders is one of the horse breeds used in the Napoleonic war. The size, stamina, and strength of the horse made them ideal draft horses. The horse was used for heavy cavalry, carrying heavy loads on the battlefield, and carrying knights. Over time, the horse becomes a daft horse throughout Europe.

Boulonnais of Flanders

Final Talk on Warhorse Breeds


Warhorses were bred primarily for carrying cavalry and artillery guns during the 15th Century. Horses were used for war to take soldiers and knights from ancient times. The number of horses in warfare determined the fate of that war. Warhorse breeds are still a field of interest for horse lovers. I have discussed the most famous warhorse breeds in one article. I think this will give you answers to many questions. Thank you for your patience in reading.

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