Whether you are shopping for your first horse or are a horse enthusiast looking for an addition to your stables, considering the fastest horse breeds is a good idea. The five fastest horse breeds today are the Arabian, American Paint Horse, American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, and the Thoroughbred. Each one of these breeds has its own advantages and special characteristics.
Arabian Horse
The Arabian horse is a lean, compact horse measuring between 14 and 15 hands. They have delicate heads, narrow muzzles, and expressive wide-set eyes. The neck is long and slender. The coat color can be gray, chestnut, white or black. They excel in many areas including competitive equestrian events. They were originally bred to travel long distances under treacherous desert conditions. They are elegant yet tough and have earned their rightful place as one of the world’s most popular equine breeds.
Height: 14.1 to 15.1 hands
Weight: 800 to 1,000 pounds
American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse is another fast running breed. This horse is commonly confused with the Pinto because it looks exactly the same. However, the Pinto is a color breed and the American Paint Horse is its own distinct breed. Paint horses are used for racing and often as stock horses. This breed is descended from the Thoroughbred and the Quarter Horse. Speaking of the Quarter Horse, that is the next equine or our list.
Height: 14 hands to 16 hands
Weight: 950 to 1,200 pounds
American Quarter Horse
American Quarter Horses are extremely popular horses in North America. They were originally bred to race short distances but are now used for many different purposes. You will find them working on ranches, competing in western and classic equestrian events and serving as beloved companion horses. They are commonly chestnut but other colors are seen as well. These strong, majestic horses often sport white facial coloring like blazes, stripes and stars.
Height: 14.3 to 16 hands
Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds
Appaloosa
Then there’s the Appaloosa. This horse was bred by the Nez Perce Native American tribe and feature distinctive coat spotting. The Appaloosa is used for equestrian shows, jumping and as a companion horse. They are distinct and beautiful. Their bodies are strong and muscular yet able to navigate treacherous conditions. Their usefulness and good temperament combined with their exotic beauty make them beloved among horse enthusiasts.
Height: 14 hands to 16 hands
Weight: 950 to 1,250 pounds
Thoroughbred
Height: 15.2 to 17.0 hands
Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds
I really hope you found this post useful and informative. Do you have any queries or suggestions related to this post? If you have any, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. I will try and answer all your questions and take your feedback into consideration. Also, let me know if you want to find out more about horse breeds. I will be glad to share more insights with you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fastest Horse Breeds
Are Mustangs the fastest horse?
The Mustang is often referred to as a wild horse. The recorded speed for this breed ranges from about 54 mph, which makes it very fast.
What’s faster, a quarter horse or a thoroughbred?
Yes, the Swiftest of all horses are Quarter Horses. They quickly reach high speeds in short distances, and they also accelerate at an impressive rate.
Are Arabians faster than thoroughbreds?
Thoroughbreds are much faster. The general perception is: For short-distance races, Thoroughbreds will win over an Arabian horse any day.
Who is the fastest quarter horse?
American Quarter Horse is a powerhouse when it comes to speed. The fastest American Quarter Horse are often found pushing themselves up to 55 mph (88 km/h) over short distances.
Who is the fastest horse of all time?
The fastest horse of all time is the famous “Thoroughbred.”
Can a horse accelerate faster than a car?
Most vehicles can outrun the average horse when it comes to going fast, but they’re not much good for short distances. The world record for running over sprint distance is 88 kilometers per hour.