British horse breeds: expert guide to all the native breeds you will find in the UK and Ireland

British horse breeds come in all shapes and sizes. They range from the diminutive and hardy Shetland pony that still roams freely across the Shetland Isles off the north east coast of mainland Scotland, through to the majestic Shire horse that is believed to have originated in the east midlands of England and stands over 17hh.

From the speed and intelligence of the athletic British thoroughbred to the versatility of Britain’s popular native ride-and-drive ponies, whatever type of equestrian activity you are looking to follow, there will be UK horse breeds that can cater for your needs.

Many of the British horse breeds below unfortunately also feature on our list of endangered and rare horse breeds.

British native pony breeds

There are 12 different breeds of British native pony that are allowed to compete in Mountain & Moorland (M&M) showing classes, which are typically held under British Show Pony Society and National Pony Society rules.

These classes can be split by breed, by height (typically for working hunter pony classes) or combined into small breed (Shetland, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Welsh A and Welsh B) and large breed (Welsh D, Welsh C, New Forest, Connemara, Dales, Fells, Highland) classes.

Shetland pony

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Starting at the most northern point of the British Isles, the Shetland pony is the smallest of the UK’s native ponies (not to be confused with miniature horse breeds). The breed developed on the Shetland Isles with little influence from more modern breeds, and the ponies are notable for their hardiness and longevity.

Their size and strength meant they were in demand as pit ponies when they arrived in mainland Britain during the mid-19th century. Now they are popular mounts for small children, make good driving ponies, are used as therapy ponies and are popular as companions for larger equines.

The ponies can be good jumpers and can be seen at county shows around Britain taking part in the popular Shetland Pony Grand National series.

Highland pony

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Also originating from Scotland, the Highland Pony is one of the largest of the British native pony breeds. It is a strong, well-balanced, compact pony that should show substance and strength.

The breed is a popular family pony for riding and driving and is also used as a pack animal, being used to transport deer and other game off the Scottish hills. Many Highlands are capable jumpers and can also perform well during endurance rides.

The breed is a favourite of The late Queen, who had a large working stud of Highland ponies at Balmoral.

Dales pony

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The Dales pony is native to the upper dales of the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish border. Only limited white markings are allowed in the breed standard.

Dales ponies are popular for both riding and driving, where their impressive and stylish trot also makes them much sought-after, as well as being a solid choice for a working hunter or an all-round mount due to their intelligent, kind natures and versatility.

Fell pony

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The Fell pony breed is native to the north west of England, and are mostly found in Cumbria where herds of registered ponies still live on the Cumbrian fells. The Fell is an ideal all-round family pony for adults and children as well as a popular choice in the show ring.

Historically Fells were used for pack work carrying loads of fleeces, woollen goods, foodstuff and local metal ores. They were also used for shepherding and to hunt wolves. Known locally as ‘galloways’, Fell ponies were also used for the Cumberland sport of trotting races as well as by big Northeastern collieries.

Perhaps the most well-known Fell pony is The late Queen’s Carltonlima Emma.

New Forest pony

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The New Forest pony is native to central southern England. Official records of horses in the New Forest date back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted to the people living in what was then a royal hunting ground.

New Forest ponies excel across the equestrian disciplines. They are popular choices for pony club and riding club all-rounders as well showing, hunting, jumping and dressage ponies. They are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children.

Dartmoor pony

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Heading to the south west, the Dartmoor pony is the British native breed of the English county of Devon. The ponies have been recorded living on the moors of Dartmoor since the middle ages, meaning they have developed to be hardy and resilient. They cannot exceed 12.2hh and should be sturdily built yet with quality, like a scaled down middleweight hunter, making them a very good riding pony.

Dartmoor ponies were originally used to carry tin from the mines, for farm work and as pack-horses for transporting goods. Today, the breed is seen as an excellent all-round child’s pony, although they are also ridden by small adults.

Exmoor pony

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The Exmoor pony is one of the UK’s oldest British horse breeds. They originate from the south west of England and the first written record of ponies on Exmoor, when it was a designated Royal Forest, can be found in The Doomsday Book.

Historically, the ponies were used by hill farmers to undertake all kinds of work from being ridden for shepherding to in harness for ploughing, harrowing, taking feed to stock and the farmer’s family to market and church.

Nowadays Exmoors’ versatility sees them being used as all-round mounts for smaller adults and children alike. They have also proven to be excellent conservation grazers and being used for this purposes at a number of locations both in the UK and around the world. The breed standard does not permit white markings of any kind.

Welsh cob (section D)

Moving west into Wales, the largest of the four Welsh native pony breeds, the Welsh section D – or the Welsh cob – has no upper height limit, but must exceed 13.2hh, while retaining its pony character and true Welsh type.

Described by the Welsh Pony & Cob Society as “the best ride and drive animal in the world”, the Welsh cob is a popular choice for adults, both under saddle and in harness.

They can be great for hunting and perform well across all the ridden disciplines as well as being popular in the show ring for both ridden and driven classes. They also compete successfully in combined driving trials.

Welsh pony of cob type (section C)

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The Welsh section C – Welsh pony of cob type – is a hugely popular British pony breed for both adults and children alike. The Welsh C is an athletic, compact and sturdy pony, with more body and bone than the Welsh pony (section B).

Their power, strength and depth of girth makes them popular all-rounders and a common sight in the show ring. They are also found competing across the performance disciplines as they can excel on the jumping circuit or be successful dressage ponies. The section C is one of the most versatile British breeds, being suitable for riders across a range of ages.

Welsh pony (section B)

The Welsh section B or Welsh pony is a taller and more refined version of the Welsh Mountain Pony (section A). Welsh section Bs are arguably the most versatile and successful of the Welsh breed across the disciplines due to their athleticism, which enables them to compete successfully against non-native breeds.

Many modern section Bs are also successful in plaited showing classes, standing at the top of show hunter pony lines ups at championship level, while their straighter, lower and longer-striding movement makes them very suitable as ridden ponies. They typically jump well and can be great all-rounders for children.

Welsh mountain pony (section A)

The Welsh section A or Welsh Mountain Pony is the smallest of the four Welsh breeds standing no taller than 12hh (121.9cm). The Welsh section A is a popular choice for children, with many being seen in lead rein and first ridden classes in the show ring.

It is believed the Welsh Mountain Pony has existed since prehistoric times, being used by farmers as ridden animals as well as in the pits and mines after the industrial revolution. Welsh As typically have a good jump and easy temperaments, making them ideal first ponies for children that can turn their hooves to most disciplines at starter level and make good all-round Pony Club ponies.

Connemara pony

Heading further west across the Irish Sea, the Connemara pony originates from County Galway on Ireland’s west coast, a wild area of peatbogs, lakes, mountains, and rugged coastline. It is one of the official large breed M&Ms that are often seen in the British show ring.

Connemara ponies are incredibly popular around the world thanks to their excellent temperament and versatility, combined with their athletic build, making them a fun pony for both children and adults alike. While the official upper height limit for the breed is 15hh, the ponies make popular part-breds with thoroughbreds and Irish Draughts, as well as there being an increasing market for over-height purebred ponies as they make great competitive all-rounders for amateur riders of all ages.

Other British and Irish pony breeds

These ponies, while native to the UK and Ireland, are not permitted to compete in M&M classes.

The British Riding Pony

The British Riding Pony is a combination of the best thoroughbred, Arabian and British native pony bloodlines, blended by discerning breeders since the 20th Century to produce the ultimate riding pony. Registered ponies can be either the direct progeny of a British Riding Pony sire and dam, or part-breds of British native ponies with Arabians or thoroughbreds.

These quality ponies are renowned for their beauty and elegance, with floating and ground covering movement. British Riding Ponies not only compete with tremendous success in the show ring, but they also excel in dressage, eventing, showjumping and even pony racing. Many ponies were exported in continental Europe where they became the foundation stock for the German and Dutch Riding Pony studbooks.

British Spotted Pony

The British Spotted Pony comes in a variety of heights and coat patterns, so no two look the same. While their existence can be linked to spotted horse cave paintings found in Perche Merle, France, the breed was formalised in 1946. The breed society records three types: the miniature (42in/10.2hh or less), and the riding pony and cob types (both up to 14.2hh). All British spotted ponies must have one or more of the following: white sclera, or white outer layer of the eyes, striped hooves, or mottled skin.

British Spotted Ponies make excellent children’s rides. They are athletic and gutsy, and do well in all Pony Club activities as well as pony racing and driving.

Eriskay pony

Athletic and nimble yet sturdy and strong, the Eriskay pony is suitable mount of children and light adults alike. They navigate difficult terrain with ease and are an equine answer to a Land Rover, but are also capable of competing all equestrian disciplines.

The breed came close to extinction during the 1970s with just 20 mares and a single stallion left. Today, numbers are much healthier with anywhere between 300 and 400 in the world. However, they remain a priority breed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Kerry Bog pony

Extremely hardy and resilient, the Kerry Bog pony has mysterious origins. The breed was identified by John Mulvihill in South Kerry and, based on their genetics, it is possible that they were brought over by Vikings in inhabited Beginish Island off the larger Valentia Island.

The Kerry Bog pony is a popular conservation grazing animal due to their ability to live on scant grazing – care must be taken on good grazing as when they gain too much condition they can become prone to laminitis.

British heavy horses and draught breeds

Back in the days when traditional horse power ruled the world, British horse breeds, including the Shire, Clydesdale and Suffolk horse, were pivotal in working the land for food production as well as moving both people and goods around the country via barge, wagon and carriage. As some of the world’s biggest horse breeds, they were prized for their ability to pull heavy loads, with the majority of their work being in harness rather than under saddle.

The Shire horse

The Shire horse is a British draught horse thought to have originated in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. They are believed to have descended from “the Great Horse,” a popular war mount from the Middle Ages.

Shires are renowed for their size (they are usually around 17hh to 17.3hh, but can be much taller) and strength – a pair of Shires in the 1920s allegedly pulled a load weighing more than 45 tons.

These are majestic horses, with a high, arched neck, well sprung ribs, powerful, sloping hindquarters, and heavy feathering on the legs. They are typically calm and friendly with an even temperament. Some breweries still use teams of Shires to pull drays for local deliveries and for promotional purposes.

A limited number of small farms utilise Shires and other heavy horses instead of tractors to be more environmentally sustainable. Shires are also still used in logging and some land management, as they can access areas that a vehicle can’t get to and typically inflict less damage to the ground.

The Clydesdale

The Clydesdale horse is native to Scotland, although it is renowned the world over, thanks to its fame in the Budweiser commercials. The breed takes its name from the area around the River Clyde in Lanarkshire. This British breed of heavy horse vies with the Shire horse and the Belgian Draft for the title of the “world’s biggest horse”.

Although they are tall (typically at least 17hh), they are lighter than these other draught horses due to their slighter frame, which gives the breed a certain elegance. The Clydesdale was renowned as one of the best agricultural and haulage animals of the 18th century, whereas now they are mainly used for breeding, showing, carriage driving and parades.

As well as being found in showing and eco-friendly agriculture, some Clydesdales compete in general riding club activities – they give a comfortable ride being quite narrow for a heavy draft breed – and typically have an easy-going and willing temperament. They have also proved popular with the Household Cavalry as drum horses.

The Suffolk horse

The Suffolk horse – also know as the Suffolk Punch – has a history dating back to the 16th century and originated in the eastern English counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. Originally known as the Suffolk Sorrel, the breed is the only draft horse breed developed and selected exclusively for farm work.

All Suffolk horses are chesnut in colour (for this breed chesnut must be spelt with only one t) and can be traced by to the breed’s founding stallion, Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, who was foaled in 1768. Following World War Two the breed’s numbers plummeted, with only nine Suffolk horses registered in the UK in 1966.

While numbers have increased, it is still considered one of the rarest horse breeds in Britain. It has much less feather than its fellow heavy horses. The breed continues to be used today in commercial forestry, and as well as under saddle.

Other British and Irish horse breeds

English thoroughbred

No guide to British horse breeds can be complete without reference to the incredible equine athlete that is the English thoroughbred. The breed was founded in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, when English mares were bred to three imported stallions of Barb, Turkomen, and Arab lines. The General Stud Book, the first official register of horses, was established in 1791, only listing horses that could be traced to those three stallions and to 43 “Royal mares” imported under the reign of James I.

Nowadays most thoroughbreds are produced for the racing industry, although thoroughbred bloodlines can be found in a vast range of breeds, from American Quarter Horses to Morgans, Irish Draughts to European warmbloods, which have been infused with their blood to enhance refinement and athleticism. Thoroughbreds are also popular choices for polo, hunting, team chasing and eventing, among other disciplines.

Irish Sports Horse

Irish Sports Horses (abbreviated to ISH) are renowned for their athleticism, stamina and hardiness – some of the best competition horses in the world are Irish Sports Horses. There is also the Irish Sports Pony, often a Connemara crossed with a thoroughbred.

The breed is relatively new, formalised in the 1920s after the crossing of Irish Draught (ID) horses with thoroughbreds. To be described as a “Traditional Irish Sport Horse” (TISH), the horse has carry only Irish Draught or Connemara and thoroughbred bloodlines.

Many ISHs now also carry warmblood breeding, alongside their more traditional parentage, and these horses tend to be highly desirable at the higher levels of competition.

The studbook is administered by Horse Sport Ireland, along with the Irish Sports Pony, ID and other Irish types.

Irish Draught

The Irish Draught (ID) is Ireland’s national horse breed, cultivated for farm and harness work. After their use in World War One decimated the breed stock, efforts to preserve the breed began, culminating in the foundation of the breed society in 1976.

As we know, they are commonly crossed with thoroughbreds to produce the Irish Sports Horse, but many people own and compete pure IDs in all equestrian disciplines. They are often chosen as police mounts thanks to their stature and temperaments.

The Hackney

The Hackney horse has its origins in the 18th century, when the thoroughbred was crossed with the Norfolk trotter, a large-sized trotting harness horse originating in and around Norfolk in the east of England. Hackneys are best known as carriage horses, typically shown in private driving competitions, and recognisable for their flashy high-stepping trot. There is also a pony version.

Among UK horse breeds, the Hackney is one of the most at risk. It’s position has been described as “critical” by the Rare Breed Survival Trust. Figures show that the number of dams producing registered offspring dropped from 34 in 2024 to 20 in the trust’s 2026 watch list. In 2011 the breed had more than 300 breeding females.

The Hackney Horse Society is trying to promote the breed’s versatility as good all-rounders, rather than keeping the breed solely or driving and showing.

Cleveland Bay

The Cleveland Bay originates from the Cleveland area of north east England and its history pre-dates written records. It is one of the British horse breeds that combines substance, activity, stamina and a good temperament, which made it suitable for lighter farm work, pulling coaches, following hounds and taking families to church.

Many European warmblood horses have Cleveland Bay in their ancestry, notably the Oldenburg which used Cleveland Bay stallions extensively in the 1860s.

Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to purchase a pure Cleveland Bay colt named Mulgrave Supreme and stand him at public stud in the 1960s did much to boost the breed, which went on to produce top quality horses compete in driving, dressage and showjumping at the highest level.

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