Types of Horses and Breeds for Horse Riding — Complete Guide
Updated: May 2026 · Rincón del Valle technical team
See all native horse breeds of Spain.
Each horse breed has specific aptitudes for different disciplines. Here we explain the breeds most used in sports and pleasure riding, their characteristics, and what they are best suited for.
Pure Spanish Horse (PRE)
An iconic Spanish horse. Nobility, sculptural presence, great reactivity, and elegant movements. Ideal for dressage, doma vaquera, and as a pleasure riding horse. Not ideal for high-level show jumping.
KWPN (Dutch Warmblood)
A versatile sports horse. Excellent in high-level show jumping and dressage. Athletic body, hardworking mind. Many top Olympic jumpers are KWPN.
Hanoverian
A German sports horse. Very popular in competitive dressage. Balanced mind and expansive movements.
Anglo-Arabian
A cross between Thoroughbred and Arabian. Fast, hardy, and very good for eventing and endurance riding. Athletic body but lighter than a pure Thoroughbred.
Lusitano
A cousin of the PRE, but Portuguese. Similar elegance and reactivity. Very good for classical dressage and doma vaquera.
Thoroughbred (TB)
The racehorse. Extreme speed and reactivity. For eventing it can be excellent; for dressage or novice riders, it may be too much.
Spanish Crossbreed
A cross of PRE with other breeds. Very versatile for recreational use. Excellent for clubs, low-level jumping, and hacking.
Friesian
A black horse from the Netherlands. Beautiful for dressage and exhibition. Not ideal for advanced jumping due to its heavy build.
Quarter Horse
An American horse famous for its speed over 400m. Exceptional for western riding, working equitation, and reining.
Pony breeds
Welsh, Connemara, Shetland... For children and small adults. Do not underestimate the pony — many can jump over 1.20m.
Among native Spanish ponies, you have profiles with official data on the Asturcón, the Pottoka, and the Pure Galician Horse. And among saddle horses, the Menorquín horse.
Related products at Rincón del Valle
Do you want to know more?
If you have specific questions about this discipline or the equipment you need, write to us at info@rincondv.com or WhatsApp us at 620 17 64 18. Our team will guide you with no obligation.
Additional resources
Rincón del Valle technical team — specialists in equestrian equipment. Physical store in A Coruña (Marineda City Shopping Center, sports area, 1st floor · Estrada Baños de Arteixo 43) and online service throughout Spain.
