About this item

For centuries the horse was vital; it was not only for transportation, but also a working animal on farms, in mines, and on the battlefield. This diversification of use led to the development of a myriad of breeds throughout the world. Climate and geographical boundaries combined with man's influence also played an important part. Depending upon their use the different breeds were purposely developed to fulfill certain roles. Breeds originating from desert areas were fine coated enough to deal with the hot daytime temperatures, but were also hardy enough to deal with the plummeting temperatures at night. At the other extreme, breeds originating from the colder lands developed heavy coats and a resilience to cold and rain. War horses were bred to be large and stocky, making them able to carry a knight in full amount.