Most people land here because they’re comparing horses: a first mount for a child, a steady trail horse, a paddock companion, or a bigger animal for sport or farm work. Breed names get thrown around, “hands” can feel abstract, and the same horse may be called a pony in one context and a horse in another.
Below is a clear, Australia-focused guide to common breeds and broad types, what “size” really means, and the practical checks that matter more than a label. Where rules draw a hard line—like pony height in competition—you’ll see the actual measurements.
Horse breeds: what a “breed” actually tells you
A breed is a defined population recorded in a studbook, selected over generations for consistent traits such as body shape, movement, temperament tendencies, and suitability for certain work. Even within a breed, individuals vary. Training, handling, health and day-to-day management often matter as much as bloodlines.
Horses have been domesticated for thousands of years, and humans have shaped them into specialised types—fast, strong, compact, elegant—by choosing which animals reproduce. 1
How horse size is measured (and why it’s confusing)
Horse height is traditionally measured in hands (hh). One hand equals 4 inches (10.16 cm), measured at the wither (the highest point of the shoulder). You’ll still see centimetres in rulebooks and breed registries.
Pony vs horse: the common cut-off
In many competition settings, “pony” is defined by height rather than breed. Under Equestrian Australia dressage rules, a pony must not exceed 148 cm without shoes (or 149 cm with shoes), and a horse must exceed those heights. 2
Common horse breeds you’ll see in Australia
Australian Stock Horse
The Australian Stock Horse is a purpose-bred working and all-rounder type, selected for Australian conditions and valued for endurance, agility and a generally calm, responsive way of going. You’ll see them in campdrafting and station work, but also in polocrosse, pony club, eventing, dressage and jumping. 3
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbreds dominate Australian flat racing, but they also turn up everywhere else once their racing days are done—eventing, show jumping, pleasure riding—because they’re athletic, forward-moving and often keen to work. In practice, they suit riders who enjoy a lighter, more sensitive horse and have the time for consistent training and good management.
Arabian
Arabians are known for stamina and efficiency over distance, which is why they feature strongly in endurance riding. They’re typically refined through the head and bone, with a lively way of moving and an alert, observant temperament that can be a joy in the right hands.
Australian Pony and Australian Sports Pony
“Australian Pony” is commonly used as a general label, but pony registries and competition rules still come back to height. The Australian Sports Pony Registry, for example, uses the pony maximum of 148 cm without shoes (149 cm with shoes), reflecting the international pony standard. 4
Australian Draught Horse and other heavy breeds
Draught horses are built for pulling and carrying: heavier bone, wide chests, strong quarters and a steady rhythm. In Australia you’ll hear names like Clydesdale and Shire in the same breath as “draught”, especially in harness, farm displays and heavier riding work where calm strength is prized.
Horse “types”: a practical way to think about purpose
Outside studbooks, horses are often grouped by what they’re built to do.
- Light riding horses – generally more agile and athletic; used for sport, pleasure riding and station work.
- Draught/heavy horses – built for power and pulling; often quieter moving and physically larger.
- Racing types – selected for speed (Thoroughbreds) or harness performance (Standardbreds), with management and training shaped around that life.
- Warmblood types – bred for modern Olympic disciplines (dressage and jumping) with emphasis on movement, rideability and scope.
These categories overlap. A Thoroughbred can become a superb dressage horse. A Stock Horse can jump and event. A calm draught cross can be a safe family mount.
When size matters (and when it doesn’t)
Size is mostly about fit, safety and the job at hand—not prestige.
Rider fit and handling
A taller horse gives longer stride and more reach, but also more mass to control if things go wrong. A smaller horse can be easier to mount and handle on the ground, and often suits shorter riders. What matters is balance: the rider should look centred, with the horse able to carry the workload comfortably.
Sport rules and measuring
Some disciplines separate ponies and horses by measurement. In dressage, the pony/horse cut-off is clearly defined, and height certificates may be recommended for borderline animals. 2
Workload and condition
Heavier horses often need careful management of feet, joints and body condition. Smaller ponies can be “easy keepers” and may gain weight quickly on rich pasture. Either way, feeding should match the animal’s size, workload and season, not a guess based on breed. 5, 6
Miniature horses: small bodies, full responsibilities
Miniature horses are not simply “pocket ponies”. They still need correct diet, parasite control, hoof care, safe fencing, and protection from heat and cold. Their small size can make overfeeding and obesity easy to miss until it becomes a health problem.
If you’re considering a miniature horse as a companion or driving animal, plan for the same daily standards you would give any horse: reliable water, suitable shelter, and routine veterinary and farrier care. 5, 7
Rare and “heritage” horses in Australia: tidy up the terms
Australia has feral horse populations (often called brumbies) and it also has heritage breeding efforts that aim to preserve old bloodlines. These are different things.
- Brumbies are feral horses, not a single standardised breed. They can descend from many domestic types and vary widely in size and build.
- Walers are a recognised heritage type in Australia, historically linked with remount horses. Modern breed societies set specific registration requirements, including documented lineage and DNA processes for the studbook. 8
If someone is advertising a horse as “rare” or “endangered”, ask which registry they mean, what proof of breeding exists, and whether the animal is recorded with that organisation. “Rare” is sometimes accurate, but it’s also sometimes marketing.
Choosing the right horse: the checks that beat any breed label
Breed can guide your expectations, but the individual in front of you decides whether the match works.
- Temperament in your hands: watch the horse being caught, led, tied up, groomed and handled around feet.
- Soundness and suitability: get an independent veterinary pre-purchase exam if the purchase is significant or the intended work is demanding.
- Training and experience: a calm, well-schooled horse often suits a rider better than a “perfect” breed that’s green or reactive.
- Management reality: pasture quality, time for exercise, shelter, fencing, and whether you can afford feed through dry seasons.
Care basics, in plain terms
Horses do best on routine: steady feed, clean water, safe shelter, and regular checks that catch small problems early.
- Feed: adjust to body condition and workload. Government guides commonly describe feeding ranges by bodyweight and horse “type” (pony, galloway, horse, heavy horse), which is often more useful than breed. 5
- Water: horses need constant access to clean water; in hot weather, daily intake can rise sharply. 5, 6
- Shelter: provide shade and protection from wind and rain; rugs are not a substitute for shelter. 7
- Parasite control: use an evidence-based worming plan and good paddock hygiene, guided by your vet. 7
Final thoughts
Horse breeds, types and sizes are useful signposts, not guarantees. In Australia you’ll meet everything from tough, handy Stock Horses to refined Thoroughbreds, sturdy ponies and heavy draught crosses—and the best choice is the one whose build, training and temperament fit the job you’re asking it to do.
Start with the role: what you want to ride (or drive), how often, and where. Then measure, observe, ask for records, and let the individual horse quietly show you what it is.
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Origin of horse domestication
- Equestrian Victoria (Equestrian Australia rule reference) — Pony height certificates / horse vs pony height thresholds
- Australian Stock Horse — overview and uses
- Australian Sports Pony Registry — height rules and registration basics
- Agriculture Victoria — Basic horse care (feeding and water guidance)
- NSW DPI — Caring for horses (feeding and water guidance)
- RSPCA NSW — How to care for your horse (shelter and parasite control)
- Rare Breeds Trust of Australia — Waler (registration and breed preservation notes)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom