Whatever Happened to That Breed?

Ever wonder "Whatever happened to that breed of horse?" ...
Well, most of us enthusiasts certainly have. You pick up an interesting book at the library about horses and a little known breed is described in it. Then you find that the book is out of print and the new books never mention this breed anywhere. And few equinologists and equine historians mention an obsolete breed unless it is a passing reference to its influence on a newer more modern, very important and influencial breed; or it is lost somewhere in the long historical accounts of the domestication of horses.

In answer to this question that keeps going through my head and probably yours as well, I compiled bits of data on certain breeds which are rarely mentioned in todays equine reference resources. Here you'll find out what did happen to some horse breeds, while others are still a mystery to uncover. And you can bet, I have more data in front of me to help me uncover more bits about these mystery horses.

Following is a list of breeds which I have compiled facts for and links to a brief article on that breed. I will update this list periodically to include new bits of data I may find.

Facts an asterisk (*) will denote the modern version of the breed discussed.


  • Anglo-Chernomor
  • Anglo-Don
  • Anglo-Don-Chernomor
  • Anglo-Norman
  • Cape Horse
  • Chernomor
  • Flemish
  • Galloway
  • Klepper
  • Knabstrup
  • Masuren
  • Narragansett Pacer
  • Neapolitan
  • Nordland
  • Norfolk Roadster
  • Norman
  • Poznan
  • Spanish Horse
  • Strelets Arabian (Streletsk)
  • Yorkshire Roadster
  • Narragansett Pacer

    Country/Region:Eastern United States (colonial days)
    Type:Warmblood
    Origins:Norfolk Trotter
    Breeds influenced:Tennessee Walker, Saddlebred, Standardbred
    Notes: The colonists of the Atlantic coast also brought horses with them. The first distinct native breed to emerge from these imports was the Narragansett Pacer, which was developed on Rhode Island mainly from Norfolk Trotter stock. However, losses through export and cross-breeding led to the purebred Narragansett dying out.

    Introduction/Narragansett published February 2000 in the North West Breyer Horse Club newsletter. (em)

    Canadian Pacer

    Country/Region:Eastern Canada
    Type:Warmblood
    Origins:Norfolk Trotter
    Breeds influenced:Saddlebred
    Notes: The colonists of the northern Atlantic coast brought horses with them. However, losses cross-breeding reduced their numbers drastically. It is doubtful if any exist today.

    Canadian Pacer was not published in the North West Breyer Horse Club newsletter, however the article was published on the NorthWest Breyer Horse Club website by 2002. (em)

    For more information visit:


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