The black and white horse. It sounds like something so simple yet, it is pretty rare in most breeds. Black horses are hard enough to come by and, then, combining them with white, it is even more difficult. There are some breeds where black and white horses can still be found. In this post, we list 11 of the most common breeds where you should be able to find the black and white horse of your dreams!
Table of Contents
Gypsy Vanner
The Gypsy Vanner horse is famous for its luxuriously long mane and tail and beautiful, heavily feathered legs. Also called the Gypsy Cob or the Irish Cob, the Gypsy Vanner can be solid or painted. A highly sought after color combination is the black and white painted Gypsy Vanner.
Height for the Gypsy Vanner can vary all the way from 13 – 16 hands or taller. They were originally bred by the Gypsies of Europe to pull the vardoes used by homes for the Romani people. (source) Today, the Gypsy Vanner has been imported to America where it remains immensely popular and is a highly sought after breed.
American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse has earned it’s placed as one of few truly American breeds. This beautiful breed is composed of painted stock horses in almost every color. Black and white paint horses come in many different paint color patterns from traditional tobiano, like the Gypsy Vanner above, to splashed white and overo patterns as well.
The American Paint Horse is a versatile horse that excels in almost every discipline. You may be just as likely to find a registered paint horse rounding up cattle as you would doing dressage or jumping over fences. They make excellent trail horses and their calm, easy-going demeanor often makes them a great choice for beginner riders as well.
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a spotted breed made most famous for their association with Native Americans. Their numbers once dwindled as the US Government nearly wiped them out. A group of horsemen were able to band together and preserve the spotted horse. Soon, the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was formed and, to this day, serves to track pedigrees and promote the versatility of this beautiful breed.
Appaloosa horses come in many different colors but, occasionally, you may be able to find a black and white Appaloosa. There are many different patterns in the breed as well so keep your eye out for snowflake Appaloosas, blanket Appaloosas, and leopard Appaloosas among others. If you would like to learn more about this beautiful breed, check out my post with 19 Appaloosa Horse Facts.
Shire
The Shire horse is usually black, bay or gray though other colors are popular. This is a heavy horse breed with long beautiful feathers. The shire is tall and wide and has even held the world record for tallest horse at times.
The Shire is known for its gentle, calm demeanor and is easily trained. While they were bred for pulling and use on a farm, they can make excellent riding horses as well. Most black Shires will have a beautiful white face and leg markings. Extending up to the knees in the front and the hocks in the back, these heavily feathered legs look quite striking!
Knabstrupper
The Knabstrupper is a unique breed and not very commonly seen. It is a warmblood type horse that originated in Denmark. Ranging from 14 – 16 hands or taller, the Knabstrup horse is most famous for its members having the leopard coat pattern. This results in a white horse with black spots. Similar to what you would expect in a Dalmation!
The black and white Knabstrupper excels in disciplines like dressage and show jumping. They can be found throughout Europe and a few members have been imported to America as well. They have a kind temperament and are highly trainable.
American Mustang
Did you know that the mustang horse can be black and white too! In fact, you can find many different types of black and white mustangs in herds throughout the United States. This includes appaloosas, tobianos, and overos. Occasionally, a black and white horse will become available for adoption through the BLM.
While not very common, the black and white mustang is a beautiful horse. Best of all, when you do find one, the adoption fee could be as low as $25. The mustang horse is a highly trainable, sure-footed and noble breed. With the right training, they make excellent trail horses and can compete in high-level disciplines as well. If you want to see all the great colors mustangs come in, check out this post: Horse Coat Color Guide – Illustrated by (mostly) Mustang Horses.
Miniature Horse
Miniature horses are might be small in stature but they are cute as a button and maybe just the horse you are looking for if you want a black and white horse in a super small package. Generally under 38″ tall, these are great to have around if you want a horse but don’t want all of the upkeep that comes with them.
Miniature horses can be taught to ride (for the smallest of riders) and they can pull adults in a cart too. They come in a variety of different colors including solid, appaloosa and paint like this little black and white cutie below. If you are looking for a black and white horse, this pint-sized powerhouse may be right for you!
Shetland Pony
Is the miniature horse just too small for you but you still crave a black and white pony? Let me introduce you to the Shetland Pony! This is another great pony breed made popular for giving rides to small children all over the world. Like the miniature horse, the Shetland Pony comes in a wide variety of colors.
Let’s not limit our thoughts of black and white horses to paints, pintos and Appaloosa patterns though. While the Shetland Pony breed does have those colors, like many breeds, they also come in true blue roan. Check out the little guy below. A blue-roan horse has a black base with white hairs sprinkled throughout their body. It is almost like a partially frosted chocolate cupcake!
American Saddlebred
OK, it’s time to get back to the big guys and for now, let’s have a look at the American Saddlebred. If you have read my post with the 15 fun facts about the American Saddlebred Horse, you know that they are yet another All-American breed. In fact, they are the oldest breed in the registry in the United States.
The American Saddlebred, or ASB, excels at many different disciplines including jumping, dressage, saddle seat, roping and pulling a carriage. They are gaited and can jump and do dressage too. In fact, they also make great matches with other breeds. Commonly, they are crossed with the Arabian to produce the National Show Horse. While you can get a variety of colors, if you are looking for a black and white horse that is also gaited, consider the American Saddlebred!
Morgan Horse
The Morgan horse traces it’s lineage back to the horse “Figure” who was owned by Justin Morgan. This breed is has made its way into American history as the second breed of horse to be founded in America. The Morgan horse was known for its versatility. The horse had to be capable of working on the farm during the day and elegant enough to pull a carriage by night.
The Morgan comes in a variety of different colors, two of which qualify it for this post. First, the silver dapple Morgan. Characterized by a chocolate-colored body and white mane and tail, a true black silver dapple horse is certainly a sight to behold. While not completely black, the color comes close enough to add it here.
Pony of the Americas
The Pony of the Americas is a versatile, family breed of pony. It has it’s roots with shetland ponies who all posses Appaloosa color characteristics. Ranging in height from 44 inches to 52 inches, this is a breed specifically created for children to ride and show. In 1963 the height limit increased to 54 inches and the shetland characteristics started to noticeably disappear.
Today, the POA offers a variety of different awards and remains the perfect, child-sized pony. They excel in trail riding, endurance, ranch work, and English riding. While they come in a variety of colors, you can often find a black and white pony in the mix.
Final Thoughts
Black and white horses exist in a variety of different breeds. These 11 examples serve to show you what is possible but is, by no means, an exhaustive list. A black and white horse can be paint, pinto, appaloosa, roan or silver. There are lots of genetic possibilities. The result is the same, black and white. It’s up to you to choose which black and white horse is your dream horse!
Related Posts
- 75 Names for Your Black and White Horse
- 13 Black Horse Breeds
- American Horse Breeds You Should Know
- The Palomino Horse
- https://www.knabstruppers4usa.com/History_about_The_Knabs.php
