From Metallic Coats to Curling Ears, Here Are 10 of the World’s Prettiest Horses

Quick Take

• One breed's coat gleams like metal in sunlight, and its eyes break a rule most horses follow.
• A single gene can turn a black foal into something startlingly different.
• One ancient breed's ears do something you'd never expect, and it may have helped in war.
• The #1 pick has a link to a cave wall that is thousands of years old.

With more than 260 equine breeds in the world, it can be a challenge to narrow the list down to ten of the prettiest horses. After all, every breed of horse has its own appealing qualities. This list of prettiest horses in the world contains equines from well-known places, as well as places you may never have heard of. Some are rare horses, while others are commonly seen in many countries. These horses were chosen for either their beautiful color patterns or for an interesting feature that makes that breed unique.

10. The Knabstrupper

The Knabstrupper has a unique name to go along with its unique qualities. This is a Danish horse with a spotted white coat. Its spots can be black, brown, or gray. Many people compare the appearance of this horse with the Dalmatian. The spotted patterns of this horse’s coat make it one of the prettiest horses the world over.

The Knabstrupper would also be at home on a list of rare horses. It’s estimated there are currently only 2,000 of them throughout the world. The owners of Knabstrupper horses appreciate them for their intelligence, graceful movements, and, of course, their beautiful coat.

9. The Chocolate Silver Dapple

The silver in this horse’s name actually describes a gene that dilutes black/brown pigment. A horse with this gene passes it along to its foal. As a result, instead of a black coat, the foal ends up with a dark coat featuring silver dappling. Dappling is a pattern of small spots that are slightly lighter than the surrounding coat. Its mane and tail will be a flaxen or silvery grey color.

Horses of various breeds and colors can have the silver dilution gene. On a bay colored horse, the silver dilutes the dark points, while the mane and tail are diluted to a flaxen or silvery grey. This color is referred to as red silver or bay silver.

8. The Sorraia Mustang

Sorraia mustangs are native to the Iberian Peninsula, particularly the region that is now Portugal. These rare horses have a dun or light brownish-grey coat with a black stripe down their back that goes all the way to their ears. They also have dark, zebra-like leg stripes, dark muzzles, and a two-tone mane and tail.

Sorraia mustangs are critically endangered, with a worldwide population of only a few hundred individuals. They are believed to be one of the oldest horse breeds in Europe, with a history tracing back thousands of years.

7. The Akhal-Teke

In the eyes of many horse enthusiasts, the golden Akhal-Teke is the most beautiful horse breed. Native to Turkmenistan, it is called the “golden horse” due to its yellowish-gold coat that has a metallic sheen in the sunshine. The breed evolved in the Karakum Desert over 3,000 years ago, alongside nomadic tribes like the Teke.

Another thing that makes this one of the prettiest horses in the world is its unusual almond-shaped eyes. While most horses have brown eyes that are round in shape, an Akhal-Teke may have almond-shaped or hooded eyes, and blue eyes are fairly common in the breed. This breed is also rare, with an estimated 6,000-7,000 individuals left in the world.

6. The Marwari

The Marwari is on this most beautiful horse breed list for several reasons. Marwari horses have slender legs and bodies. They can have a black, black-and-white, dark brown, bay, or palomino coat. One of their most charming features makes these horses even more attractive. A Marwari horse has the traditional pointed ears, but their ears curve inward at the top. So, you may even see the tips of a Marwari horse’s ears touch above its head, which is a rare quality in even the prettiest horses.

The history of the Marwari starts in India and goes all the way back to the 12th century. They served as cavalry horses partly because of their great sense of direction. They were able to find their way back home to the stable. Furthermore, they are believed to be descendants of Arabian horses. Arabian horses are known for their majestic beauty, so it’s not surprising that the Marwari is on this list.

5. The Appaloosa

Appaloosas were bred by the Nez Perce people during the 1700s from Spanish-imported horses. The Appaloosa is one of the prettiest horses in the world because of its notable markings. Appaloosas are immediately recognizable for the spots and splashes of color on their coat.

For instance, you may see a dark brown Appaloosa with white on its hindquarters covered in brown spots. Another Appaloosa may have a silver coat with dark spots scattered all over it. Although Appaloosas have a variety of patterns, it’s their spots and splashes of color that give them a place on a most beautiful horse breed list.

4. The Friesian

One of the prettiest horses in the world is also one of the biggest. Friesian horses stand 60–68 inches at the withers and weigh 1,200 to 1,400+ pounds. They are compact with a large bone structure. Most Friesian horses have a black coat but can appear to be dark brown when they are going through a shedding period. Their flowing dark mane and tail, arched necks, and feathered legs add to the engaging picture of this horse breed.

Friesian horses originated in the Friesland province in the northern Netherlands and date back to the Middle Ages. However, some sources note that historical records indicate local troops rode them as early as the 4th century. These horses are often used in fantasy and historical movies and television shows.

3. The Arabian

The Arabian is a common choice for the most beautiful horse breed because of its regal, arched neck and fine bone structure. When you think of a desert horse, you may even picture an Arabian horse trotting over the sand with its head held high. An Arabian horse can be grey, white, black, chestnut, or bay. They are known for their flowing mane and tail.

Arabians originated on the Arabian Peninsula thousands of years ago. George Washington owned an Arabian stallion named Magnolia that was part of his breeding program at Mount Vernon. Arabian bloodlines have also been a part of the development of modern light riding horses and sport horse breeds such as the thoroughbred.

2. The Haflinger

The Haflinger horse breed is from Austria and northern Italy and dates back to the 19th century. This horse has a small yet sturdy build. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, they were used as pack horses hauling heavy loads. Modern purebred Haflingers can all trace their ancestry back to a stallion named Folie, born in 1874.

The Haflinger is one of the prettiest horses in the world due to its soft, white or cream mane and tail. This horse also has a solid coat in a warm shade of chestnut. Oh, and don’t forget this horse’s sweet brown eyes.

1. The Andalusian

Along with being the most beautiful horse breed on this list, the Andalusian has a long history. In fact, an image of an Andalusian horse (or one that looks very similar to the breed) was discovered on the wall of an ancient cave. The image is estimated to be at least 20,000 years old. Andalusian horses originated on the Iberian Peninsula and are named for the Province of Andalusia.

While most Andalusian horses have a coat that’s a mixture of gray and white, there are Andalusians in other colors including black, bay, and dark brown. These intelligent horses have a thick mane and tail that adds to the elegance of their appearance. They are popular with people who like to participate in dressage and jumping competitions because of their light step and grace.