My big accomplishment over the summer was completing my breeds section. It happened at the cost of regular writing, but through my research I came to realize that have a soft spot in my heart for every breed of equine out there.
Is Your Horse a Rare Breed?
They are all precious to us, as they’ve carried the burden of civilization on their kind & capable backs. Sadly, a number of the breeds that have helped to build history are threatened by incredibly low numbers. The breeds listed on this page are considered vulnerable to becoming extinct. Even worse, many of them have been around for thousands (& thousands) of years.
‘Vulnerable’ means these breeds have less than 1500 active breeding mares worldwide. Sorry I don’t have images of all of them – they are that rare.
The Whole Threatened List
This is the most up-to-date & comprehensive list I could find, but if anyone has any knowledge of more vulnerable breeds (heaven-forbid) or any that have made a recovery I hope you’ll let me know in the comments below.
Draft Breeds
Shire
The Shire is descendant from the great horse of the Middle Ages, they are renown for their gentle nature and immense strength.
Horse Breeds
Akhal-Teke
An old and incredibly pure breed, the Akhal-Teke is the quintessential desert horse built for speed in the heat.
Pony Breeds
Dartmoor Pony
The Dartmoor has been a part of Britain for over 10,000 years & they were originally used in the mines to transport tin.
Fell Pony
The ancestors of the handsome Fell Pony migrated to Britain around 1500 BC. These native ponies were later bred with Friesian animals forming the foundation for the breed.
Highland Pony
The Highland Pony is native to the Scottish Highlands where the extreme weather conditions have shaped them since before the last Ice Age.
Sadly More To Come…
I feel sure that this list is missing animals of Asian & African descent & will be on the lookout for better information. If anyone can tell me where to find it, please speak up in the comments below! 
Wow so glad I found you love your info and stories Thanks Sandra
I have been doing a little research on the Clydesdale and found that it has been on the list of vulnerable breeds for quite some time. In fact, statistics say that though the numbers have increased since having been put on the list, the numbers havent increased significantly enough to be removed from it. It’s a shame that those breeds that have been significant in the building of great countries are at such great risks of being lost.