Stunning Black Horse Breeds You Have to See to Believe

These black horse breeds are the definition of beautiful animals.

There are horses at the country fair, and then there are horses that are so majestic you can’t look away.

Black horse breeds tend to have that effect, particularly large ones with fur so lustrous you can practically use it as a mirror.

Of all the black horse breeds, these 10 are the most mesmerizing.

Friesian Horse

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Height: 14.2-17 hands

Weight: 1,200-1,400 pounds

Lifespan: Around 16-20 years

Temperament: Loving, playful, stubborn

Bottom line: As big as the Friesian is, this black horse walks with pure, undiluted elegance.

Their graceful gait and strength are assets to any competition scene, and their affectionate, warm personality makes them a great family pet.

Frieisian Horse in Real Life

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Lusitano Horse

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Height: 15-16 hands

Weight: 1,800-2,600 pounds

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Temperament: Calm, stable, affectionate

Bottom line: The Portuguese Lusitano horse is often seen in chestnut, but black looks even cooler.

The muscular yet lean Lusitano is excellent in the dressage ring, and they love to please their owners.

Lusitano Horse in Real Life

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Percheron Horse

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Height: 16-17 hands

Weight: 1,900-2,100 pounds

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Temperament: Intelligent, proud, alert

Bottom Line: A French draft horse, the Percheron is stocky and strong. The hefty black horse breed excels at pulling carts and carriages, and their coat glistens when it’s well cared for.

They’re popular on farms in the United Kingdom and France for use in wineries.

Percheron Horse in Real Life

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Thoroughbred Horse

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Height: About 16 hands

Weight: About 1,000 pounds

Lifespan: 25-28 years

Temperament: Smart, hardworking, sensitive

Bottom line: The thoroughbred is the most common choice in the racing industry due to the breed’s sleek figure and unmatched speed. They have a regal look to them, particularly when their coat is as black as coals and shiny enough to appear in a shampoo ad.

Thoroughbred Horse in Real Life

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Mustang Horse

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Height: 14-15 hands

Weight: About 800 pounds

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Temperament: Smart, headstrong, curious

Bottom line: Mustangs are undoubtedly the most unique and misunderstood of all black horse breeds. They were brought to North America by the Spanish in the 15th century, and many of them still roam free in the United States.

Not all of them are feral, however, and some people love to keep these spirited creatures.

Mustang Horse in Real Life

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Morgan Horse

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Height: 14.1-15.2 hands

Weight: 900-1,100 pounds

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Temperament: Gentle, calm, alert

Bottom line: The Morgan horse is about as American as a horse can get. It was used all the way back in the Civil War, with a well-muscled physique suited to hard work on the farm or on the battlefield.

Today, Morgans are also used in shows and at sporting events, especially in harness racing.

Morgan Horse in Real Life

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Murgese Horse

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Height: 14.3-16.2 hands

Weight: 770-880 pounds

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Temperament: Cooperative, easy to train, cheerful

Bottom line: The Murgese horse breed hails from Italy. While they have frequently been used by the Italian military, they’re quite versatile and are commonly kept as pets due to their docile, friendly personality and good looks.

Murgese Horse in Real Life

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Arabian Horse

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Height: About 15 hands

Weight: 800-1,000 pounds

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Temperament: Loyal, good with kids, friendly

Bottom line: The Arabian horse stands out from the crowd. They come in numerous colors, but a regal, jet black Arabian is hard not to notice.

Arabians are known for their almost endless endurance and remarkable agility. They also form close bonds with their owners, making them a pleasure to ride.

Arabian Horse in Real Life

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Fell Pony

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Height: 13-14 hands

Weight: 700-900 pounds

Lifespan: 30-40 years

Temperament: Curious, mischievous, bright

Bottom line: Contrary to popular belief, ponies aren’t baby horses. Fell ponies, native to northern England, are a horse breed in their own right. Black is one of their most common phenotypes, but they also come in brown, gray and bay.

They’ve gradually gotten taller over the years, and today, the medium-sized ponies are often used for trekking and competitive driving.

Fell Pony in Real Life

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Kladruber Horse

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Height: 15.3-16.3 hands

Weight: Around 1,300 pounds

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Temperament: Graceful, strong, even-tempered

Bottom line: The Kladruber is one of the oldest black horse breeds in existence. The breed is native to Europe, and in the Czech Republic, they’re the horses of royalty.

Boasting a stately, arched nose, the Kladruber only comes in solid gray and solid black. They can often be seen pulling carriages down city streets, especially around the holidays.

Kladruber Horse in Real Life

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