Horse Terminology and Breed Abbreviations Explained

It is believed that there are well over 350 horse breeds from around the world. Each breed is known for their unique characteristics that set them apart.

Many of these horse breeds use abbreviations for competitions and registries as it can be easier than spelling out the full breed name. For example, the abbreviation TB is for Thoroughbred.

With so many different horse breeds, it can be tricky to remember all of the different abbreviations. This helpful guide will inform you of some of the most common horse breed and registry abbreviations you may come across in the equine world.

Common Horse Breed & Registry Abbreviations

Abbreviations            Horse Breed
AQHA American Quarter Horse Association
QH Quarter Horse
AHA Arabian Horse Association
HA Half-Arabian
AA Anglo-Arabian
Arab Arabian
APHA American Paint Horse Association
ApHC Appaloosa Horse Club
Appy Appaloosa
AMHA American Morgan Horse Association
AMHA American Miniature Horse Association
ASHBA American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association
ASB American Saddlebred
AWB American Warmblood
AES Anglo European Studbook
Nfwp Belgian Warmblood
CB Cleveland Bay
CWB Canadian Warmblood
DHH Dutch Harness Horse
TB Thoroughbred
KWPN Dutch Warmblood
Holst Holsteiner
Han Hanoverian
TWH Tenneseee Walking Horse
ISH Irish Sport Horse
SB or STB Standardbred
SF Selle Francis
Westf Westphalian
KMH Kentucky Mountain Horse
Old Oldenburg
ID Irish Draught
Trak Trakhener
Danish Danish Warmblood
SWB Swedish Warmblood
CH Swiss Warmblood
GerWb German Warmblood
BWB British Warmblood
Zang Zangersheide
POA Pony of the Americas
DSP German Sport Horse
NF New Forest
PRE Pure Spanish Horse
Rhein Rheinlander
SHB British Sport Horse
MFT Missouri Fox Trotter
NSH National Show Horse
PSL Lusitano
FSA Friesian Sport Horse
KFPS Royal Friesian Horse Studbook
KNN Knabstrupper
WPCS Welsh Pony & Cob Society

Other Common Horse Abbreviations      

Abbreviations Horse Term
OTAB Open to Any Breed
OTTB Off the Track Thoroughbred
JR. Junior Exhibitor
AM. Amateur
AOTR Amateur Owner to Ride or Amateur Owned Trained & Shown (definition varies by breed)
USEF United States Equestrian Federation
USET United States Equestrian Team
FEI International Equestrian Federation
JC Jockey Club
SJ Show Jumping
XC Cross Country
WH Working Hunter
WB Warmblood
WT Walk-Trot
WTC Walk-Trot-Canter

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