With more than 100,000 horses in the state, choosing a favorite can be difficult for horse lovers. However, New Mexico's popular breeds have developed a loyal following.

One favorite is the quarter horse--the first breed native to the United States, says Joe Armstrong, horse specialist with NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service.

These heavily muscled, compact horses are known for their speed over short distances. Their athletic prowess is best displayed in the quarter-mile race, for which they were named. Some of the best can cover 440 yards in under 20 seconds. In New Mexico, the speediest quarter horses compete in the All-American Futurity in Ruidoso--the world's richest quarter horse race where the winner takes home more than $1 million.

"The quarter horse's speed makes it well-adapted to other events, such as rodeo, ranch work, show jumping and pleasure riding," Armstrong says. The breed has become well-known for its calm disposition and "cow sense," allowing the horse to outmaneuver cattle.

The quarter horse comes in a rainbow of colors recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association, including brown, black, bay, buckskin, dun, gray and roan. To be considered a true American quarter horse, only limited white markings on the face and legs below the knees are allowed.

In contrast, the paint horse has splashes of white combined with black, brown, gray, sorrel or palomino. The unique coat patterns of this horse are the result of generations of breeding wild mustangs and cow ponies. Each horse's markings are distinct.

The American Paint Horse Association recognizes two major color patterns for the breed. The tobiano pattern (pronounced "tow be YAH no") is distinguished by either a solid face color or limited white markings on the face, including a blaze, strip, star or snip of white. Generally, all four of the tobiano's legs are white, at least below the knees. The tail is often two colors.

The second color pattern is the overo (pronounced "oh VAIR oh"). White markings on an overo horse do not cross over the animal's back. Generally, all four legs are dark and the tail is one color. The overo has more prominent bold white markings on the face than the tobiano.

In New Mexico, paints are found in similar settings as quarter horses: ranches, rodeo arenas, show rings and racetracks.

Just as paints are easily recognizable for their coat patterns, Arabians are known for their build. Over the years, the Arabian's appearance has remained basically the same, since bloodlines were carefully protected. The horse's face has a characteristic dished profile, with prominent eyes and large nostrils. Arabians come in gray, chestnut, bay, roan and black.

These animals possess affection, courage and stamina. In times past, they could withstand long treks across the Arabian deserts to fight in tribal wars.

"As one of the oldest horse breeds, Arabians are the foundation of many others," Armstrong says. When imported to England, the Arabian became the forerunner of the thoroughbred. In France, the animal helped create the sturdy Percheron, while in America, Arabians were used to develop the Morgan and trotter breeds.

These horses are used across the state mostly for showing, pleasure riding and endurance racing, Armstrong says.

Having originated from the Arabian, the thoroughbred possesses some of the same characteristics--speed, strength and endurance. "This makes them well-adapted for racing and hunter/jumper events," Armstrong says.

All true thoroughbreds track their ancestry back to three stallions: the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerly Turk--brought to England from the Middle East around the turn of the 17th century. The key to the breed's purity is the precise records kept since 1791, listing each registered animal's pedigree.

Standard thoroughbred colors include bay, black, chestnut, brown, gray and roan. These tall animals are muscular, especially in the hindquarters, providing power for running and jumping. They generally have flat foreheads and wide-set eyes.

Although New Mexico's popular breeds have similar traits, each one is different. Variety lets horse lovers select the perfect horse for their activities--whether ranch work or rodeo, show or pleasure.