Classification based on body types and conformation, before the availability of DNA for research, once suggested that there were roughly four basic wild prototypes, thought to have developed with adaptations to their environment before domestication. There were competing theories: some argued that the four prototypes were separate species or subspecies, while others suggested that the prototypes were physically different manifestations of the same species. However, more recent study indicates that there was only one wild species and all different body types were entirely a result of selective breeding or landrace adaptation after domestication. Either way, the most common theories of prototypes include four base prototypes: The "Tarpan subtype" The "Warmblood subspecies" or "Forest Horse" (once proposed as Equus ferus silvaticus, also known as the Diluvial Horse), which evolved into a later variety sometimes called Equus ferus germanicus. This prototype may have contributed to the development of the warmblood horses of northern Europe, as well as older "heavy horses" such as the Ardennais. The "Draft" subspecies, a small, sturdy, heavyset animal with a heavy hair coat, arising in northern Europe, adapted to cold, damp climates, somewhat resembling today's draft horse and even the Shetland pony. The "Oriental" subspecies (once proposed as Equus agilis), a taller, slim, refined and agile animal arising in Western Asia, adapted to hot, dry climates. It is thought to be the progenitor of the modern Arabian horse and Akhal-Teke.
Classification based on body types and conformation before the availability of DNA for research once suggested that there were roughly four basic wild prototypes thought to have developed with adaptations to their environment before domestication There were competing theories some argued that the four prototypes were separate species or subspecies while others suggested that the prototypes were physically different manifestations of the same species However more recent study indicates that there was only one wild species and all different body types were entirely a result of selective breeding or landrace adaptation after domestication Either way the most common theories of prototypes include four base prototypes The "Tarpan subtype" The "Warmblood subspecies" or "Forest Horse" (once proposed as Equus ferus silvaticus also known as the Diluvial Horse) which evolved into a later variety sometimes called Equus ferus germanicus This prototype may have contributed to the development of the warmblood horses of northern Europe as well as older "heavy horses" such as the Ardennais The "Draft" subspecies a small sturdy heavyset animal with a heavy hair coat arising in northern Europe adapted to cold damp climates somewhat resembling today's draft horse and even the Shetland pony The "Oriental" subspecies (once proposed as Equus agilis) a taller slim refined and agile animal arising in Western Asia adapted to hot dry climates It is thought to be the progenitor of the modern Arabian horse and Akhal-Teke