They have fairly long backs and high withers, with quarters that are muscular, croups which are slightly sloping, and a tail that is carried well.

Their legs are well-conformed and muscular, have good bone joints, well-defined tendons, and hard feet.

The Pleven breed of horse was developed in 1898 in the Klementina stud (now called the Georgi Dimitrov Agricultural Center) in Bulgaria.

The breed was officially recognized in 1951, and English Thoroughbred blood was further added to add refinement and size to the Pleven.

[1] The breed is still selectively bred throughout Bulgaria, and an effort is being made to increase their size, which would make it more attractive as an international sport horse.