What is a good breed of horse to have for my kids?

Question

I want a well manered horse that my kids can ride.

Thank you everyone for your great advice!!

Answer 1

Getting a good horse for your children has much less to do with breed than it does with temperment. Any breed can have its share of the great "bomb-proof", "baby-sitter"-type individuals just as much as any breed can have its share of complete and utter brainless buffoons.

Take into consideration the size of your children. How many kids do you have? The horse will have to be of a size that will not only be ridable by your children now but also in the future, with the hopes that the children continue to have an equestrian interest.

Speaking of a long-lasting interest, the last thing you want to end up with is a horse that makes being around it a miserable experience. What kid is going to want to continue being around a horse that bucks, kicks, bites, pushes them around, has terrible ground manners, etc. If your children are new to horses, it may benefit them to have some lessons in horsemanship and equitation, so they are better prepared. That way they know what to do from the get-go and the odds of success are that much greater.

Where do you plan to keep this horse? A boarding stable? At home? At a friend's place? If you will be caring for the animal yourself, consider how much it might cost to feed it. A Belgian might be a wonderful, sweet, kind animal, but it is HUGE and it eats a lot. (This is an example; I understand you probably weren't planning on a draft breed for your children.)

While on the subject of size...there are a great many wonderful ponies, mules and donkeys out there, no matter how many people bad mouth them. The problem most people run into with ponies is that every once in awhile a pony (like anyone) would benefit from some instruction, "being told its business" if you will. But most children aren't experienced or strong enough to give this talk to a pony and most adults are too big to get on the pony and straighten it out themselves. As for mules and donkeys, while I have no person experience with them, it is my understanding that so long as a person knows the quirks of the individual animal and the breed itself, a long-lasting friendship can be formed with either.

So, rather than worrying about what breed would be good for your children, look more at temperment and what sort of horse would be the kind you'd want your children to be around...and that your children would want to be around.

Answer 2

Like one of the others have mentioned, breed isn't as major as disposition. You must get an older horse (I could move with no less than a ten yr historical) that has been good informed and is a peaceful, tender horse. I like Quarter horses, however that's only a individual alternative. A well calm horse of any breed would be the first-rate guess to your youngster. Definitely check out a horse earlier than you purchase. Contact a reliable instructor on your field. They is also in a position to aid you make a decision what's first-rate to your certain demands, and can be in a position to deliver you a few leads on in which to seem.

Answer 3

Breed doesn't really matter- just get a really solid older horse that already has experience with kids and is not spooky.
Ask for a "bombproof" horse, that's the horse term for not easily scared. Some ponies, since they are ridden by kids a lot, learn to take advantage of the kids, so I don't generally recommend a pony unless your test rides are really excellent.

Sometimes older horses are cheaper to find, just keep looking until you find that older, maybe outgrown horse with the perfect manners and the kind personality. There are plenty out there
just waiting for kids to love.

Answer 4

Echappee has some good advice. I personally like Quarter horses but any breed has its good and bad. I find most "bad" horses are a result of mishandling or abuse. I've seen too many people try to beat their horse into shape and end up with a skittish horse. Training takes a lot of patience. My most beloved horse was a 18 month palomino that had never been handled. Lots of patience and love went into breaking her but I could put a child on her and know she wouldn't act up.
You don't say how old your children are but any inexperienced rider needs supervision, and that includes adults. Be prepared to spend lots of time with your children and the horse. There is a lot of responsibility and cost in keeping a horse. If you are not experienced with horses then I suggest you find another pastime for your children.

Answer 5

Hello!! If I were you I would get a quarter horse. They are so versatile and have wonderful temperaments. I would get a gelding because they seem to be more calmer then a mare. Mares can get "crabby" and "hot temper" and a stallion is not for KIDS. They are dominate. If you want a well mannered horse or a "been there, done that" kind of horse I would get a 10-15 year old. Good Luck and I wish you the very best!

Answer 6

Any breed of horse is a good one. We have both quarter horses, and arabian horses. It really doesnt come down to breed, but age and temperment. Look for somthing older, dead broke, and bomb-proof. They usually are older 4-H horses, or childrens horses that the kids have outgrown. They will usually be at least 16 or so, but the best one we had was 18. And he was just a big puppy. Have fun looking!

Answer 7

I think a miniature horse is good for really small children becasue they are sweet and can pull little carts that can hold children. Also, the pony of the americas is a good horse for children. They are like minature appleoosas and are well mannered. If yoru child or children have horse allergies, the bashkir curly is good for them since they have hypoallergenic coats. It is also a favorite of most children. I think shetlands too, because I've never ever heard of a mena one, and they are VERY popular with children. The pony I most recomend for small kids is a chincoteague pony. They are very kind and I know this since I have been to Chincoteague and Asateague Islands. If you've ever heard Misty of Chincoteague by Margurite Henry, you will knwo that they are a VERY VERY good horse for children. Good luck!!!

Answer 8

quarterhorse. They are really great. I agree that any horse can be gentle and it doesn't depend on the breed, but the personality. Find a bombproof horse. I have a quarter horse and I trust her with 3 year olds on her back bareback. She has only been trained for a year and is only 5 years old.

Answer 9

Find an older horse that isn't as high-strung as a younger horse. Find one that has gone through an unusual situations training, like a retired police horse or spectator horse. Really, you can't know a horse's temperment by just the breed.

Answer 10

A pinto/paint horse.

They are the best temperamental and they love people (they are very social). Pinto/Paint are the easiest horses to train and they are very gentle and very nice.