What Breed Horse Should I Get??

Question

For the past year I have been helping my friend look after his horses, and i've been getting used to being around them and feel comfortable. I've been riding for about 9 months now, and feel ready to get my own horse. Which breed do you reccomend?

My horse will only be a pet, I am not interested in showing, breeding or competing in any way. I love to ride, but I need a horse that has a nice mild temperment that I can love and look after.

I need a horse that would be almost suitable for a child (thats what I mean when I say i'd like one with a nice kind temperment!). I know to go on the personality of the horse rather than the breed, but through experience, what breed would you reccomend? I'm an 18 year old girl, 5'4, 135lbs and live in ENGLAND!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

It all depends on what YOU want! Any breed of horse can be very nice and suitable. I'm 5'6'' and usually ride horses that are 15.2hh and taller. You can probally get away with 15 hh and maybe 14.2hh. ALOT of people say the Quarter Horses are nice and kind. I ride Apps, Quarters, Paints, Pasos, Drafts, just about everything you can imagine. It doesnt matter the breed... just like people, you have many diferent races, and some are mean and craby others are sweet and kind. So the question that you need to answer are:
-AGE (I recoment something around 8-10, they are usually broke and have many more youthful years)
-SEX (Stallions are basically off limits to first time owners, Mares are moody sometimes when they are in heat, and Geldings, well I perfer to stick with the guys)
-COLOR (You get to choose)

But whatever you decide try to stay away from:
-Stallions
-Thoroughbreeds
-OTTB

Answer 2

It depends on what you are looking for in a horse, and what the cross breeding is resulting from. If you want a smooth gaited horse, of course you would not get a cross between a quarter horse and some other breed. Similarly, if you want a barrel horse, you don't get a gaited horse crossed with anything else. Intentional cross breeding is ok if you crossed two horses with similar qualities that you are looking for, as long as there is a home and a specific purpose in mind. What makes a bad breeding is when you just lump horses in a field and let them hook up with no definite reason or goal in mind. Also, If you have a flaw and keep breeding anyway, that's a sign of bad breeding practices too. The thing that makes a breeder good is when you have a horse savvy person who is educated in the equine field and has good stock who is breeding quality horses and caring for the herd properly. The good breeder will know and breed for perfections in their animals, and will be HONEST in all aspects of the management of owning, breeding and selling their horses.

Answer 3

Ok first things first...the fastest way to make yourself look stupid in the horse world is to call a Paint a breed. A paint is a color pattern, NOT a breed. It can be a Quarter Horse Paint, or a Paso Fino Paint, but don't call a paint a breed.

You are right, you are going to have to go on personality rather than breed. However, you can look in to Quarter horses which are generally regarded as quite calm. Paso Finos are known to be exceptionally smooth riding and generally pretty calm. I own Arabians, which I don't necessarily recommend for a beginner, but they are supremely smart and loyal, and you can find a calm one occasionally.

In general you should look for a gelding, which will eliminate hormonal mood swings. And look for a horse around 5 years old. Generally around 5 they start to behave like adults and not kooky babies.
Remember horses live a LONG time, and require a huge financial backing. Hay, grain, bedding is a huge cost, farrier every 6-8 weeks, vaccinations each spring, fly spray EVERY day during the spring summer and fall whether you want to do it or not, daily hoof cleanings, if your horse has white hooves you'll need to oil them at least twice a week to help prevent cracking, tack and grooming supplies, deworming 1 to 2 times a year depending on where you live, constant careful assessment for signs of colic or other disorders such as rain rot, constant clean water (no allowing algae or leaves or food to settle in the trough or pail. There is a lot of truth to the saying "Horse poor" and it will cut your social life down significantly. There are many things to know like horses are deathly allergic to black walnuts and black walnut wood/shavings/dust, and fescue grass can cause a mare to abort a fetus. There are also boarding costs if you don't own your own land.

Perhaps before you jump in and get a horse you should consider leasing a horse. This gives you all the benefits of owning a horse but with the safety net of being able to get out of it if you find it's more work then you thought it would be. Later you can buy your own horse after you've been a lease owner for sometime.

Answer 4

I recommend a Paint horse or a Quarter Horse. They are usually great with kids and have a wonderful disposition. If you would rather have a flashy looking horse, a Paint is for you. If you would rather have a bay or chestnut, a Quarter horse is a good choice. They are both loveable breeds. Paints have Quarter Horse breeding in them, so they are a lot alike. The biggest difference is color. Paints must have pinto coloring. Some breeds you should NOT pick are Arabians and Thoroughbreds. They tend to be nervous and spooky. They are also bred to run and are really fast. They are not for beginner riders. Also, be careful with gaited horses like Saddlebreds and Tennessee Walking Horses. Some can be wonderful horses, but others are hyper and hard to control. No matter what you pick, good luck. Finding a horse is not easy. Some key words to look for are: Quiet, bombproof, easygoing, sound, no vices, loads clips+ ties, and friendly. Good Luck Again!

Answer 5

You're right, the breed really doesn't matter - it's the temperment. Some breeds that tend to have a mild temper, from my experience at least, are quarter horses and Draft horses. You may not want a Draft around a child, but they really are sweet horses. A quarter horse may suit you more; they're dependent and generally have a nice personality. I would suggest getting a horse anywhere from 14.2-15.2 hh judging by your height and weight. Otherwise, you make the call. There are so many unique horses that breed doesn't really matter, it' just a matter of finding the right one! Good luck!

Answer 6

I've had more experience with quarterhorses and appaloosas than anything else, and really like them. I don't know how many you might find in England! We use them for lessons and trail riding, for riders with no hours in the saddle to experienced riders. However, just within those breeds there can be so much difference between the individual horses. Their personalities have a lot to do with how much training they've had, how much turn out they get, and how much work they do on a day to day basis. If you are looking to purchase a horse, I'd say it's more important not to get a very young horse, but instead look for a schooled horse that is middle-aged. Geldings are usually more steady-eddie than mares, who can get fussy when they are in heat. My arab/saddlebred gelding was a hot-headed handful when he was young, but he settled into a wonderful, kind thing. It is ideal when you can lease a horse first, so you can get to know him - personality and health issues will all come out over time. Good luck! Keep riding regardless, and keep working in the stable! The more time you spend with horses and people who know them, the easier time you will have finding a horse suitable for you.

Answer 7

I'd go for a mix bred. Whatever will work for you, you just need the individual personality. Don't be completely biased, but I'd avoid Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, etc. Mostly look at each horse's own personality, for stuff like this you don't want to be completely breed biased. You'll find crazy QHs and docile Arabs, but the norm is vice versa. Hope you find a good one!

Answer 8

Chose a horse by it's ability to do what you are going to do with it and by the tempermant of the horse. Your ability to ride and experience should be the reason you buy the horse.
I ride a thoroughbred and I love his tempermant but my friend rode him once and will never get on him again. She said it was like riding a rocket. She hated it. I love it
Get one that suits your level of riding ability and a horse that can do what you are looking to do. Even if that is just trail riding look for one who has been on trails and does well.
Good luck in your search

Answer 9

Do as much research on horse classifieds websites as you will be able to look at different ad listings and compare the breeds and there skills.
Top websites to check horse classified listings with pics or vids IMO are:http://www.equine.com
http://www.myequinesource.com
http://www.freehorseads.com
http://www.equinehits.com

I hope these help, they have helped me in the past.

Answer 10

When I was 16 my parents bought 6 horses.....the Tennessee Walker was given to me.....and we were inseperable.....she was sensitive to my every move when I was atop her.....if I came off, she would stop and wait on me to get back on.......had her for many years and she was the best of the best of all our horses