What Breed of 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

If you can find an older (15+ years) horse with draft blood, it would be perfect. A shire cross would be great. They are a lovely ride, not challenging, and very easy going. I got my first horse when I was 40, and he was a Shire/Morgan cross - and he was perfect. I was a little nervous around horses, and he got me over any fear I had. And around kids...a dream! Enjoy!!!!

Answer 2

Well im not sure what breeds are most common around England, But quarter horses are pretty mild tempered. I think maybe a draft cross would be a good riding horse, as long as you wouldnt mind it being very large. I wouldnt get a Thoroughbred or Arabian or any other hot blooded horse. They are usually more hyper. Draft horses on the other hand are mostly gentle giants. Since your not interested in showing i would go to an auction and rescue an unwanted older mixed breed horse that has been around the block a time or two. That way not only did you buy yourself a good riding horse but you also saved a life! Hope this helps!

Answer 3

You say you've been RIDING for 9 months, but how much do you know about stable management? You really need to know what you are doing when it comes to looking after a horse and they can be very expensive: you need somewhere suitable to keep the horse, pay for his feed, regular blacksmith visits, vaccinations, insurance, as well as any unexpected vet bills that always happen.

Breed is one of the last thing you should consider when looking to buy a horse, unless you want to show for a specific job. The most important thing is the temperament of the horse. You can get very kind, gentle Thoroughbreds and Arabs, as well as bad tempered shires! Look at as many horses as you can, and always take a more knowledgable person (like your instructor) along so that they can give you an opinion.

Judging by your height and weight you should be looking at a horse around 15hh, although you could get away with a smaller horse if it is a stocky type. My personal favourite for a novice rider would be a Welsh Cob or Connemara cross. They generally have kind natures and are very honest. One of the nicest horses I had was a Welsh Cob x Thoroughbred, he was well mannered but had enough spark in him to keep me from getting bored. God I miss him!

Do not feel rushed into getting a horse, take your time to find the best one for you.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 4

I would say for a first horse a cob would be ideal.

In general they tend to be quite steady and laid back and are typically good all rounders i.e. they can jump, do dressage, hack out etc. They come in all sizes but if its for a child I would probably go for something small maybe 14.2-15HH cos they can be quite strong and sometimes a bit cheeky.

They are really easy to look after and don't generally have too many health problems. They can live out all year round as well even if you stay in England.

When you're going to try horses make sure the owner rides first so you can see what they're like from the ground, if possible try taking them out on the road to see how they are. You don't want a spooky horse. Make sure you tack up and spend time with them to get some idea about their nature.

I would also suggest you go to a dealer rather than a private owner as you'll have some come back. You can usually get a trial period before you commit to buying and if you're not happy you'll be able to return it within the time.

Above all make sure you get it vetted.

I'm sure you'll know which horse is for you as soon as you see it.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Hello
Ive been riding horses since I was 7 and im 28 now. I absolutly adore horses. Personally my fav breed is Arab but I wouldnt suggest an Arab to you as these can be very challenging. In my experience I would suggest a Cob. They are small horses standing not much higher than 15.3hands. They are very gentle and calm natured and make a lovely ride for either the complete learner or child. They are very friendly and easy and comfortable to ride. They come in alsorts of colours. I used to ride a Bay Cob called Bailey and he was so sweet and had his own unique personality.

Just check with the person you buy from about the horse whatever breed you choose to go for.

Answer 6

Hi I would think you should look into something that has been there and done it all not necessarily looking into the breed. Welsh Cobs are very good but can be head strong, New Forest Pony's are a good tractable breed but again some do have a mind of there own in the wrong hands. Do NOT get an Arab or Thoroughbred though you seem to have very little experience and in the wrong hands these horses can be very difficult.

Answer 7

You can't always generalise that a certain type or breed of horse will have a calmer nature than others. It depends on the individual horse. I own a 3/4 TB mare who has the sweetest nature ever. Granted she was a handful as a youngster, but with hard work on my part she has matured into a very sensible horse.

Perhaps you shouldn't rule out a thoroughbred, but go for a part bred. My horse is also 1/4 Highland pony which makes her a good doer, I could winter her out quite happily if I wanted to, she has a thick wooley winter coat, but in summertime she looks stunning with a very fine coat and you'd never guess she was part Highland pony. I have been advised to show her due to her looks so we are going to do that next year.

Answer 8

Some of the pony breeds are alright for a woman your size....Halflingers are great and can be fairly big for a pony. I haven't met one I didn't like. If you can get your hands on a quarter horse (not sure if that is a breed readily available in England) you would be very happy. Arabians are a bit spirited and spunky. You are quite right...go for personality first, and health. Also, look to adopt before buying from a breeder. If you have rescue groups there, they would be able to place you with a nice horse and probably for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you'd be giving the horse a wonderful new home. Good luck!

Answer 9

Well, I don't know how common quarter horses are in England (I live in the U.S.) but they are very calm horses. I live on a horse farm with 9 horses and 4 1/2 (one is half quarter horse) are quarter horses and they are all very trustworthy. They are good for almost anything, english or western (i ride english but I have seen them used a lot for western). I foxhunt and show and they are very calm...also they are even better for quiet riding around the barn and on trails. These are very "multiple purpose" and laid back horses. Also, I've heard drafts are pretty calm....I don't own any, but I know two and have seen several in the hunt field from different hunts and they seem very calm, as big as they are, they do seem very calm and I have heard good things about them. Go to dreamhorse.com click search them fill out the search criteria. I've bought many horses from there and I like the way a lot of information is provided.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

I'd still leave it a while yet. You don't really have the experience and things can go very wrong very quickly with horses.

Think about it again in another 9 months time....

also, are you aware and realistic about the time/money investment needed. You need somewhere to keep a horse (DIY livery is from about £150-£300 per month), feed and hay at least in winter if not all year round depending on breed - at least £15 per week, shoeing every 8 weeks at around £50 per set, worming every couple of months at around £10 a time, insurance to cover vet bills etc at around £15 a month, etc etc etc...and those are just the basics.

Answer 11

It relies upon on what you're searching for in a horse, and what the bypass breeding is brought about by. in case you decide on a tender gaited horse, needless to say you does no longer get a bypass between 1 / 4 horse and another breed. in addition, in case you decide on a barrel horse, you don't get a gaited horse crossed with the rest. Intentional bypass breeding is okay in case you crossed 2 horses with comparable traits which you're searching for, as long as there's a house and a particular objective in techniques. What makes a foul breeding is once you merely lump horses in a field and enable them to attach without confident reason or objective in techniques. additionally, in case you have a flaw and save breeding besides, it particularly is a demonstration of undesirable breeding practices too. the factor that makes a breeder solid is once you have a horse savvy man or woman who's knowledgeable in the equine field and has solid inventory who's breeding high quality horses and taking good care of the herd exact. the solid breeder will understand and breed for perfections of their animals, and could be trustworthy in all factors of the administration of possessing, breeding and advertising their horses.