I want a horse for barrel & pleasure. I like all breeds and would like a good size horse. Advice please.?

Question

It's been a few years sense I've had horses. I'm now starting my own farm.

Answer 1

the appendix quarter horse is probably good for you: they're bigger than the normal quarter, but same breed. the quarter horse is good, but smaller
probably appaloosas and paints would also be good for barrel and pleasure.
I'd suggest pretty much anything but a thoroughbred... I can ride western but I don't show it very much... but I know the TBs are mostly english and QHs tend to be western... so I'd suggest an appendix Quarter Horse, but I think an appaloosa or a paint would be great for those disciplines too

Answer 2

Quarter Horses are great pleasure horses and amazing rodeo horses, but if you want to try out a few breeds I would suggest a Morgan or a Morgan QH cross. I have owned a Morgan/QH for four years and have pleasantly discovered that he is the most versatile horse I have ever seen. Morgans are athletic and very smart and they are usually smoother than a quarter horse.They are also one of the soundest riding horses you will ever come across. I have used him for everything and have yet to find something he is incapable of doing. He is a roping, cutting, barrel, pole bending, pleasure, trick, kids and cattle horse all rolled into one. They range in size from 14.2 to 16 hands, although finding one of that size is not an easy task. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Appendixes are some of the best barrel horses out there. Straight Quarter Horses can also be very talented, and heavily populate the western pleasure classes at horse shows. Some paints, Appaloosas, and even Thoroughbreds can also be good prospects.

You say you're starting your own farm now. I hope you're familiar with horses enough to handle the responsibility and that you've worked around them in the past. As a former barn manager for a forty-plus stall operation, I can assure you that running a farm involves a lot of hard work. There are shavings and feed deliveries to coordinate, stalls to clean, paddocks and pastures to clean, water buckets to be scrubbed, hay to be cured and stored before being fed out, fences to be kept in good repair, and so much more. If you haven't worked the management end of a farm before, you may want to consider hiring an experienced manager or a staff of workers familiar with the running of stable, at least until you're more comfortable with all aspects of the business. You'll also want to brush up on equine nutrition and line up a vet and farrier ahead of time. If you're not an experienced rider or trainer, you may also want to think about hiring a professional to work with you and your horses for a time.

Answer 4

The American Quarter Horse is, to me, the best barrel horse you can find. They are extremely versatile, and are designed as sprinters. If you didn't know, they were named after the fact that men used to have small quarter-mile races on these horses, and the name kind of stuck. Unlike TB's, QH's have a short burst of speed that is extremely fast. They also have great footing and are very versatile. My QH mare Bailey, age 9, is an extremely talented contester when she wants to be. I need to keep working on cutting turns sharp enough, but she has the speed. She also excells in dressage and reining. This year I am starting jumping with her, and she is showing great potential in that as well. She is the definition of versatile if you ask me. If you want something other than a QH, I would suggest an Appy. They are also known to be very good contesters. Good luck, glad to see you starting up again with horses!

Answer 5

Well I have been rodeoing my whole life, and I have been asked this question a million times. Answer? There is no right or wrong. It is what YOU like. Like me? I prefer smaller, stockier barrel horses whos strides are shorter (more like a quarter horse). But alot of people prefer taller, lankier horses (more like a thoroughbred) because they fell they are easier to ride because they cover so much more ground. It is really your own preference. But the thing that I cannot stress to people enough is this: PLEASE don't buy one that you aren't comfortable with. Don't let someone pressure you into buying one because they say they are fast or they are this or that. If you aren't comfortable on your horse, he will feel it too. When you are tense or nervous you legs tighten and he begins to get tense and nervous. PLEASE don't buy one that has alley problems either. Because chances are, it will only get worse. So moral of the story-- Don't get on one for an hour and decide you want it. Take it to an arena and see what happens. Make a slow little run and see what you think... I hope it all works out... Good luck : )

Answer 6

I would suggest either a Quarter Horse or a Paint, seeing as how they come from the same stock. Quarter Horses (and Paints) tend to be more of the traditional Western breeds. If you want to do western sports, such as reining, barrel racing, or western pleasure, I would suggest the above breeds.

Answer 7

Quarter Horse all the way. Good conformation, endurance, and price tag usually. They are the fastest sprinting horses around, faster even than racing horses, at least for the first quarter of a mile. Look for one at 15 hands or taller that has good blood lines and an agreeable temperment.

Answer 8

I know very little about horse breeds, but I'm told that the American Quarter-Horse is best for barrels, and rides well too.

Answer 9

I would say Quarter Horses would be the way to go, they are bred for pleasure and western ( although i rode one for english, and he was great! ) they are also really strong horses and smart too. And you could easily find one of a good height they are often around 15 - 16hh =] good luck!

Answer 10

I would recommend a Quarter Horse.