What breed of horse would you reccomend for a beginner?

Question

I plan on jumping and doing dressage.
And i'm kind of tall (5'7").
I know there are exceptions to every breed, but which are usually good for beginners?

BTW, yes I know how to take care of a horse. I'm just starting to take /riding/ lessons.

Also, if you know of any horses that could meet my needs, please post them. (I live in colorado)

Thanks!

Are QH's okay for lower level shows?

Answer 1

What is good for a beginner is a well broke horse of any breed. Contrary to some of these answers any horse can jump, any horse can benefit from dressage training.

Showing as a jumper and dressage is not a breed required discipline. Also, a quarter horse technically, is a warm blood. It is an American warmblooded breed. Don't fall into the breed prejudice mentality which says you must have a certain breed to jump and train in dressage.

What you need to look for is an older animal, 8 to 17 years old that has been well cared for, is sound (get a soundness examine from a vet) and has been shown and schooled at least over 2'6" fences and has a dressage education to at least third level consistently.

A horse like this will serve you well for a few years until your skill level out paces its ability.

Answer 2

A Quarter Horse or an Arabian would be a good choice. You would probably want one 10 or older, that way they should be fully trained, but yet have time to grow with you as a rider. They can help you to learn.

Quarter Horses are very versitile. They are not usually dressage trained though, but can do lower level maneuvers. The hardest thing will be getting the correct headset for dressage, as Quarter Horses are traditionally long and low.

Arabians can be a bit high spirited, but are also capable of both dressage and jumping (and just about anything else). Older Arabians can be calmer and more relaxed. Arabians are shorter, but I am 5'11'' and the tallest horse I have rode in 14 years is 16hh :-\. You would be fine on a 15+hh horse!

Good luck. You never know what you will end up with. I would make a list of qualities you want in a horse like quiet, knows dressage, can jump, sound, etc and look through listings based on that, rather than a specific breed. I wanted a Thoroughbred gelding, and 2x I ended up with an Arabian Mare, and a Quarter horse mare!

Good places to look are tack and feed stores, they usually have a wall with listings, and the employees may know of people. Another place is reputable stables where the horses are well cared for, someone there may know of someone selling a horse.

Oh yeah, make sure when looking at horses that you work with them on the ground (grooming), test ride them, and if you are considering buying one, get a vet check by a vet you trust (not the vet that works with the owner)

Be patient, don't buy the first horse you see. It took me a year to find my first horse...when I first started riding! It is worth waiting for the right horse than having a horse you are not happy with!

Answer 3

A well mannered, good tempered quarter horse would be perfect for you. And yes. Quarter horse's are fine for lower show levels.

As you get more experienced... and you want to continue with showing, i would suggest to buy a thoroughbred. They are great for racing and equestrian. But quarter horeses are also pretty good for equestrian.

Don't buy a cheap horse (like 599). Because then there usually turns out that the horse has problems. I've gone through this... my trianer did. Also, before you buy the special horse that fits you, make sure you ride it. Also spend some time with it, groom it, feed it, to see how you two get along. If the owner won't let you do this... then just move to another horse. And i'm sure u know this... but for a lot of beginners buying horses.. they care a lot about the color of the horse. For shows... color doesn't matter. Good, built body, equally porportioned and good manners is what's usually required for lower shows.

HAPPY HORSE SHOPPING!!

Answer 4

well. first of all to bluntly answer your questions, QH are USUALLY good beginner breed because IN GENERAL they tend to be quiet. But that aren't usually huge and aren't really what your going to be looking for if you want to do dressage. But, if your a beginer, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not buy your horse based on breed or color! You may find a crazy Quarter horse and end up with a dead quiet bomb proof thoroughbred. You should start by riding lesson horses. these are best to learn on since you'll get to ride more than one and this is th eonly way to find out what you want in a horse. secondly this will give your instructor a chance to see what level you are at and what you need in your horse. find someone you trust nearby and have them help you look at horses. NEVER ride the horse before the owner gets on. I've seen many people bite the dust after beign told that the horse was dead broke.
but as a geeral rule, QH aren't usually used as dressage horses, especially if you want a taller one. go for a QH TB cross or a TB heavy horse cross. or a warmblood of somesort.
anyways, good luck in yoru horse search

Answer 5

Well the best horse for jumping is thoroughbreds but they don't make good starting horses unless they are well trained and older. If you want a young horse get a quarter horse, to learn on, then get the thoroughbred to actually compete with. If you must have one to learn to compete on right away then get an older thoroughbred that the owners think will be good with beginners. good luck.

also take someone with you too look at potential horses that knows what to look for as far as conformation and such, also always ride a horse before you buy it.

Answer 6

Yes QH are good to a certain level--my suggestion would be to get an older horse that has already "been there-done that"--he will help you about as much as anyone to learn on without getting hurt!--you probably won't be into "dressage" for a few years--so a nice older QH would be good!

Answer 7

Quarter horses are great for lower levels! They are an all around versatile horse. They have very low temeraments also. They are very willing. If you want to keep this horse as you move up in jumping, then I would get a calm thoroughbred. Also get one that's older for a novice, I'm not saying get one on his death bed, but just make sure he's dead broke and bomb proof for you. My first horse was a 4 y/o quarter horse and even though he was really young he was really broke. As I learned I ran into a few problems, but he helped me out, and I helped him learn a few things also. I am still learning with him though. I'm not sayin this was the best choice on my part, but it worked out great for me.

Answer 8

I suggest a quarter horse or a morgan. They are both family friendly and usually calmer and less spirited/high strung than the thoroughbreds etc... I have seen a lot of bomb proof quarter horses act great on trails and in a number of different events-- they can be great jumpers and show horses as well. They are very devoted, verisatile and willing to learn-- they all have different personalities of course and occasionally you'll get a crazy ol' one, but generally they are great for kids, beginners and families.

Answer 9

I would get a quarter horse between 9-12 years of age 15 +hds.But for juming & dressage I would have a warmblood 1st choice 2nd would be a thorobred.Not for beginners though there both a hot breed for trail riding.I showed thorbreds juming but didnt ride them on the trail.Best in the show ring though.

Answer 10

i personally love Arabians but they are probably to small for you and they don't jump as high. although they are very good for beginners because they are highly intelligent, great temperament, and always want to please. your best choice for jumping would defiantly be a warmblood of warmblood mix. they can jump 5 ft min. they might not be a good horse for a beginner because they are usually high spirited, huge horses, expensive, and usually don't have they brightest minds. i would say get a Arabian warmblood so that way it will have a big body but will be smarter and easier to train. there are many different breed that are warmbloods so you have many of choices.
these are some breeds of warmbloods

Belgian warmblood 16.2 hh
dutch warmblood 16 hh
danish warmblood 16.1 - 16.2 hh