I've been riding english for 7 years and my parents finally decided to get me a horse but what breed??

Answer 1

I would get your trainer involved to help you find a horse. Have her go with you to look and have her ride as well as you.

I think that would solve alot of your questions.

Answer 2

Well, you don't say exactly what tyupe of English riding you are doing...more info please?

Also, breed DOES NOT MATTER!!!!! You get a horse that matches your size/build, abilities, discipline and level of training. If you are still a green rider, get an experienced horse...of any breed. If you are fairly advanced, you may be able to get a greener horse and get it going with the help of your trainer. If you are a timid rider, get a horse with a calm, laid-back personality. If you are bold and can sit chilly while a horse goofs off, you may be able to handle a hotter horse.

I am going to assume you are riding Hunter/Jumper...
Also, don't be deterred by what many people will say about Thoroughbreds. I have many that are ex-racehorses and are much calmer/more well behaved than most people's Quarter Horses and Paints at my barn. Even many of the Thoroughbreds I dealt with while still on the track were very well-mannered individuals so don't let dumb people scare you off the breed.
Warmbloods are nice, bred for the Hunter/Jumper/Dressage world, and are the "in thing" for the English crowd right now, but can be very overpriced compared to an equally nice horse of a different breed. Many Quarter Horses, Appendix Quarter Horses and Paints can make nice mounts if they are built correctly(uphill, good freedom of the shoulder for nicer movement, not too bulky) and have the ability for the job. Like one poster said, I also rode a fantastic older-style Morgan that was an amazing jumper. Arabians are not so much suited for the Hunter/Jumper world because of their build. They usually don't have the form and can be high-headed, flat and trail their back legs over jumps. But some of the Polish and Shagya Arabian lines are built more like sporthorses and can perform very well. Basically, just enlist the help of your trainer, and search for a horse based on suitability to match your needs, not a specific breed, because each horse is an individual and cannot be lumped together because of breed.

Answer 3

The breed isn't important so much as getting a horse that suits your abilities as a rider. It's important that you get a horse that isn't too much for you to handle but at the same time isn't going to put you to sleep when you ride. Also, what type of riding to you plan to do? If you are looking for a horse to ride trails with, then just about any breed will do. If you're training in dressage, the horses you want to look at are the warmblood breeds. If you're jumping, consider warmbloods, Irish sport horses and thoroughbreds. Endurance riding will be well suited by an Arab or Quarterhorse.

As your trainer for suggestions and to help you find the right horse. She should know if there are any horses in the barn where you right that might be suitable and she will best be able to determine what horse is a good match for you.

Answer 4

How exciting - congratulations! This is a really good question, because breed does matter: it affects temperment, size, gait (do you want a bouncy trot? or not?), health (buying a horse is the least expensive part: think vet bills!), diet (again, this is $ and effort) and many other things. Of course their are individual exceptions to every breed, but if you are searching for a horse it'll be efficient to filter out things you are not looking for. Searching according to breed is not shallow or superficial: it will help ensure a good match (both you and your horse will appreciate that!) And, this is your first horse: you'll probably fall in love no matter who the horse is, so definitely shop around for a good fit rather than love at first sight! Esp. if your parents took a while with this decision, they'll want to know that you are safe around your horse.

What breed do you currently ride? How does he/she compare with others you've ridden? What does your instructor think would suit you best? ( I am curious!)

Quarter horses are so versatile, even tempered and willing (their willingness makes them fun!). I'd caution against Arabians and Thoroughbreds, because these horses are often ...um...well, they require additional patience (on the whole, of course, there are exceptions) and it will be more difficult to build a strong relationship --one that you feel successful in as a rider and horseowner- if your horse's attitude comes into play too often. Morgans are great, too, but they strike me as a little stubborn. Without knowing much about your situation, I'd say go for a quarter horse or paint...but your instructor probably has great ideas!

Answer 5

Depends on what you want to do with your horse. Hunting? Dressage? Trail? Show? Drive?

Let's assume you want to do a few local shows as well as fox hunt in the fall.

A nice, well-built quarter horse will do nicely.
as will a smaller Thoroughbred.
A Polish Arabian is a great horse for this.

Suppose you want to do 3-day events
A draft cross is good - even tempered, powerful. BIG
Hanoverian, Oldenburg or other warm blood

suppose you just want to goof around and trail ride some -
A not too tall horse of any breed will fill that bill.

Answer 6

Well it depends on what kind of riding you'll be doing and if you are showing. Also your height matters seeing as how some breeds are taller than others.

A good all-around horse would be a thoroughbred or a Quarter Horse, maybe even some kind of paint. They can pretty much 'do it all'.

If its just a pleasure horse, get a mix, nothing flashy.

Answer 7

It depends on what you are interested in doing in english, your size, and your past experience with horses. If you are looking for hunter/jumper, eventing or other jumping like sport, I would suggest a Thoroughbred because they are usually a little more level headed than warmbloods, however they have a larger barrel and body so if you are short, they can be hard to controll their entire body. If you are doing more flat stuff, I would suggest a morgan or quater horse becuase they are smart, athletic and versital.
Other popular English breeds are: Pony warmblood cross (good for smaller rider), National Show Horse, Hanoverian and other athletic, agile and smart breeds.

Answer 8

Horse shopping is one of the most critically important events of your life. Take your time. Visit a dozen barns before you even think "vet check". Anybody can buy a horse. Selling him if he isn't the right fit (they are such individuals!) is a different matter.

And english is to costume as horse is to equine. One and the same. So don't get caught up in breed so much as finding the individual horse.

Answer 9

Warmbloods are not a necessity for English riders, though a lot of people seem to believe it.

There are great Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds out there, for any discipline, if you look hard enough. For about half the price of their Warmblood counterparts. ;)

Don't worry too much about the breed - worry more about the individual horse's capabilities!

Answer 10

Hi I know how you feel. I was so over whelmed of what breed I wanted. If you are riding english I would pick a showy strong breed of horse. For example an Arabian or a Saddlebred or Quarter Horse. They are all really great. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Try looking at equinehits.com. I hope I helped! Best Wishes

Answer 11

breed is the least important thing, the most important id to find a horse that is good at what you want it to do and that gets along well with you. I have seen rescue horses go on to win big shows, and 15hh quarter horses outjump warmbloods. i have a grade horse myself and he performs better and places higher than expensive, purebred horses. Hope this helps! good luck!