I am looking into getting a horse; what breeds should I consider?

Question

I have been riding for about 2 years and am at the Intermediate level. I would like to jump my horse, but probably not competitively. I also want a horse that is comfy and can gallop over grassy terrain and is pretty tolerable with other horses. If I can be picky, I would really want a buckskin-colored horse. I was thinking a Morgan? Thank you!

Answer 1

Check with an equine veterinarian in your community....

Answer 2

Morgans are nice, buts its hard to find a buckskin. I have a Morgan in real life, and work for my instructor who is a 5x + world champion in the morgan horse circuit, and Morgans are very enjoyable horses to work around, and they can do every discapline from dressage, cross country, cutting to combined driving. But there are so many breeds to choose from. Stock horses such as your Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and Appaloosas make nice over all horses. Quarter Horses are a nice breed, they come in all shapes sizes and colors and can do almost everything. Its quite common to find duns and buckskins in this breed as well. I myself have a buckskin Quarter Horse. Mustangs are very hardy, and can do a variety of things, and they come in just about every color there is. They just wouldn't be as competitivley valuable as your Thoroughbreds or warmbloods, plus you'd have to spend quite a while training a mustang. Mules are nice too, they come in all colors, and despite their stereo type of being stouborn they are actually smarter than horses, and you can show them in Mule and Donkey Shows if you wanted too. There are Mule shows in my home town and they do everything from hunter jumper, trail, driving, donkey barrel racing, free style reining, and even dressage. You could also go with an Arabian, they are very beautiful, gentle natured horses, but its hard to find a buckskin in them. But that gives you a start. I recomend trying out a few different horses of different breeds, and doing research on different breeds as well. Take you time though, dont rush into buying a horse or else you might end up with a terrible mount. This happend to me alot when I was little, my dad would always buy the first horse we came to. You could also try horses like Paso Finos, which you can find in just about every color, or Tennesee Walkers or Missourie Fox Trotters who are all very smooth. I would recomend a Paso Fino over the others though.


Morgan
Quarter Horse
Arabian
Mule
Paso Fino
Mustang (not my highest recomendation)

Answer 3

Look in the direction of your likes. Sounds as if you know what you want. Check at reputable horse farms/tack and feed stores. when you go out to see a horse, make sure that the owner rides him first so you can see and judge the gaits, how the horse responds etc. have the horse vet checked.
If the owner has a record of worming program or vet bills, get a copy or call the vet that took care of the horse. Take your time so you make the right purchase.

Answer 4

hey,

first of all, stay away from stallions as your first horse. Also you need to consider how tall you are and how you would fit the horse. Im thinking quarter horse is proably the best way for you to go, they have a great personality, are very gentle exellent jumpers,they are very comfy. I say Quarter horse but you should find a coach to find you a horse the coach knows you better and can proably find a perfect match before you get a horse make sure to have a vet look it over.
good luck

Answer 5

As previously mentioned in a couple of answers- I agree that you should not necessarily go after 1 breed over another. Your answers on the best breed for you are the opinion of what horse that particular person likes, which may not be for you.
I would do your home work, take your time, try out horses that are suitable for what your are planing to ask of them and suitable for your ridding ability and experience. The more horses you try out, the better chance of finding that "perfect match".
Yes, I would stick to the more mild tempered breeds in your search, Morgans and QH's are good, but even a TB or Arab can surprise you- just depends on their personality and training.
Try out as many as you can in your area- you'll find out the answer to your question yourself!
Good luck with your soon to be new horse!

Answer 6

It truly depends on your budget, and the fact you aren't sure if you want to compete or not.

The most perfect horse I ever rode was an Oldenburgh, a warmblood. They are calm and decidedly responsive, but are expensive. They also belong in the show ring, I believe. The Oldenburg I rode was already seventeen, but most of his early life was spent in a grand prix showjumping ring and in his teens as a level 4 Dressage. Yes, they are perfect and rarely have I encountered one with bad habits. But i'm not into perfect horses :P

I'm not a fan of Arabians. Nor of Arabian crosses. So even though I have ridden and been around many, I wouldn't be one to ask without biased opinion lol

I always wanted a thoroughbred up until a year ago, when one threw me over her head into a fence post around a tight corner. She was an ex-racer, only three years off the track. I think it shows something that all the times I have been thrown off it's been while riding a thoroughbred. They are crazy, and I do love them for their energy, but I would recommend a confident, advanced rider unless you find a rare gem gelding (or even mare, i've met a few) who is calm and collected. Excellent jumpers, but i wouldn't say entirely comfortable.

Quarterhorses are darlings, most of the time. A dressage QH I trained and later refreshed had the biggest attitude problem I have ever seen, bucked like crazy. But he was probably the only one I have ever met like that. They are on the lower end of the spectrum in regards to pricing, but aren't the most worthwhile jumpers. In my own opinion, I think they are pretty darn comfortable.

And for a mix, the Appendix. My favorite horse of ALL time was an Appendix gelding. I loved him and would have bought him if the owner who I leased him from would have allowed it. They tend to have the best from both the Thoroughbred and QH. I would totally recommend one.

Morgans are good, sturdy horses. Majority of those I have known, however, have not been confident really. They are willing to learn and push to learn. Good horses. Friendly.
Depending how tall you are, ponies are great too. I'm 5'2", and I used to jump a Haflinger gelding who was awesome. Connemaras are wonderful, they remind me of warmbloods, but like i said i've never been into perfect horses. Draft crosses tend to be excellent jumpers or typically any discipline you set them to. Full drafts tend not to be so bad either, but i've known plenty of people who get on an 18hh clyde-belgian cross and get freaked out once they start cantering..

Also Paint horses have been great jumpers, and are generally comfortable and easy going.

Just check out www.dreamhorse.com and fill in all the details you'd like in the Advanced Search option. Don't be too picky-- you won't yield many results.


I hope I helped a little!

Answer 7

I love my Morgans!! They truly are the best hearted horses I have ever worked with. I don't ride English, but they do everything I have needed & did it well!! I have 151 acres in WY. & Let me tell you I work them!! There is always something to do, so they get put to work. I have carts that they pull. I have used them to move trees, they were very large trees!! My brother has even used his to help tow my dads truck home. I have rode mine on a 45 mile ride & did great. But I know more than 60 Morgans have competed successfully in recognized USDF open dressage competitions at 3rd level & higher. Here is a good web site to read about them if you like. www.morganhorse.com
I think it is a good breed to read about & see if you really would like to own one. I love mine!! Good luck!!!
I own a 16hh mare!!! They are not all short.

Answer 8

The question your asking is a tuff one to answer. Majority of people will give you a answer to there own prefrence of breed that they either have or love or want one. You will do well with any breed you choose to pick. Just shop for one. Make sure you ride it and enjoy it. Make sure you feel a good connection and you feel comfortable. Theres rotten horses in every breed just like there is rotten people but not all people are rotten. Don't pick a specific breed, pick a horse that his characteristics meets your needs.

Answer 9

Adopt a mustang, they are smart, survivors! Handle all terrain, make fantastic endurance horses, hooves are sound and rarely require shoes, just a good trim or rasping, sensible and dependable. I have made Trail horses and hunters of them and won at shows on their merits which no one can contest! Either they do the routine and perform well or not and no amount of pedigree will produce that! While you are learning what you like to focus on in horsemanship and deciding which breed you would prefer, you just might find yourself in love with the endearing loyal American Mustang--they come in all colors! Buckskin amongst them!

Answer 10

I just got my first horse a few months ago and i got a Polish Arabian. I bought him because he isn't wired as tight as most Arabians. My friend jumps her horse and she bought a appendix quarter horse. that is quarter horse Thoroughbred mix(sorry about the spelling). He is tall but he is kind and intelligent like a quarter horse. Good luck!

Answer 11

Breed doesn't really matter that much if the horse suits you in temperament and size, and has reasonable athletic ability. I have a soft spot for paints and Quarter Horses, but that's just me.