What is the best breed of horse to begin with?

Question

I will be able to get a horse finally after wanting one for 25 years. What is the best breed to look into? I have experience riding and such, but not one on one care. Of course, I will make sure I take the appropriate classes, if any to ensure proper care. But in the interm, I'd appreciate if someone would have a suggestion. Thansk

thank you for all of your responses. I appreciate your candor. I will be getting the horse for pleasure riding and companionship.

thanks Lustiano for your very detailed report. however, you don't receive e-mails so I can't. thanks for the offer though.

Answer 1

Hi!
I hope to honest and helpful in my answer, and not too opinionated. :-)
I too was able to get my first horse after 26 years. I picked the wrong horse, but learned very much from her. I've since picked other odd choices, but each one gets better.


Since this is you first horse, I doubt you have serious showing on your mind. Even so, so many breeds and types of horses can be shown or enjoyed in many different ways to just have fun! I wouldn't worry about breeds at this point, except where they apply to your finances and level of riding. i.e., you likely wouldn't want to start with an off the track TB or a $20,000 proven reining horse! A rescued horse or TB that needs a new life might seem very tempting in love and price, but is a bit much to handle in care, rehab, and training for most first time horse owners.

If you can at least narrow down your style of riding To English type, or western types, this cold be a start. However, if you just want a horse to enjoy on the trails, a saddle is just a piece of equipment. Maybe an English horse might not know neck reining, or visa versa, but many know both. No matter what style of riding you chose (don't forget gaited horses too!), it is essential that you first chose a horse that is well ridden, trailers, clips, farrier, arena ridden and trail ridden with no vices or special needs. In my experience, a horse of any breed that is ridden on the trails alone AND in a group (important!!) is more likely to have the temperament you want for your first horse!! Please make sure you actually try the horse on the trail and don't believe the common lie "this horse was ridden by a young kid on the trails all of the time". LOL!! Breed is not a factor for a good trail horse. I just rode a TB in Africa for two weeks. He had no fear, even of lions. I ride my lusitano show horse on the trail 6 hours a week. Please don't get fooled into hearing that a QH type is always a quiet good horse or a TB is always a highstrung bad choice. Believe me, not every QH is calm and smooth and not every TB hot. Go by what is said of the horse and what sounds good to you, not it's breeding. My friends home bred and home raised QH (she's a trainer) hot and uses my horses hind end as a set of brakes on the trails. The horse is a lovely reiner and her dam was a champion and lovely to ride anywhere. Remember hearing that every Japanese car is better than an American made one? Every, All, None, Never.... hmmm.
OK, breed, not a big concern right now. A well trained sensible horse is!!

Other important horse buying considerations:

If you have a trusted teacher or experienced horse friends n your area, these people are your best resources and will be much more helpful and honest to you than any stranger or ESPECIALLY horse seller. Even private sellers have a reason and agenda, though they are more likely to wish a good home for their horse. Still, don't believe even this unless you are asked many questions and they come and visit where you will keep the horse!! In general, people will tell you what you want to hear, age, breed, health, reason for selling, training, and sooo much more. Add to this drugs, or even herbal calming or pain supplements and even a vet test from 'the local' vet (since you don't have one or yours is too far away!!) You will have to be thinking ahead of things people might do. Please don't take this warning lightly. I've been all over the world looking for horses and it's the same everywhere, except in other countries you have laws to protect you from 'lemon' horses. Please, please seek trusted help. My first two horses were on my own, the second one even knowing all of this... It's difficult, but somewhere is a horse for you!!
Get help!!

Horse age: I horse can be well trained at 5 or know nothing at 20, so no hard rules here. If you find a horse that sounds like it's well trained and wonderful, be suspicious if it's under 6. He might be so, but is still learning and needs a confident owner! 8-14 is a good age to start with to narrow a search. Older horses will be more ideal, but be careful of health problems stating to show or from lack of good care, be sure of that vet check.

Gelding or mare? I love mares and my first two horses were mares, but my last 2 horses I've not bought based on gender. One gelding was very stallion-like and aggressive and I had enough of his testing. My current horse is a sweet tempered gelding and we've bonded well. I never had trouble with mares in season, but know i was lucky. I did have a hard time finding a place to board them?! Geldings are supposedly more reliable, but still again every horse is different. In the end, I wouldn't worry about this and consider it the bottom priority.

Color? LOL!! Not a priority when hunting for an animal who will be your companion and have such an influence on your life, and pocket book.. :-)

Still other tips, geez there's so much to say and shorten!

Do a full vet check!! Use a vet other than the one of the owner, if possible. X-rays, costly but can save in the end. Oder, too cheap to be true, or hard ridden horses it's a must. Also watch for kissing spines! Be sure vet does a flexion test. Blood work-up if you can afford it. Tell him the age the horse is supposed to be if the horse is unregistered. There is nothing wrong with an unregistered horse or a nixed or grade horse.

Go back and see the horse several times. Make sure one time is a surprise. "Oh just wanted one more photo!" Is it the same horse? If possible, send a friend over to try the horse, better yet if they are pretending to buy . Did the owner give you the same info? History of the horse, where it's been, etc?

Let the owner do the talking... Don't volunteer any info on first horse or anything. Do they care enough to even ask you about yourself or where the horse is going or used for? Play it cool... look around watch how horse and owner interact, can they even ride the horse???! Have a list of questions to ask. There should be good books and websites to help. Video tape and take photos!!! make a list of pros and cons for each horse, etc...

What is the condition the horse is kept in? Is it alert and interested in people, or does it pin its ears and run off? are the horse horses in the barn the same? Are the stalls clean and safe? Paddocks? Try to handle the horse and tack it up yourself. Beware of pre-tacked and ridden horses. Even a dry saddle mark or sweat mark could mean it was worked earlier. If you like this horse, come back and request to do everything yourself, even gettign it from the paddock. My last horse buyers came by 4 times. The second, I left my muddy horse in the paddock, showed them the tack an let them go.

If you don't feel safe or dislike the horse, don't bother to ride it. It's OK! Leave. Waste of time. If you do ride it, bring a helmet and wear riding pants with leather, so safety. Some people have very odd saddles and it's hard to think about the horse through discomfort at the weird saddle. :-) Take note of the bit. Lead the horse around, get on and off WITHOUT HELP!! If you have a bolter, better to find to now. Take your time and try all the gaits, tempo changes, circles and high school movements you can do. Gradually give the horses more challenges as you are comfortable. Does the horse stop!!?:-) Is he light in your hands with his bit? Was he light for his owner? Is he comfortable and flexible for you and your way of riding? Must be fun and easy... relaxed for your first horse! If you find an older horse that knows more than you do and can teach you to be a better ride while feeling safe and confident, this horse can be a true gem for your first horse!

If you lie him, say you'd like to return again to take the horse on a trail ride. Separate from the other horses for a bit to make sure you can. Gallop to walk in and out of a group is a must!! Roads, dogs, kids...

Contracts: You must have one and read it carefully. I usually give or get the contract to take home, then do the vet check and sign if you are happy. this is a whole other issue, again seek advice on the internet and from friends. Have these people shown any interest on where you will keep the horse yet? hmm..


OK, this is only a little of what to think of and much more than you asked for. I've seen so many new horse owners making the same mistakes I did. I always wish i knew them before they bought that "darn horse." Good luck to you. email if you need any more. Have fun!!

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OK, I think I fixed my profile so you can email me?! Please post again if it doesn't work! I'm a bit new at this and came across your question purely by accident while net surfing.

I think so many different breeds could work for you for pleasure riding. Just start trying different breeds and horses for sale.... try many... you will learn so much about what you like, horse buying, and of course the horses themselves. I have Spanish horses now, but don't think there's many breeds I haven't tried in my travels. Each one is so unique! I'm disabled now and wanted a smooth sensitive horse with fire and brains. This is a picky requirement... you don't have this barrier!

Different breeds have different traits and I can share these with you offline, not to offend people, but there are suitable horses of every kind. Most important was what they were trained for, how they were treated, and what their temperament is now. For instance, I wouldn't advise a Morgan or ASB Park Horse schooled for fire and flash in the show ring, but there are lovely Morgan and ASB pleasure horses out there, depending on your finances and location. There are many others too, this is the example being huffed about. I've shown both these breeds many years ago, and arabs too. ;-) , so enjoy shopping!!

others... We all have our personal favorites, but it's not fair to say don't buy a ****, they're all nuts. I hate lima beans and think anybody who likes them is insane! Now doesn't that sound silly! ;-P Share what you love and why, no harm in that. :-)

Answer 2

The kind of the horse you describe would definitely be the American Saddlebred. Many people may tell you that they are hot, unruly, and mean, but this is not true. Yes, some may be hot (not all) but they are PEOPLE HORSES. All they want from you is attention and they ALWAYS try to please you, no matter what. Another thing with this breed is that they protect you. I have had so many times that I could have been in danger, but our horses have kept me safe (in the show ring, a horse galloped straight for my horse and Ricardo never moved - it also saved the other girl and her horse, plus the other riders in the ring -- another one of our horses will shift his weight when you lose your balance to keep you on -- things like these happen with every one of our horses -- but the one that's not a purebred Saddlebred [National Show Horse] will throw you and not really care:P---He's more of an Arab:P). They are AWESOME companions. They are gorgeous animals and I've never seen another horse like them. You don't have to be picky about riding types with them, either -- They do everything (except horse racing because they're not Thoroughbreds). They're extremely smart --- But the type of horse you're describing is an American Saddlebred:D You definitely should look into them and even ride a few --- You'll be able to tell a difference:)

Answer 3

There is no bad breed for a good horse. Some of the best horses can't be proven what breed they are, but they happen to be the best and you can only take a wild guess as to their breeding. Not saying that pure bred horses are no good. I'm saying the right horse for you will come in whatever color, shape, size, breed, and temperment that's right for you. (I own both a reg. and a grade horse--the grade has given me more training than I could have ever have gotten from anyone else.)
I would suggest that you try not to start out with a Thoroughbred. Most Thoroughbreds are way high strung for beginners. But, hey, one just might make a liar out of me! I know that some would say to stear clear of Arabians, too, to start with, but I've personally know and ridden a perfect, young, push button Arabian gelding that you could (and we did) put little kids on. He was perfectly safe. A true gentleman.
Drafts are great big gentle teddy bears most the time, though I did also know a Percheron mare that got in with a real winner of a half Paint/Draft (NOTHING against Paints--love 'em) and learned that she could threaten humans by turning her butt to you and cocking her hip. Not cool. But then you have my Dad's old Draft (who passed on several years back) who I could climb all over bareback and he didn't even twitch an ear.

But trust me, when you find the right horse, you'll know it in your very inner being. True, you may have a price limit and that could take you a little longer to find your horse, but hey, don't give up if you don't find the right one in three weeks! Keep looking, you'll find him (or her) sooner or later (hopefully sooner).

Oh, and don't try for a stallion first time out. Not a good idea.

Good luck and happy horse hunting!!

Answer 4

Personally I believe that there is no perfect breed for anything, it is all about the individual horse. However there are some differences between breeds that make a difference.
For a first horse something that doesn't require too much care and special treatment would be better. Something quite hardy such as a cob type would be good as they are usually good-doers and don't need to be brought into their stalls as soon as the weather turns a little cold or wet. Suggestions would be a Welsh cob or Irish draught, or perhaps a thoroughbred cross with one of these.
Hope this gives you some help
Good luck with your new horse

Answer 5

It's always best to start out with defining what you want to do with this horse. You say "riding" but what style and to what extent? Are you looking for a general hack pony or a top-notch 3-day eventer? Or perhaps roping or maybe cutting livestock?

OK let's just say you want a hack horse for pleasure riding - both in the ring and on trail.

I wouldn't look so much for breed as for size, overall health and temperament. For instance, I prefer shorter horses for trails because you're not constantly ducking branches, it's easier to get off to open/close gates - and should you become unseated - well, it's not as far to fall.

Now, Dobbin doesn't have to win any beauty contests - but he must be sound of wind, leg and hoof, kind of eye, supple coat and possess no vices.

I would look for an older, crossbred gelding - maybe 12 - 15 years old - who's been there and done that. Those kinds of horses are pricey - believe me - precisely because they've been there and done that. And Geldings don't have issues like heat cycles that can cause some mares to be really moody.

Ask your local stable manager to help you find such a mount. It's worth a "finder's fee" too - And be ready to look at a lot of horses before finding your new best friend.

Good luck!

Answer 6

The best way to go about finding a horse is to find someone who not only teaches riding but teaches management as well. Most instructors don't advertise the management part so you'll probably have to ask. Some will and some won't. Tell your instructor that you're on track to buy your own horse and would he/she be interested in helping you find a good match. Be leary of the perfect horse standing in the trainers barn because some people are just not interested in your best intrests. But still, many instructors have lesson horses that aren't all that happy giving lessons any more but would be fine as a mount of a single rider.
Breed really means nothing unless there is one you just love the look of. Suitable horses come in all breeds and crosses.
Personally, I much prefer mares. I've only known 2 in 45+ years that were bad when they were in heat and mares tend to take care of their riders much more so than many geldings.
If you are having trouble finding someone to help you find a good equine vet and ask them for help. They probably know someone and since they much perfer to work on horses that are owned and cared for by knowledgeable people they usually are glad to help.

Answer 7

First thing is to look for training, then breed. Morgan horses!!! I grew up with them & they are truly sweet horses with great personalities!!!!!! & To the person who said they are not good DOES NOT know what they are talking about!!!!! Me & my 4 sisters have all learned on them!! If you are interested in a breed read up on them. They are truly the all around horse. They are very hardy! There are no gentic diseases. Easy keepers!!The beauty of the Morgan horse lifts the heart. The breed exists solely because it pleases people. It is their heritage. The Morgan is easily recognized by his proud carriage, upright graceful neck, and distinctive head with expressive eyes. Deep bodied and compact, the Morgan has strongly muscled quarters. The intelligence, willingness, zest for life, and good sense of the Morgan is blended with soundness of limb, athleticism, and stamina. In addition, Morgan thriftiness and longevity have made this breed a good bargain for more than 200 years - easy to love and affordable to own. The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic ridden in English style. A tractable temperament allows the Morgan to excel when driving in single or multiple hitches. Companionable and comfortable on a quiet pleasure ride anywhere open skies beckon, working as a sensible partner in a long day of ranch work or endurance riding, waiting alert and ready to enter a show ring, or performing in formal riding disciplines, the Morgan is a versatile horse within a versatile breed. The Morgan horse agreeably adapts to his owner's life style. This first American breed can be found worldwide. Reliable, loyal, tireless, and versatile, a Morgan becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, sharing the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.


http://www.morganhorse.com/resources/show_competitive.php

Answer 8

I have found the best horse is usually a grade or no specfic breed. But generally a low maintaince (meaning not know to have health defects, not a hot blooded horse, such as a t-breed or warm blood. Maybe a paint or quarter horse.
Good luck and enjoy ur horse when u get cause once ur bit with the horse bug, its like lays potato chips... you have just one. lol

Answer 9

personally, I think the best horses to begin with are quarter horses or paints. Most have a great disposition and are easy going. It really all depends on what type of riding you want to do, and how experienced are you.

I have friend's who bought paints for their first horses, but I also have one that bought an arab. For me, I don't really look on the breed, I look at how their personality is. You can have one quarter horse that will not sit still, and one that you have to use a crop 5-6 times before he walks.

Hope that helps

Answer 10

Personally I think that any of the stock breeds - Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa etc are perfect for beginners. They are generally speaking good minded horses and don't usually have a lot of health problems. Most of my horses are quarter horses - they are just the best.

Answer 11

The best breed of horse is one that you get along with, find attractive and does what you want it to do. Your not buying a breed... you are buying a horse! The best bred horse in the world isn't worth it's salt if you can't deal with it, feed it, handle it, love it, be confident in it, and trust it completely. Young lady buy a horse... not a breed... you want an easy keeper, one that is VET CHECKED, and one that you are sure is what you want in a horse. Go to eBay and find books and magazines on horses, there is a wealth of information and confidence found in reading about horses and not just a breed.