"first" horses

[horsedolls]

even though my mom said that she'll never get me a horse , i still have hope in one day getting myself one.

i was wondering if there are any breeds of horses that seems to have a calm demeanor , a breed that would be good for beginners?

i like Paints, theyre beautiful and ive ridden 2 or 3 different paints and they all seemed very sweet... like big puppies!
i would like a horse that can walk, trot, and canter and jump maybe even gallop
(though i have not learned to gallop yet... SOON I HOPE THOUGH! SOON!)
But maybe it was just the horse and not the breed...

so any suggestions so i can start researching on specific breeds? :D

[Shadowlark]

If you are in North America - starting your search with Paints and Quarter horses is probably the best bet. They are cheap and plentiful - meaning you will have a large selection. There is also an excellent chance of finding a nice older horse who will teach you and take care of you - I feel a lot of times a good horse with a lot of miles can teach you more then any ridding lesson ever will!

Choose wisely, whenever the time comes! make sure you shop with your head NOT your heart. There is no worse heart ache then having to sell your first horse because you chose poorly - or worse yet getting badly injured and losing confidence because of that horse.

Good luck, and enjoy your time in the saddle!

[horsedolls]

thank you :D

[stitches]

I would definitely look for an older horse if I were you - one that has been and seen a lot, so that he can help you learn and give you confidence.

I don't know a vast amount about paints and QH's (they're not common in the UK) but I know those from reining and cutting lines tend to be sharper and quicker, which is probably not what you're looking for.

An older schoolmaster type horse would be ideal. Your first horse is a massive undertaking, and you need something that will build your confidence and inspire you to learn.

I would recommend that before you do get a horse, you get as much experience as possible under your belt - by helping out at yards, riding schools, stud farms and with other people's horse possibly. There is an infinite amount of things to learn about horses, and the sooner you get started the better!

[Trewsers]

I'm sure others may disagree, but it all depends on the individual horse. OH bought his first horse 2 years ago, a 16.2hh tb gelding - not an obvious choice for a mature novice!!!! He's been a start tho, given him oodles of confidence and really looked after him. All depends on their "horsonality"! I have a connie x - she looks like butter wouldn't melt, she's a real dapple bottomed babe - a real rocking horsey but honestly, she is a real pain at times! She is spooky and daft as the proverbial brush - most folk are surprised - I had even heard connies were meant to be calm / sensible - hahahahahaha...............
Anyway, you keep hanging on to your hope of getting a horse, I hope you do. I only waited 30 years, but thats another story............

[Pink's lady]

Yep, breed has very little to do with it. I know some gentle laid-back perfect-for-a-novice TB's and also mental wouldn't-get-on-them-if-you-paid-me TB's. Stroppy, naughty cobs and gentle quiet cobs etc etc.

When you do look for horses, ignore breed and look in adverts for things like 'suitable for a novice' or 'quiet, gentle horse' etc.

[carrieh]

And for a first horse, I would also say, forget about the looks! Don't fall for a beautiful looking horse just because it looks good or you think you will look good on it. Go for steadiness, calmness, one that has seen and done everything and certainly not a youngster . . . and never mind what it looks like.

[lifeofriley]

for a first horse it is NORMALLY best to avoid any horse that is part arab or thoroughbred, as they tend to be very flighty. a QH is normally a safe bet, they are normally pretty quiet, and eager to please. If you can find one an Australian Stock Horse is also a great choice, they are very quiet, no fuss animals that will do anything you ask them to. For a first horse it is normally better to also go for a horse that is a little bit older (15 or older is a safe bet) because they have been around more and are more accustomed to everything. good luck if you do get a horse!

[JustJas]

My arab is as chilled as the day is long whereas my husbands shire x is very spooky.


What I mean is each horse differs even within type!