Best horse?

Question

What would be the best type of horse for someone taking ENGLISH riding lessons, and an occasional show? Thanks

Answer 1

sonawho

Answer 2

Lots of people like warmbloods, like Hanoverians.  They have the drive of a thoroughbred (because they're 1/2 TB), but cooled down a bit with another breed.  So they're not as schitzy as a fullblood TB.

Also depends on what you want to do in a show.  Friesians are used a lot for flat work and even dressage, but not the best for jumping.

Answer 3

There are so many horses that would suit... It depends on stuff like how big the horse needs to be to carry the rider, what sort of shows they want to compete in ("show" could mean lots of different types of horse events...), how experienced the rider is, whether they are nervous or confident, what country you live in, your budget.... and also on what type of horses the rider likes. Most people have favourite breeds, it's really a matter of personal preference.

Personally I like WBxTB, but that's just me. :-)

Answer 4

What's really important is that you have a horse who is safe for your experience level and does the discipline that you want it to do.  If you want to jump, it's good for you to have a horse who does cross rails to 2 foot safely so that you can ride him to learn to jump.  It's not really good for the rider and horse to be learning something together.  Either the horse should be experienced and be teaching the rider, or the rider should be experienced and teaching the horse.  Otherwise, you end up with something disasterous.

As for breeds, there's a lot of breeds that are good for english lessons.  Thoroughbreds are just about my favorite breed.  Trekehners are wonderful horses and are very good for english... very good at dressage and jumping.  Any warmblood is usually very good for english.  Quarter horses are good for anything.  Any breed can do english, so you can find an appy or a paint or something to go english too.

If you're taking riding lessons, get your instructor to help you find a horse that is right for you.  Check out websites like dreamhorse and equine.com... look for english horses in your area who are around your skill level.  Get your instructor to go with you to see the horse.  Take a test ride on the horse and see what you and your instructor think.