10 Best Horse Breeds for Beginners & First-Time Owners

For the most part, this is horse choosing advice for beginners so nailing down which kind of horse to start with can be quite significant as it determines your safety and enjoyment greatly.

I know that no breed is great, but some breeds are more… beginner-friendly than others. Decisions are made more on attributes like temperament and ease of training, rather than lineage.

Certain breeds Seem more selective to tempt for use, And Morgans and American Paint Horse Are useful if Right in shape. They are useful for beginners with these characteristics.

This article goes into the best choices for beginner horse owners and newbies alike to get some background in decision making.

• Selecting a calm and trainable horse is essential for beginners.
• The temperament of the Breed{Some breeds are better for novice riders than others}.
• Finding the right breeds to avoid can help make for a good experience.

Tip

Traditionally, the older horses show more consistency than their younger rivals. If you can talk to the horse, it will be able to tell about their abilities and ride adjust-ability.

An American Quarter Horse favorite in the United States with enthusiasts of English and Western riding.

These spiders are very calm and is great for beginners however some may have a little more energy. They are well-suited to be a first horse due to their adaptability and staunchness.

One reason Arabians are known as hot. Some were originally used as warhorses so have great speed and stamina. Although they can be high-spirited, most are not at all flighty and good to do things with day in or out — geldings being generally more relaxed.

The Arabian can be a suitable horse for beginners, as long it is an easygoing and yet cool tempered horse.

Breed Overview

• Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)
• Weight: 800 to 1,000 pounds
• Physical Traits: Compact frame, wedge-shaped head, small muzzle, short back, and strong hindquarters
• Life Expectancy: 25 to 30 years

Thoroughbreds: Mostly bred for racing. This breed might be a bit too much to handle for first-timers riders On a side note, I am always careful with ex-racehorses as they tend to have the need for speed.

However, non-racing Thoroughbreds are more relaxed and often suitable for beginners.

Breed Overview

• Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)
• Weight: 1,000 to 1,300 pounds
• Physical Traits: Deep chest, slim body, elongated flat muscles
• Life Expectancy: 25 to 28 years

Paint Horses: With bloodlines from the American Quarter Horse, Paint horses tend to be more friendly and social. Cavaliers are a British breed and they form tremendous attachments with their owners, getting along well with kids.

These horses are extremely intelligent and have a predisposition for being easy to train, which means beginners do often not find it difficult using them as their first horse.

Breed Overview

• Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)
• Weight: 950 to 1,200 pounds
• Physical Traits: Muscular body, broad chest, sturdy hindquarters, and unique coat patterns
• Life Expectancy: 30 to 31 years

Since Morgans are known for their versatility, they can be an excellent choice as a family horse. I also enjoy those kindness and always willing to serve for their riders.

They are forgiving of mistakes, and can respond quickly to commands with someone who knows what they intended. There are very few general health concerns in this breed.

Breed Overview

• Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)
• Weight: 900 to 1,100 pounds
• Physical Traits: Smooth lines, small ears, expressive eyes, distinct neck
• Life Expectancy: 20 to 30 years

This breed is characterized by its trademark four-beat gait — which emits a soft jingle and enables it to provide one of the smoothest rides. Very popular with the over 40 crowd and people who have sacroiliac discomfort.

They are known for their kind temperaments and required this attribute to pass breed registry exams — these traits make them useful mounts for a variety of riders.

Breed Overview

• Height: 13 hands (52 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)
• Weight: 950 to 1,200 pounds
• Physical Traits: Muscular structure, flat face, arched neck, and deep chest
• Life Expectancy: 25 to 30 years

The foxtrot gait is unique to this breed, and assures riding comfort A horse wants to mosey along with a good-driving attitude that will keep even less skilled family riders comfortable.

Keeping at least one foot on the ground, it moves with its head down and tail up.

Breed Overview

• Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)
• Weight: 900 to 1,200 pounds
• Physical Traits: Straight face, pointed ears, muscular body, and well-defined withers
• Life Expectancy: 20 to 30 years

Icelandic horses are known for their agility and long life-span, able to withstand the worst weather. They are long-lived, many living up to 40 years and then maturing slowly compared to most others who often mature enough for riding by the time they turn four.

These horses’ size is not as daunting to a new rider and they move in an additional gait that the canter known as “tolt.”

Breed Overview

• Height: 13 hands (52 inches) to 14 hands (56 inches)
• Weight: 730 to 840 pounds
• Physical Traits: Short legs, deep chest, long back, shaggy coat, broad forehead
• Life Expectancy: 30-plus years

Clydesdales are gentle giants and ideally for first owners. New riders tend to make mistakes, but they can forgive your for that. The only drawback is, when you have them right at 15hhs finding the fitting tack can the hard part which sometimes makes it a bit daunting.

Breed Overview

• Height: 16 hands (64 inches) to 18 hands (72 inches)
• Weight: 1,800 to 2,000 pounds
• Physical Traits: Feathered legs, round feet, wide forehead, long neck
• Life Expectancy: 20 to 25 years

Draft crosses are great options for non-full draft horses. Crossing breeds such as Clydesdales, Shires and Percherons with lighter horses like Thoroughbreds provides a softer option for riders. And these hybrids are usually somewhat less scary in size and, therefore, easier to mount a ride.

Some breeds you may want to avoid if you are a novice. Sensitive (or green) horses or very high sprung hose are difficult to control. The Akhal-Teke, for instance, can get a little hot and somebody with no experience might not be able to deal with that.

Furthermore, the athleticism of the Andalusian breed creates issues for novice riders. No forget, every horse is different so take their age and how they are broken in to consideration as well as the personality of your individual.

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