Best breed to buy?

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FoxCub

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Will be looking for my first horse soon around 15.2 - 16.2hh. Any tips for what to look for to get a good doer - I need a horse to live out most the year. Will be mostly hacking /local shows. thanks!!
 
Depends on the individual really, my TB will happily live out all year (unclipped last winter, stayed out no rug) and gets fat just looking at grass, really laid back and easy to do, will happily do local shows and is great to hack alone and in company.

He's 15.2 and not for sale :p
 
Me too Cleveland Bay. Good doers, sensible head on them, versatile happy hacks or decent riding club horse.

Finding one might be a real problem as only 33 born each year during past few years. Do go to a reputable breeder though or take advice from someone who knows. CB's are strong and smart - can be spoiled in the wrong hands.
 
Why do you want a 15.2 to 16.2hh? If you aren't enormous, why not go for something smaller like an arabian? Plenty of depth in the body, hardy, handsome, and a good all rounder. I'm 5'6" and have a 14.2 arab and a 14.3 arab, both of which are fine for me. They turn a hoof to everything from dressage to jumping to long distance.
 
Triskar said:
Why do you want a 15.2 to 16.2hh? If you aren't enormous, why not go for something smaller like an arabian? Plenty of depth in the body, hardy, handsome, and a good all rounder. I'm 5'6" and have a 14.2 arab and a 14.3 arab, both of which are fine for me. They turn a hoof to everything from dressage to jumping to long distance.
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You are quite right (because you agree with me :p ) the answer to the question is obviously 'an arab'. You can get tall ones. :)
 
Hard to say, all horses have different personalities and temperaments, which is mostly down to their environments and how they've been handled during their lives.
Generally speaking, you can't go far wrong with a nice cob as a first horse.
 
Triskar said:
Why do you want a 15.2 to 16.2hh? If you aren't enormous, why not go for something smaller like an arabian? Plenty of depth in the body, hardy, handsome, and a good all rounder. I'm 5'6" and have a 14.2 arab and a 14.3 arab, both of which are fine for me. They turn a hoof to everything from dressage to jumping to long distance.
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Or a highland - fits all the same, turn a hoof to virtually any sport and take up the leg well - I'm 5'8 and the pony's 14,2 :D

Or a highland x would be my choice if you must have something over 15,2...

Yes, it's a very, very subjective question :cool:


x posts with Dry Rot...
 
Triskar said:
Why do you want a 15.2 to 16.2hh? If you aren't enormous, why not go for something smaller like an arabian? Plenty of depth in the body, hardy, handsome, and a good all rounder. I'm 5'6" and have a 14.2 arab and a 14.3 arab, both of which are fine for me. They turn a hoof to everything from dressage to jumping to long distance.
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Good point - yes, I'm 5'6" too. I suppose I'm used to riding something a bit bigger, Arabs are good-looking :)
 
Faracat said:
You are quite right (because you agree with me :p ) the answer to the question is obviously 'an arab'. You can get tall ones. :)
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Yes you can get tall ones. My Shagya stallion is 15.3hh and his full sister aged two is going to make 16hh. For a 'first' horse I would recommend a Cleveland over a Shagya.
 
tallyho! said:
Why not?
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Because they are a LOT of horse, that's why: sensitive, sharp, very, very intelligent and trainable but NOT forgiving like some cobs are. I have two rescued Spanish horses (and have rescued others) that were ruined and terrified by novice, ignorant owners.
 
Cortez said:
Because they are a LOT of horse, that's why: sensitive, sharp, very, very intelligent and trainable but NOT forgiving like some cobs are. I have two rescued Spanish horses (and have rescued others) that were ruined and terrified by novice, ignorant owners.
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Pretty sure the vast majority of breeds would be ruined by such a rider.

Not of fan of labelling by breed (most breed stereotypes are utter bs) but an over height Connemara or Connie x tb may be suitable.
 
Cortez said:
Because they are a LOT of horse, that's why: sensitive, sharp, very, very intelligent and trainable but NOT forgiving like some cobs are. I have two rescued Spanish horses (and have rescued others) that were ruined and terrified by novice, ignorant owners.
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That is a shame Cortez. I have only known one sharp Spanish horse. All the rest have been loving, gentle, the most forgiving I have come across and I have had cobs too! My own is the most intelligent loving creature. She loves the children and dogs. She is a bit sharper than my cob but not as sharp as the ponies and tb's I have known. All her relatives where she came from are chilled out and love people.

However, when i was younger, I heard many stories about nasty Spanish stallions. Now I have seen them in Spain, I fear that the whole thing is a sad reflection on the history of these sensitive souls.
 
A serious answer to this question would be to ignore the breed and look for a horse with the right temperament, that suits your experience level in all ways (ridden and in-hand).
 
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