Breeds for the Average Rider

I'll own up to both being an average rider (nerves these days compared to my youth) and to buying a "type". However, my choice was based on wanting a cheap-to-keep, go-doer, rather than what kind of horse he was to ride.

I tried some very steady cobs and ended up with a forward-going, neurotic Irish cob with a number of issues. When buying, my old friend and instructor said I would be bored with the steadier ones in six months and I suspect she was right. I also had the mindset that I would have the horse for life and work on whatever I needed to to make it work for us.

I have had him nearly seven years, achieved a lot with some of the behavioural issues and I will never be bored. We both keep learning new things all the time and, while he still has the capacity to scare me rigid at times, the sense of achievement in what we have managed to do is worth it!
 
Orangehorse said:
Going on from the other post about the "average" rider - so where are the nice, friendly, co-operative horses that are suitable for the average rider?

I am aware that there are angels in all breeds, but generally speaking:

TB - strong, sharp, fast, brave, often "I'll do it if I have to" - who is the leader here?
Cobs - strong, crafty, know their own strength, sometimes a bit thick in the head as well
as the body. Often roughly treated as youngesters which can make them fearful.
Ponies - intelligent and can weigh up the rider straight away.
Warmblood/dressage - STRONG in body and mind (some bloodlines seem to be very, very late in maturing and do stupid things)
Native/TB X - often good, but can have the worst of both parents.
Arabs - often misunderstood and can be panicky.

So if your average rider came and asked what breed they should loof for, what would you say?
There seems to be such an emphasis on sport horse breeding, surely there is a niche for a type of level headed horse that is co-operative and suitable for a family mount.
(Maybe why I have an American breed).
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Precisely - I had had my fill of TB and TBx horses - which is why I wanted a Morgan and temperament wise he is 100% He is always helpful and just is happy to do what I want to do. He is also incredibly lazy, which isn't a normal Morgan characteristic. That is not to say that he doesn't move suddenly sometimes but I have fallen off him, he has never, ever tried to do anything to unship me and I have been dangling by his knees on occasions.

I can't understand why they are not more popular as they can take part in all affiliated competitions, and have done with much success, but they are a perfect family horse too. OK, if you were looking to take part in the Olympics then maybe you wouldn't choose a Morgan (although there have been Morgans in lots of USA competitions), but they can do a lot and they are proper horses not overgrown ponies.
 
JFTD-WS said:
I may as well go back to RS then :cool: I've never jumped a course over 90 or ridden above novice. I don't suppose I'd know where to start if someone shoved me in an arena to do either. I guess I find that definition a bit blinkered. I know people who will happily pop round either on a 17,2 hunter schooled by someone else, but would be lost training their own horse, or doing other disciplines.



This is exactly where breed stereotypes fall down.

FWIW, the stereotypes of highlands I know all say they're strong, stubborn and need really firm handling. But that's a stereotype that kicks around the breeders and owners I know over here. Personally I don't find either of mine like that - other than some leading issues a year or two ago, I generally find F & D very keen to please. I xc F in a plastic french link and he is never strong. If he's going to be a pig, he will drop his shoulder like a pony or spin or bounce around and snort like an arab. He's completely different in personality to Darach, to other highlands I've ridder, to Kippen, etc. There's a lot of variety even within fairly in bred animals (closed studs etc) in both personality and type - and that's before you start generalising about x-breeds :eek:

Anyone who buys a pony on the strength of a stereotype is a fool.
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I have three completely different highland ponies the old girl is a perfect pony and has been since she was born easy to handle easy to ride has taught dozens of kids to ride been to shows, jumping, the beach and hacking with all abilities, Her daughter is nuts there is no other way of describing her she is strong opinionated and knows best even if it is doing a prelim dressage test at a combination of trotting off and galloping away. She does the BE 90 courses like she is going round Aintree with no sense of self preservation at all, on the ground she is like a seaside donkey. I dont know yet how the baby is going to turn out ridden but she is loving and kind if a bit spooky but that could be that she has been on the top of a hill all her short life and not really seen much yet although she was happy standing quietly with me at the show while the lorries and trailers drove passed
 
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To generalise, I'd say if someone is looking for something sensible then an ID or ish with a good ammount of draught in it. Cobs or heavier breeds also tend to be calmer. I suppose generally cold blooded breeds. Of course the individual temperament is the most important.
 
My coach promoted me the other day from beginner to novice ;) I used to think I could ride, based off what I had learnt as a kid. The last two years have shown me that although I knew the basics, I still had a lot to learn! We do w/t/c in all lessons and have even started with some teeny tiny jumps. It's hard to see your own progression I think, but I had to do some video of my riding for my therapeutic certificate and when I compared to the video in November, I can see a big improvement (especially in my sitting trot), I still tend to lean to far forward when asking for canter and getting the right diagonal is always a mixed bag.

I have only been looking for specific breeds as I am not a size zero and need some weight carrying :p
 
The other week, doing archery training, the coach asked me to fill in a form for insurance. I did have a minor breakdown over the "classify the level of your riding" question: beginner, novice, medium, advanced. The coach asked me why I was swearing at the form, so I asked him how the form defined these terms - by BD standards, I'd be medium, by BE I'm sub-beginner, by RS standards, I'm advanced. The coach was... befuddled and mildly amused by this level of confusion over a simple form ;)
 
Orangehorse said:
So if your average rider came and asked what breed they should loof for, what would you say?
There seems to be such an emphasis on sport horse breeding, surely there is a niche for a type of level headed horse that is co-operative and suitable for a family mount.
(Maybe why I have an American breed).
Click to expand...

what about a criollo, should do most of what is required for the average rider?
 
There seems to be a gap in the market for smart horses who are of similar quality to a competition horse but nice enough people to be a family horse. I have one (she was a lucky find as a 5yo) and I have no idea how I would replace her if I needed to.

I also think that what is described as average up thread would be aspirational for many leisure riders including me. I like to school and to hack but have no aspirations to compete or to l ave the ground.
 
milliepops said:
Wow, old thread with some old names on it!
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Exactly what I was thinking, some much missed names on here.

Orangehorse said:
Precisely - I had had my fill of TB and TBx horses - which is why I wanted a Morgan and temperament wise he is 100% He is always helpful and just is happy to do what I want to do. He is also incredibly lazy, which isn't a normal Morgan characteristic. That is not to say that he doesn't move suddenly sometimes but I have fallen off him, he has never, ever tried to do anything to unship me and I have been dangling by his knees on occasions.

I can't understand why they are not more popular as they can take part in all affiliated competitions, and have done with much success, but they are a perfect family horse too. OK, if you were looking to take part in the Olympics then maybe you wouldn't choose a Morgan (although there have been Morgans in lots of USA competitions), but they can do a lot and they are proper horses not overgrown ponies.
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Do you realise you quoted and agreed with yourself? 🤣🤣
 
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