Help with Picking a First Horse Breed

[Ellen6]

Hello everyone, I am after some advice on good breeds to look into for a first horse.

I have been riding for around 6 years but had to stop when I went to college and haven't been around horses for about 4 years. I am now 21 and in the position to have my own horse.

I would say I am an intermediate rider and fairly confident (very confident on the ground), but as I haven't been around horses or ridden in 4 years this will be a horse to get my back into the swing of things.

I would like a breed that is a good doer, pretty hardy and easy to keep, also one that isn't too sensitive as I'm sure I may be making a few mistakes as its my first horse. It also needs to be good with complete novices as my fiancé will be learning to look after it and he has never been around horses, other than a small child, so nothing really fiery and sensitive.

I know all horses are different and it will take some looking around and trail and error, but any advice on breeds to look into would be great.

I also would like something around 15hh and have recently moved to Florida, if that makes a difference. I've always preferred horses that aren't a solid color and so a few people have suggested an Appaloosa, what do you think?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Vodkagirly]

I would look for the horse with the right temperament rather than a specific breed. Some breeds can be generally calmer than others but there are always exceptions to the rule.

 

[Rhandir]

Appaloosas are for a second or third horse. A Quarter Horse would be your best bet, but steer clear of reining/cutting lines as they can be a little sharp for a novice rider.

 

[Enfys]

Oh Florida, lucky you. I wish I was there, Paso central, if you were into gaited horses then you would be falling over them, we use pasos for complete novices. Anyway, if you want colour, and calm, obliging temperament then I would look for Appaloosa, or Appy cross bred, Paints are perfect too, lots of colour and pattern in those. It you are not fussed about papered horses then there will be a multitude of QH types around too, they really have a lovely calm disposition.

I would stay away from anything that states Appendix as they are often sharper and have tb blood in them, although that is a generalisation. I know some absolute nut cases in all appendix, appaloosa, paints, quarters, but on the other hand there is a good proportion of saints in all those types as well. Just go and look, and get the feel of what you are looking for.

 

[AppyLover]

If you can find an Appaloosa with the right temperament they are great horses, can do anything you want them to and you will have a horse for life at times they seem to think they are humans haha. I bought an Appy as my first horse and yes we've had our issues but that could happen with any breed and all his 'quirks' are normal to me as i have nothing to compare him to