Looking at breeds to make a good family horse?

BoggyGirl said:
Like loads of people I watched the Clydesdale film the other week and was really taken with them.

I have an elderly horse and a pony which is my daughters. I was thinking about another horse for when she retires.

As I don't actually probably need the horse for a year or two I then thought about getting a youngster and bringing it on in the meanwhile. I have done this before so do know what I am taking on.

I don't want a world beater at all. Something with a good temperament for a bit of everything but mostly a nice person. I had looked at Highlands but I am tall (5"10) although not heavy and don't want to feel enormous. I like the Clydesdales but perhaps that is total overkill the other way.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Something more on the native side in terms of being less hard work to keep and chunky? I like the idea of something that could be shown. I know they are all individuals but the nature is really key here. I have had a lot of Warmbloods/ Tb's etc and that isn't what I am looking for these days.

Wondering if anyone can suggest anything I haven't thought of?
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I'm 5'11" and have ridden a Highland without feeling or looking really ridiculous.. My own horse .. who is a horse of a lifetime .. is a CB x TB .. but I love CBs .. did a tour of breeders when I was looking all those yrs ago and the only reason I ended up with a cross is I needed a mare (because of where I was keeping her) and CBs are so rare that pure Mares really need to breed at least two fillies IF the breed is to survive.. interestingly the CB was one of the breeds used to create the Clydesale. I wish someone in the CB world had the vision to make a similar film about CBs .. Personally I don't like Clydies as ridden horses. But interstingly there's a Clydie at the yard I'm on who is no taller than my 16.1 CB X so they don't have to be giants.. NB the CB is like having a native but horse sized ;)
 
Another vote for a Gypsy Cob. Mine is around 14.3-15hh but rides like a much bigger horse. There’s an awful lot of power behind her, but she’s a lovely, comfy ride. Very forward, enthusiastic, dramatic, and fun, but tends to take exceptionally good care of her rider most of the time.

That being said, I wouldn’t describe her as a novice ride, and she couldn’t be further from the dope-on-a-rope stereotype; she’s a sensitive pocket rocket who’s incredibly intelligent and endlessly fun but needs firm but fair riding.

She’s also the easiest and most low-maintenance horse I’ve ever owned.
 
SadKen said:
I have a traditional cob and she's as heavy as it gets in those stakes really. 15hh and rock solid. She was 4 when I got her, and is a very brave young horse. She knows her mind but is generally very happy to go along with what I want, and tries really hard. I'm not a great rider, but I've not come close to parting company with her and rode her bare back down to our fields a month after getting her. She has turned in 3x 70%+ intro tests, the most recent she won so she is very capable of a job. She hacks like a pro, is so easy to do (not perfect, she's 5, not a unicorn!). I wouldn't jump big on her but that is my choice, many traditionals can and do.

I would never have anything else now. She's just brilliant fun.

She is from the Kimico stud, they are on facebook if you'd like to look. Quality traditionals.
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I will look at those thank you!
 
not a breed as such but a mix, mongrel if you like, something with a mix of gypsy cob,heavy horse,irish draft, quiet pony ,and combination of the above should give a biddable quiet enough for any family menber but with enough about it to be a good horse for a decent rider.
 
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tda said:
Dales pony, hard to find atm, but full up 14.2hh or over height can do all the things you need x
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We bought a Dales 18 months ago, she's full up 14.2hh and HUGE, a 5' 10" rider would be fine. Had very little chance to get her out but she's done a couple of dressage tests and judges like her. Despite her size she's athletic, trainable and forward. But she's also a typical native, clever and given an inch would take at least a mile. If you aren't in a hurry you could start contacting breeders to see what might be coming up.
 
I wouldn't look for a specific breed, but for a horse that is already doing the job you want - so one that is used to being handled and ridden by different family members. *ETA - just remembered that you wanted a youngster. So I'd go to a stud and meet the broodmares and stallions to help you choose a youngster. Preferably meet any older full siblings too.*

Both of my mares would completely fit your bill and they are not a breed/mix of breeds that is mentioned on here (one is pure arab and the other is an anglo-arab). Both have been ridden by a lightweight novice who is over 6ft tall and took up his leg, are sweet tempered, easy to train and have been handled by children and cope with my disabilities in good spirits.
 
I certainly wouldn't be looking for a heavy horse without a really good reason. Standard tack and rugs and trailers don't fit, everything is more expensive.they eat a lot and it all comes out the back and they can destroy stables and fencing without a second thought. I like them, being at a Shire stud at one time, but I wouldn't want to own one.
 
I'm 5'10 and have a Dales. Since ridden ones don't make it to market very often (people just keep them forever!) I bought a 3yo and waited until 4 to back her very lightly. She's 15hh now as her sire was from a taller line, but even as a 4yo she took up my leg easily.

They're not novice horses, being natives, but imo you can't beat a Dales. Stunning looks, versatile and easy keepers with none of the potential issues of the bigger horses. I downsized from TBs and WBs due to continual vet bills - my previous horse was almost 18hh. I've barely seen my vet since having a Dales!
 
Nudibranch said:
I'm 5'10 and have a Dales. Since ridden ones don't make it to market very often (people just keep them forever!) I bought a 3yo and waited until 4 to back her very lightly. She's 15hh now as her sire was from a taller line, but even as a 4yo she took up my leg easily.

They're not novice horses, being natives, but imo you can't beat a Dales. Stunning looks, versatile and easy keepers with none of the potential issues of the bigger horses. I downsized from TBs and WBs due to continual vet bills - my previous horse was almost 18hh. I've barely seen my vet since having a Dales!
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I've a ISH and TB black hole of vets too which was making me think about other options. Its really interesting to hear all these ideas. I am not in a rush at all I have a good couple of years so a 2 year old or 3 year old could fit the bill well.
 
A Highland pony or Dales would be perfect if not easy or cheap to find. For buying a youngster to bring on I would go for a breed as you have a better idea of stamp and size than buying a randomly bred mix. You will have some idea of temperament with several generations behind them. Nipna breed beautiful Dales. For the record there is no height limit on dales so no such thing as overheight. the preferred height is up to 14.2 but no restrictions on showing bigger ones
 
windand rain said:
A Highland pony or Dales would be perfect if not easy or cheap to find. For buying a youngster to bring on I would go for a breed as you have a better idea of stamp and size than buying a randomly bred mix. You will have some idea of temperament with several generations behind them. Nipna breed beautiful Dales. For the record there is no height limit on dales so no such thing as over height. the preferred height is up to 14.2 but no restrictions on showing bigger ones
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I didn't know that RE: Dales height. I will look thank you
 
JJS said:
Another vote for a Gypsy Cob. Mine is around 14.3-15hh but rides like a much bigger horse. There’s an awful lot of power behind her, but she’s a lovely, comfy ride. Very forward, enthusiastic, dramatic, and fun, but tends to take exceptionally good care of her rider most of the time.

That being said, I wouldn’t describe her as a novice ride, and she couldn’t be further from the dope-on-a-rope stereotype; she’s a sensitive pocket rocket who’s incredibly intelligent and endlessly fun but needs firm but fair riding.

She’s also the easiest and most low-maintenance horse I’ve ever owned.
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Cobs have a reputation for being slow and safe, but a lot of them can be very sharp. While there isn't an ounce of nastiness in mine, she's sensitive and a bit of a worrier, with a definite turbo boost and a surprisingly fast spin. I'd trust her to carry a novice, under supervision, but it would make her anxious and more inclined to spook. That said, once she trusts you, she'll go absolutely anywhere.

She's easy to keep, as long as she's in regular work to keep the weight off. However, she doesn't need work to keep her sane. I can leave her for a fortnight, hop on, and she's exactly the same as when I last rode her.

However, a lot of cobs come from a mishmash of breeding so it can be difficult to tell what a youngster will grow into. I got mine as a 5yo with zero personality or confidence, and I'm lucky she's grown into such a sensible, lovely person (albeit far too nosy for her own good!) I'm vaguely planning on buying a weanling once Blue hits semi-retirement, and I'll probably be looking for an Irish Draft or something with known breeding for a good few generations back, so I've got more idea of what it will be like as an adult.
 
I've got a Connemara x Cob/Clydesdale and a Cob x Clydesdale. I used to have a full Clyde and, I'll be honest, they have my heart as a breed. I've had a fair bit to do with them over the years and never met a bad one. With that said, I doubt I'll ever have another full breed again due to the sheer cost of buying and keeping them :(
I'm 5ft 11 and to be honest I don't think you can beat a good, chunky cob :)
 
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