Need Experience's! Which Breeds are good for Western Riding

[Tillie]

Hi

I looking into getting another horse. I have taken up western riding since i last brought a horse. Im just wonder what breeds people find good at western riding other that your quarter horse or other american horses.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Arabs can do Western. I've known a few that were ridden in western tack but I've not done western riding myself. There are plenty of arabs in the US that compete in the various western disciplines.

 

[a kind of magic]

We have two QH mares but also as a result of getting into western I switched my english (then 18yo) Shire x to western. He is in western tack but with an english bit, he is a bit old to fully retrain now at 20 but has really taken to it like a duck to water. He neck reins and responds to all the cues but not sure he'd be too great at a reining pattern though!

I was at a show at the Mendip Stud last year and there was a Suffolk Punch doing a reining pattern so I would say any horse can give it a blummin good go!

 

[Amazona]

Definatly confirm next to Quarter horse an Arab is the best for western ... to be really competitive the bloodlines matter though .. polish and american lines are best ..
I used to work at Toskara Arabian (now they are back in Texas but some of their horses were born and sold in the UK a few years back)
Nearly all that were of age were trained to do western pleasure

 

[haras]

Ditto arabs. But they do need a slightly different shaped saddle to accomodate their shorter backs.

My arab is only a yearling, but I'm planning a trip to the states when shes backed to buy her western tack. I rode western alot as a child.

Quarter horses and appoloosas are other obvious options.

 

[Irishcobs]

I work at a western yard and we have all sorts of horses doing western, from small ponies to heavy weight cobs.
They aren't what I would call properly western trained, none will be going barrel racing or winning reining comps but they neck rein and stop with a twitch of the reins.

 

[SwingHorse]

Here's a couple of our QHs

And for something a bit different, Andalucians

An arab

And a paint

Or even a friesian. (although I can't seem to find a photo )

Really it's lie askin what horses can you ride

 

[padderpaws]

The Criollo horse can "go western"

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Something with a naturally low head carriage and an economical knee/hock action so the hooves stay close to the ground. A relaxed attitude helps too.

 

[Tillie]

Thanks everyone. I've always wanted a welsh cob. And viewed a lovely five year today, hopeful he will be our next horse.