spin off from are you on your last horse thread- breed to go for in my old age :-)

Maybe you could consider a connemara or a connemara cross very talented, reliable breed with a great personality and the bonus that they are extremely beautiful. The majority of horses and ponies I have worked with have some connemara bloodlines and they are nothing but a pleasure
 
I would say anything native or a smaller cob - they are all wonderfull. If I was going for a specificbreed for my older age it would be a Dales/Fell or a Highland. Its spooky that I have been thinking about this very subject. My girl is very likley permanently retired now. I am about to have my 3rd (and final!) baby so by the time I am ready for another horse of my own (will ride big daughters occasionaly) I will be in my mid 40's. If I get a youngster it could well be my final horse - eeeeek.
 
Although I admit I am very biased, gypsy cob. They come in a variety of sizes, some can be very forward but still safe, and others very gentle and needing a bit of a kick on.

My lad is 14.3, slightly lighter than some, jumps 3'9, does a decent dressage test, shows to RIHS level, but also can teach kids to ride and go out with a tot on the lead rein and be trusted to behave.

Hardy and if you hate the hair you can hog out. Very good natured and you can show at all levels. If you go for a solid colour, bit cheaper and you can show with the TGCA.

I am a short arse, rising 49, and the last two years have been very tough with operations and treatment for cancer. Stinky has looked after me and I am so pleased that I have him. I used to have TBs, WBs and arabs, but now find my gypsy cob is perfect - fast, fun and safe and fairly easy to get on and off as I am 5'.
 
If you want sane sensible but not a plod then the working Western Breeds are perfect, they are available in smaller models, well mannered, sure footed agile and very trainable with easy going temperaments.
I of course am biased towards Appaloosas a couple of mine have world champion cow horse and reining parents and are intelligent enough to outsmart a cow all on their own, but they are most certainly not professional only rides and can easily turn a hoof to anything you ask of them. Working Quarter horses and paints are very similar in their attitude and of course Australian Stock Horses are very similar but rare here at the moment.
Lets face it if you are hunting buffalo or herding cows you don't want an idiot that pulls like hell all morning then is tired all afternoon!
How many could do this sort of thing with most of our common breeds of choice for the less ambitious rider!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0chRvuybqZc&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU6H0pMAgPE&feature=related
 
KarynK said:
If you want sane sensible but not a plod then the working Western Breeds are perfect, they are available in smaller models, well mannered, sure footed agile and very trainable with easy going temperaments.
I of course am biased towards Appaloosas a couple of mine have world champion cow horse and reining parents and are intelligent enough to outsmart a cow all on their own, but they are most certainly not professional only rides and can easily turn a hoof to anything you ask of them. Working Quarter horses and paints are very similar in their attitude and of course Australian Stock Horses are very similar but rare here at the moment.
Lets face it if you are hunting buffalo or herding cows you don't want an idiot that pulls like hell all morning then is tired all afternoon!
How many could do this sort of thing with most of our common breeds of choice for the less ambitious rider!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0chRvuybqZc&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU6H0pMAgPE&feature=related
Click to expand...

As I'm the wrong side of 45 I bought a baby quarter horse with the intention (providing the stars line up right and we have a nice dose of luck) that he'll be my horse to take us both into retirement... With the best will in the world though I don't think we'll ever aspire to much more than pootling around quietly for hours on end... Stacy Westfall is somewhat amazing...:D
 
Actually, I wouldn't write off the Spanish Horse.

Like you, I loved the look and wondered whether I'd cope with their supposed hot temperament as I go into my more mature years. I researched the breed, and talked to as many knowledgeable people as I could - and now own two of the most laid back PRE Andalusians you could imagine.

My two are sensitive to ride, and are very trainable, but are definitely not hot (that role goes to my TB. LOL). Their work ethic is fab, and they are very intelligent. They have very hard feet, so are barefoot, and manage with fairly rough terrain. They are also very hardy, and grow really thick woolly coats. They cost very little to feed, and manage well on less than good grass.

Their gait is especially good for those with back injuries/pain, as they are incredibly comfortable to ride.

Oh, and wherever you go, you will always be admired when you are astride a spanish horse.

My other suggestion would be a quarter horse. A friend of mine who lives in Wales imported two gorgeous quarter horses that were like mountain goats. We went scrambling up the mountain tracks that I thought only a sheep would manage. (And the elderly couple that were admiring the view had quite a shock when they turned to see my friend all kitted out like a cowboy, astride his palomino. LOL)

Whichever breed you go for, I wish you many many years of happy adventures together.
 
I am a middle aged first time owner and have an arab. Couldn't recommend him enough.

He is hardy, lives out all year happily, very sound, doesn't eat much, good feet.

He is very fast but easy to stop.

He is pretty but not exaggerated in the least, nothing spindly about him.

He is spooky but getting less so now he is comfortable.

Main downside of an Arab I can see, is getting the saddle fitted!
 
My Arab is a Crabbet Polish Egyptian cross. Maybe the Egyptian is the side that gives him his fine sense of humour and ability to stop dead from a flat out gallop!
 
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