standard bred? What's are they like tempermant ect??

Many moons ago I had two on loan that had raced. They were wonderful characters, put up with less than perfect riding, and I had the older one doing walk to canter transitions within a few weeks. Never known one that couldn't jump well and they do better than TB's in my experience.
 
Not all Standardbreds pace, some do, some don't, it depends on a mixture of genetics and whether gadgets are used by, shall we say, not very nice people.

I find the breed delightful. Intelligent and trainable with lovely personalities, of course all horses are individuals. I'd describe my personal experience of them as being slightly less flighty thoroughbreds.
 
Matt m that's good info thank you. She's a rising 2 year old and been told when she's in the field she walks trots canters and gallops she don't trot like the trotter side of the standard bred that she is. Is this because she's not been trained that way or is it possible she may just start doing it (because it's in her) or will she be ok if not doing it already . And backed/trained in English general riding she will be capable? Thanks
 
she is a very pretty lady with the standardbred massive ears look out for Chan on here with Ned another standardbred owner who does so much with her beautiful lad x Pinballs full brother was trained for harness racing and thats what his does under saddle but Pinball does not x
 
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There is a (recently discovered) genetic link to pacing. Some horses with the gene will pace from birth. Others without it will trot, and have to be trained to pace. So it is entirely possible that the one you are looking at does not naturally pace, only trots.
I have had several Standies: all bar one of them have been sensible steady types and very easy going with good feet. They have to be quiet if they are to race as you don't want a horse that flips out when in harness - it can be catastrophic. Even the one spooky one wasn't dangerous - his idea of a spook was to stop dead - it was just a bit disconcerting going from an 12mph trot to a dead stop!
When I am looking to rehome one off the track I will free lunge it or see it at liberty in the paddock and I only take the ones who trot naturally - they are much easier to get going under saddle than the ones that are hard wired to pace. They often have BIG trots, with plenty of power. They have decent back ends and often jump very well. They do tend to have a very 4 beat, flat canter, but that improves with training.
I'm a big fan and over here I really wish more people would take them on instead of OTTBs. They have fewer physical problems and are very easy keepers.
 
My OH's horse is a standardbred x tb. He is an amazing horse. Fast as lightning, will jump anything put in front of him, and has beautiful paces in walk trot and canter. We bought him from a showjumping yard and he also does a beautiful dressage test.

He can be a hot headed sod to ride at times but then he has tb in him so it could very well be that.
 
OH has had some standarbred's and a couple of part bred ponies - I've found all of them easy to work with, very trainable. One of the part bred ponies OH had for his daughter was an amazing SJ pony - went on to be registered JA and did very very well. He was also a safe sensible hack.
 
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