Suitable Breeds

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freebird

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I'm from and living in America, however plan on moving to the UK next year. After we settle down, I'm hoping to get another horse. However I'm quickly finding that the horse market in the UK, and what is available, what is popular, etc is vastly different from the market in the US.

My goal is to do low level Dressage- for the next few years I don't see myself doing any higher than that. Endurance would be lovely to return to as well (I had a blast doing it on my Arabian), but that is not my largest goal and I won't be doing anything more than limited distance if I do get back into it. Being able to have a safe, enjoyable hack is more important to me.

I'm very interested in Arab crosses, Connemaras, Andalusian or Lustiano (which seem to be far more affordable and reasonable in the UK than they are here!), and Welsh Sec. D. I actually really love the Welsh Sec D, however from what I read they can be quite a challenge. Getting back into horses after a year and a half I'm not sure I'm ready to take that on. I love a sensitive horse which is why I had good success with my Arabian and love the breed, however I wonder how true it is that the Welshies are "quirky"?

In terms of the availability of these horses, the ease in finding one amateur friendly, and thoughts on using them for Dressage and hacking, would love your thoughts and experiences on these breeds!

Thank you!
 
Welsh Ds aren't for everyone but there are plenty of really talented ones about. I've got a C and D and both would jump the moon if you asked them to, are hardy, sound horses with lovely temperaments. However they and every Welsh I have owned (quite a few) are inclined to be nappy. They never are with me, but were when I got them. They can also be silly over silly things but I like them. They are relatively cheap horses to buy and can be very talented sports horses if you can live with the quirky bits of their natures. Best thing to do is ride as many different types as you can before you decide.
 
Welsh Ds have it all for me. Looks, talent and personality. I think some bloodlines are quirkier than others, mine is danaway and derwen bred and aside from a few spooks she'll turn her hoof to anything including endurance, she used to canter sedately after my YO arabians trot. I do agree they can be nappy and will do the minimum in the school that you will let them. A friend took her Welsh D up to advanced medium & he was quite old when she started his dressage career. They are cheap to keep but as a native you have to watch their diet so they don't get laminitis.
 
I personally wouldnt think of 'a' particular breed of horse. Look for horses that tick all the boxes for what you want to do, what youre looking for ect and the breed will be whatever that perfect horse is! I love Irish Draughts but if I was looking for a horse that ticked all the boxes but happened to be a Thoroughbred then I would own a thoroughbred!
 
What something like a connemara x tb? Quite versatile. Both my old Welsh D and my friend's C were both happy hackers (no napping whatsoever) who turned a hoof to things like working hunter and so on... though not being a dressage person I can't give any thoughts on that.
However I also going to say I wouldn't necessarily specify a particular breed either. When the time comes, look for whatever meets the requirements - you might be surprised! I love a CB, and the most honest, versatile horse I've ever owned was one, but others will tell you they're stubborn/useless, etc!
Your height and weight will also play a part in what's right ☺
 
I have owned all sorts from dartmoors to hannovarians. The most versatile have been highlands but they are rare and the right type hard to find. I dont know if it is just me brining them up from babies but the Welsh D's I have owned have been wonderful. Biddable, forward, sane and talented. Never had a quirky one all have been wonderful easy pony/horses. In fact almost perfect and a bit boring. Quirky comes in spades with Connemaras on the other hand, every one brought up the same as the Welsh had been diva, stubborn, silly and would only do what it wanted could be talented on their own terms. I personally dont think they move as well as other native breeds but You do need to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince and there are a lot of wonderful not expensive horses to choose from in the UK
 
Welsh D x TB will be a nice scopey horse.
I love Welsh Cs but they are a bit small for me (sadly).
Native breed x Arab is worth looking at - Welsh x Arab will be very capable and possibly on the hot side, my own New Forest x Arab had bottomless ability and a strong mind (going cross country it was his way or get off and walk).

If hacking is important make sure you land in the right part of the country.
 
Antw23uk said:
I personally wouldnt think of 'a' particular breed of horse. Look for horses that tick all the boxes for what you want to do, what youre looking for ect and the breed will be whatever that perfect horse is!
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^^ this :)
I haven't ever ended up with the breed of horse I thought I wanted - I've ended up choosing based on their talents and attitude.

FWIW one of mine is a sec D and she is SO generous in the school and learns super fast. She is clever and quick witted so I can see how people get into tangles with them - she'd learn the wrong stuff very easily if not kept on the straight and narrow.
I'd have another, but probably something a bit bigger and more sporty than my dumpy little squirt! :o
 
I love Welshies and I'm little so can even pop on the section As if needs must (ie it's just disposed of small child!). I think for good riders they are a lot of fun but they can definitely take the 'p' out of novices. I very nearly bought one that was crossed with TB & he had an almost anglo arab look to him.

Depending on whether I can bring my current horse back into work a native x TB is high on my next horse list. I like the toughness & cheekiness that comes with our natives but that but of TB should hopefully add some athleticism
 
Hi op, I love Arab x, all my boys have been crosses or fulls. D was Arab welsh x and was a perfect all rounder if a tad prone to being flighty, only issue I found was that they tend to be on the smaller side (14.2 ish) and I was just too tall.

When I lost D wanted something bigger so had a full Arab that I lost young but was a much better height for me.

Big guy is Arab Andalusian x or hispano arabe, and he's brill, at least for me he's perfect. Taller and pretty good all round but much more sensible than D. We've done a spot of low level dressage and hack for miles (when I'm not pregnant - sigh I miss long hacks). If he's a good example of that sort of cross I couldn't recommend it highly enough :).

That being said I'd just look for a furry you like the look of and go see, you might surprise yourself and find a perfect partner :).
 
Don't get hung up on a breed. A good horse comes in a variety of shapes!

I find the difference in some crosses remarkable. I had a Welsh D cross Thoroughbred, who was (and not just in my opinion, people used to actually stop me to comment on him) one of the most stunning horses I've seen in over 30 years, yet he had all the worst personality traits of a section D and Thoroughbred rolled into one. Rather than one cancel the other out, he was an absolute hooligan, extremely clever, but so sharp it was ridiculous. I had him until her was 18 and he never changed.
 
How about a Morgan? Yes there are some in the UK. From a breed register of around 600+ individuals there have been Grade B show jumpers, dressage, Novice eventers, on the winning Riding Club team for eventing, Horse of the Year Show driving champions (twice) champion Western horses and numerous endurance and Trec wins. As well as Marathon driving and of course showing including Riding Horse classes as well as the Morgan saddleseat classes. As you know, versatile is their middle name and co-operative, intelligent animals who say "what are we going to do today?" One owner says that their horse went from doing dressage, to English Showing to Western, to saddleseat quite happily depending on what tack it was wearing and how the rider rode it. And it would drive too.

Sadly, they are not that widely known, and not many are for sale as the owners tend to hang on to them. Of course you have to be careful about any individual horse and how it has been bred, trained and ridden, but it is another thought.
 
Not forgetting Versace who was a Champion at the Veteran Horse Society Championships a few weeks ago.

Sadly, a lot of the owners and breeders are becoming veterans too, and scaling back their activities.
 
Faracat said:
If you get on with Arabs, the chances are that you'll like Welshies too. :)

Arab x Welsh is a very nice cross.
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I had several arabs who I really got on with, very sensitive brilliant horses. Then I got a sec D. Never ever again. Such a hard work and difficult horse to deal with. Nothing at all like an arab in any way. If anyone loved arabs I cannot see they would like sec D's.
 
What a shame. Try not to write a whole breed off over one individual though. Super Welshies really do exist, I promise. :D

I personally do like both breeds and found that they do have some traits in common.
 
I own a welsh d and a welsh d x tb, I love the welsh d's and c's but have yet to meet one that isn't quirky. They are clever and if they trust you are wonderful all rounders but would I buy another one? NOOOOOOOO.
 
scats said:
Don't get hung up on a breed. A good horse comes in a variety of shapes!

I find the difference in some crosses remarkable. I had a Welsh D cross Thoroughbred, who was (and not just in my opinion, people used to actually stop me to comment on him) one of the most stunning horses I've seen in over 30 years, yet he had all the worst personality traits of a section D and Thoroughbred rolled into one. Rather than one cancel the other out, he was an absolute hooligan, extremely clever, but so sharp it was ridiculous. I had him until her was 18 and he never changed.
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Ha - I think I have the younger version of your horse!!
 
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