What breeds of horse do you NOT like?

Each horse is their own so not really down to breeds as such but I'm not a fan of highlands or heavy common cob types . Generally anything with rude /bolshy behaviour I'll tend to take a dislike to regardless what breed it is!
 
I do love a cob but not the really lumpy ewe necked inelegant ones (especially if they have significant moustaches!) nor am i a fan of thoroughbreds, arabs or appaloosas. I like riding warmbloods but wouldn't have one due to every one that i know having significant injuries as some point (and i know a fair few)
 
JillA said:
Coloured common cobs that you see advertised as "stunning". They may have brilliant temperaments but they really are old fashioned vanners, fine to drive but not designed to be ridden. Short backs, coarse bone, lumpy uncomfortable rides IMHO
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Couldn't agree more! Probably bone-headed as well - i.e. stubborn and awkward and thick and use their weight and bulk against the owner. I know, I know - it is all down to how well they have been handled, but some seem to be born awkward.

I'm not a big fan of all things Welsh either. Having had little devil Welsh ponies and known hysterical Welsh cobs. I know there are good ones, but they need lots and lots of work to keep sane and preferably a Welsh mountain to ride them up to keep them quiet - and I live on the flatlands.
 
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ozpoz said:
I don't see why people want to ride friesians, or any other carriage breed - and that includes all the warmbloods that looks if they should be doing a different job, rather than being a ridden horse. I'm wary of Haflingers, am bewildered by overbred arabs,(but love a good one) and bemused by anything which has its colour described as being more interesting than breeding. And then there are those Highlands which aren't.. boring me senseless at an agricultural show every weekend for years, thankfully no longer as the novelty seems to have worn off, thank goodness.
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The Friesians have been "improved" by adding Saddlebred breeding to make them more into riding horses. As told to me by an American.
 
JillA said:
Coloured common cobs that you see advertised as "stunning". They may have brilliant temperaments but they really are old fashioned vanners, fine to drive but not designed to be ridden. Short backs, coarse bone, lumpy uncomfortable rides IMHO
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meh, thats exactly what I though-like riding square wheeled bikes buuuut I am sharing one atm who's very comfortable and very sweet.
 
I'm not keen on Welsh B's - I think they're lovely when they've got their ear pricked and life is tickettyboo but when things go wrong and they put their ears back I think they look really demonic
 
I feel like some clarification is necessary here. Caused a **** storm entirely accidentally.

I only despise arabs because I had a bad experience; I also do not like how they look, as rule. I would say hating something when you've had a bad experience is actually not unusual - having recently been bitten twice by a dog, I now hate hate hate being around dogs I don't know. I was also much younger when the aforementioned incident occurred (early teens I think?) and it made me afraid to go to see my horses alone.
However, I looked at 2 anglo arabs when searching for my horse, but they did not sound right for me, character-wise.

I am not a fussy horse owner who will not look at x y z types of horse! I go by personality....Iat the end of the post which caused so much angst I did actually say 'If it's got a nice personality I'm not fussy.' (or words to that effect)
If Diva had been an arab she'd have still come home with me and be just as cherished as she is now.

I AM VERY VERY SORRY FOR THE OFFENCE I CAUSED
 
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Personally I would avoid having a warmblood, definitely not the sort of horse I normally go for. All the ones I've known have broken down quickly and/or have an awful temperament to boot.
I don't mind sensitive beasts, I have a Welsh D so know all about being silly and spooky but she has a limit - warmblood's seem to go a little OTT, along with some TB's. Not to say there aren't good examples of either breed and I think my friend's TB's and warmblood's are perfectly nice horses but I wouldn't like to own them myself.
 
Another one who is not keen on fully feathered cobs. They look beautiful at a show but the upkeep and when caked in mud remind me of something you see tethered. I like a nice clipped out one but often when hair removed their proportions are wrong.
 
I can't think of any types I don't like but there are many I wouldn't have as they are unsuitable for me and what I want and my preferred type.
Personally I like heavier draughty/cob types and wouldn't choose a tb or arab type :-)
 
Thanks for the apology DRM.

Are you sure that despise is the right word though? It really is very strong as it means that you feel contempt and repugnance towards a whole breed of horse due to a bad incident with what, one, two or more individuals? I do think it's weird to write off or hate a whole breed/species/colour/whatever due to a bad experience. I broke my back and suffered permanent spinal damage as a result of an accident riding a bay, ISH gelding. Do I hate bays, ISH or geldings? No, of course not. Do I hate cats after I was bitten by one? No, but I sure learnt how our flesh is like butter in their teeth and I am far more cautious and sensible at staying safe around with animals with sharp teeth now.

You must have known that there would be people who have much loved arabs reading your post? Maybe next time re-read your reply before posting and ask yourself if it's too strong? I have to do that as I've got in trouble too, so it really isn't just you who's accidently caused a **** storm. The joys of forums! :D

As I said, thanks for the apology, it was kind of you to write that. :)
 
Not keen on appys either... Think it's just the ones I've met though- it would also freak me out a little if I had a horse with 3 or 1 sock.. Or a Roman nose.
 
Im not a fan of warmbloods. I know you get lots of different ones, I just find them generally quirky and difficult. I had one who was the loveliest horse to handle and super safe to ride but would nap like hell in the ring, he had just thrown in the towel before I got him and nothing would change that. My other warmblood who I lost a few months ago was the most incredible to ride - really good attitude etc. but he could be a handful to handle and is the only horse Ive had a couple of very close calls with (he kicked me in the head last year while messing about in the field). Other warmblood I rode was a nutcase, would just explode under saddle for no reason yet was lovely to handle. Its like they are EITHER nice to handle OR nice to ride but not both. Ive seen so many out competing who fit this too. I cant be bothered with that these days, I want an all round nice easy horse!

Am not a huge fan of heavy cob types or draughts, but thats just because I prefer sporty types. Unless you can event it to some degree, Im not overly interested!
 
Having owned an Irish Sports Horse & now a native pony, shared an Anglo Arab & traditional cob and loaned an ex-racehorse there's not one breed of horse I can say I don't like. They are different for sure, but with sensible handling & management they are all lovely in their own way.

There are certain breeds I wouldn't actively look for if I was buying another tomorrow but that's more due to my circumstances. I work full time and I'm on DIY livery and need a horse reasonably well-adjusted to cope with life on a livery yard and a family member helping out from time to time, be able to have a day or two off and not be dangerously stupid the next time I ride, hardy enough to cope if it rains whilst I'm at work despite the forecast saying it wouldn't, sure footed enough to cope with our off road riding and able to enjoy a good canter/gallop. So I personally wouldn't go looking for a TB as they can be more high maintenance thsn I'd ideally like - but I wouldn't rule a good one out, if it was perfect in every way.
 
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Faracat said:
Thanks for the apology DRM.

Are you sure that despise is the right word though? It really is very strong as it means that you feel contempt and repugnance towards a whole breed of horse due to a bad incident with what, one, two or more individuals? I do think it's weird to write off or hate a whole breed/species/colour/whatever due to a bad experience. I broke my back and suffered permanent spinal damage as a result of an accident riding a bay, ISH gelding. Do I hate bays, ISH or geldings? No, of course not. Do I hate cats after I was bitten by one? No, but I sure learnt how our flesh is like butter in their teeth and I am far more cautious and sensible at staying safe around with animals with sharp teeth now.

You must have known that there would be people who have much loved arabs reading your post? Maybe next time re-read your reply before posting and ask yourself if it's too strong? I have to do that as I've got in trouble too, so it really isn't just you who's accidently caused a **** storm. The joys of forums! :D

As I said, thanks for the apology, it was kind of you to write that. :)
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Lol yes netiquette can be a bit of an inexact science at times....tbh there's stronger words than despise out there though, but it's true I just don't like the way show arabs in particular are being bred to look almost caricature-ish, if that makes sense.

I feel like having an arab would be a bit like having a disney horse prancing about the paddock and although i've got no issue if people like that sort of thing, it's really not my cup of tea.

But yeah, next time I'll tone down my language; I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing person which doesn't always come across well on the internet!!!
In fairness I like things like akhal tekes, which always seem to get an unfair reputation for always having ewe necks, and I quite like roman noses as well. AND SPOTTY BEASTS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST. (No owner bias present there whatsoever , obviously)

Apparently I have weird taste in horses, anyway; but I'll fall in love with any horse if it's a 'nice person', regardless of breed, age, height, sex, colour, whatever. Honestly if my mare had been bogey green with rude symbols all over her coat in neon yellow....I still would have brought her home!
 
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It's great that we all like so many different types, because it means that there homes for every sort of horse. It would be a boring horsey world if we all liked the same breeds/colours!

It's quite funny how many coloured horses are seen nowadays. I remember being a kid and a coloured arrived on the yard (80s) and everyone was amazed as we just never saw them around our way. We're crawling with them now!
 
Diva&Rosie'sMum said:
Lol yes netiquette can be a bit of an inexact science at times....tbh there's stronger words than despise out there though, but it's true I just don't like the way show arabs in particular are being bred to look almost caricature-ish, if that makes sense.

I feel like having an arab would be a bit like having a disney horse prancing about the paddock and although i've got no issue if people like that sort of thing, it's really not my cup of tea.

But yeah, next time I'll tone down my language; I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing person which doesn't always come across well on the internet!!!
In fairness I like things like akhal tekes, which always seem to get an unfair reputation for always having ewe necks, and I quite like roman noses as well. AND SPOTTY BEASTS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST. (No owner bias present there whatsoever , obviously)

Apparently I have weird taste in horses, anyway; but I'll fall in love with any horse if it's a 'nice person', regardless of breed, age, height, sex, colour, whatever. Honestly if my mare had been bogey green with rude symbols all over her coat in neon yellow....I still would have brought her home!
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I'll echo Faracat in thanking you for your apology :).
I guess there is a part of me that feels sad that Arabs can now invoke such an extreme negative reaction to how they look when in years gone by they were just beautiful and kids of my age grew up wanting one from the books we read and the pictures we saw of them.
I always think that the language i use on here should echo who i am in real life and i would never hang over somebodies gate and tell them that i hated their horse ! Like Faracat i had a brain hemorrhage when a 17h ISH ran me down and a Rottweiler bit through my hand as a child but i don't hate all of them for this.
by the by , i like your NF
 
I think I don't like many pure breed horses! I tend to like a good old cross! Add Arab to a native pony, or add TB to a Shire or ID and they're better IMO! But that's just my opinion. I can still appreciate the beauty of the pure breeds, I love the look of an Arab, a haffy, a Hanoverian, a welshy, a TB, but they're not something I would buy. I'm an Irish draught x TB girl, have been for years.
 
I'm pretty open minded, but the one breed I wouldn't actively seek out is a Standardbred. I find them plain, and I whilst their canter/pace is nice and smooth, I cannot find the rhythm I need for jumping from them. Of course there are exceptions, and some have lovely canters. Just not my cup of tea!
 
Shady said:
I'll echo Faracat in thanking you for your apology :).
I guess there is a part of me that feels sad that Arabs can now invoke such an extreme negative reaction to how they look when in years gone by they were just beautiful and kids of my age grew up wanting one from the books we read and the pictures we saw of them.
I always think that the language i use on here should echo who i am in real life and i would never hang over somebodies gate and tell them that i hated their horse ! Like Faracat i had a brain hemorrhage when a 17h ISH ran me down and a Rottweiler bit through my hand as a child but i don't hate all of them for this.
by the by , i like your NF
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I know, but I was young at the time and very upset by the incident. Tbh a lot of the arab owners on here seem really really nice!
Maybe it's just this one person wasn't very nice (in fact that is the most likely explanation) but then she was just 'the bitchy arab owner'(!)
It's actually weird that you should mention my NF mare - she was a complete nutter under saddle, broke my hand, trampled me, bronced in the middle of the road, bronced in the middle of the arena, basically just bronced a lot, and scared of her own shadow, but I still LOVE the breed. In fairness on the ground she's an angel! But I guess perspectives can change a lot. When I was younger I was convinced I could take little 12.2 NF round Badminton :/ and was always told arabs are fiery, hotheaded and spooky whilst NF - as a NF - should be a perfect children's pony (despite obviously not being that).
 
I honestly can't think of any breeds that i dislike. I used to wonder why people had Shetlands but think that was more to do with owners treating them like babies than anything actually wrong with them as a breed.
 
southerncomfort said:
I honestly can't think of any breeds that i dislike. I used to wonder why people had Shetlands but think that was more to do with owners treating them like babies than anything actually wrong with them as a breed.
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That is exactly what is wrong with Shetlands. People treating them like pets because they are small. They turn into proper little bar stewards that way. Treat them like a horse and you will have an awesome wee pony with a lot of character!

I quite like Arabs, wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to buy one but I wouldn't completely discount them either.
 
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