What horse breed to buy - bad exprerience with warmblood

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Hi guys,

My lovely senior TB mare is about to retire , she will be ridden in very light work, so I was looking to buy another horse.

My last attempt to buy one a couple of years ago was disastrous, I bought a young, 7 years old, KWPN warmblood gelding, that spooked very easily and the combination of spookiness and strength (he was 16.2hh) was not very pleasant. Fortunately I found very capable and experienced riders that were willing to buy it...

And as my TB mare was fortunately one of the safest horses to ride (got really lucky there) I am looking to buy a horse that does not spook easily but at the same time is easy to train and cooperates well.

Heard Irish horses are very nice characters? Also what about the Iberian ones?


Many thanks for your help.
 
You can't really condemn an entire type because one example of one of the multiple breeds under the warmblood banner was unsuitable for you! You have a quiet TB - I could say that she's a freak of nature, because TBs are supposed to be complete loonies, But I'm not going to, because I don't like to generalise!

Look at the individual horse - not the breed.
 
I have a spanish would never have one again unless i could buy one like he is now I love the irish horses seem to be very level headed ID i love and cob x are quite nice also like ex racers depends what you want in a ride
 
Look for a horse with the right character and forget the breeding. There are exceptions to every rule, so go out looking for a good safe horse with a kind temperament who will look after you.
 
I have an ID cross that has been the hardest horse I have owned, my friend has a WB that is so brave and level headed. I dont think you can look for a horse based on its breed when it comes to temperament.
 
I completely agree with you all, you should not look for a specific breed but in general the warm bloods are not the calmest horses to own right?
 
Warmblood is a type rather than a breed so you can't generalise, and many have a lot of TB ancestry. Some bloodlines may be 'hotter' than others and it depends on whether the breeder was aiming for temperament or not. I've met mental warmbloods, sensitive yet responsive warmbloods, and dull slow warmbloods. Not really my cup of tea but that's more from a size point of view than anything else.

I think the main issue you have is that you already have your 'comfy pair of slippers' - it's darned hard trying to find another horse when you've known perfection in equine form. The best piece of advice is from a Thelwell cartoon: "You won't have to look to find your perfect pony. He'll find you." So keep an open mind, see what comes along, and see what you click with. It might be the same sort of build and temperament that you're used to, or it may be the complete opposite.

I bought a horse on the rebound after losing my mare - he was the sort of horse that I would have enjoyed riding for someone else but he wasn't 'mine'. It didn't work out, partly because when I bought him I bought him with my head not my heart, after concluding that my heart wouldn't sing for another horse like it did with my mare. That's wrong though, and I learnt the hard way. My heart did sing with another horse - maybe a different song, but it sang again. You do need that meeting of minds I think, and you just don't know what size or shape equine packaging that meeting of minds will come in.

Good luck xxx
 
EstherYoung said:
Warmblood is a type rather than a breed so you can't generalise, and many have a lot of TB ancestry. Some bloodlines may be 'hotter' than others and it depends on whether the breeder was aiming for temperament or not. I've met mental warmbloods, sensitive yet responsive warmbloods, and dull slow warmbloods. Not really my cup of tea but that's more from a size point of view than anything else.

I think the main issue you have is that you already have your 'comfy pair of slippers' - it's darned hard trying to find another horse when you've known perfection in equine form. The best piece of advice is from a Thelwell cartoon: "You won't have to look to find your perfect pony. He'll find you." So keep an open mind, see what comes along, and see what you click with. It might be the same sort of build and temperament that you're used to, or it may be the complete opposite.

I bought a horse on the rebound after losing my mare - he was the sort of horse that I would have enjoyed riding for someone else but he wasn't 'mine'. It didn't work out, partly because when I bought him I bought him with my head not my heart, after concluding that my heart wouldn't sing for another horse like it did with my mare. That's wrong though, and I learnt the hard way. My heart did sing with another horse - maybe a different song, but it sang again. You do need that meeting of minds I think, and you just don't know what size or shape equine packaging that meeting of minds will come in.

Good luck xxx
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What a lovely response, thanks very much!!!
 
I am biased but get a British bred PRE! Bought her after my comfy slippers appy boy...

I have one and she's mega. Come see her if you like to help make your mind up. If you don't like, you can cross off list :)
 
I think you need to decide what you want to do before you settle on a 'type'. Write a shopping list and put them in order of preference. I have always had TBs or TB types as I evented. After I had my old horse PTS I ended up with a WB and I have to say he is the easiest, sweetest horse I've ever known but he also has lovely movement, fabulous jump and is a very smart horse. So don't judge every horse by a breed 'type'.

Good luck :)
 
i am biased

tb's all the way - you can pick up a nice x racer for next to nothing these days and make it your own

I hae had nothing but bad experiences with warmbloods - just not my cuppa t but each to their own

good luck
 
EstherYoung said:
Warmblood is a type rather than a breed so you can't generalise, and many have a lot of TB ancestry. Some bloodlines may be 'hotter' than others and it depends on whether the breeder was aiming for temperament or not. I've met mental warmbloods, sensitive yet responsive warmbloods, and dull slow warmbloods. Not really my cup of tea but that's more from a size point of view than anything else.

I think the main issue you have is that you already have your 'comfy pair of slippers' - it's darned hard trying to find another horse when you've known perfection in equine form. The best piece of advice is from a Thelwell cartoon: "You won't have to look to find your perfect pony. He'll find you." So keep an open mind, see what comes along, and see what you click with. It might be the same sort of build and temperament that you're used to, or it may be the complete opposite.

I bought a horse on the rebound after losing my mare - he was the sort of horse that I would have enjoyed riding for someone else but he wasn't 'mine'. It didn't work out, partly because when I bought him I bought him with my head not my heart, after concluding that my heart wouldn't sing for another horse like it did with my mare. That's wrong though, and I learnt the hard way. My heart did sing with another horse - maybe a different song, but it sang again. You do need that meeting of minds I think, and you just don't know what size or shape equine packaging that meeting of minds will come in.

Good luck xxx
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That's beautiful and inspiring.
 
I would go for another thoroughbred. I have found that warmbloods are far more quirky and spooky than the average TB. However, my horse of a lifetime is a dutch WB XTB/Welsh D. She was not the easiest to start with, but at only 15.3hh not too strong with it. But I really like TBs and especially ex racers, so long as they have not been wrecked. They usually have the best manners ever, are easy to stable, are used to travelling, and are not too spooky.
 
My advice would be to save a good budget a good alrounder is always sought after so they are rarely cheap.
And to go for a horse who is doing the job you want it to do I think this gives you the best chance of getting it right , without looking for a breed or type just look at the horse and the job it is doing , it is hard to replace a much loved old friend but you will find another , good luck.
 
My boss took a whole year to find her new horse to replace her old eventer, she competed in the past at advanced level but was only looking for a horse to compete at novice.
She also had an unlimited budget
So my advice is if it took this lady that long i would take your time, as someone else has already said he will find you probably when your not looking.
My preference is cleveland bays found one and never looked back why not try a CBxTB
the cleveland bay isnt known for being spooky and as long as you dont overfeed them are very sane and willing to please, they are a rare breed and need as much help as they can get so please dont rule them out of your search
I will help you find one if you are interested my take time as they are so rare
 
we can all generalise with breeds. my two penneth is don't buy anything with Welsh in it :D

I have had 2 WB's including my current one and both were/are the least spookiest horses ever! the one I have now is the calmest gentlest creature you could wish to meet. He tries hard at everything he does and is a pure pleasure to own

My biggest piece of advise is don't buy a really BIG mover!! I tried several and while lovely and seemed calm enough, the thought of how the hell do you stay on that if it does go wrong.

Czech/polish WB's seem to be calmer than dutch/german ones.
 
I love my tb and tb x han, both were great to ride and up for anything.
My warmblood had movement to die for but is the spookiest, quirkiest horse ive ever ridden, he's 15 now, had him since a 2 yo and he will still go on "red alert" if a sqirrel as much as farts near him
 
My advice is to look at as many ads as possible within your budget (and maybe just outside). Keep an open mind and don't worry about the breeding but see if any 'speak' to you. You might be surprised what comes up.
 
And how to I look?? I am not a UK resident, I was thinking of either getting one from the UK or Europe..

For me important thing is safety, so never a massive horse again...

But as I really love dressage, I would really love a horse that is light in the aids... And wants light hands...
 
I agree find the horse not the breed but having said all that does it need to be huge as a British native cross TB would always be my choice. If you want a good looking but sparky horse then a TB mare with a welsh D stallion cross is stunning, but the best by reputation is a Connemara crossed tb either way. I personally wouldnt go with welsh mare tb stallion as they tend to take more after the mare but that is persona
Good luck hope you find another dream horse
 
We currently have a shire x tb mare and a traditional hw coloured cob mare. The shire x mare is quite sharp to ride in the sholl, not naughty just very off your leg but is SAFE with it. She's bombproof in traffic, an angel to handle and rarely spooks. Will motor on but ridden in a snaffle no martingale and no probs with the brakes. The cob mare is a lovely forward going ride with brakes again in a snaffle no martingale. Pleasure to handle, well mannered and nicely off the leg out hacking and in the school. Hardly ever spooks.
I did have a young RID mare but she was very opinionated and argumentative. I've found choosing an older more established horse has been a better option for me (40+ with back probs). I enjoy riding both mares, don't have to nag at them to go but feel lovely and safe.
 
What about a Comtois? I have one and she is my comfy slippers horse.
As near as bombproof as you can get. Will do slow work in the rides wagon or logging arch but will go up a gear or two to do driving trials and mounted games. Also has stunning paces so might try dressage one day.
 
I've a Welsh D x TB. He's pocket rocket sized but he's ace. I can ride him in the indoor at the same time as chainsaws, drills, welders, soulderers and JCB's are present and he doesn't bat an eyelid. (The indoor is currently being extended hence all the machinary!)He's also got a beautiful careful pop and does a fabulous dressage test. I really cannot fault him for a rising five year old. If I were looking for something to compete again I'd go for the same cross again. He's not so keen on hacking, he's safe but finds it quite dull and certainly doesn't enjoy our marathon hacks and he thinks hunting's quite vile - there's mud!

I've also got an Irish bred overheight Connie. He's ace in his own way and I love him to bits. But it's only now he's ten years old that he's stopped having a melt down at the most insignificant thing and he's hard to ride doesn't help you out at all. He won't do a decent dressage test and either goes double clear SJ or racks up a cricket score. He is however a machine out hunting and XC and I really cannot fault him in either situation. He goes first, or last (preferably first though) and will jump anything he's pointed at with no qualms. Now he's safe 99.9% safe to hack on roads, but he didn't used to be, it used to be a terrifying experience. I've pretty much given up on competing him, but he's marvelous fun to ride when we're doing what he does best. I wouldn't want to ride anything else out hunting!

They're both lovely boys to have around.
 
I had a TB for a while in my teens, and when I came to buy another horse after some years break, I started looking at a few TBs that were for sale. Rode a couple and found it too terrifying...... decided to go for a Welsh D (on my second one now many years later). They are brilliant and can turn their hand to anything, and come in small, medium and big!
 
I have a TB x Section D and bought a rebound warmblood when I lost him had a very nasty accident sold her and bought another TB x Section D. For what I do and want in a horse a TB cross nativce is perfect, they have the speed and hardiness I'm looking for.
 
windand rain said:
I agree find the horse not the breed but having said all that does it need to be huge as a British native cross TB would always be my choice. If you want a good looking but sparky horse then a TB mare with a welsh D stallion cross is stunning, but the best by reputation is a Connemara crossed tb either way. I personally wouldnt go with welsh mare tb stallion as they tend to take more after the mare but that is persona
Good luck hope you find another dream horse
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Agree with this. I breed Welsh D stallion to TB mares, and I think that they have more quality than the other way round. Heres three, all full brother/ sister.......

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Iberians all the way, but then I am biased ;) ...I have an Andalusian x Arab and she's very hot and sensitive, but super safe with it. Iberians are known for being a fiery breed, but they are (in my opinion) the most rewarding. I'd suggest getting to know the breed first and learn lots about them, they are completely different from any other breed and need a different approach.

Again, as others have said it really does depend on the individual horse rather than the breed, although like the Iberian, some will be typical of their breed- like my mare who is inteligent, brave, willing and sensitive, yet is a boundary pusher and too smart for her own good ;).
 
I've had an ex grade B Selle Francais 16.3hh mare when I was 14- she was beautiful, kind and sweet. Sadly lost her to colic. Then had a 16.2hh Anglo Arab gelding (3/4TB 1/4 Arab) who was grumpy but great to ride and after a long break now have a TB ex flat racer who's only 4 and so quiet I can put novice OH up and even the kids on lead rope. So you can never tell and I would definitely take your time, try and get a loan with view to buy if poss and take each horse as an individual regardless of breed! You'll find one that clicks!
 
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