The best breed for beginner horse riders - Part 9
PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DOES!
Every horse-lover has a favorite breed, and each will answer this question differently, based on personal experience and hearsay.
FORGET BREED BIASES!
Rumors fly about hot-headed Arabians, temperamental Appaloosas, exploding Standardbreds, and more. Others extol the meek Morgan, the quiet quarterhorse, and the ever-peaceful paint horse. Don’t believe them!
Breed biases run deep among horsey folks, and they are often grounded in reality, but individual horses may surprise us!
Contrary to popular generalizations about these breeds, I have ridden crazy quarterhorses, peppy ponies, hyperactive drafts, and fiery Freesians. On the other hand, I have enjoyed pleasant rides on affable Arabians, gentle Saddlebreds, and affectionate thoroughbreds. I once had a delightful, though remarkably slow, ride on a rescued wild Mustang!
Each horse is different. You simply cannot pick a breed and order, as if you were selecting items from a catalog.
CONSIDER GENDER ISSUES
Stories go round and round about scary stallions (intact males), pushy mares, and gentle geldings (castrated males). OK, so these may often be true. Stallions can be unpredictable, especially during breeding season. Mares can have good and bad days. Geldings tend to be more consistent and trainable. Of course, this is not always the case.
HOW TO SELECT A SUITABLE HORSE FOR A BEGINNER:
Here are a few basic guidelines for selecting a horse for a beginning rider.
1. Generally speaking, a person should have at least six months to a year of riding experience (including lessons at least once weekly) before owning a horse. Logging many hours in the saddle will prove to be the best preparation possible.
2. GREEN (untrained) horse + GREEN (beginning) rider equal BLACK & BLUE. Every equestrian knows this. A young horse is cute, but he’s not right for a starting rider. Never expect a horse and rider to go through basic training together. This is downright dangerous!
3. As a basic rule, a person’s first horse should be at least ten years old and have at least five years of experience under saddle. Certainly, some younger horses may be well-trained and sensible, but this guideline offers an excellent starting point.
4. Color is irrelevant. A pretty horse is nice to own. However, a safe horse is what you want for a fledgling rider. Once the horse and rider become partners, appearance really falls away anyhow. Every owner grows to love his or her own horse immediately, regardless of the number of socks the horse has!
5. Don’t be deceived by size. A pony may be much more difficult to manage than a much larger horse. In fact, draft horses may be the most gentle of all!
6. Breeds aren’t everything. Of course, some breeds tend to be more high-energy than others, but not always. Never assume that a purebred Arabian is too fiery, and don’t underestimate the potential combustibility of a quarterhorse or paint horse. Every equine is an individual. You simply must try horses out before buying!
7. Surprising a green (beginning) rider with an unfamiliar horse sounds like fun, but it is nearly never a good idea. Take the rider to visit the prospective horse, and let him or her take a test ride. If possible, try the horse in several environments (indoor arena, outdoor arena, trail, etc.), to see how he responds.