You’ve decided to get your first horse, but you’re not sure which breed is ideal for you.
When looking for a horse, it’s important to think about a lot of different things, including the horse’s gait (which might determine how comfortable the ride is) and the horse’s disposition.
Size matters too; a huge horse might be daunting to a novice rider. Horses typically range in height from 14.2 to 17 hands (4’10” to 5’8″ at the horse’s shoulder); any animal less than 14.2 hands is often classified as a pony.
To aid you in your quest, we’ve produced an alphabetical list of the top 10 best breeds of horses for beginners:
BEST HORSE BREEDS FOR BEGINNERS
1. PAINT HORSE
Spanish explorers introduced American Paint Horses to North America around 1519. Today’s Paint Horses are a blend of spotted horses with American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred ancestry. Large patches of white and brown, bay, chestnut, or black are their trademark.
The American Paint Horse requires less activity than other breeds and is low-maintenance. Mid-sized, 14.2 to 15.2 hands, these horses are good-natured, quiet, and sociable. They are smart, powerful, and swift, making them simple to teach and best horse breeds.
2. AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE
Spanish conquistadors introduced the Quarter Horse to North America 500 years ago is best breeds of horses for beginners. Arabian, Barb, and Iberian horses were bred with Cherokee, Chickasaw, and English Thoroughbreds. Brown, palomino, grey, black, roan, bay, sorrel, and buckskin are common colors.
Quarter Horses are popular in the U.S. owing to their calm and docile temperaments. 14.3 to 16-handers are trainable, sensitive horses excellent for novice riders, particularly youngsters.
3. APPALOOSA HORSE
Also in the 1500s, the Spanish brought horses to Mexico, which spread to North America. The Nez Percé tribe of North-Central Idaho invented the Appaloosa’s speckled coat. They are 14.2 to 16 hands tall, solid-colored (chestnut, black, grey, buckskin, dun, etc.) and spotted.
Appaloosas are clever, compassionate, and playful with their families. The deep attachment they have with their owners makes certain Appaloosas good for novices, but not all. They’re high-strung and require exercise.
4. CONNEMARA PONY
Connemara Pony origins are unknown. When the Spanish Armada went aground in Connemara in 1588, the native breeds of Ireland were mingled with Andalusians. Connemara ponies are 13.2 to 15 hands tall, making them simpler for beginners. They might be dun, grey, black, bay, chestnut, brown, or palomino.
Connemaras are bright, flexible, polite, and smart. Perfect for adult and kid beginners.
5. FRISIANS
The best breeds of horses for beginners over 3,000 years ago, the Friesian Horse originated in Friesland, Netherlands. These beautiful horses have long flowing manes and may be grey or bay, but they are most often full black with long feathers on their lower legs. 14.2-17 hands.
Friesians are bright, sensitive, and gentle beginners’ horses. Their calm, kind, and eager-to-please personality will make them the talk of the town.
6. MOUNTAIN SADDLE KENTUCKY
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse originated in the Appalachians 200 years ago. They have long manes and tails in solid colors (black, brown, dun, white, etc.). They’re 13.1-26 hands tall.
Children and elderly may ride the friendly, quiet Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse. Gaited horses give a pleasant ride for amateurs.
7. MISSOURI FOX TROTTER
1800s Ozark Mountains spawned the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse. They’re dubbed “fox trots” because of their graceful pace. 14 to 16 hands, various colors, white marks on legs and face.
The Missouri Fox Trotter is a peaceful, docile horse perfect for youngsters and adults. Smooth pace, surefootedness on uneven terrain, and obedience make them ideal for beginners.
8. BREED: MORGAN
The Morgan Horse is the finest beginner horse and best breeds of horses for beginners. One of the original American horse breeds, they are hard-working and strong. They stand 14 to 15.2 hands and are black, bay, or chestnut.
The Morgan Horse is calm, friendly, and well-mannered. They’re kind and not easily frightened. Morgan’s are one of the least costly horses to care for since they consume less.
9. FJORD HORSE
The Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the earliest horse breeds, domesticated approximately 2,000 B.C. The contemporary Fjord Horse is 13.2 to 15 hands and brown dun. The mane is frequently clipped to stand upright, revealing the black hair in the middle surrounded by white hair. This makes the Fjord Horse special.
The Fjord Horse is a quiet, sensitive breed suited for beginners and best breeds of horses for beginners. These horses care for their riders and aren’t flighty.
10. WALKING HORSE
The Tennessee walking horse is a mix of breeds, including the Standardbred, American Saddlebred, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and Canadian Pacer. 15 to 17 hands tall, they come in brown, chestnut, bay, black, roan, and grey.
Tennessee Walkers are trustworthy, kind, and tranquil, therefore they’re not flighty and best breeds of horses for beginners. They are also gaited, allowing for a smooth ride, and are enthusiastic learners.
MAINTAINING A HORSE AND ITS EXPENSES
Owning a horse comes with a wide range of potential expenses. Consider whether or not you have access to suitable acreage for keeping a horse, or whether or not you would like to board your horse. Consider, too, if you want to compete with your horse or ride him for pleasure.
Veterinarian care, boarding fees, and other costs may be incurred.
- Feed
- Tack
- Farrier
- Multiple Resources
- Exhibits, performances, and other activities
In order to avoid being caught off guard by the $4,000 annual cost of horse ownership, it is important to plan ahead.
HAVING A TEMPERAMENT LIKE A HORSE
Though we’ve offered a list of the finest breeds for first-time horse owners and riders, ultimately, temperament is what matters most. While certain horse breeds, like the Arabian (high energy and headstrong), aren’t recommended for beginners, even within those breeds there will be some horses that aren’t good choices for new riders.
In order to be suitable for a beginner rider, a horse must possess the following characteristics:
- Mature Trained
- Even-tempered
- Friendly and mild-mannered
- Composed and resistant to fear
Some horses even in the most placid breeds may be too enthusiastic. All of them, like all dogs and all humans, are different.