The best horse breeds for your lifestyle

Whether you’re an experienced equestrian or a novice rider, choosing what horse breed to get can be a daunting decision. With over 300 breeds of horse across the world, it would be an understatement to say that there’s plenty of choice!

Temperament, skill and size can all be key factors when it comes to making that all important decision, and with a little research and patience, you could be well on your way to finding your perfect match. To help you get started, take a look at our guide to what horse breed to get. 

Beginners

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and get your first horse? Congratulations! Knowing which breed to pick can be a little overwhelming but there are plenty of breeds to choose from which are well suited to beginner riders and first time horse owners.

The main things to look out for are temperament and experience level: as a novice horse owner, you will want to choose a horse breed which is typically calm, friendly and easy to train. 

American horse breeds like the American Paint Horse, the American Quarter Horse, and the Morgan Horse are all good choices for beginners thanks to their even temperaments and trainability.

Draft horse crossbreeds can also be a good choice, with draft horses generally being quiet, steady and easygoing; while breeds like the Arabian horse, Icelandic horse, and the Connemara pony are also great options for novice riders.

Families

Welcoming a horse into your family is a special moment, with your chosen equine becoming a treasured member of your pack for years to come. Plenty of horse breeds are great for families and brilliant with kids, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to choosing a horse for your family.

The first thing to consider is what type of horse you want. Will you be riding for dressage, or do you simply want a family horse for leisure riding? Do they need to be good with younger children or are your kids more experienced equestrians?

For those with young children, a horse with a steady, even temperament and a friendly nature is a good choice. A pony could also be a good option thanks to their typically smaller size – the Welsh cob, for example, is notoriously good with children. 

Popular family horses include the Morgan horse, American Quarter Horse, and the American Paint horse.

Dressage

When it comes to choosing a horse for dressage, you’ll want to look out for a breed which is agile, intelligent and easy to train. Traditionally, warmbloods have been the go to choice for dressage, with horses chosen for this purpose often hailing from European countries like Germany and Holland.

Choosing a horse for dressage will also depend on your competition level: beginners may wish to choose a different breed than experienced equestrians competing at a higher level, for example. 

The Andalusian horse is a popular choice for dressage, with its intelligence and docile nature, while Freisian horses are also often seen in dressage thanks to their striking appearance and trainability.

Other popular dressage horses include the Hanoverian, the Westphalian, the Holsteiner, and the Dutch Warmblood – which is considered one of the best dressage horses in the world by many.

Hacking

If you’re looking for a ‘happy hacker’, a sturdy horse with stamina and an even temperament is a great choice. You’ll want your equine companion to be comfortable walking along roads and country paths, and be able to cope with the distractions which may come along the way. 

Native breeds can be a go-to happy hacker. Cobs, for example, are typically known to be good hacking horses thanks to their level-headed nature; while Arab horses are also a good choice, showing their strength over longer distances and typically known for their skills in endurance racing.