The saying 'pick the horse, not the breed' is generally a good rule to follow. There are some occasions when you might want to purchase a horse based on what breed they are. Some types are known for being athletic, intelligent, beautiful, or gentle-natured. Furthermore, many riders like to compete in breed-specific shows. There are a lot of advantages to finding and sticking with a certain breed. Picking the right one for you can be a bit challenging though!

Picking a Horse Breed

Types of Horses

Most breeds can be classified into a few different categories- light, draft, gaited, and ponies.

The light horses are tall and lean. They're usually good in sports like barrel racing, jumping, and endurance riding. Some examples in Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Draft types are built for heavy work. They have muscular bodies for pulling wagons and plowing fields. Many handlers describe them as gentle giants. Some specific breeds include Shires, Clydesdales, and Gypsy Vanners.

Gaited horses, such as Paso Finos or Tennessee Walking Horses, have unique gaits. They're a smooth and comfortable ride. Many trail riders enjoy these types.

Perfect for children and petite adults, ponies are smaller horses. They measure below 14.2 hands. They come in a range of body sizes from slender and athletic to stout and strong. Some include Welsh Ponies and Shetlands.

western riding COWGIRL magazine
Cowgirl and her horse out for a ride. Photo by Taylor Brandon.

Suitability for Specific Disciplines

Some horse breeds excel in certain disciplines. They have characteristics that allow them to perform effortlessly in that chosen sport.

Stock breeds like Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas are continuously chosen by western riders for events like barrel racing, roping, reining, ranch work, and trail challenges. Some are born with cow sense, while others have strong hindquarters and are very agile. Most of these horses have incredible work ethics, as well.

English riders usually lean toward Warmbloods like Hanoverians and Dutch Warmbloods. Some enjoy Thoroughbreds, Irish Sport Horses, and Andalusians. These horses do well in dressage, jumping, and eventing.

For those interested in racing, there are generally three breeds used- Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Arabians. Thoroughbreds dominate the discipline without a doubt. There is also a market for sprint racing and endurance.

You'll also find many riders prefer an all-round type horse. Breeds like the Morgan, Halfinger, and Mustang perform well in many different disciplines.

horse breeds COWGIRL magazine
A gray filly in a field with flowers. Photo by Annie Spratt.

Miscellaneous Factors

There will be other things to consider when selecting a breed. Some of these include cost, availability, and genetics.

There are quite a few breeds that command a high price. It doesn't matter how much training or how old they are. Gypsy Vanners and Warmbloods generally fall into this category.

Some breeds are not very popular on certain coasts. It can be difficult to find Andalusians on the East Coast, but they're plentiful in California and Washington. Texas has a huge number of Quarter Horses. In Tennessee, you'll find many gaited horses.

Lastly, genetics and health conditions can influence your decision. Certain breeds are known for genetic issues like moon blindness, HERDA, kissing spine, etc... They may scare you off the breed completely, especially if you've had a bad run-in with the condition.

The best advice is to get out there and try some different breeds. Ride as many as you can, attend breed shows, ask friends for advice, and keep an open mind.

Cowgirl Hotlist

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  |