Last Updated on January 5, 2022
Horses are one of the most well-loved animals around the world. Some breeds of horses are more popular than others, for a range of reasons. So, if you are looking for a new horse, what breed should you get?
Each different breed of horse has its own distinctive appearance and characteristics. Horse breeds vary widely in size, shape, color, personality, and athletic ability.
Let’s take a look at the best horse breeds to suit every type of rider and horse owner!
What Breed Of Horse Should I Get?
When it comes to choosing a breed of horse, there really is no right or wrong answer! The most important thing is to find a horse that suits you in size, stature, temperament, and athletic ability. So, it may not be that you should be looking for a particular breed of horse, but rather a specific type.
For example, if you are an adult who is learning to ride, you need a horse that is calm and sensible. On the other hand, if you are looking for a pony to help your child improve his jumping ability, you need a mount that is talented and has proven athletic ability.
Certain horse breeds are more suited to one role than another, either because of their unique temperament or physical ability. Let’s take a look at these breeds and see if it helps you to choose your perfect horse!
Learn more about How Many Breeds Of Horses Are There?
Best Horse Breeds Revealed!
As with any ‘best of’ list, we’re sure that everyone will have their own opinion! These are just a few of the best horse breeds in the world, but we think they are at the top of their class.
And don’t forget, a horse does not need to be purebred to be perfect! Many of the top riding horses are crossbreeds, so don’t rule out a horse that is not purebred in your search for the perfect mount.
Best Horse Breed For Jumping
It takes skill and accuracy for a horse to jump over a fence, and certain breeds are much better at this than others! Some horse breeds consistently win showjumping competitions, such as this one:
-
The Thoroughbred Horse
Although famous for its racing ability, the Thoroughbred can also become a very talented jumping horse. In fact, many Thoroughbreds become showjumpers when they retire from racing.
The powerful hindquarters that enable a Thoroughbred to run fast are also incredible for propelling this agile horse up into the air over a jump. However, remember that Thoroughbreds can be quite lively and fast, so they are not always suitable for riders to learn to jump.
Best Horse Breed For Western Riding
Western riding requires a special type of horse with certain skills. Whilst the Appaloosa, Morgan, and American Paint are all good Western horses, the best is considered to be the American Quarter horse.
-
American Quarter Horse
This speedy and athletic little horse is a consistent winner in Western riding competitions and for good reason! They can turn, spin, start, and stop quicker than any other breed of horse.
The gentle and kind nature of the Quarter horse makes them suitable for both novice and experienced riders. They are easy to train and learn new skills quickly. The Quarter horse also has excellent levels of endurance and is comfortable to ride.
Back on Track Therapeutic Horse Head Cap
Best Horse Breed For Trail Riding
If you want a mount for covering long miles of beautiful trails, you might want to consider looking at gaited horse breeds. Gaited horses have an extra or different pace, which is more comfortable for riding over long distances.
-
Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic Horse has an unusual, gaited action called the tolt. This is a single-footed pace, where one hoof always remains in contact with the ground. The Icelandic horse can cover rough terrain quickly and comfortably, whilst avoiding trips or stumbles.
Check out this video of an Icelandic Horse running at the tolt gait – what an incredible speed! The rider does appear quite big for the horse, but the small Icelandic horse is incredibly strong and can easily carry an adult rider.
Read more about How Many Calories Do You Burn Riding A Horse?
Best Horse Breed For Children
The best breed of horse for children is normally a smaller pony breed. This is because they are smaller in size, making them easier to handle and ride.
-
Fell Pony
The Fell pony is another British native pony breed, that has lived on British moorlands, also known as fells, since ancient times.
This tough and sturdy breed of pony is almost always black in color. They have a thick and wavy mane and tail that flows behind them as they move.
The great thing about the Fell pony is that it is strong and can carry plenty of weight. This makes it suitable for both children and small adults. For this reason, many people opt for a Fell pony as their family horse.
Best Horse Breed For Novice Riders
When learning to ride, we need a horse that is gentle, dependable, and reliable. It must be forgiving of any rider errors and help to keep us safe at all times.
-
Haflinger Horse
The Haflinger is a small, agile, warmblood horse originating from Austria. They are strong and compact, with a gentle and kind nature. They are small in height but strong enough to carry a small adult rider easily.
The Haflinger horse makes a great mount for beginner riders, as they are kind enough not to take advantage of any mistakes. They are also not lazy and will be keen to go, without being too lively and scary!
Summary
So, as our best horse breeds list has revealed, there are breeds of horses in many different shapes and sizes around the world! From cute ponies to athletic riding horses and powerful draft breeds, there is a breed of horse out there to suit anyone!
We would love to hear about your experiences with different horse breeds – do you have a particular favorite? Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of owning a certain breed of horse? Leave a comment below this post and we’ll get back to you!
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE