Horse riding can be a wonderful past time that comes with a multitude of rewards. However, choosing the right horse breed greatly influences your riding experience, especially as a beginner. Due to this, there are numerous horse breeds suitable for different riding occassions and skill levels.
Ideal Breeds for Beginners
Some breeds are more suitable for beginners because they don’t spook easily and are easier to control. The American Quarter Horse is famous for its docility, and is a good breed for starting learners.
The Morgan Horse is another easy-keeper for beginners. They are friendly and easy to train, and are there to learn with you. They just want to please. You won’t see a grumpy Morgan.
Breeds for Competitive Riding
After years of practicing, you might be ready for competitive riding. Whether you want to race or jump, riders usually choose a Thoroughbred. The Thoroughbred is good at racing or jumping because it can go very fast and jump high.
Dressage devotees would go with the Andalusian. This breed is prized for being a dancer and highly gifted in dressage – a sport that is wonderful to watch when performed well but that rarely is, which might explain the popularity of the breed with more serious riders. The Andalusian almost looks choreographed.
Horses for Leisure Riding
Purebreds cater to those who seek an especially smooth ride, such as those at riding schools like the well-known Highbeech riding school in the south-east of England.
If you like to take your time and simply enjoy the ride, some breeds are particularly suited to comfortable, enjoyable outings. The Tennessee Walking Horse is an especially good breed for trail rides because of its smooth gait. Thanks to their natural long-distance covering ability, leisurely outings are ideal for them.
The Icelandic Horse is my second favourite breed for a leisurely ride. The ‘tölt’ is a very smooth ride. It has a strong build and is a sure-footed equine that can venture through various terrain.
Advanced Riding Techniques
After you learn to ride a horse, you can train to the point where riding can become an art form: dressage, where the horse and rider perform a series of prescribed movements, in harmony with each other and exhibiting the horse’s obedience and fitness.
Another advanced method is show jumping. As the name suggests, it’s an advanced task which consists of the rider completing a course of jumps. It tests the horse’s agility and skill, while also showcasing the rider’s ability. This is an ideal discipline for those interested an exciting thrill.
Riding for Western Disciplines
Western riding emphasises its own set of skills and disciplines. Reined cowhorses are remarkable Western riders who guide their horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins and stops in a sliding ‘rein back’. It’s a test of the horse’s responsiveness and the rider’s accuracy.
Barrel racing is running your horse around barrels in the fastest time – a fast and furious sport, favourite in rodeos too.
Choosing the Right Horse for Your Needs
The horse you choose depends on what you want to do in the saddle. If you are a beginner, choose a horse that is calm and steady: the American Quarter Horse or Morgan Horse are perfect for you. As you mature, you can decide to develop your focus on a specific discipline, and these disciplines often require specific breeds: the Thoroughbred for racing, the Andalusian for dressage.
For a leisurely ride, you want something with a smooth gait such as the Tennessee Walking Horse or the Icelandic Horse. Figure out what kind of riding you want to do and what kind of experience you want before looking for a horse.
Embracing the Joy of Horse Riding
Horse riding is an endless journey that full of opportunities for learning and fun. If a piece of coarse and a tough-involved steps, like the different horse breeds and riding methods, are taken, horse riding would bring you a lot of fun and joy in your life. For anyone who is into horse riding, whether amateur or advanced, it seems like the fun and joy would never end.