Well, I may be looking into getting a new new horse within the next year or so. I want a horse that anybody above 13 years old can ride. I'd prefer a smaller horse if not even a pony, but nothing built heavily, they must have a lighter build and less substance than a Welsh Mountain Pony for example [working type] I want a horse/pony that I can go trail riding with, endurance ride with, and train little tricks with. I need a horse/pony that is not very stubborn and mellow tempered.
Going back to Arabians and endurance, in 2002-ish there was a 28 year old Arab/QH cross that was a close runner up in one of those big endurance races and it came in with really good condition and stuff, so it can be done with an older horse.
Just thought I'd get that out there.
I personally ride an Arabian and she has spunky moments, like any horse, but she is also one of the smartest horses I've ever ridden. She doesn't spook at all if she can see the scary thing well, and she picks up on all the exercises I do with her lightning fast. If you want a really smart horse I'd say look into an Arabian, but they aren't for everyone.
I bought an Arabian mare who is not registered but obviously Arab with good breeding (she has a mysterious background, but that is another post altogether) and we paid $500. Lily is a very, very smart horse and she has had some great training before we bought her. She is 8 years old with lots of energy and my daughter who is 7 (limited experience) rides her with no problems at all. Walk, trot, and canter. As a matter of fact the mare responds best with my daughter. I only allow her to ride in a small arena so it is in a controlled area, but this horse takes very good care of her.
The thing I'm starting to realize about our horse, and I'm guessing this is an Arabian trait, is that they bond strongly to their owners (in our case it's my daughter first and me second) and they can really feel a persons energy. By that I mean if you are tense the horse will pick up on that and respond. If you are relaxed they will pick up on that also. Our horse is so in tune to the people around her it's amazing. She will do anything my daughter asks her to. When my daughter is leading her she hangs her head low, walks when dd is walking, trots when dd "trots", stops when dd stops. The horse tries very hard to understand what is being asked of her. My mother-in-law on the other hand is a very experienced horse person (extensive Arabian background) but she has a ton of nervous, tense energy and Lily gets tense the minute my MIL touches her. The second she steps away the horse calms right down. It really blows me away.
If you are interested in buying an Arabian be patient and you will find the right one. Chances are you will never own another breed!
endurance horses they are small and harty they have almost mustang strong feed. my grandfather owns a beautiful champion endurance horse she 100% passo and she can go for days her fifth gate is beautiful and smooth so your butt doesnt get tired an sore. she is pretty, smart and easy tempered when kept busy but needs constant reminder of who's boss, but remember it depends on breed every horse is different when it comes to attidude and personality
I would look at appaloosas, QH, paints, or any of the above crossed with arabs. I am not as familiar with other breeds as I am with apps, but I know that most of the ones I've had can go all day.
We had a stud horse that worked 8-12 hours a day on the farm and had no soundness issues. (I'm sure this is true of many other breeds, too.) One of my favorite things about him was that I could pull him and a couple of the mares out of the pasture, throw on some saddles, and go for a relaxing trail ride. Some of that was training, but most of it was disposition.
There are horses in every breed that are harder to handle than others. I wish you luck in finding the right horse for you!
some thoroughbreds can also make good endurance horses the lady i used to lease from had a younger throughbred mare who excelled in endurance. But i agree with everyone arabians and arabian crosses are excellent endurance horses as well as great kids horses if they are trained properly i knew 2 arbian geldings who took many kids to their first gymkhanas over their first jumps and to their first canter/trot they are awsome versatile horses
My POA still rivals the younglings on long, taxing rides and she's 32. I have yet to see a horse makea distance in as short of a time as she can. Most POAs I've met live long lives with long riding careers. I used to ride endurance on my Polish Arab and she did really well too. Though neither of those ladies would be what you called of a refined build. Both were quite stocky for little gals (13.2 and 14hh).
I'd say your best bet is to get out there and see whats in your price range that fits what you want as a riding horse.
I really need to learn to look at the dates. :rofl:
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