Favorite Breed for Family/Trail Horse

So I know everyone has their favorite and least favorite breeds for various reasons. And we've all ridden all different breeds of horses. For myself, I've ridden several different breeds but only have extensive trail experience with 2 or 3. I thought it would be interesting to see the difference between all the usual favorite breeds and what people's favorite are as family/trail horses and for what reasons.

For a family/trail/pleasure horse, Quarter Horse, no question.

Sweet, sensible, sane Quarter Horses.

If I were going to ride seriously or compete again, warmbloods or thoroughbreds.

But family/trail/pleasure? Quarter Horse, all the way.

I really like QH's as a family/trail breed. Of course, there are exceptions to every breed and you can find some hot-headed QHs.

I also really love Warmbloods. There are quite a few people where I live who think they are all hot-headed show horses, but most I've dealt with are really honest horses who just love to do their job. They really do try when you ask them, but they aren't exactly for beginners.

My breed preferance is not changed by the activity. It will always be the American Saddlebred. No matter what I choose to do, it will be an ASB that will take me there. Trails, shows, parades, driving, anything.

Tennessee Walking Horse or Spotted Saddle Horse. Both are sure-footed, calm and willing. I've ridden with more than one stallion in the group and they always behave like geldings around the mares and each other while we are riding. I'll give a slight edge to the spotted saddle horse, seen those do some amazing feats of agility on some really rough trails, I think they are part mountain goat. And of course both are really smooth rides when you are on flat trails as well.

A mule is by far my favorite trail animal. They are a hundred times smarter than a horse and don't put themselves (or you) into danger. Ever. Another good thing is that they rarely spook or bolt, and, if they do, they are looking where they are going and not running blinding. In my experience, even the jumpiest mule will only run about 50 yards from what scared it before stopping completely and investigating. Most don't even go that far.

They are great all-a-rounders too. Nothing is more versatile then a mule. I've seen some that enter every invent in shows: English pleasure, jumping, a little dressage, Western, reining, cow work... The list goes on.

I don't really have a favorite breed. When I was kid we had some great Arabs that took me everywhere safely. Currently we have a large POA who is absolutely great on trail and I have a draft cross who is very sane and enthusiastic about trail. Just depends on the horse.

Well my favorite period is a tie between Fells and Minis.

My fave for a family/trail horse would be Fells :) They were bred to be family "horses" (large ponies) after all! :)

For me, I love hot horses, something that can go ALL DAY at a steady fast pace... So Arabians are my favorite. But as far as something for the whole family I would have to say a big QH or Draft cross, just because my fiance needs a big, calm horse.

Appaloosas, definitely-- overall as a breed they are known as good dependable family type horses, yet the breed has enough variety and choices to mean that you can often find an Appaloosa individual that is just right to satisfy the demand for a specific talent, height, build, movement, etc-- and of course the color is a bonus if you like having a horse that looks like no one else's-- or you can find a "plain brown wrapper" Appaloosa if that's your preference.