TB + Beginner = no no?

My husband and I are embarking on the wonderful journey of bringing and equine friend into our home (3 acres with three stables). I need to get over a few intimidation issues before we make the jump, but that's for a completely different thread.

I am eager for opinions on a TB as a first horse. My father had horses for many many years and will be helping us along the process. He says the ones he had were hard keeps and had weird vices (one sat and cribbed for hours on the field fence)
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Depends on the individual horse, not the breed.

My ex-racing TB is as laid back as they come, but I've known some who were snorty, fire-breathing hot heads.

How is your TB as far as feed?
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Can't rule out horses by breed like that. Just like you can't say all people of one race are a certain way you can't say that for horses. Be sure to take at least one horse saavy person with you and be sure to get a pre purchase exam regardless of the price of the horse or whom you buy it from.
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Personally, it all depends on the horse.

I've seen TBs that will take a mile even if you don't give them an inch, and I've seen ones that will do what you want, even if you ask wrong. It all depends on the individual horse.

The one I have now needed some firm handling, but within 5 sessions over 2 weeks will now stand, lead without a chain, and I can toss a complete beginner on her and she'll pack them around the arena in a circle without so much as a tail swish.

I almost got dumped, ran off with, etc on another I rode for a show..She took advantage of a less harsh bit and grabbed it and took off. She usually runs straight into a keyhole pattern..She decided to slide to a stop and turn sideways and had me hanging off her side, because she knew clearly well that I had no experience on her and didn't know her personally. But, bad idea on my part for taking a horse I've never ridden to a gaming show, lol.

Buy point being..Never would I sit a kid/beginner on the TB that I went to one show on and had no inclination to ride again, but I'd toss a kid on my old lease TB and turn her out onto a trail and feel confident in her to not dump the poor child.
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Breeds will have their general characterstics, but you can NEVER say that a certain breed is better for a beginner. Rather, an older, experienced, well-trained, non-spooky horse is going to be good for a beginner -- with the breed essentially irrelevant. The personality and training of the horse is what matters.

It is good to make sure you have someone knowledgable to help you select a horse that is going to be suitable for a beginner like yourself.

Also, what are you going to have as a buddy for this horse? Horses are not solitary animals and they generally will be more comfortable with either another horse in their "herd" or at least a goat or some other companion animal.


What exactly do you mean by this? How much does a TB eat???

That completely depends on the horse. Some are easy-keepers and don't need much. Others are hard to keep weight on, and need special feed supplements. Again, TBs will generally be high-strung and harder to keep weight on, but that is certainly just a generality and not the truth for each horse.

We are planning on getting goats. Although my husband keeps telling me how "cute" the young calves are on the drive home. *eye roll*

We are taking this process slow. I want to make sure the horse we end up with is the Right fit for our family. My heart has tugged at two horses we've met already. But my head knows they weren't a good fit.

I ask about the thoroughbred because there's a rescue not far away that has one up for adoption. 15 hands. She came in bucking and biting and after lots of work and rehab they say she is a delight.
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My personal opinion...Look for a nice, mellow horse with a lot of saddle time. Not a green, young horse. Generally speaking, I have found the stock breeds to be good...less likely to be a ball of fire. These horses are wonderful to start with and will allow you to develop confidence as a new owner.
Happy horse shopping! Let us know what you bring home.

I would not recommend a TB as a first horse.

While my TB was a wonderful horse, he ate more than the other 3 horses in the barn put together. He was my hot house flower, the flies were brutal to his thin skin. If he lost a shoe an ambulance had to be called. He cribbed and would literally throw himself against the walls of the stall if he didn't get to be outside. He was all legs and was always hurting himself. He never grew enough hair in the winter and had to be blanketed. His skin was so sensitive that certain saddle blankets would rub sores on him. He got wicked sores from tick bites.

I loved my TB with all my heart, but he required a lot more care than any of the other horses, except the Clydesdale, they were neck and neck. I think as a first horse a TB's temprament and level of necessary care would be daunting to a first time at home owner.

I'm used to dealing with divas; I've had Arabians for over 30 years!

JJ is actually a very easy keeper, doesn't need a blanket in the winter, and although he eats more than the Arabs (to be expected) he hasn't had any issues maintaining weight.

The only things that are different is that he absolutely MUST have front shoes, and since he has a slight parrot mouth he needs to be floated every six months instead of once a year.