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thoroughbred or warmblood?

4K views 33 replies 15 participants last post by  beverleyy 
#1 ·
soooooo i have been looking for some good athletic horse breeds. Because we figured out that my horse is actually 20 somthin years old! but he acts like a 2 yr old stallion.:? any who hampton is a TB but i need a bigger horse so what do you guys suggest (btw this is just for thinking):D
 
#7 ·
There are certainly more breeds around than TB's and WB's!!
TB's can get very big and solid as well, they're not all short and fine.
As said above, a true WB (European lines, not draft x hotblood 'fake' WB) will set you back a pretty penny, and they are generally not recommended for young or inexperienced riders.

Why not look at a draft x?
 
#13 ·
He's not even four yet, so I haven't started him jumping yet. He has, however, jumped once or twice incidentally on the trail. One was a bunny hop over a fallen tree he could have easily just stepped over.

He has the most laid-back, "yes, ma'am" personality. But he's got pep when I want it.
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#15 ·
Depending on how heavy your draft cross is, they can easily jump 3'6. My cross we've actually had to start at a higher level - 2'3 - 2'6 as he he's all legs, he doesn't take the too low ones or cross rails seriously. Now under my coach he was jumping 3'0 - 3'3 no problem, and this is during his young education.

There are plenty of heavier draft crosses, but plenty of light ones. Although again not knowing your budget, they sometimes don't come cheap. I basically stole mine as the farm was I believe starting to sell off all their stock. But on average in my area (Western Canada) you are looking at starting at $6000 and up.

Ontario has some great draft horse x sales and I believe at reasonable prices - on average $4000.

Here is my cross jumping last summer with my bf riding him as I was recovering from a riding injury.



Here's a link to the Ontario group I'm referring to.
Ontario Breeders Production Sale
 
#18 ·
I got my draft cross for $1600, but he was a basically unhandled 2yo stud colt. Green broke as he is now, he's worth about $2200. Once he gets more training and starts jumping, he'll probably worth around $3500-4000. Just to give you an idea.
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#19 ·
I stopped growing when I was around 12/13 and I was 5'7 - not saying you won't grow but I wouldn't bet on you being super tall! Tall people ride short horses too - like 6 foot men on 15hh Quarter Horses.. not all that uncommon. My horse is 14.3hh. I had a 17hh and I didn't like it - they are too big. Rugs costs more, they can need bigger floats, bigger stables etc.

Its hard to choose a breed when you're not sure what you want from it. And to a large extent breed doesn't matter. Most riding breeds can jump 3 foot pretty easily I think. Look for a good horse and don't focus too much on breeds. If you must focus on breeds then really look for suitable ones - TBs aren't bred to be pleasure horses and while they often are athletic I don't think they make great ridden horses in comparison to all the purpose bred horses out there.
 
#20 ·
I am almost 6' and I rode a 15.3 QH for years. Like another poster said, the likelihood of you getting much taller isn't that great. Maybe an inch or two, but I can't see you growing more that that. I was about 5'9" at your age, and am 5'11" at 28, so only two more inches. I am riding a 16.2 thoroughbred, and he is BIG to me. I wouldn't try to go too big.
 
#21 ·
I had some of the best rides on a 14ish hand pony that was all heart. If you wanted to run full lope in to water, than pepper did. You wanted to run barrels, oh heck yes pepper did. Want to put a small child on and go for a walk around the woods yes pepper did. Look for a horse that says "Yes" and is structurally sound to do what you want. In my experience, people tend to miss the forest for the trees in horses. Just because it was not a thousand other people have does not mean that its not going to do the job. Most horses can jump, I rode an arabian that did not know what "refusal" meant. Its no good to get a big, expensive horse if it is not a fun partner.
 
#22 ·
You might want to check out the Saddlebred... More and more of them are coming out of the woodworks now as sporthorses and doing well. (During the US Civil War they were prized as calvary mounts for their bravery, athleticism, smooth ride, brains and tempement, they also have a history in puissance jumping)

They tend to be less hot horse than a TB (they can sure look fired up... But they really aren't that way to handle), and less expensive than a European WB. They often have the conformation to make great jumpers (or dressage horses) and the temperment and willingness to try their heart out. They really range in height... But many seem to be on the tall side.

If you have the ability to do some training, you can find them for $1000-$2500... If you need a horse already well started for jumping/hunters/dressage (many of them start their life as Saddleseat horses so require retraining to use themselves correctly for other disciplines) then you might be looking $2500-$7500+ (depending on what level of riding you want to do and how much show experience the horse has)

Another little thought of breed that can make excellent jumpers is the Standardbred... Many ex-Trotters (and some ex-Pacers) make absolutely fabulous jumpers. They are often on the taller side, and can be quite substantial bodied. They usually have amazing temperments and due to the fact they are usually started for sulky racing, pretty unflappable too. They can often be found for $500-$2500, and while you might need to do some retraining, you can often find rehabilitation centers that have already done this for you, and you just will need to put a bit of polish on their training. The races are split into Trotters (who trot in harness) and Pacers (who pace in harness) (Ex-Pacers can be more challenging to switch into other disciplines as they tend to pace rather than trot, and can have more difficulty cantering because they move too laterally, though I have seen a number of ex-Pacers doing hunter/jumpers and holding their own... if you look at Standardbreds as an option and aren't wanting a real project, look for ones who were Trotters and have already been restarted for saddle work)

Draft crosses can be excellent jumpers, some aren't that heavy bodied, and even ones who are can also be quite athletic. I know of quite a few that are doing very well as 1m+ jumpers... You might find the pricetag on them is higher, $5000+, depending on what they are crossed with and how successful the horse actually is though. You can certainly find them for less, but if you are set on wanting to go a certain height, then look first at ones already doing that height and have a full PPE done by a vet you trust.

Established (trained and showing) horses are often more expensive in any breed, the exceptions being when they start to get older, are having some soundness issues, or have just totally maxed out for ability - something to keep in mind.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Saddlebreds and (trotting) Standardbreds do have all four gaits. Pacers have an extra gait (the pace). All horses have the four standard gaits (walk, trot, canter, gallop), just some have an extra gait (or two). The extra gait(s) are called the intermediate gait(s) and fall usually between the walk and trot.
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#25 ·
Saddlebreds and (trotting) Standardbreds do have all four gaits. Pacers have an extra gait (the pace). All horses have the four standard gaits (walk, trot, canter, gallop), just some have an extra gait (or two).
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but the Tennessee walker can't trot, can't they? :-|
 
#26 ·
Yes, they can. They just usually don't because their intermediate gait is more comfortable/natural for them. Also, a gaited horse's trot tends to be rather bone-jarring, as they are not built in such a way that the trot is a comfortable gait (same with the canter).

However, I don't recall anyone suggesting you get a TWH. Saddlebreds aren't even considered gaited horses, to my knowledge.
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#30 ·
there are some 5 Gaited Saddlebreds around, but very very few, the breed is sometimes included in the gaited group, but few are actually extra gaited... Usually with Saddlebreds, if they show they tend to move laterally as well as square at the walk a trainer might decide to develop the ability into extra gaits. Most of them ride like any other horse though (IMO they are very comfortable in all gaits) - I own 3 and they all W/T/C and Gallop (one also has extra gaits... She was a Pony Club mount and did well). I do almost everything we have opportunity to do with horses around here with them...Dressage, Barrels, Jumping, Trail, Games, etc. They are a great breed option, that often gets unfairly overlooked.

Likewise, trotting Standardbreds move like any other horse too. Pacers can, but they will also pace (and can be taught to running walk and rack as well)... Which is why I suggested narrowing Standardbreds to those who were-are trotters... It is easier to develop them for riding.
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#27 ·
well.... hampton is 15.2 but I am 12 and 5.7 lol I was looking more along the lines of a skinner built horse that has all four gaits and can be pretty tall so it takes awhile to grow out of. Or never grow out of
Some people already beat me to the punch but you are not to big for that horse at alllll. I am 5'4 and ride a 14hh quarter pony. my friend is 5'9 and rides a 15hh quarter horse. As long as he can still jump you should be fine. Unless you are looking to retire him. But I still see no need for a 17hh + just to jump. Have you ever stood next to a horse that tall? Its a lot of horse, stocky or not. If I were you I personally would stick around 16hh...,then again I like them short and stocky!
 
#29 ·
It's a personal preference. I'm 5'7" and I prefer a taller, bigger bodied horse because I'm all leg (32" inseam). I've ridden everything from a 14hh quarter pony to a 16.3hh QH and I just prefer a taller horse. Aires (my gelding) is 16.2hh right now and perfect. If he gets taller, great. If not, not that big of a deal.
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#34 ·
Didn't read any of the replies.

Do you mean bigger as in thicker, or bigger as in taller?

Not sure on your experience, or what you plan on doing with said horse, but if I were you I would try looking for a seasoned WB or TB, or even a TB cross. Depending what you're looking to do, I'd even recommend a TBxdraft type or Appendix. There are larger TBs out there as well - mine included (17.3h & growing, fairly thick as well). You really just have to look around. You really can't start your search by saying "I'll only get a WB" or "I'll only get a TB" or "I'll only get a horse above x height". Keep an open mind.
 
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