Some horse breeds get on better with beginner riders due to the horse’s temperament and riding experience. The Morgan Horse and American Paint Horse are quite sociable and easy to train. Such horse breeds are perfect for an inexperienced rider or first-time owner. Besides, many other draft breeds and riding horses are suitable for beginners. Here’s a list of the top 10 great beginner horses and ponies.
Before you get a horse, think of the horse tack and riding apparel you need. There’s a wide range of horse bridles and reins to fit a horse or a pony. If you’re a first-time owner, prepare a spacious shelter and enough hay to feed your equine.
1. American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in the USA. The horse is a result of crossbreeding between Spanish horses and English breeds. In fact, the Quarter Horse has Thoroughbred blood. Hence, they have similar characteristics, but still, these are two different horse breeds.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: The horse features a small and short head. The profile is straight. The body is strong and well-muscled. The chest is broad, the hindquarters are rounded.
- Height: 56-64 inches (14-16 hands).
- Weight: 1100 pounds (500 kg).
- Life expectancy: 25-35 years.
- Speed: 55 mph.
- Colors: The most common Quarter Horse colors are chestnut, bay, black, brown, gray, palomino, and roan.
- It’s not a gaited breed.
- The Quarter Horse is good for rodeos, barrel racing, eventing, driving, dressage, hunting, etc.
- Average price: $5,000.
Pros
- Speedy
- Athletic horse
- Long liver
Cons
- Pricey
- Can be tenacious
2. Thoroughbred Horse
The Thoroughbred breed is a favorite among equestrians. It is known for its great mixture of gracefulness and fast speed. That’s why it is usually used for horse racing, jumping, and eventing. Being developed in England, this breed is greatly popular all over the world, particularly in the USA.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: It has a well-chiseled head, a long elegant neck. The body is short and slim with a deep broad chest, the coat is smooth. The limbs are long, lean but strong.
- Height: 64 inches (16 hands).
- Weight: 1000 pounds (450 kg).
- Life expectancy: 25-28 years.
- Speed: 35 mph.
- Colors: The most common colors are bay, chestnut, gray, and black.
- The breed is well-known for its courage, speed, and athleticism.
- It is typically used for showing, dressage, and racing.
- Average price: $10,000.
Pros
- A people-oriented breed
- Energetic nature
- Perfect for racing
Cons
- Not for beginners
- Not easy to handle
3. Arabian Horse
The Arabian Horse or Arab is one of the oldest breeds that is spread all over the world nowadays. It is well-known for its great stamina, intelligence, beauty, and loyalty. That’s why these light horses were used to improve features like durability, endurance, and speed of other breeds. Due to its fascinating features, it is claimed as a great versatile breed for amateur and expert riding sessions, equestrian competitions, and selection.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: It has a small head with wide nostrils, big expressive eyes, and little ears. The neck is long and arched. The back is short but strong and massive. The limbs are long and strong with solid hooves.
- Height: 60 inches (15 hands).
- Weight: 800-1000 pounds (350-450 kg).
- Life expectancy: 25-30 years.
- Speed: 35 mph.
- Colors: The most common colors are grey, chestnut, bay, and black. The breed is highly desired for its smooth and elegant gaits, each move is neat and coherent.
- The breed is highly desired for its smooth and elegant gaits, each move is neat and coherent.
- The Arabian Horse is typically used for showing, riding, and racing.
- Average price: $10,000.
Pros
- Extremely durable and fast
- A versatile breed
- Intelligent and easy to learn
Cons
- Not good for beginners
- Very sensitive
4. American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse originated from the United States. That’s a horse breed that features its white spottings on dark coat color. The American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred took part in developing the Paint Horse. People love American Paint Horses for their friendly temperament.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: The Paint breed has a strong muscular body, alert ears, and a long neck. The hindquarters are massive. The coat has huge patches all over the body. The low gravity centers make them good at balancing.
- Height: 56-64 inches (14-16 hands).
- Weight: 950-1250 pounds (430-570 kg).
- Life expectancy: 30 years.
- Speed: 55 mph.
- Colors: The coat color is a combination of pinto spotting and dark patches. The common markings include tobiano, overo, and tovero.
- It’s a four-gaited horse breed. Some Painted Horses have five gaits.
- American Paint Horses are commonly used in reining, pleasure riding, and show jumping.
- Average price: $5,000.
Pros
- Unique color
- Calm temperament
- Athletic built
Cons
- Genetic defects
- Needs lots of expenses
5. Morgan Horse
The Morgan Horse is another popular breed derived from the USA. It’s valuable for the friendly temper that makes it easy to handle even for kids. Another feature is high longevity comparing with other common breeds. Morgan’s stamina and strength are perfect for equestrian sports, riding, jumping, and others.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: It has a compact body with a short head and small alert ears. The neck is slightly curved, the shoulders are long and sloping. The back is short and muscled. The limbs are strong and straight.
- Height: 56-60 inches (14-15 hands).
- Weight: 900-1000 pounds (400-450 kg).
- Life expectancy: 30 years.
- Speed: 45 mph.
- Colors: The common coat colors are chestnut, bay, and black.
- The Morgan is known as a non-gaited breed.
- The breed is an all-purpose, it’s good for pulling, harness, dressage, showing, and others.
- Average price: $3,000.
Pros
- Kids friendly
- Very cooperative, easy to train
- A versatile breed
Cons
- Nutrition should be strict
- Late maturity
6. Missouri Fox Trotter
The Missouri Fox Trotter is a horse breed that came from Missouri, United States. It features its smooth ambling gait that is called “fox trot”. Missouri Fox Trotters are placid and friendly. This makes the breed ideal for trail riding and as a family horse.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: The head is high-set with a straight face profile. The ears are pointed and well-shaped. The neck is average and well-built. The withers are pronounced, the back is straight. The shoulders are powerful. The croup is well-developed with a high-set tail. The joints are well-developed with shapely hooves.
- Height: 56-64 inches (14-16 hands).
- Weight: 900-1200 pounds (400-550 kg).
- Life expectancy: 20-30 years.
- Speed: Fox trot at 10 mph.
- Colors: Missouri Fox Trotters can be any solid coat color including pinto. These may be black, grey, bay, chestnut, piebald, or skewbald.
- The horse performs the flat foot walk, the fox trot, and the canter.
- It is typically used in trail riding and for breeding purposes.
- Average price: $5,000.
Pros
- Smooth ride
- Kid-friendly
- Fast gait
Cons
- Need time to get used to the gait
7. Clydesdale Horse
The Clydesdale is a draft horse breed derived from Scotland. The breed is used for parades, as a show and carriage horse because of their charming feathers. The Clydesdale Рorse is also highly recognizable due to the bay coat and white markings on the limbs.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: The horse stands out with a muscular and arched neck. The head is prominent with a broad forehead, the muzzle is wide. The withers are high and the shoulders are sloped. The Clydesdale Horse is loved for its impressive feathering on lower legs with large hooves.
- Height: 64-72 inches (16-18 hands).
- Weight: 1800-2000 pounds (800-900 kg).
- Life expectancy: 20-25 years.
- Speed: 20 mph.
- Colors: The common color is bay, sometimes black, chestnut, or grey.
- The horse performs a high-stepping gait.
- The breed is commonly used in often used in parades and shows, and as a work horse.
- Average price: $3,000.
Pros
- Versatile breed
- High-stepping gait
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Requires lots of space
- Reduced fertility
8. Appaloosa Horse
The Appaloosa is a popular horse breed that originated from the United States. It’s famous for its spotted coat pattern. It’s referred to as the leopard complex mutation. Appaloosa Horses have various spotted patterns over the solid base color of the coat. They are known for their gentle and friendly temperament.
Horse Breed Overview
- Conformation: The horse has a leopard-spotted pattern on a solid-base color coat. Another essential feature is striped hooves. An Appaloosa horse may not have the dotted coat pattern but the mottled skin is a must.
- Height: 56-64 inches (14-16 hands).
- Weight: 950-1250 pounds (430-570 kg).
- Life expectancy: 30 years.
- Speed: 40 mph.
- Colors: A leopard-spotted pattern on a solid-base color coat.
- The gaited Appaloosa performs a lateral gait.
- You can spot the horse in barrel racing, roping, reining, eventing, and horse racing.
- Average price: $5,000.
Pros
- Unique color
- Friendly temperament
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Genetic defects
- Get bored easily
9. Welsh Pony and Cob
A Welsh Pony is one of the most popular pony breeds for kids. When young children grow up, they can try a Welsh Cob that is slightly larger. Such ponies are extremely intelligent, athletic, and versatile in use. A Welsh Pony and Cob are ideal for all types of saddles.
Pony Breed Overview
- Conformation: The head is small with big eyes. The shoulders are sloped, the back is short, the hindquarters are strong. The forelegs are straight, the cannon bone is short.
- Height: 44-64 inches (11-16 hands).
- Weight: 400-1250 pounds (180-570 kg).
- Life expectancy: 35 years.
- Speed: 55 mph.
- Colors: There can be any solid color. The most common are bay, black, chestnut, and grey. No leopard or tobiano spots.
- A Welsh Pony is known for its free-moving gaits.
- Welsh Ponies and Cobs can be used in riding and driving. They commonly occur in dressage, hunting, jumping, and endurance riding.
- Average price: $5,000.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Versatile
- Athletic built
Cons
- Easy to spook
- Extra grooming needed
10. Connemara Pony
The Connemara Pony derived from Ireland. It’s a popular show pony that is loved for its athleticism and good temperament. The breed is versatile that’s used in dressage, eventing, show jumping, harness racing, and more.
Pony Breed Overview
- Conformation: The pony has a small head broad between the large eyes. The ears are short, the neck is short and muscular. The back and hindquarters are strong. The legs are short and muscular with the feet of medium size.
- Height: 50-58 inches (12.2-14.2 hands).
- Weight: 640-860 pounds (290-390 kg).
- Life expectancy: 30 years.
- Speed: 25 mph.
- Colors: The pony can feature a range of colors. This includes bay, brown, black, chestnut, roan, dun, gray, and palomino.
- The pony is known for its sporty build, friendly and willing temperament. It’s a good fit for kids and adults.
- They are used in a range of equestrian sports including dressage, jumping, eventing, and endurance riding.
- Average price: $6,000.
Pros
- Kids-friendly
- Highly versatile
- Great for all rider levels
Cons
- Prone to hoof diseases
- Prone to laminitis
Pony and Horse Breeds for Beginners Revealed
Choose your equine for your first ride. This article includes 10 great pony and horse breeds to be considered. Most horses and ponies are outgoing and willing to please their owners. They are perfect for trail riding and as family pets. The equines listed here are quite versatile. No matter if you ride on an English or Western saddle, you’ll find your ideal companion.