Top 3 Horses For A Beginner
Like every other activity, which we engage as amateurs, we want an easy way through. This is not always true as a difficult beginning is inevitable in most activities. When trying out for a new hobby with horses, you need guidance on the best options for horse breeds that will allow you to grasp quickly. While some types are suitable for experienced professionals, there are those, which are appropriate for learners. You need horses that are gentle, take instructions, and calm in nature. You do not want a horse that takes challenges and out-thinks you. New riders should therefore, take keen interest in the type of horses they choose.
Introduction
We all want the appropriate breeds for our first ride. This is vital for our first experience. The most popular breeds for amateurs are the quiet ones. Although there alterations in the debate over the most suitable horse, a few are acceptable as the most appropriate. They come with many advantages but just like anything else, they too have their downsides. Here are the most common breeds acceptable as ideal for a beginner. We will discuss the following
a) American Quarter Horse
b) Thoroughbred Horse
1. The American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse (AQHA) has quickly unstoppable worldwide respect thanks to its reputation on the racecourse. Their ability to sprint in the a quarter mile race faster than their rivals gives them the honor and respect. This is not there is to tell about this beautiful horse, though. They are known to be loyal and classic making them the best choice for the ranch, home use, or saddling way in a harness. They are good for a wide variety of purposes ranging from the trail to the show ring. This breed is therefore, the perfect all-round horse to own.
Today, this horse is very popular for training new riders to get familiar with their basic skills. They are versatile and good for learning. Their gentleness and even temperament makes them appropriate for a beginner course. Although they are not entirely even, they are controllable and can be restored quickly whenever there is need to calm them down.
Colors
Colors may not be a priority when looking for a training horse but is part of their beauty and attractiveness. They will help you create the fondness with the horses. There are 13 known colors but the most prominent one is the reddish brown with a shade of white on the head and below the knees. Other recognized colors include; bay, black, grullo, palomino, red roan and blue roan, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, and gray (most people choose to call this ‘white’). The white patches may appear on the head and under the knees. They also have a variety of shapes such as stockings, strips, stars, and blazes too.
Physique
The American quarter is easily identifiable by its short compact body and head. You will most likely mistake it for a pony. You will however, notice the heavy muscles that define its overall structure. It has powerful looking shoulders and hindquarters with strong-looking legs. The flat profile and wide forehead gives the quarter its appearance. You are likely to quickly fall in love with this horse as soon as you try it because it has all the impressive features to pull you to a strong attachment and connection.
2. The Thoroughbred Horse
This breed has its history based in the 17th century when Byerly Turk captured foundation sires and brought them to England. Originally, it lived for many years in Arabia and the Middle East. After mating with the larger English mare stallions, the thoroughbred was born and quickly gained popularity in England before spreading across the world. The first horses quickly took top positions in the races and got prized in racing and war. They can trace their ancestry to Arabia where they were warhorses. In the 18th century, the thoroughbred became the center of sport and work in farms too. As the country transformed into the industrial revolution, the horses played a major role as powerful work assistants. In War, they continued to be used as reliable tools. The thoroughbred played a significant role in both world wars.
A stolen Barb was stolen and brought to England at the beginning of the 16th century. The blood of the thoroughbred also traces backs to this old breed from Arabia.
These horses can take 150 strides a minute and reach speeds of more than 40 miles per hour. This means they are great for transition from beginner to moderate rider level. The average stride of the thoroughbred is measured at 6.1 meters. This is equal to the length of two average limousines parked bumper to bumper. The longest stride ever recorded is 8.5 meters in full gallop.
It takes a very special character in a horse to earn the title of a thoroughbred, colt, or filly. For example, it must be born of only thoroughbred parents (with a dam and sire). Maintaining the bloodline of the breed is important because you can find reliable horses for learners to get acquitted. To ensure this bloodline is maintained, horse-racing organizations are keen on registries and studbooks to help mate the right horses.
Physique
This breed has a delicate head, an overall slim body, broad chests, and a short back. The short leg bones are responsible for their long, easy stride. Luckily, they are sensitive and high-spirited hence easy to connect with a new rider. They are outstanding for speed and stamina thanks to their heavily-muscled body since they are an improved version of earlier breeds.
They weigh up to 1000 pounds at maturity and come in 5 colors. Bay, chestnut, brown, black, and gray are the main colors. They are beautiful and will quickly attract a new rider to love them.
Sometimes the term is incorrectly mistaken to mean a purebred. However, they are a specific breed register since in 1750 or in studbooks of similar clubs. They are loved and preferred most among the breeds by new riders who think the name means they are the original breed of pure species in the lineage. They were used by hunters, polo players, riding, and other many uses depending on their training.
These horses are proven to be some of the safest to ride because they have minimal mishaps and accidents. You will rarely find any issues concerning this breed especially among learners. Although they have many advantages you should also expect some downsides to this breed too.
3. Miniature Horse
This is an old horse with over 300 years of ancestry in Europe. This is small horse with a great reputation. The horses do not grow to be taller than 38 inches and come in the widest range of colors and patterns with patches of every kind. They are some of the best for training up and coming riders. They are also good for moderate learners because they are good learners and challenge decisions. They are capable of making self-decisions that are important and useful too. Here are some of the detail about them.
Size
The miniature breed horses are closely related to Shetland ponies and were inbred for their size. They were known to surviving harsh natural climates and limited food choices. With limited knowledge of genetics then, they were specifically bred for their size. The result became better than expected because they came with more advantages to their size. The little horse became well suited for a variety of usefulness. They are great pets, show animals, and companions for therapy especially to the disabled and blind who need guides.
Perhaps what makes the miniature loved most is the fact that they are easy to train. Thanks to their gentle nature and sturdiness, they can pull a great amount of weight exceeding four times their weight.
Care
Minis are demanding and require excess care. They may not require much space but sure need a proper diet and enough food to keep them nourished and stable. You will need to learn their unique needs and special requirements as you take care of the breed. Luckily, you do not need much experience to handle a mini as they are easy to educate and train. In fact, they are loved because they can train themselves thoroughly.
Dwarfism
Just like every other breed that emerges from cross-breeding, the specific desired characteristic may be achieved but so does downsides occur to accompany the beast. In Miniatures, dwarfism is the unfortunate occurrence that is persistent in the breed. Even in cases when both parents have normal heights and statue without a clue of the genes, the offspring is highly likely to be dwarfed. Mini dwarfs are not just smaller than the rest; the range in sizes widely differs based on the varying degrees and combinations of undesirable conformational faults.
Other deformities include; stunted limb, spine, and jaw growth. Most dwarf minis are only affected by one of these negative traits. These occur in mild levels allowing the animals to lead normal lives. However, those with severe defects are prone to suffering from chronic pain or disability. Although these challenges may not appear at birth, they become obvious as the mini advances in age. For these reasons, it is important to take good care of your miniature and involve your vet to ensure they lead a normal life.
Health
Miniatures are susceptible to certain health issues. This means you may not treat them as you would do with a full-sized horse. They require special attention, proper feeding and care provision. For example, they are prone to obesity. Since they require special care and feeding, they are likely to be overfed and grow overweight. Maintaining their overall body condition is important to help you avoid complications such as obesity. In fact, most medical challenges can be avoided by keeping a good diet with the help of a vet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no need to worry about becoming a skilled rider. All you need is to find the right horse to get you going. Just like every other activity in life you may succumb to the urge to sail through quickly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. You will need to be patient with your horse as you learn and you connect with it. Grasp the commands and learn how the horse reacts to them. Before connecting completely with your horse, you may have some mishaps or misunderstandings. You may also experience unexpectedly high temperaments. You can still stay calm and restore sanity in your horse before you proceed with practice. When trying out for this new hobby with horses, you need guidance from an experienced rider on the best options for horse breeds that will allow you to grasp quickly. You have learnt here that some types are suitable for experienced professionals. On the other hand, there are those, which are appropriate for learners. This means you need one that is proven to be even tempered, gentle, take instructions, and calm in nature. You do not want to find yourself with a horse that takes challenges and out-thinks you. This will discourage you and you might get hurt or easily give up the ambition before you explore it adequately.
We have found that the most popular breeds for amateurs are the quiet ones. The three breeds discussed here are some of the top options you can find. Although there alterations in the debate over the most suitable horse, a few are acceptable as the most appropriate. They come with many advantages but just like anything else, they too have their downsides
