Are you looking for a suitable horse for yourself? One of the most important questions to ask yourself prior to buying a horse is: Which horse actually suits me? Take the test now to find out which horse would suit you!
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The choice of horse breeds is very large. There are over 350 horse breeds in the world. How can you decide? Beforehand, you should definitely be clear about what exactly you are looking for, how much time you can spend on the horse, etc. These are essential factors that play an influential role in the choice of a horse. Test yourself now and find out which horse breed really suits you.
Which horse suits me? Check it out now!
Dressage rider
Travers, piaffe and freestyle are not foreign words for you, you are sporty, ambitious and have big goals? Then you are definitely a dressage rider. You have high expectations of your horse, but your persistent training, a tremendous amount of patience and sensitivity will bring you immense success. You need a horse that shows a high willingness to learn, that likes to cooperate with you and that you can rely on 100%. Together you will become a harmonious pair in your tests. Here are some suggestions of which horse breed your future ribbon winner might be.
Of course, this is only a very small selection and if you haven’t found the right one yet, you will definitely find the right horses for you HERE.
Oldenburg: The Oldenburg is one of the most famous sport horses in dressage and show jumping. Oldenburgs are very powerful, intelligent and show a well-mannered way of behaving. Especially at the jump, Oldenburgers are very skillful and are therefore appreciated as jumping horses. Temperament and willingness to please are also among the popular traits of this handsome sport horse.
Hanoverian: Hanoverians are among the best known and most successful of all warmbloods. They are used in dressage as well as in show jumping and show many successes. Hanoverians have an affable character, are very intelligent and show a very high willingness to learn. The harmonious movement, as well as the excellent rideability make the Hanoverian the perfect sport horse.
Friesian: Friesian, the black beauty, has a very strong nervous system, is reliable and has a high degree of stamina. They are one of the most majestic horse breeds with a unique charisma and are therefore also very suitable as dressage horses. Friesians have very spirited gaits and a lot of temperament.
Andalusian: Andalusians are excellent for dressage. Their elegant, zestful appearance has made them very popular. They demonstrate a high level of obedience and are naturally talented in dressage movements. So if you are looking for a horse that you can rely on and that you can take to shows in the future, you should definitely consider an Andalusian.
What kind of horse is suitable for beginners?
Basically, beginners should first and foremost choose a calm and already experienced horse. However, bear in mind that a very experienced horse will not be the best teacher for the beginner either.
Which horse suits me? The most important criteria
When choosing your horse, it is important to consider that both the horse and the rider have certain qualities and characteristics that should naturally harmonise. Often only the demands of the horse are taken into account. However, before buying, the rider should realistically assess his riding skills and abilities in order to find the right partner.
To be able to make a decision when looking for the right horse, the desired horse should be outlined as precisely as possible. The following criteria can help:
Which horse breed suits me?
There are over 350 breeds of horses worldwide. It is almost impossible to represent all breeds. However, in most cases, the breed is not the decisive criterion for the purchase, unless the horse will further be used for breeding. The breeds are assigned to different types of horses. These horse types have certain characteristics and properties. Thereby one refers to the exterior (physical characteristics) and the other one to the interior (psychological characteristics & behaviour).
So depending on what character and conformation is desired, certain breeds can be looked at in depth and shortlisted. Before buying, every rider should be clear about the discipline in which the horse will be used. Because not all horses are suitable for the desired discipline.
Character/behaviour of the horse
Just like with humans, there are many different personalities in horses. The character shows itself when riding and also when dealing with the horse. It is a mixture of genes and environment. So there are calm, patient, forgiving mistakes, sensitive, stubborn, with strong nerves, or balanced horses. Performance ability and temperament also play a role. Beginners should start with calm and easy-going horses. With experienced riders there is no patent formula. A hot-tempered, restless horse can be handled well by a calm or even spirited rider. However, the character of the horse is decisive for the relationship between rider and horse and is therefore an important criterion for a test ride.
What kind of training level should the horse have?
Depending on the rider’s level of experience, the horse must have a certain level of training. In any case, a novice rider should select a horse with a strong foundational education. In order to master the desired competitions with the new partner, the ambitious competition rider typically places additional expectations on the horse. When selecting, it’s crucial that the horse has aptitude for the intended disciplines and matches the rider’s skill level.
What is the most suitable age of the horse?
Generally speaking, elder horses are calmer than younger ones because they have more experience. Therefore, you shouldn’t choose relatively young horses if you prefer an experienced partner. However, as each horse is unique, there are also calm representatives among the young horses that are, for instance, appropriate for novices.
What is the best suited height of the horse?
Select a shorter horse if you are small yourself.Taller horses will perform effectively with taller riders. A big rider will make life difficult for a little horse. The rider’s weight might be problematic because the horse must balance the heavy rider’s high centre of gravity. Nevertheless, it is merely a generalisation and there are other factors which play a significant role.
What size of horse suits me?
If you are small yourself, you should choose a smaller horse. Tall riders will go along better with larger horses. Nevertheless, it is merely a generalisation and there are other factors which play a significant role.
Which sex of the horse to choose?
Stallions behave in a domineering manner. Stallions can be challenging to handle and require strong, consistent leadership. Due to their castration, geldings are typically friendlier and simpler to handle when riding. Mares can be a little cranky and challenging to handle, especially when they are in heat. Beginners are frequently instructed to select a gelding. Regardless , horses are not a homogeneous species; some stallions and mares are very sociable.
As a result, the decision should be taken on an individual basis. Each horse is an individual, and there are numerous specific criteria. To ensure the happiness of both the rider and the horse, the horse must meet the rider’s needs and abilities. In any case, a test ride should be taken before purchasing the horse to better determine its temperament, degree of training, etc.
Michelle Breitenfeld works as a trainee in international marketing for ehorses after her studies in media management and journalism. She will give you the best tips about horses. You can reach her at m.breitenfeld@ehorses.de.
