Horse Breeds that are Easy to Train
In every young equestrian’s life, there usually comes a time where choosing their first horse becomes a major dilemma. This is because not every horse breed is for every person or discipline, and not every person works well with every horse. There are, however, specific horse breeds that are easy to train, and will typically work well in any discipline. While the ones listed here are certainly not an all-inclusive list, they are the 5 most common and easily trainable horses in the United States, in this author’s humble opinion. However, before you select your horse, you should have a strong understanding of what you want to do with the equine, and what training methods you will use. Do some research; never go into buying a horse blind. You will need to research the person or organization you buy the animal from, its genetic and breeding history, and the general history and uses of that particular horse.
The Morgan horse is one of the oldest breeds developed in the United States, and is considered by many equestrians to be the most versatile horse breed in the world. Morgans are bay, black, or chestnut in color, and have huge, soft, and kind eyes. They are very intelligent and inquisitive in nature, and are extremely willing and able workers. At 14-15hh, they make a perfect sized horse for a beginner, and with their gentle nature, a solid one on which to mount. In fact, some Morgans are smaller than 14 hands, and actually may qualify as ponies in events, even though they are clearly horses. The Morgan breed has enjoyed popularization by a children’s book and a Walt Disney movie depicting the origins of this wonderful breed. Morgans compete in their own breed-specific circles, as well as in all other disciplines. They would make an excellent first horse.
The Arabian is one of the oldest domesticated horses known to man. Having their origins in the Middle East, nearly every breed in the world today has some Arabian blood in it; including all of the breeds listed here in this article. After nearly 5,000 years of breeding and refinement, the Arabian has become one of the most gentle and easily trainable horses known. In ancient times, Bedouin people’s actually brought the horses into their living quarters and made them part of the family. This practice has resulted in an extremely gentle and friendly horse. In addition, their conformation makes them able to perform in almost any discipline. In fact, the Arabian is widely known as the best endurance horse to have ever existed, and they still dominate endurance competitions today. The Arabian is compact in size and only has 17 sets of ribs, which make it able to carry a heavy rider. At 14-15hh, it still makes for a small enough horse for a beginner. The breed is so gentle and so kind that it is one of the few breeds that the United States Equestrian Federation allows children under the age of 18 to exhibit stallions in all classes. For this reason alone, the Arabian makes for an excellent first horse.
Tennessee Walkers are especially noted for their kind disposition and willingness to please their owner. In addition, they have a unique running walk that is very comfortable to sit to, and would make for an easy beginner horse. However, because you don’t exactly post to the walking run of a Tennessee Walker it is wise to consider training with other horse breeds simultaneously so as to correctly learn how to post on any horse. Walkers make perfect family pets and trail or pleasure horses, and they are quite easy for inexperienced equestrians to train. They have amazing stamina and can tolerate long training sessions. Tennessee Walkers have very elegant movement, and tend to be vain in nature. They love to show off. Therefore, grooming sessions usually tend to be quite bonding between owner and horse. The Walker is black, chestnut, sorrel, roan, bay, or pinto in color, and stands at 15-17hh.
Quarterhorses are the most popular breed in the United States, and for good reason. Quarterhorses can be easily adapted to nearly any discipline because they are so easy to train. This makes them especially suitable for young or inexperienced riders. Quarterhorses are known for their sprinting abilities, and can reach speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour. Quarterhorses make great family pets, and are so adaptable that they are the preferred horse for mounted police. They are typically 14-16hh, come in nearly all colors, and have two main types: the short and compact type, and the taller and smoother type. Either type takes to training readily and eagerly, and can be trained for a multitude of disciplines. The Quarterhorse can do pretty much anything, so if you’re a new rider looking to experience it all, then the Quarterhorse might be just what you are seeking.
Missouri Fox Trotters have a highly unique gait that is a four beat trot versus a typical horse’s two beat trot. This makes the Trotter easy to sit to- especially for beginners. They have a very smooth and comfortable ride, not unlike that of the Walker. The Missouri Fox Trotter is a highly intelligent, gentle, and willing horse, making it ideal for inexperienced horsemen. At 14-16hh, it is manageable for a small rider, and its disposition furthers this sense of manageability. The Trotter is a versatile horse for all disciplines, but in general they make superior pleasure and trail riding horses, as well as beloved family pets.
There have been a number of famous horse trainers that have said in one fashion or another that a horse is only as good as its owner, and in many ways this is true. You could take a Percheron or a Fresian and train it as an inexperienced horseman. However, there are certain breeds that are high strung, bitchy, or in general more difficult to train, so following the above guide will likely enable you to choose a horse that is easy to train, is manageable, and has enough gentle personality to win you over, whatever your discipline is. Just remember that with all horses, safety comes first, and no matter how gentle your mount seems, there may be times where it can spook, bolt, rear, kick, or charge, and recognizing horse behavior will go a long way in enabling you to recognize warning signs that these behaviors are about to occur. Ensure that you spend a lot of time on the ground with your horse. Talk to it, and learn how it talks to you, and in time, you’ll see that you both speak the same language.
