What's your favorite breed?

[dressurpferd01]

Simple question, favorite breed?

Me, Hanoverians. Had never worked with them prior to my current job, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with them. Doesn’t seem to be any more versatile breed out there, and they continue to dominate almost every discipline. Granted, KWPN’s are at the top in Olympic level dressage, but Hano’s dominate US national level dressage.

Least favorite for me are Trakehners. Worked with them for 2 years, and never again. Multiple different bloodlines, and almost all of them were just nutcases. Had a couple that were being worked with steadily for 1.5+ yrs and still couldn’t be sat on. Hot, spooky, just loony. I know I’m generalizing, but I don’t like them.

Ok, let’s hear from COTH.

[afastarabian]

I am hooked on Arabians, especially the Crabbet/CMK lines. I like Dressage and endurance riding pretty much equally, and can do both sports with the same horse. I love how quickly they pick up the Dressage and mine all move so freely and use themselves very well. Then out on the trails I can ride for miles at a quick trot and they are so at home with that. They are small, but tough, and have the movement to bring home blue ribbons from the Dressage shows.

I have ridden an assortment of other breeds. They all have some admirable qualities, but the Arabians are definitely my breed.

[miraclewelsh]

Welsh Mountain Ponies and Welsh Cobs!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

This is totally just me…I’m not arguing my choice is better, etc.

I still love thoroughbreds, but for strictly dressage, if forced to choose, would go with a warmblood or warmblood cross. I’d love to ride some of the baroque breeds though…just haven’t had the opportunity.

I have a hard time calling the warmbloods a “breed” and my best example is the baby I bred this summer. I am planning on registering the foal Oldenburg GOV. However that really means little, if you look at his/her actual bloodlines. Father is an Oldenburg but his sire line descends form Holstein (Landgraf line). This foals dam is a Selle Francais, but her dam sire is a Trakehner.

Do you see what I mean?! Very few of the warmbloods today are really one “breed”, although some of the studbooks are certainly more open or closed than some of the others.

As a sidenote, the often mentioned “Dutch” stallion, Moorland’s Totilas sire’s side is actually Trakehner, but the damside is KWPN.

[cheekyhorse]

I like the Trakehners myself. I dont’ find them hot at all, sensitive yes, but hot and crazy I think not. They are different horses for sure, but they just have to earn their trust in you and they appreciate a correct rider (essential when they are young). One person horses that try their hearts out for you. I wouldn’t trade my stallion for anything in the world, he is the best horse I’ve ever had and I have had all different kinds of breeds from TB’s and Tb x’s, arabs, KWPN, and Hano’s.
Trakehner is still the most sought after breed in most of Europe, the top riders love them and the other breed registries like to use them to improve upon their own breeds. And there a LOT of them in the top of the ranks in dressage. Some are pure bred Trakehner like Partout or Gribaldi, some 1/2 like Matine or Totilas.

[quietann]

Morgans of course! The “we try harder” of horse breeds. Lots of personality, verve, and a smaller size that’s nice for older riders and shorter ones too.

I will admit to not being a huge fan of huge WBs. They’re impressive, but not for me.

[dressurpferd01]

[QUOTE=cheekyhorse;4540521]
I like the Trakehners myself. I dont’ find them hot at all, sensitive yes, but hot and crazy I think not. They are different horses for sure, but they just have to earn their trust in you and they appreciate a correct rider (essential when they are young). One person horses that try their hearts out for you. I wouldn’t trade my stallion for anything in the world, he is the best horse I’ve ever had and I have had all different kinds of breeds from TB’s and Tb x’s, arabs, KWPN, and Hano’s.
Trakehner is still the most sought after breed in most of Europe, the top riders love them and the other breed registries like to use them to improve upon their own breeds. And there a LOT of them in the top of the ranks in dressage. Some pure bred Trakehner like Gribaldi, some 1/2 like Matine or Totilas.[/QUOTE]

To each their own ;). I had multiple bad experiences with them, and just would not own one. I love the Hano’s, and even have quite a taste for KWPN’s. My first horse was an OTTB, so I’ve run the gamut a bit.

[MyReality]

I do not like Dutch, Trek, Irish, Lusitano, Canadian, Freisian.

Although I know outstanding individuals from each of the above breeds, who I enjoy riding very much. Especially a trek I used to ride, he is a such a sweet man.

I adore Oldenburg and TB. I think every horse should have some TB in him. I love also PRE, and Lippizan, they have spirit, but completely at the disposal of the rider, much like a good TB.

I do like Hano. They are just wonderful and very good worker. Holsteiner, harder to put together, but obviously it is because of me. I basically like all other breeds, Arabs, QH, draft… you name it.

[mypaintwattie]

Paints:D

My horse will try anything, and does well in so many different arenas, and best of all she does it with a little flash of color! All of the paints I have worked with would do anything for you and had the gentlest dispositions.

Other than Paints or QH I’d take an Arabian, TB, or WB- I’ve mostly worked with KWPN, Hol., Old., and Hanno.

[HollysHobbies]

Own and Love Selle-Francais and OTTB; Covet Another Morgan

I OWN…I’m in love with my SF. So kind, old style warmblood, in your pocket, very smart, sane sane sane, does anything you ask…I know very little about this breed, so if anyone knows anything, PM me.

I OWN…I volunteer for TRF in the summer…my other horse is an OTTB rescue. His mother’s name was Dressage (fortuitious!) and was by Sadler’s Wells. He is so QUIET but willing to work. It’s unreal. He babysits the warmbloods on trailrides. When he learns something new and I make a big fuss over him (once I’ve brought him to a walk) he’ll toss his head/nose like the racehorse he was…so cute. He’s so pleased with himself. We’re begin schooling shows at 1st level this winter and have started schooling some 2nd…I’m so excited for him!!! I really with more people would consider an OTTB.

I COVET a morgan though…rode them as kids. So freakin’ smart and you can’t beat a morgan for ringside presence. But I’m a really tall girl and sometime in the last decade, morgans got really expensive and kind of grumpy/crazy/hot and I can’t seem to find a tall one. They used to be dirt cheap and willing willing willing! One of these days I’m going to OldDom Morgan Show with my truck 'n trailer and I’m coming home with one…oy, my poor trainer… heehee

[cloudyandcallie]

TB TB and TB

The OTTB KY TB mare! :lol::lol:
OK, the breed would be the TB.
The subdivision would be the Kentucky bred off track TB mare.

And my favorite WB registry would be the Hessen, followed closely by the DWB.

[thatmoody]

I actually don’t love Friesians as a breed all that much, in spite of owning one, just because of the breed’s health problems (I often feel like I’m just looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop, although he’s been fairly healthy lately). I love HIM, and he’s a great ride, although a bit tricky. Not sure why they’re considered such a great amateur ride, either, although I suppose it’s the friendliness.

I absolutely adored my giant oldenburg, but the variability in the breed, as mentioned above, would make me hesitant to get another. I would have another foundation QH in a second, if I could find one with a good build for dressage, as I love the sound mind/sound body that we had in our old ranch horses. My daughter is riding an ex-barrel horse right now that has some foundation blood and even though he has some problems with tenseness, he’s really a fun horse.

My friend just got a Hanoverian mare, and I really like her a lot - she’s been starved, but I can see what she’ll be like when she gets herself back.

[ridgeback]

Warmbloods really aren’t breeds but they are my favorite, Dutch and hanoverian.

[pintopiaffe]

No one particular. Crossing and crosses are my passion and muse.

Not a breed, but a type: Baroque build, brain & movement in a Pinto jacket.

If I had my choice of purebreds: Trakehner, Iberian, Arab, ASB, Morgan, a nice homozygous Tobi APHA mare to cross with Iberian stallions. A nice Iberian stallion to cross on my Spanish Colonial and APHA mare. Another Great Trakehner Mare to use my (Zwiebruken) Trak/TB/Arab Pinto Sportpony on. A very, very particular Arabian mare to cross Iberian, ASB & Morgan.

I love, love, love the Paint(QH) mind and work ethic. I love the Iberian back and movement. I love the ASB’s courage and nobility. Arabs are just something you love or hate. I have disliked many, and the ones I love, I love with all my being. I have grown remarkably fond of my Spanish Colonial filly’s strength of character and sense of humour. Her fondness for escape exasperates me, but the way her mind works to figure it out fascinates me.

I have know a truly Great TB mare, and would take another like her in a heartbeat. I’ve known many WBs, and liked many, but the more baroque the better, in my book

On the futue wish list: A welsh or welshX (one of my mares has a date with WoWelsh’s Bryn one of these days… A Connemara like SportPony’s guy… and a PINTO Friesian Sporthorse.

[quietann]

[QUOTE=HollysHobbies;4540673]

I COVET a morgan though…rode them as kids. So freakin’ smart and you can’t beat a morgan for ringside presence. But I’m a really tall girl and sometime in the last decade, morgans got really expensive and kind of grumpy/crazy/hot and I can’t seem to find a tall one. They used to be dirt cheap and willing willing willing! One of these days I’m going to OldDom Morgan Show with my truck 'n trailer and I’m coming home with one…oy, my poor trainer… heehee[/QUOTE]

Oh, you might be looking in the wrong place. One URL: http://www.sportmorgan.com/

Will PM you when I am back from riding my Morgan

[Hampton_Bay]

Lusitano and some of the nicer Andies. I love the in-your-pocket personality, and the nicer ones have just amazing movement. The ones I have ridden are easy to sit, and they are very sensitive. I’ve also known a couple that were so quiet that you could put a kid on them right after teasing the mares. Of course some of them are very hot too.

I also have an Arab that I just love. He’s still young and green, but he’s a very very nice boy. His canter is just divine, though his trot is pretty average.

[Tamara_in_TN]

[QUOTE=dressurpferd01;4540486]
Simple question, favorite breed?
Ok, let’s hear from COTH.[/QUOTE]

Welsh Cobs and TB’s and I lust over Trakehners:)

[MaximumChrome]

The one with three good gaits and a good mind! Oooop, that means most breeds, just not all the horses in that registry.

[AZ_Native]

[QUOTE=cheekyhorse;4540521]
I like the Trakehners myself. I dont’ find them hot at all, sensitive yes, but hot and crazy I think not. They are different horses for sure, but they just have to earn their trust in you and they appreciate a correct rider (essential when they are young). One person horses that try their hearts out for you. I wouldn’t trade my stallion for anything in the world, he is the best horse I’ve ever had and I have had all different kinds of breeds from TB’s and Tb x’s, arabs, KWPN, and Hano’s.
Trakehner is still the most sought after breed in most of Europe, the top riders love them and the other breed registries like to use them to improve upon their own breeds. And there a LOT of them in the top of the ranks in dressage. Some are pure bred Trakehner like Partout or Gribaldi, some 1/2 like Matine or Totilas.[/QUOTE]

cheeky, your boy is gorgeous !!

I’ve only dealt with only one, mine , a Happy Hour son that is a double on Erszand ’ E ’ . Except for the very first ride , I’ve done all of his training myself.I’d only ridden warmbloods a few times, so learning to ride the movement, esp. on an unbalanced youngster was interesting, but he was so easy and kind. I got him as a yearling and he is now 5. I just adore everything about him ! He is very willing and forward, but not at all hot or spooky.He’s made the breed my favorite,but I love my Arab and would consider another. I have a reining/cow bred AQHA that I love too, but if I had to choose only one to keep, it would be the TK or the Arab.Don’t make me pick ! :eek:
OP, I’m curious about the breeding of the TK’s that you didn’t like. I’m wondering if that makes any difference ?
Too, I started mine using Ray Hunt/ Buck Brannaman’s methods which seems to make it easy, regardless of breed, in my experience.

[horsetales]

I love my Irish horses. I can’t wait to get my one mare in particular back into work after broodmare duty. I was so happy when her colt from this year and an IDSH we bred sold to dressage homes. I’m hoping for another IDSH dressage prospect out my TB this year.