It’s very politically correct these days (especially here) to say that Thoroughbreds are NOT nervous and that they are NOT difficult for beginners or tense riders and that there is a big variety in temperaments in them and blah blah blah. Too bad the good old days when you could be honest seem to have vanished.
Thoroughbreds were developed to be race horses. They have chiefly been used for fox hunting in fast country, racing and similar speed events. To have a lot of energy, to respond very quickly to their rider, and to want to run. Some of them are more lethargic, but by and large, yes, they are more active and quicker, and back in the day, one did not make blanket statements to beginners encouraging them to get a Thoroughbred. In fact, back in the day, we were told NOT to buy thoroughbreds for beginner or shy riders.
We had a barn full of warmbloods and one thoroughbred. He used to run around the pasture, and all the warmbloods would stand there and stare at him and then stare at each other, as if to say, ‘What is WRONG with that boy?’ Though nowadays, warmbloods of the ‘modern’ type also tend to be quite active and sensitive.
These days, quite a few Quarter Horse lines also contain a lot of Thoroughbred blood and quite a few of them ARE ‘hot and temperamental’.
I don’t really feel that draft-thoroughbred crosses or warmbloods always make the best beginner or ‘confidence builder’ horses either. The animals chosen for sire and dam of draft-thb crosses often are lacking in quality, and warmbloods can be very active and very strong in the bridle.
Heavier, drafty horses aren’t always that ‘quiet’. Some of them can be awful strong, even bullies. I’ve seen less strong, courageous riders have awful problems trying to break and train or bring along their own draft cross; I think many people bought them thinking they would be easier.
I don’t think there’s any breed that reliably, can be guaranteed to have the traits you want. There are some possibilities - quarter horse crosses, part draft horses (1/4 draft crosses are often nice).
You have 5-8000 dollars? First of all, if you feel shy or timid, there are VERY VERY FEW horses of ANY breed that will give you good results if you try to buy them young and train them yourself. The fundamental problem is the tension is a big problem when working with youngsters, and that means nearly any horse is going to sense that and be naughty sometimes.
DON’T get a green horse. NO MATTER WHAT. The horse that has ‘been there, done that’ is often the best choice. The one that’s been ridden down the trail, down the side of the road, and at the local bustling riding club shows might be a lot calmer and more reliable.
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1267394&share_this=Y
This is not a recommendation for the above horse, I’ve never seen this horse except in the ad. But by keying your criteria in (age 8 minimum price 8000 max, gelding, no size requirement, no location requirement) i got 63 horses, and of these, there were a couple shown under saddle and doing some sort of dressage.
Not that I’m suggesting that web sites are a good way to buy horses. The BEST horse is one you see frequently behaving quietly in many different situations. That you know is sound because you see him coming out of the barn to be ridden day after day, that your instructor knows and recommends.
I think if you just get out there and look around you’ll find a good match.
Really consider the older horse with a long history of being shown at local shows like the ones you like to show in.
