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Purchasing a horse can be one of the most time consuming and stressful parts of horse ownership...and anyone who has gone through the great pains of looking for, trying out, vet checking and eventually purchasing a horse will surely agree with me! Having been a horse trainer for 15 years, I have had the pleasure of helping many people buy their first horse, and the place that we always start is discussing what "type" of horse that is needed.

In discussing "types" of horses, I don't like to jump straight in to the "breed" question, as I believe that a person should have a good understanding of what they want their new horse to do and how they want their new horse to behave, and simply choosing a horse by "breed" doesn't truly do justice to horse or man. So, back to the "type" question...if a person tells me that they are looking for a horse that will be a "quiet" and "calm" addition to their family as a trail horse and pet, I immediately think of certain breeds, and I think of other breeds entirely when someone says that they want a "high energy" horse that is going to be suitable for competition in the Hunter Jumper arena.

You see, it is far more important to choose a horse based upon their natural characteristics, training level, and personal attributes than it is to choose them based solely on their breed. In the end...understanding "what" you want is always the first step.

The following is a short list of specific breeds, their typical behaviors/attitudes, what they are most suited for in terms of use, etc. This is by no means a "definitive" list, and it does not mean that certain individual animals will or will not display typical characteristics, it is simply a point of reference.

The Quarter Horse-
The Quarter Horse is known for strong muscle, good bone, and a generally laid back, and very trainable, personality. You will find these horses all over the country as "working horses", as their body type, especially their strong hindquarters, gives them an advantage over other breeds in the areas of western performance. Quarters are also a great choice for someone looking to find a "level headed" animal for the purpose of trail riding.

The Paint Horse-
Having only been a true "breed" for a short while in comparison to it's Quarter Horse Ancestry, the Paint Horse is characterized most specifically by color. Beneath the coat, these animals typically display a similar musculature, bone, and attitude to Quarter Horses. Paints have made a splash in the working western

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