I have a half Arab who was hothothot when I bought her. She had two speeds, fast and faster and never got tired. She was ludicrously sensitive and extremely reactive. Oh yeah, totally typical Ay-rab and far from safe.

Turns out she was like that because she wasn't truly broke. Once she understood the aides and the whole "being obedient" thing, she was much better and would actually follow directions. And when we resolved her bit issues, her reactivity dropped way, way down. Horse went from a borderline lunatic to happily carting children around through training and appropriate tack.


I would advise a beginner to look for a horse that is older (10+) and well broke. Older horses tend to have more training and more experience with mistakes. Well broke horses do not rely on their rider for support and confidence, only instructions. Breed is pretty much immaterial next to that.

Sure, some breeds are known to be faster, hotter, or more sensitive, but a broke horse is a broke horse. The rest of it is personal preference.