5 breeds of horses that are ideal as a family horse!

Are you looking for a horse for your children, but would like to get back on the saddle yourself every now and then?

Then a family horse is just the right thing!

The only question that remains is: Which breed is best suited for a family horse?

In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of this question and introduce you to 5 great family horses. In addition, a detailed FAQ section awaits you.

What qualities make a good family horse?

A good family horse should have a balanced and peaceful character.

Furthermore, it should not be too sensitive, because especially children sometimes make one or the other mistake, which the horse has to forgive them. A good-natured, friendly horse with strong nerves is the ideal companion for all situations in life.

In the following chapter, we would like to introduce you to five horse breeds that are particularly suitable as family horses due to their character.
The Irish Tinker

Appearance: strong, thick neck, mostly with dense pasterns
Character: gentle, good-natured, friendly
Size: 135 – 160 cm height
Weight: 460 – 730 kg

Description and characteristics:

The Irish Tinker is an absolutely fearless companion and a real dependable horse.

With its often rather small size and its nevertheless strong physique, the Irish Tinker can be ridden by children as well as adults without any problems.

The pasterns require special care so that the hair does not become matted. In addition, the pasterns should be checked daily, as the dense hangings are conducive to the development of mallenders.

Tinkers are often considered lazy, which is not entirely true. It is a fact that most Irish Cobs prefer to travel at a leisurely pace, but they are by no means lazy.

They are a very smart breed of horse and often enjoy trick training. Mental exercise is therefore just as important as physical exercise.

Due to their conformation, however, they are not designed for top athletic performance and therefore find jumping, endurance riding as well as racing canter very difficult.

Of course, not only the breed itself, but also the education and daily handling of the animal plays a role in making an Irish Tinker a reliable family horse.

Tinkers in particular often have a strong will of their own, which is why training them requires a lot of loving consistency.

If you are not afraid to invest a little time in training your Tinker, you will have a great companion for all situations in life at your side and you can also let your offspring ride the horse with a clear conscience.

All in all a real friend!
The Icelandic Horse

Appearance: Thick and soft coat, lush mane.
Character: Strong nerves, patient, intelligent
Size: 125 – 150 cm height
Weight: 260 – 470 kg

Description and characteristics

Strictly speaking, the Icelandic horse is not a horse, but a pony in terms of size.

Nevertheless, it has many horse-typical character traits.

For example, the Icelander is remarkably fearless, attentive and friendly. The Icelandic horse has a pleasant temperament and is very intelligent.

Due to its origin, it is also remarkably sure-footed, which means that even rides on uneven and stony terrain are not too much of a challenge.

Thanks to its high level of comprehension, the Icelandic is quite easy to train, provided it is met with consistency – because this breed learns mischief just as quickly as good behavior!

Although the Icelandic is quite narrow and small in build, adults can also ride an Isi without hesitation with the appropriate muscle building training.

The breed is very suitable for dressage as well as for jumping or leisurely rides.

Since Icelandic horses are particularly susceptible to (summer) eczema, it may be necessary to cover the horse for grazing or to limit the duration of grazing in summer.

Otherwise, the breed is very hardy and in good health. With a life expectancy of 30 to 35 years, Icelanders are one of the longest-lived horse breeds in the world.

Every now and then, there are candidates that even crack the 40 mark with ease and are still fit and full of joie de vivre.
The German Riding Pony

Appearance: athletic, well proportioned, expressive
Character: affectionate, reliable, open
Size: 138 – 148 cm height
Weight: 320 – 330 kg

Description and characteristics

The German Riding Pony does not look like a pony, except for its size. It does not have the typical, mischievous pony stubbornness, but is a friendly, well-balanced pony that always wants to please its people.

Due to its rather small size and narrow conformation, the German Riding Pony is only suitable for lightweight adults as well as children.

The German Riding Pony is a real dependable horse if well trained, as it is naturally particularly strong-nerved and well-balanced. It is very gentle and willing to learn.

New tasks are approached with joy, curiosity and high concentration, because the German Riding Pony likes to be mentally challenged.

Nevertheless, this breed has no problem enjoying a day or two of leisure time with its herd in the paddock, without its human spanking it.

Due to its good-natured nature and athletic build, the German Riding Pony is also ideal as a show pony for children.

Particularly relaxed representatives of the breed can even be used as therapy horses.

All in all, the German Riding Pony is an absolutely reliable all-rounder that is fun and versatile.
The Fjord Horse

Appearance: compact, strong, often with standing mane
Character: self-confident, balanced, strong nerves
Size: 135 – 148 cm stick measure
Weight: approx. 375 kg

Description and characteristics

The Fjord Horse is distinguished by the dark eel mark on its back and its bicolored mane or tail.

In its natural form, the mane of the Fjord Horse is of medium length, but it is often shortened so that it stands up and the typical standing mane is formed. The standing mane has no real purpose, but rather follows a tradition.

The handsome dun has a calm, friendly temperament and is known for its strong nerves.

Despite their confident nature, they are very docile and enjoy working with humans. Due to their pleasant size, even children can easily handle and ride a Fjordi.

Fjord horses are versatile, so you can see them more often at dressage or jumping competitions, on cross-country rides or even at shows, because Fjord horses often have a lot of fun with trick training.
The Noriker

Appearance: compact, strong, expressive
Character: balanced, calm, patient
Size: 155 – 165 cm
Weight: 700 – 800 kg

Description and characteristics

The Noriker belongs to the medium heavy cold blood breeds and shows an imposing appearance.

Despite its strong build, it appears noble and elegant. Its eyes are friendly and reflect the gentleness of its character.

These horses are often used for logging, but they are also gaining popularity among recreational riders.

If you’re looking for an intrepid, patient recreational partner who stays cool and collected even with more hectic children on their backs, you’ll be in for a real treat with a Noriker.

Since the back of the animals is relatively wide, children should already be a little taller to enable correct assistance.

Of course, there is nothing to be said against guided rides with small children.