There are great family horse in any breed. Ex lesson horses are great faimily horses because they are willling to put up with just about anything. Most would say a horse of quarter type breeding or stock type horses which include quarter horses, Paint horses, and Appy horses. But there are good horses in all breeds. I have a 30 year old 1/2 arab that is the best horse that I have owned in a long time. So it really just depends on the horse and your family as to which is best suited for the family.