I've seen friends switch breed favorites over the years, usually because as they've changed how and where they ride, their horse needs have changed. My favorite currently is my Fox Trotter, but I also love the steadiness of our Haflinger who has taught my husband to ride. We love to drive him as well.

Well, I am limited by my bad back as to what type of horse I can ride. I stick with gaited, that way I don't end up flat on my back for a day and a half afterwards,lol. I ride Rocky/Kentucky Mountain horses but I haven't ridden a huge amount of other gaited breeds. The one Walker I rode was a giant lazy goofball that was terrified of every bird that flew through his air space so wasn't the greatest ride, but he did have a nice smooth gait. I think my favorite ride so far has been a Spotted Saddle Horse mare named Pepper. I've been told that most SSH are similar in that they are very animated, but not TOO much. They have a gorgeous ground covering gait and are full of go go go. My geldings mother was a gaited Morgan and an awesome trail horse, I would definitely go that route again. I guess I am just an advocate for gaited breeds in general,lol. Gotta love the glide ride!

Good for you. Try a well trained Fox Trotter sometime. Mine has lots of go, glide and gumption.

I'd heard that about MFT, but they're not very common around here at all. Mostly Rockys and Walkers w/a few Pasos in the mix.

love hearing about all the different breeds you guys have over there. most of these I havent heard of before. so head off to good old google to look them up

Lol, I'm sure you have a few we've never heard of before either! I'd heard there aren't really any gaited horses in Australia, is that true or just scuttlbutt? If you have any questions about Rockys I'd be happy to answer.

I am glad somewhere in here the Morgans were mentioned. Well, not these goofy highstepping show horses. I am talking about what we call "Western Working Morgans".

They are kind of unique. Not only do they go back 200 some years but they make great allround horses. They make great work or trail horses (they go forever), but they are also used for English, hunter/jumper or driving.

A rancher friend of mine bought one of my mares - and he could not believe how smooth she was and how much country she could cover in a day.

Visit Pine Creek Ranch Morgan Horses

Check out the "Stallion" for a real typy Morgan horse.

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Gaited horses are cool fo trail rides and smooth rides. My uncle rides a big Tennesse Walker and its all my QH/paint can do to keep up with his walk on the trail. Out in the open though, the walker cant come close to catching my boy (i guess its kind of hard to rack and gallop at the same time) :P

But for an all-arounder it really is hard to beat the American Quarter Horse. Mine has sucessfully competed in just about every aspect of showing (except driving) from preformance Halter to show jumping, has done entry level dressage and cross-country courses and now we are learning to team rope. (can you tell his mom gets bored easily?) The only thing i have ever asked him to do that he didn't like was run barrells.

On top of all this he earns his grain as the stable of my lesson program.

I have never seen a working morgan and would be very interested to ride on and check them out.

Never seen a working Morgan - never rode one? You are missing out!

I am sure biased, but be careful - they are addictive. Check at least some pictures at my site.

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Oh you do have some cute morgans on your site! I have never ridden one!