Hot or Cold: Which Temperament is Best for You?

When purchasing a horse or choosing one to ride, we tend to be smitten by a horse’s appearance and abilities. Unfortunately, we often neglect to consider the horse’s basic temperament. If that doesn’t complement our own riding capabilities and comfort levels, riding may become a chore. Here’s how to decide which type of horse is best for you.

A hot horse is one that is keenly aware of his environment, making him a little spooky out on the trails or tense amongst a group of other horses. If you’re a rider looking for a leisurely ride, a hot horse is probably not for you. Ditto if you’re a novice rider. Since a hot horse is very responsive to his rider, if your heel accidentally bumps against his side, you’re likely to get a response. Hence, a hot horse quickly becomes frustrated with a rider who asks for one thing but actually wants something else. Conversely, an experienced rider who wants a ready-set-go type of performer yearns for a horse that’s alert and responsive. Barrel racers, jumpers and endurance horses all have a tendency to be on the hot side.

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At the other extreme of the temperament spectrum is the cold horse. Sure, they’re a little lazy at times, but there’s something to be said for a horse that enjoys life at a slower pace. Colder horses are perfect for equestrians who view riding as a hobby. Novices enjoy colder horses because, since they’re less in a hurry to respond, they’re more forgiving of miscalculated cues. If a cold-blooded horse is frisky at a show, it’s easy to settle them down with a few minutes on the longe line or under saddle. They tend to reconsider whether it’s worth the effort to break a sweat. Moreover, if you’re nervous during competition, the cold horse is less likely to react to your emotions.

Riding should be a rewarding, pleasant experience. Choose the horse whose temperament thermostat is set just for you.

The author is a longtime hunt-seat competitor.

22 years ago

Cindy Hale

Cindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Hunters and hunt seat equitation came next, and she spent decades competing in those divisions on the West Coast. Always seeking to improve her horsemanship, she rode in clinics conducted by world-class riders like George Morris, Kathy Kusner and Anne Kursinski. During that time, her family began raising Thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses, and Cindy experienced the thrills and challenges of training and showing the homebred greenies. Now retired from active competition, she’s a popular judge at local and county-rated open and hunter/jumper shows. She rides recreationally both English and western. Her Paint gelding, Wally, lives at home with her and her non-horsey husband, Ron.

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View Comments

Cj says:
January 11, 2007 at 3:51 pm
It's great advice!!!
Sarah says:
January 15, 2007 at 5:08 pm
this is a good article. i will consider it once i am able to buy a horse or two (or more!) and for it's board.
Taylor says:
January 16, 2007 at 5:43 pm
My name is Taylor and i have a mare who is 23 but acts like she is 9. She is very alert but i can show on her yet in a barrel or pole run i can't hold her back or she rears! now i am looking for a slower 2D barrel horse for High school rodeo and don't know what i should be i can handle a three year old crazy horse or a horse that should be push to go to a 1D barrel run i don't know what to do.
Emma says:
February 15, 2007 at 6:47 am
I agreed with this article i think it is good to know what type of horse you are looking for but there are horses with in between temperments and they should not be forgetton..My horse for instance can be the lazziest thing at a show but at home he is ready to run his heart out
Eden says:
March 3, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Good article.
Sounds like I'd need a pretty 'cool' horse as a beginner rider.
I need a sturdy mount who will put up with me while I learn.
Kristina says:
March 8, 2007 at 7:38 am
I thought the article was very helpful since I am currently looking for a horse, and i'm obviousley no t the best rider in the world.
Denise says:
March 9, 2007 at 3:55 am
I prefer a horse that is laid back and not too hot.I just purchased a spotted saddle horse mare a week ago , her temperment so far seems calm.I have not ridden her since i brought her home....the weather has been cold and snow!I think spotted saddle horses tend to be in the colder temperment.
NICOLE says:
March 9, 2007 at 1:16 pm
The article was very good. the temp i picked was cold
Laurel says:
March 14, 2007 at 3:40 pm
My horse is a really wild, high spirted mare. My riding instructor says that a hot blooded horse is better for me, because I'm an expeirenced rider. So I really like hot blooded horses better.
Bridget says:
April 18, 2007 at 6:57 am
I think temperment is a very important thing to look for when buying a horse. My pony came up with a bowed tendon two years ago in the middle of show season and I didn't have a horse to show and finish the season. So my trainer, being the nice lady that she is, let me show her GORGOUS westphalian mare and I loved her!! But she kept coming up lame so my trainer said, no more! She then put me on her other horse, Abe. Does Abe sound like a 'hot horse' to you? Nope, he was dead to the world and I absolutly hated to ride him. I just couldn't get him to put any effort into anything and smacking him with a crop before every jump will not earn you any ribbons. We didn't do so hot in those classes. So now I have a very hot horse (he's a OTTB) andI love it. Ya, he's a pain in the butt sometimes but aren't all horses? So ya, I guess I like hot horses (my pony is also very hot!)