When taking over a ranch, owners need to consider the horses they are bringing on to help them her their cattle. Not all horses are created equal, and some horses, called “Stock horses,” naturally do better in these environments than others. Picking the right breed for your ranch is essential, so read on to find out which horse breeds to consider when making your decision.

American Quarter Horse

Stock horses need to be strong and quick, which are two characteristics of the American Quarter Horse. These horses have calm personalities, and they are very cooperative with their owners. These traits make the American Quarter Horse a perfect option, regardless of your skill level with horses. When using one of these horses to round up cattle, you will feel like you are working with a partner.

Paint Horse

One breed of horse with great agility is the Paint Horse. Although they are well-known for being a competition breed, the Paint Horse can use similar skills to rein in a herd and keep them under control. Similarly to the American Quarter Horse, the Paint Horse is also a calm and cooperative breed, which makes riding easy.

Morgan

One trait ranch owners should look carefully for is endurance. Horses that can endure long and difficult rides will do best in a ranch setting, as horses with low stamina will not always be effective at controlling cattle. The Morgan Horse is one breed that is widely regarded as having great endurance. These horses also have a great personality, and some owners even see their humorous side come out after some time together. With a Morgan Horse, you can expect a pleasant demeanor and a willingness to make their owners happy.

Mustang

Mustangs are often thought of as wild and unruly horses. Initially, that is often the case. However, over time, Mustangs can be tamed and made into some great work horses. As they are a little rough around the edges, they are able to handle harder work than many horses. However, inexperienced horses owners should beware, as Mustangs are an independent breed and they will not always listen. Every Mustang is uniquely different, though, so while one may be hot-headed, another may be amicable.

While many horse breeds would be sufficient in a ranch setting, some are truly more adept at wrangling cattle than others. Make sure to choose the horse breeds that best support your ranch’s needs.