11 Traits To Look For When Choosing A Trick Riding Horse

If you’ve ever been to the circus, a horse expo, or your local rodeo, you might have seen trick riding on display. Trick riding is the equestrian discipline and art of performing stunts atop a fast-moving horse. It is a different sport than vaulting, although they are quite similar. There are many different types of stunts — such as the suicide drag, tail drag, and side backbend — to experience during a performance. When it comes to choosing a trick riding horse, there are a handful of traits to look for that help you excel in this unique equestrian discipline.

The Best Horse Breeds To Use for Trick Riding

Trick riding is a dangerous sport that requires a strong bond between horse and rider. That’s why you see friendly, good-natured breeds like the Quarter Horse, Paint, and Arabian chosen for trick riding.

Not only that, the horse you choose needs to be physically capable of holding the weight of a balancing rider. Plus, they need to keep forward movement despite what’s happening around (or on top of) them. Draft breeds like Percherons and Andalusians are popular for this reason.

What specific traits do all of these breeds have in common that make them great to use for the sport of trick riding? Let’s find out.

1. Strong Build

For trick riding stunts to be successful, the riders need a strong, capable horse beneath them. Draft breeds are a popular choice for the sport because of their strength and sturdy build.

2. Even Gaits

Gaited horses and breeds that excel in the dressage ring are a popular choice for trick riding because of their steady movements. A well-balanced horse that keeps an even pace can make the stunts easier for the rider to perform.

3. Calm Temperament

The most common places you see trick riding is at the circus or a rodeo. These are both stimulating and overwhelming environments, especially for an animal. That’s why Quarter Horses are so loved in this sport! Traits like a calm attitude and bomb-proof nature make them excellent to use for trick riding.

4. Willingness To Please

At the top level of all equestrian disciplines, the best horses have athleticism and talent but they are also willing to please. Trick riding is no exception! Percherons are popular trick riding horses for traits like trainability, dependability, and a desire to do well for their rider.

5. Intelligence

If you need a horse that is flashy, muscular, and sweet-natured, choose a Paint. These traits make for a wonderful trick riding horse! Plus, they are highly intelligent. A horse competing in this sport needs to have a good brain because of how dangerous the stunts can be. You want the horse you choose to be able to think on their hooves and keep you safe.

6. Trainability

Training a horse to stay calm and steady while a rider performs dangerous stunts on their back is no easy feat! That’s why it helps to choose an easily trainable horse breed, like the Appaloosa, for trick riding.

7. Eagerness to Perform

As a performance horse, Arabians are naturals in competition. They are eager to put on a show and please their riders. Plus, their strength and stamina help them keep up during the many hours of practice required for the sport. These traits are what make them such popular trick riding horses!

8. Dependability

Dependability is a necessary trait for trick riding horses to have. While riders perform dangerous stunts as safely as possible, they don’t also need to worry about whether their horse will spook and send them flying (when they don’t intend it). Gaited breeds, like Tennessee Walking Horses, are a popular choice for the sport because of this.

9. Stamina

Stamina is an important trait for horses in any discipline, but especially in trick riding. There’s a lot of practice required, so the horses that do well have enough endurance to keep up. Thoroughbreds are a popular horse breed for trick riding for this reason.

10. Athleticism

Another key trait of a good trick riding horse is being quick on their hooves. While the rider is performing stunts, the horse needs to have enough sense to know where they’re going (and then get there). Many horse breeds have this trait, such as Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas.

11. Boldness

Trick riding is a risky discipline, just like eventing and endurance racing. You have to have edge and gumption to make it in this unique equestrian sport. The horse you choose does too! Find one with confidence and you’ll make it far as a trick rider.

Summary of the Top 11 Trick Riding Horse Traits

To successfully compete in such a dangerous sport, you want to look for certain traits in a trick riding horse. Let’s recap the top 11 traits!