Riding a big draft is like riding a dinner table. But they are sweet dinner tables.

Am I a beginner rider? No.
Am I still watching this? Yes.

Also the 20% weight rule for riders applies so some light breeds may be too small for some riders.

Total beginner and first horse was a five year old Thoroughbred. A big, beautiful, long legged Thoroughbred. She became my best friend and we really bonded. Rode her using a dressage saddle. The two of us would go alone way up into the mountains of Colorado. I had virtually no problems with her. She was gorgeous and sweet. I spent a lot of ground time with her, and would see her at least six days a week. But we started out really slow, just walking on the leads rope for many months. It was a gradual process, but it all worked out.

150% agree that the Clydesdale and quite frankly, draft horses in general are NOT a good idea for beginners/first time horse owners.  The amount of knowledge, care, facilities, feed, tack etc is overwhelming for sure but what I particularly hate hearing is "Oh, it's just a gentle giant" thinking they are not spooky, won't misbehave etc.  A draft horse is still a horse and will spook, will buck, will rear, will kick, will bite, will do all the things a light horse would do but 10x worse if allowed.  They really require an experienced person to bring out the best of them (they are wonderful animals, don't get me wrong) and in inexperienced hands, can absolutely ruin them and create a monster that nobody wants to handle.  I've had and raised Clydes, Shires and Drum horses and love them beyond any other breed I've ever owned but have seen so many ruined by wrong handling, it breaks my heart.  Oh and scratches in a feathered horse is a nightmare!!

My very best trail horse was an Polish Arabian mare. Nothing spooked her and she would go everywhere you wanted her to. Bareback, English, Western, saddle didn't matter. A doll to handle and work with.

My fist horse was an Arabian mare and she was the sweetest most gentle teacher a young girl could learn to ride on.

53 year old first time horse owner here.  I didn’t know anything about keeping horses. I knew I had land, water and hay near by so I could take in a horse.  My first horse was a 25year old blind in one eye OTTB. My second horse is a 25 year old TB and let me tell you both of them are as sweet as can be and I would recommend TBs to anyone.

My first horse was a 5 year old green broke Arabian mare. She was the best teacher. I loved her for 28 years. They teach you to be aware of your energy and your body and your emotions. I think the best horse for a beginner is one whose personality and energy suits your own. That can come in many different packages. Most important thing is to have regular, accessible, knowledgeable guidance from someone who is not a beginner, a good vet, and a good farrier.

My first horse was an Arabian. I was almost ready to give her back when I learned about relationship training. It made all the difference in the world.

I would also add is the height of the horse, you’ll eventually will fall off the horse and the greater the distance the harder the fall.  I’ve been riding a long time and now at the age of 70 the horses I’ve been buying are short in height and well trained.  As a side note my first horse was a young Polish Arabian and he was the best horse that I’ve ever owned, once I trained him we were able to do everything;  endurance racing, long trail rides that included overnight camping, cattle driving etc. etc.etc…

I've always loved Arabians. I bottle raised (well, I used a turkey baster) a well bred orphaned arabian colt. Kept him a stud. Had him 27 years. Did church carnivals and birthday parties with him (and 3 of my 4 Arabian mares). NEVER any problems. Anyone could ride him,  worm him, load him, trim him, etc. Vet floated his teeth a few times with no sedation. Used to ride him bareback w/ a halter & lead rope (or just some baling twine) around the mares, along the Interstate and everything. Never nippy or pushy with people. Loved that horse!

Am I a beginner: nah
Am I still watching this because it’s about horses: yeah

I own a Kentucky Mountain gaited horse.  The sweetest personality, and beginner safe.  I can't believe any beginner would shy away from a gaitedr horse.  I have owned a number of horses and wish I had started out with a gaited one.

We have a Gypsy Vanner at the barn where I volunteer and he's retired. He has so much trouble with his feet, and his ankles are actually arthritic, which compounds his misery. He's a stunner - handsome old fella, and usually mild mannered, but the poor soul is in retirement now because he can't be ridden and the staff at the barn spend a lot of time -- and $$$ -- keeping him healthy. So yeah, while I love this breed, and I've ridden him - and he's smooth as butter to ride -- in the long run, it's a lot of horse which translates into a lot of $$$ on his care.

I found my OTTB the day after he came off the track, and he was the best beginner horse ever. Yes, we did have him evaluated by an experienced trainer before purchasing him. Most of the horses at my Hunter barn were OTTBs, and all were reasonably easy to ride and deal with on the ground. Work with a good trainer, and you will end up with a wonderful partner. There are also OTTB rescues that will help to find your perfect match.

I lease a gorgeous American Spotted Draft horse and do Western Dressage.  She’s a gentle giant but still has a lot of pep and personality.  Great for me as a 68 year old woman!

The only horse I owned was a Paso Fino. She was 18 when I got her,  when I was in 8th grade, but Mariah rode like she was much younger. I got her name from the Kingston Trio song, "They Call The Wind Mariah."  When I was a kid there were two Arabians I loved to ride and neither of them ever gave me problems.

As a kid I would go over to my grandparents friends house. She had Arabians and her husband had a draft cross as he was in the mounted police. I was never allowed to ride the Arabians but could ride the draft. Restarted riding as an adult and have two OTTBs, agreed they aren't the best for beginners. They are making me be a horse trainer and I'm constantly learning because of them. Would probably be a lot farther along in my riding but I wouldn't trade them foe the world.

My dad bless him decided to join me and my sister riding. We had our own ponies but for the ride dad borrowed Samson a Clydesdale with a lovely temperament.
Normally you could barely get him to trot he just wandered along. However we were riding with his stable mate an ex racer. When his stable mate took off for a gallop Samson decided to join in and there was nothing my dad could do. He said it was the most terrifying experience of his life( he was ex military) and he never rode again .