Horse breeds / Georgian Grande Horse
Photo: Michael Miley · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Horse breed
Georgian Grande Horse
The Georgian Grande Horse was developed in the United States, in Georgia, during the 1970s and 1980s. It was bred from Tennessee Walking Horse, American Saddlebred and other gaited and show lines, with the goal of producing a tall, elegant, smooth-gaited mount for pleasure riding and show. The breed was shaped by people who wanted a comfortable horse for long hours in the saddle.
Georgian Grande Horses are known for a calm, people-focused temperament and a smooth, flashy gait that can be ridden at a walk, trot or a gaited pace, depending on the individual. Many are willing and easy to handle, which makes them a practical choice for riders who want a comfortable horse on the trail or in the show ring. Because they are tall, they suit adult riders more than very small ones.
Day to day, they need regular turnout, steady exercise and plenty of human contact. They do best when they have a job and a routine, and they can become bored or restless when left idle in a stall for long periods.
Good for: Trail riders, pleasure riders, adult riders
| Size | medium |
| Weight | 992–1213 lb |
| Height | 60–64 in |
| Life span | 25–30 years |
| Exercise | about 45 min a day |
| Shedding | moderate |
| Origin | United States |
Plan on daily exercise and careful feeding, since these horses can gain weight easily when they are less active.
Living with a Georgian Grande Horse
Exercise
Most Georgian Grande Horses need several hours of turnout and about 30 to 60 minutes of ridden or in-hand work most days. Too little exercise can lead to weight gain, boredom and behavioral problems such as pushiness or fussiness under saddle.
Grooming
Their coat is short and sleek in summer and grows thicker in winter. Mane and tail are typically kept brushed and trimmed to the owner's preference. Regular hoof care with a farrier every six to eight weeks is standard, and many owners clip in winter if the horse is worked hard.
At home
Georgian Grande Horses do well with daily turnout in a pasture or paddock, which supports both their movement and their mental health. They are generally hardy and can handle a range of climates with proper shelter. They tend to get along in a small herd, though they can also be kept with a companion horse or pony. Most are moderate keepers, but their feed should be adjusted to body condition, since rich pasture can cause weight gain.
Training
Georgian Grande Horses are generally quick to learn and eager to please, and many adapt well to trail, pleasure, show and dressage-style work. Their smooth gait makes them especially popular for trail and pleasure riding. A green horse of this breed will usually need patient, consistent groundwork and steady riding before it is comfortable with varied terrain and new situations.
Health
Like many tall, heavier-boned riding breeds, Georgian Grande Horses can be prone to hoof and joint concerns and to weight-related conditions if overfed. Ask your veterinarian about routine care, body condition management and any issues that appear in your horse's bloodlines.
- Laminitis
- Metabolic issues
- Hoof problems
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a Georgian Grande Horse
Forage and water, adult
17–28 lb of hay a day
Forage at 1.5–2.5% of body weight at 992–1213 lb, and 10–18 gallons of water, more in heat and on hay alone. Grain only for the work being done.
What a year costs
$3,150–$5,350
Hay about $1,971, plus farrier every 6–8 weeks, routine vet, dental and dewormer. Board, lessons and showing on top; US averages.
Weather
Watch above 80°F, stop at 90°F
Blanket or shelter below 10°F. Horses mind heat more than cold: with shelter and water most are fine to about 10°F unclipped, and above a heat index of 150 (air °F + humidity %) ride early or not at all.
Where a Georgian Grande Horse is comfortable
Easy most of the year: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Summer needs care (early rides, shade, fans): Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah.
Winter needs care (blanket, shelter, water that is not frozen): North Dakota.
From typical July highs and January lows by state and this breed's heat and cold limits. Shade, shelter and water change everything; this is about turnout and work.
Right now
Latest feed recalls
Multiple Brand Names: Chicken Feed, Swine Feed, Cattle Feed, Horse Feed
ADM Animal Nutrition · Apr 1 · Specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine.
Rescue a Georgian Grande Horse
Shelters and breed rescues list Georgian Grande Horses and Georgian Grande Horse mixes every week. Search adoptable Georgian Grande Horses on Petfinder → New to the breed? The first-horse kit →
Is a Georgian Grande Horse right for you?
- Yes if you want a smooth, comfortable ride for long trail hours
- Yes if you have a calm, consistent routine for daily work
- Yes if you enjoy pleasure or show classes with a tall horse
- Think twice if you are a very small or inexperienced rider needing a short horse
- Think twice if you cannot provide regular turnout and exercise
Questions owners ask
Is the Georgian Grande Horse good for beginners?
Many are calm and willing, so they can suit confident beginners. Their height and sensitivity to training mean an experienced instructor or trainer is still a good idea for first-time owners.
How much does a Georgian Grande Horse cost?
Prices vary widely with training, bloodlines and show record. Get quotes from reputable breeders and factor in ongoing costs such as feed, farrier, vet care and board.
How tall do Georgian Grande Horses get?
Adults typically stand about 152 to 163 centimeters at the withers, roughly 15 to 16 hands, though individual horses can vary.
How long do Georgian Grande Horses live?
With good care, many live into their mid-twenties to around thirty years, depending on health, feeding and overall management.
Are Georgian Grande Horses easy keepers?
Many are moderate to easy keepers, so feed should be adjusted to body condition, particularly if they have access to rich pasture.
Similar breeds
Written by Hoofdeck editors · updated Nov 13, 2026 · facts from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons; health notes are general veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis.