I went for a trail ride in the Seattle area yesterday as I'm on vacation. The barn had really good reviews and something like fifteen horses all different sizes, shapes, etc to meet everyone's needs. I said I like bigger horses and I just started dressage lessons (I'm five lessons in).
Conan and I communicated like a dream! It's so nice to be able to mount a random horse and have the confidence and ability to ride well again. I had been out of the horse game for about ten years up until the last few months that I've been getting back into it.
Also, check out the awesome Belgian Draft X my boyfriend is on. It was his first time on a horse and he did really well when he figured out how to make trotting.. errr... hurt less. That was a funny question for him to shout to the trail leader.