If you're looking for yourself and your husband then a draft or draft x might be the right way to go. But, not all drafts are quiet and docile. There are two main types of draft horses in almost all draft breeds - work and hitch. The work horses tend to be shorter, thicker, and quieter. The hitch horses tend to be taller, lighter, and more energetic. Now, this isn't always the case, but it's important to think about when you're looking at drafts.
American Cream Drafts are a slightly different kind of draft horse. They tend to be quiet, sweet, smart, and willing. They're a bit shorter than the common draft breeds around here as they generally range from 15.2 - 16.2 hands. I have a ACD mare that is right around 17h, very tall for a ACD mare. I've seen some stallions and geldings and they've all been smaller and a bit lighter (weight) than her. There's a person whose name I can't remember that has a couple at Oak Crest Farm. They are shown at SMHA (english schooling hunter show) and do very well.
Percherons and shires are generally more able to perform well as riding horses. But, again because there is such a difference in type among the breeds it's so hard to qualify all horses of a particular breed. Shires are harder to find but they're very nice movers and rather intelligent. But, they also have fairly heavy feathers which means you should clip them or keep them clean to prevent skin problems. Percherons are super fun. I have a full percheron stallion and I've ridden many other percherons or percheron crosses. My guy has done eventing and fox hunting. We show (and place!!) in the hunter over fences classes at SMHA. We also place well at licensed dressage shows. And, he's fun on trail rides. Percheron x TB are a popular foxhunting mount.
I don't have much experience at all with Belgian's but the one's I've met have been massive! One gelding that I knew was quite stubborn, but when you got him working he was also very smart. Belgians tend to be tall and wide, but again you'll find plenty that don't fit that mold.
Clydesdales also have feathers (like shires) and you'll have to keep them clipped or clean. Clydes are a very popular cross with thoroughbreds too and tend to be pretty flashy (blaze and socks are common). Clydes are also being crossed with hackneys for a flashy, forward carriage type mount.
Quarter Horses are tons of fun too, but if you were looking to do hunters/dressage/trail I'd stay away from the AQHA people. Now, I bought my QH mare from an AQHA show home, but luckily she was EXTREMELY green and there was very little of the WP (western pleasure) and HUS (hunter under saddle) training from the QH, thank goodness. AppendixQH here on the forum breeds WONDERFUL appendix qhs and could probably point you in the right direction.
Packs kids around safe as can be and very slowly in the arena. Solid trail horse, but get someone on him on the trail that doesn't know what they are doing and he will pretend he is scared! Smart guy!
Sometimes she would even wake me up....
