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 Draft questions
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| Posted by | Topic subject: Draft questions |
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wantedcrazychick Member  Posts: 48 |
posted 07-21-2003 01:53 AM
  
I'm thinking about getting a Belgian horse within the next year or two, but I want to make sure this is the right horse for me. I used to event and did decently in dressage by itself, but I was riding Warmbloods and Thoroughs mainly. I had one Belgian that I worked with a couple years ago almost as a rescue since his owner never came to take care of him and the lady who owned my barn was going to sell him for back board, but couldn't since he was five years and almost no training. I fell in love with this horse since he was so smooth when I finally got to ride him (I only got one chance before he got sent away. Darn it anyway) and for as little contact as he got with humans, he was a very sweet tempered animal and pretty patient (he let the lady who owns my barn throw a hat on him and she even rode him in a parade). I would like to get back into dressage again, but not competitively. Mainly, I'd be doing a lot of trail riding, maybe a little jumping, and starting other horses. I want a nice even tempered horse, and I need a bigger one because I'm pretty tall. I would love to get a Belgian if Copper's temper is the norm, but I'm worried about the jumping since their bones are so heavy and I'm wondering how much different their care is from a normal smaller horse. I kow to bed deeper since they're so big, but whatwould the norm be for me to expect concerning health and temper? Thanx ahead for any replies. IP: Logged |
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Bronson Member Posts: 10 |
posted 07-21-2003 04:18 PM
Hello there, I have an 8 year old full Percheron draft that I trail ride and hope to soon hunter pace and other light events. I researched the breed before buying because I was looking for something bomb proof yet gentle (had some recent bad falls), and not high spirited like TBs. He was green to the saddle when I bought him for he was a pulling horse, but he is doing well with me. I believe (and please feel free to do your own research) Percherons are the most athletic of the draft breeds out there. Their ancestry has some Arabian blood, and I think this gives them the spunk that I have seen in most. I haven't started him over jumps yet, but he jumps his toys in the paddock on a windy day, and although he is a big boned animal, he jumps with ease. One last thing to mention because they are larger, they will take longer to get into shape I have found, and I take it a little more lightly than I would with a TB. As for the care, the first thing you will notice is there ferrier price is way higher. I am from MA, and I had a lot of trouble finding a ferrier that would even take a draft on, and I pay 230.00 for a full set...I know that is high, but it is the market here...Other than that double for wormers, and a little extra hay and grain. It is a little harder finding English tack, but there are places out there that make it. Really all in all he is a wonderful horse, who is jet black and 17 hands tall, and learns extremely quickly. The Percheron can be mistaken for a Friesian, but for far less $$. If you would like to see him, you can check out my web address: http://users.erols.com/anthonydara/ Belgians are beautiful too, but I do not know much about their temperament, but from your description of Cooper they sound nice as well. I see drafts are coming up in popularity, and have seen a few at events! Good luck IP: Logged |
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wantedcrazychick Member Posts: 48 |
posted 07-22-2003 01:56 AM
He's adorable! I think I got the right horse, Chef? I've been around and on a few half Percherons, but never a full one. I think Copper and a Clydesdale filly I also helped start are the only full drafts I've ever been around. It's nice because I'm pretty much in an Amish area right now, so there are plenty of farriers who will do a draft, but I'm planning on moving to one of the Carolinas in a year or so and I'm a little worried about finding one there since I'll be more around military bases (Country gal gets closer to the city). Does anyone know of any other draft breeds that are all chestnut colored, but not as huge as Suffolks? I saw one at an event and I'm dying to find out what he was. That's the only info the owner had a chance to give me before he kind of skittered away with her (kind of hyped from cross country and show jumping). Thanks for the reply, I do admire Percherons. Belgians are the easiest to get in my area because that's what the Amish here like to use, but they get sold cheap when they don't work out for plow. we saw a really nice stud go for $900 at auction last year just because he was a stud and very few people that ride in my area will deal with a draft horse or a stallion. He was actually registered and my teach said he had decent lines (something I'm too ditzy to pay attention to). Another thing I just thought about is the hooves... Copper had awful feet (I thought it was his owner's fault, and it had to be at least partially) and a lot of the Belgians I see seem to have one problem or another. I'm a serious "no hoof, no horse" believer (navicular nightmare). Is this the norm or am I just around a bunch of dumbies who aren't dealing properly with their horses' feet? They all seem very dry and seem to crack or throw shoes easily. I'm sorry if I seem a little ditzy, I've been out of the horse scene for a while and am determined to get back in it without going my parents' route (gaited! If it doesn't trot, I don't want it  !).IP: Logged |
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Bronson Member Posts: 10 |
posted 07-22-2003 03:50 PM
Thanks for the kind words, yes Chef is my big draft. I wish I knew more to tell you about other drafts, but I only know the Belgians, Clydes, and Perch's. I think you would be doing any horse a hugh favor by buying them off when they don't work out for plowing, b/c sadly I think we know where they end up if not...The only other comment I wanted to make was about their hooves; I have to keep shoes on them all year around, b/c they are brittle. I shoe every 8 weeks, and use treatment oils to keep them in shape, but still they can get brittle. I have heard due to the weight of these animals they tend to have bad hooves. Also one last thing, maybe if you don't get any luck in finding out more drafts breeds you could browse http://www.dreamhorse.com/ and select the draft category? It is a great site, that I am on way too much these days...lol.
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shahin New Member  Posts: 1 |
posted 07-27-2003 07:16 PM
We have Percherons, Belgian Draft/Arabian cross, anglo-arabian, TB, arabians here. My father has a team of belgians that we ride and drive. We have three Percherons, one we just ride. All the horses a good horses and all have their own personality. We show at rated and unrated hunter jumper shows and araian shows. This year we are starting to show at draft shows. I would recommend any breed of horse if the horse has what you are looking for. Thank-you, dlc IP: Logged |
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