Considering a draft...

Hello, everyone! I'm new here, and I'm impressed with all of the great info here at the site. I am considering adopting a rescue percheron, and "Starlight's" thread was very helpful. I've been very busy researching and picking the brains of every horse owner I know to make sure that I can provide a good home for a draft. The percheron I have in mind has had dressage training, and I'm hoping to continue with that. Any advice or comments would be welcomed. I've already learned from other posts here at the site, but I thought I'd just post and introduce myself and just say HI! to y'all!

Welcome!! I have a perch cross, a PMU rescue, love him soooo much! He's basically just a very big horse, eats the same as my other two horses, only more!!

How big is the gelding you're looking at?

Thanks, danastark! I've already read many of your posts here at the site, and looked at pic's of your great horses. The Percheron I'm looking to adopt is a gelding (you're psychic!...how did you know? ); he's a tad over 18hh, about 13 years old.

BTW...I don't know about how other people who've adopted horses feel, but I think I'm starting to feel the same way as people who are adopting a human baby. They say that after they see the pictures of the baby, they start to feel like the child is theirs. even before they see the baby in person. I've been having similar feelings, and I am really fond of this horse already, before I've even met him. But I really want to make sure that I don't get carried away with this sort of thing, and that I make sure that I am capable of providing this horse with the right forever home. So that's one of the reasons that I've come to this site; to obtain good info and advice from those people who are "in the know"!

Ok, well, that's a big boy! If you plan on taking him places, you are going to need a bigger trailer. That's an issue I'm dealing with right now. My gelding outgrew my standard sized 3 horse slant. When I haul him, I can only take 2 horses 'cause he takes up 2 stalls to fit, lengthwise.

You might check with your farrier or whomever you might use and see if they will do a draft because some farriers will downright refuse-too hard on their backs, etc.

I have owned a Shire-TB X mare for ten years and she is an amazing horse. A bit more athletic and lighter than a full draft but for the most part more sensible than a TB. She jumps, does dressage competently up to second-third level-ish, trail rides, has been not unsuccessful at pony club game faffing stuff, has learned bow and Spanish walk, and really, is only limited by my training skills.

I started a Clyde X gelding a couple years ago and he was one of the easiest youngsters I have ever worked with. Very willing and eager and nothing phased him.

I'd totally recommend a draft or draft X. :)

Yep, Dana, he's a biggy! Those who have known him describe him as a gentle giant, yet "can be pushy and "cantankerous at times", but not mean.

A pal of mine thinks her large, multi-horse trailer will accommodate this horse, but she is measuring again to make certain. I'm told that he is well behaved for the farrier. There are scads of farriers around here, but I have also heard that some will not work on drafts.

Wow, thesilverspear! You sure give us potential draft owners something to aim for. I have a long way to go before I can train a horse that well! Congratulations on the great job you've done with your horses!

I have 2 Belgians that I wouldn't take any amount of money for. My old guy is retired now just pasture patrol, he's earned it. He's only 16.2 hds
Now my 5 yr old 18.2 hd would like to be retired, but I won't let him. He's lazy and large, so I have to out think him (and he's pretty smart)
Only thing I would like to bring up is, 18 hands needs at least a 7 ft trailer. Tack is more, usually you have to order online. I paid 50.00 for my halter, of course it's a breakaway and adjustable nose. Farrier are usually at least double a light horse if they will even do it. I try and trim my guys between 4-5 weeks, because 1/4" with that much weight on it causes splits where a lighter horse can go 6-8 weeks.
My feed isn't to bad, my guys are out 24-7 on grass. My guy wouldn't fit well, in a regular size stall, if I stalled them.
I say go for it, you won't regret it.

Thanks, waterbuggies! Belgians are grrrreat! The first drafts that I was exposed to as a child were Belgians, and I loved them.

I have checked out several places where I can board a horse. They all have pasture, and are able to provide larger stalls for drafts if needed, which is great...if a tad pricey. Most seem to charge a little more for a draft. Some ask the draft owner to sign an agreement that states that the owner will pay for any excessive damage that the draft might cause. Some charge more for food. Sometimes I really wish I owned my own ranch!

I've been warned that most farriers charge more for a draft, and that tack costs more, and custom fitted tack will cost even more. And I've heard that it costs more to rent a larger horse trailer, if needed. Augh!

It seems that generally speaking, that most aspects of owning a draft (as a pleasure horse) tend to be a tad more expensive than owning a light horse? At least for someone like me who doesn't have a ranch, a truck, a trailer...

Don't be frightened of a Percheron - they are just big.
Most strains are also gentle.
When crossed with warmbloods or Tbs they make good hunters.

When you make your choice of animal, check the temperament.
A good BigP is calm, placid and very strong.

But you'll need extra wide and large of everything.

Barry G

PS They don't barrel race