Draft Question

Plus Misssmarie...when you show up with a draft.....you should see the people's faces....you really stand out!

The three types of horses you are asking about are completely different for so many reasons. You need to research the breeds.

Trust me, I know they're completely different - that's kinda why. I love the differences and all that and how they are al different
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Well it sounds like you are doing the right thing by looking in to each breed. Research, research, research. :)

Yeah! I'm really loving the shire idea lol, like first choice
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Like radically different. And differences in the individuals, especially with mustangs that have a super mixed heritage and QH which are so specialized with in the breed, Certain bloodlines will get you a 17-18hh hus/jumper/dressage, some a 14hh quick and tempermental cow or reining horse, some a 15 tank that can pull a cow across the arena, or some a even tempered begginer horse. I guess generally:

Mustang: multiple types, from drafty to qh type. Generally hardy, sound, sure footed, very smart and in tune with their surroundings and rider.

QH: many, many types, lots of shows, very common. If you want anything from a speed demon to a begginers horse, very short to very tall, fine boned to extremely stocky, you can find it under this registry.

Shire: extra care for feet and feathers, generally cost more to trim, shoe, feed, etc. Quiet, most are virtually bomb proof, stand out in a crowd. If you are looking for a very large, not particularly fast trail horse, draft is the way to go. Need specific tack and trailer.

I grew up with draft horses. I tried to own lighter breeds; QH, Arabs, TB... and just wasn't right for ME. I was so use to a big love bug that was easy going and easy to work with, but had an amazing work drive and endless stamina for work, that a little 15.2h prissy pony that didnt want to get her hooves dirty and was stubburn, didnmt cut it for me... I'm back to my drafts with no turning back.
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I am somewhat of an oddity....I have draft horses AND light horses, specifically Quarter Horses. I do want to point out, it is not very common to find a papered 18H QH, in fact, I can't think of one that I know of and I've have been involved with QH most of my life. That height is also frowned upon as well and not many, if any breeders, will breed for that height.

Shires are a draft breed that some breeders are trying to keep alive. Their numbers are still listed on the critical list and I believe in the UK they are on the rare breed survival trust as well. Some serious breeders here in the USA have imported new blood and are serious about bringing the numbers back, which I hope they continue to do, they are wonderful creatures and I love their demeanor as well.

http://www.shirehorse.org

http://www.canadianshirehorse.com

http://www.shire-horse.org.uk

The above are some great web sites to check out. Personally, if this is your first horse, you may want to go with a smaller one at first, then gain some knowledge and go from there. I know that there is a Shire group in CA as they were in the Rose Bowl Parade, you may want to see if you can't find them and talk to them first. A draft is an awesome adventure but in the end, they aren't for everyone and they can be daunting once fully grown.

So, here's what I'm thinking. Im thinking I'll go with a nice QH to get me through college, and in 4 years when I'm buying a house (and have my degree) I'll get me a shire too. And I'll stalk this forum and ask more questions and learn more about drafts so I'm more prepared
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I am another that has a wide range of breeds. I have several QHs around, one is speed bred, several are cow bred, one is pleasure bred. I have 2 full drafts (one Percheron and one Belgian), 2 half draft youngsters (coming 3 year old BelgianxQH, coming 2 year old Percheronxpaint), and 1 mustang.

Much like bluespark said, what you get in a QH will greatly depend on what lines you look into. My pleasure bred horse won't look twice at a cow, my cow bred horses will jump out from under you if one tries to get past, and my running bred horse will try to coax the cow into a foot race LOL.

My mustang (I used to have 2) is one of the best horses I've ever had, but it was a very long and difficult road to get him there. Absolutely nothing came naturally to him and he has always had some odd quirks that I've never seen in a domestic bred horse. Everything I wanted him to do, I had to teach him how to do it from start to finish. It took me dang near a year of fairly consistent training to get him to where he would watch a cow a little bit. He's still not very good at it, but at least he tries.

The drafts are mostly used as a driven team. For the short while I rode the percheron, it was strictly for the novelty of it, just so I could say that I had ridden something that was 18hh and 2000 pounds.

The Belgian cross is destined to be my next saddle horse but he'll have his own set of challenges. He is going to end up quite a bit bigger and heavier than I was hoping for so he'll never be much of a cow horse, and I'll likely have difficulty getting on/off on the trails to open and close gates. Some of the places we ride are heavily treed, so I will have a harder time finding a path through there.

BUT, as far as natural ability goes, he's not any worse off than my mustang, just a little over 2 hands taller LOL. He'll make a good horse by the time I'm through with him and if he has half the heart I think he will, he'll be able to drag just about anything I put a rope on.

I have a shire breeder in Paso Robles, CA. He is absolutely awesome and his horses are top notch. He sells to Disney etc. and is the best of the best. He cares about those animals like crazy and they are spoiled rotten and trained very well. Here is a picture of one of his Grand Champion stallions from last fall and his website as well.....

Huska Millenium Acres - Shire horse breeders in California