I'm Curious....

Can draft horses (specificaly (sp?) Suffolk Punches) barrel race? I know that they probably aren't the fastest runners, but surely they can run barrels.

Im sure they could, people have barrel raced Belgians. Though it would probably be weird lol
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They sure don't look very flexible....but I have never owned or ridden one.

I see it every now and again at fun shows and playdates. Cool to watch, and probably a fun ride. I've never seen a Suffolk in the barrel ring, I don't think there are any around me, but I do see Belgians and Perches. I've never seen a draft barrel race at a "competitive" games show or rodeo, though.

Once a tiny little boy, probably 8 years old and 40 lbs. Soaking wet, was running a 17 hand beast of a Belgian through the pattern at a fun show. One of the cutest things I have ever seen enter an arena.

Yep. When I was in 4H I didn't have a quarter horse. Everyone, and I mean every other person had a nice quarter horse- I had my grandpa's old belgian plow mare. I rode her in an Aussie saddle because that was the only saddle that fit her. I did barrels, trail, and some other fun games- rescue race and pole bending were fun for us. She did fine! I got laughed at, probably why I am so not interested in showing NOW, but it was fun at the time.

I would think any horse can do any sport, it's just that certain breeds were built to excel at certain things. I think you'd lose time in the barrel turns but you might be able to make it up in the length of stride on the straight of ways. I'm sure the QH's will probalby be faster but it should be fun!

Yup. I kept tabs on a lovely 18hh percheron gelding I traded for something smaller and he does EVERYTHING. He shows in local english classes, pulls carriages, trail rides, races, and yup, does barrels lol. It's like watching a normal horse...but in slow motion...and well, they don't really do that 'dip' down thing where they go almost sideways but still manage to stay on their feet....I'm pretty sure he'd topple over lol. BUT! He can, and does, do it lol.

I'm sure if I could figure out how to get my 18 hd. Perch cross to turn like he does in the pasture at play, we'd do OK but he isn't the fastest horse around by any means! If you are just doing it for fun, I don't see you couldn't although it probably isn't that good for their legs, all that concussion with all that weight above.