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What are The Best Drafts for a Returning Rider

3K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  sshipper 
#1 ·
Hello Everyone,

I have returned after not riding for 30 years and am having a ball on beautiful draft horse. I am still timid, and this horse is slowly restoring my confidence.

She is patient, calm, and highly responsive and seems to know when I am confused and sorts it out. I am really enjoying bareback riding and hope to do more. My dilemma....she is owned and of course they never want to sell her...can't blame them.

Idea are welcomed on the right kind of draft to look for.
 
#3 ·
A Belgium

Hi,

Thanks for the note. Ms. Molly is a Belgium rescue and a real doll of a horse. I occasionally even look like I know how to ride on her (she's good enough to cover my clumsiness and mixed signals!) I want to think there is anothe Molly out there....with someone looking for the right home.

Enjoying barebacking and the sitting trot. I rode English as as a child...but am hooked on the western approach now.

Steff
What kind of draft is the horse you are currently riding? I like shires, Norikers and Clydesdales.
 
#4 ·
A lot of Draft horses have a relax/easy going personality and will be great for you. If you really like this horse you should look into other Belgians, and secondly I would vote you look into Percherons ( I feel these horses are most similar to each other but other might not agree ) or even crosses of the breeds.
I saw a very nice looking Belgian X Morgan once, and I have a Shire X Arabian mare who is the bomb.
 
#5 ·
What breed of horse is less important then the level of training that horse has. You need to look for a beginner friendly horse. One that is push button, not spooky and tolerant of the beginner rider. They are out there.

Are you looking at a draft simply because you are riding one now? Not trying to talk you out of a draft as they are truly lovely horses, just want to know what you are thinking there. I would suggest you visit some of the stables in your area, talk to the trainers and see if they know of any good options in the way of beginner friendly horses.

Also, what type of riding do you want to do from now on? Show, trail, dressage, western? You will of course keep that in mind when looking for a horse. You can have a beginner friendly horse that will be of a quality to show or is good on trails etc... Best advice I can give... take your time and make sure you get the right horse.
 
#7 ·
I agree that each person will have their own opinions on which breed is best. I have a Percheron and a Belgian and a cross from each. My Percheron and my Percheron x Paint are both much higher energy than my other 2. Both my Belgian and my Belgian x QH are extremely mellow and just take things as they come along without raising a fuss.

I think the biggest problem you'll likely find will be finding an affordable draft that is saddle-trained to your experience level. Since they aren't as common as other breeds under saddle, finding a good one will likely be fairly expensive.
 
#8 ·
The saddles are really coming down though. I found a beautiful aussie one on eBay for $325. I ended up selling it because I was always just riding bareback!

I would say the Perch's are a bit hotter than the others - but that's just personal opinion and not really applicable to my gumby pony! He does get excited at dinner though!
 
#9 ·
You don't state where you are but as stated, it's pretty rare to find a draft for sale that is broke to ride. Yeah, you can sit on them and they'll pack you around at a WT but that's about it. In the same breath, a horse that has been broke to drive and has probably done it for a living, isn't much of a risk for turning into a decent WT horse (let's be honest, their canters can be pretty sucky). In some areas you will come across quarter horse X drafts (typically Percheron or Belgian) that are bred for the hunting and packing industry that are great saddle horses. They will often look like a full draft (especially the Belgian X) but have a little less stature and bone.

I'll never discourage someone from getting a draft but don't be so limiting on what you think you want and need that the perfect horse slips past you because you weren't even considering that type of horse.
 
#10 ·
Of course, I am biased, and will say percherons! I adopted mine a year and a half ago. She is around 17 years old and was driven, but I don't believe ridden because she really had no clue at all once I sat on her. But she really does just go along with whatever I ask, or try to ask her to do...almost rolling her eyes and saying, "Whatever". She does have a very big gait, but such a trooper about everything. I also have a draft something or other cross....she is 3 and wonderful. Started this year....basically got on and just go, while displaying the "Ok, whatever you want" attitude.

I will say I do love Belgians too though.
 
#11 ·
When you talk about 'draft' horse, are you speaking specifically about a heavy horse like a Begian, Clydesdale, Percheron or are you talking about a good all rounder heavier type of riding horse. In the UK we call the latter 'Cobs'. If you want a cob, then it really is down to temperament and how he/she feels and looks. If, like me, you adore Heavy Horses then that is what you should get for yourself. I got my first 'Heavy' (a Clydesdale) when I was 49 and he was 4. I got my 2nd Clydesdale when he was 15 months and I was old enough to know better than to get a 2nd heavy! (LOL) I have not one regret. There is no specific breed in a heavy which makes one type better for riding than another. Go see a few heavy horses which have been broken for riding. Then you go for the one which you like best and meets your needs. If you are worried about getting on and off, costs of feed, price of tack (much higher because its harder to get the right size), negative comments from some people who ride ordinary horses etc. then perhaps a heavy is not the right horse for you. However, if you have thick skin, a step ladder to mount from, want a giant puppy dog following you around everywhere, want to feel like you could look into heaven when you sit on a horse, want to feel 1 ton of love evertime you have a carrot in your hand then you go get yourself a heavy!
 
#12 ·
If you like a bit of colour, you might consider a Gypsy Horse/Cob. Lots about and come in shorter to taller in size. You might also consider a Drum Horse. They are usually quite tall, often brightly coloured and are Gypsy x Shires/Clydes, most of the time.

If you feel you have formed a liking for Belgians, consider rescue. There always seem to be many Belgians in rescue and many are already trained. Do a google search and I'll bet you will come up with some needing a loving home.

Lizzie
 
#13 · (Edited)
These were the very first pictures that I ever seen of my girl. The last one with the smoke bomb was what sold me on the temperament that I was looking for as a first time owner. Even still (to date), every now and again as I'm walking through the pasture with her, I'll randomly scream or flail about in an attempt to spook her. Or I'll do something unexpected while she's eating her grain. It all ends with her looking at me like I'm some sort of idiot.









 
#14 ·
I would say it depends on the horse, and don't rule out a cross...personally I would say a QH cross is pretty mellow, generally. I don't know where you are, but do look at rescues-there are several who specialize in drafts, and they may be able to help. I have a Clyde X, and of course think they are the best, but I am a little partial to my particular "big lap dog". ;-)
 
#15 ·
The breed isn't going to matter so much as the horse's personality... There are calm horses in every breed, as well as more high strung horses in every breed. You'll also want to look for a horse that is beginner friendly. I have a Belgian and wouldn't trade him for the world. I have friends with Clydesdales and friends with Suffolks and friends with Percherons. I'd look for drafts as a whole, and then look at ones that meet your criteria for what you want in a horse, not just what their breed is, this way, even if you think a Clydesdale is right for you, a Shire might just be the right fit... Know what I mean?
 
#16 ·
thanks so much for taking the time to say hello. I am riding a Belgium for lessons and I agree that if the personality of any horse is like her....then I have the perfect horse. She is unfortunately owned....so another draft with similar characteristics will definitely become the horse.

I am hooked up to a great Draft Rescue Farm in OHio and will be carefully checking out the prospects over time.

Appreciations,
Steff
 
#19 ·
I have a Belgian cross and he is just wonderful. Calm, steady as a rock and just a solid solid citizen. I don't have experience with other draft breeds but as others have said, look for the individual personality within the breeds you are interested in, as they are all different.

Case in point, my Belgian cross has a very similar personality to a thoroughbred I owned many many years ago!

Good luck to you in your search and please do share pictures along the way!
 
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