Could she do western?

Amber is a 5 yearold percheron/thoroughbred mare. She is still very green for 5, she was practically unbroke when I got her in November. Now she walks, trots and kind of canters under saddle, and trail rides. I was wondering if it would confuse her too much if I did some western with her as well? I don't mean competetivly but just for fun. Can draft crosses do ok western? Thanks :)

They can be ridden western or english or driven. You could probably ride them sidesaddle if you could find a big enough saddle :P

Nothing is really different riding wise, in english, dressage, western extra..
The only disipline that is semi-different riding wise is neck reigning.

Alot of people think that their horse can't do something because they aren't commonly seen in that disipline but if you boil it all down, none of it is different.

We will be using our Clyde/QH for roping! People might laugh at first, but she will be darn good at it! Doesn't matter if her breed doesn't normally do it!

Just rein her the same and I don't think you will confuse her at all.

Percherons can be big girls. Thorobreds can be sharp, fast and sensitive. Seems to me you have an ideal hunter. First thing to learn is that heavy horses may not be agile and fast but they are strong. In time she'll show you what she can do and more importantly what she likes to do. Keep her sweet, treat her firmly but kindly.
In the meantime, whilst she is young get in all the basic schooling. Lots of work on the ground. Lots of basic schooling in the arena. Once she gets to be fully grown, if she has not learned good manners as a youngster then she could be quite a handful although Percherons are known to be a kindly breed.
It is all up to you - you have a broad canvas on which to paint a picture.
English or Western or SPanish or Aussie or ??? - it doesn't matter. Just make sure that when you ask her to do something, she willingly does it.
Have fun together.
B G

She would be a wonderful western horse. Every horse could be a western horse. I rode my full Perch western for a while (till he outgrew my saddle). Not all western horses neck rein so if she doesn't you don't need to worry about it, though it would be good training to have. At this point in her training, the only thing different in the disciplines is the tack. ;p

Of course you can ride her western! You don't have to train her to neck rein if you don't want to, but it doesn't hurt to teach a girl a new thing or two! I ride one of my mares with a western saddle in a D-ring snaffle, and she doesn't neck rein.

The best pickup horse I've ever seen was a perch/QH cross. He's a HUGE, STOUT, blue roan, and he rides amazing! Reining in western and english are certainly different, as are the bits used and the headstalls. Western is best ridden when a horse can be neckreined on a very loose rein. Good luck to you!

I think she would do well just make sure she is responsive.

Sure she could do western...