Draft/Heavy horse okay for pleasure riding?

Question

Would it be okay to own a heavy/draft horse (i.e. Cleysdale or Shire) and only ride it as pleasure riding, such as trails? I know they are built for work, and some people argue that they need the work (to keep muscles healthy), and that the horses look forward to it, but if I ride them often, won't that keep them healthy?

Answer 1

clydesdales and shires are great riding horses.they have a very smooth gate and are most are very even tempered.the only problem is on really tight mountain trails,sometimes they can trip over their own feet.but as long as they are excercised a couple times a week they will be fine.

Answer 2

I'm looking into purchasing a thoroughbred/clydesdale horse. I've read that they do need to get worked on a regular basis but all horses do to some extent.

I guess it depends on how difficult your trail rides are. If you're riding up hills or cantering through fields that should be enough to keep them fit. If you're just walking they may need some extra work.

Maybe you could look into a older Quarter Horse or something?

Good luck :)

Answer 3

of course it will. as long as u do keep it to like every day or every second day for like build it up from like 30mins to eventually 1n half hours they will be healthy i can gurantee that but its not just riding that will keep them healthy. u need to feed the horse more than a normal horse because they are BIG and need the energy so if you feed it with bulk food like chaff and your minerals-garlic livermal and peletts best is pegusus :) but if ur having trouble there is a new feed called speedy beet it helps with horses in the drought with no feed in the paddocks its great my horse lives off it he's in such gud condition too. k hope that helped ya!! have fun riding ur awsum breed of horse !! :)

rach

Answer 4

Oh of course! Drafts are like any other horse or pony - as long as you treat them right and with respect, they are just as pleasing as any other.

I know many people who own drafts for pleasure.