Questions about draft horses and draft crosses?

Question

1. why cant you show a draft horse??? (in riding fun shows) someone said on this site that they cant show in shows. just wondering why this is.

2. i like draft horses, and they're good for my size, what all do you think they can do? (i like to trail and just do fun stuff, nothing hard core serious) i like taller horses cause of my hieght.

3. do people in general not like draft horses? *it seems people only like to recommed owning one to "heavier" riders ect. . . are draft horses misunderstood?

4. where is a good place to look for draft horses locally? i know a few people in my area own them, i pass their farms on the way to work ect, but most the adds in my area are for lighter horses. note: i live in pa, near ohio.

5. can a draft horse if it is conformationally correct do and finish an endurance ride (for fun)?

Answer 1

1. You can show a draft horse in any discipline show such as dressage. eventing, or jumpers. There are no breed requirements for these types of shows. Whoever told you that was mistaken.

2. Draft horses can do just about anything. Although they were bred for carts, they can be ridden. I've seen a Clydesdale who is an upper level jumper, a Shire/Appaloosa (no I'm not kidding) who events at Preliminary level, and I've ridden a half-Percheron that has evented to Preliminary level.  Their easy going personalities and calm demeanors make them very nice to work with for just about any type of riding.

3. Draft horses may be misunderstood. They certainly seem to have the reputation of being slow and ponderous.

4. I would imagine that many of the Amish farms in your area would be good places to look for draft horses for sale. They actually breed draft horses for cart and farm work, but I know they sell some. I think there is a web site called amishfarmanimals.com where the ads are listed. Although how or why the Amish could have a web site beats me. I traveled through your area a couple of years ago and I remember the TV in the hotel room showed a local fair with a pulling contest for draft horses. (I might have been in Williamsport. I'm not entirely sure, as I did a LOT of traveling then.) If you can find another fair like that it would probably be a good place to go look for horses for sale.

5. Endurance riding is probably one area where a draft's large size would work against him. With proper conditioning, he could probably finish a 'short' endurance ride, but not one of the 100 milers. And he would probably not be competitive against all the Arabs, but you said you'd be dong it for fun.

6. I think he's a cutie. I love his color and expression. He seems well put together. If you are experienced with horses, you could go met him in person and see if you 'click.' However, if your are looking for a first horse, then I strongly recommend getting a horse with more training than this. A big horse can hurt you more easily without meaning to.

Answer 2

1. You can show a draft but it probably wouldn't place well in fancier shows.  Draft crosses are shown all the time.

2. They can do anything, but not always as well as other horses would, like jumping.  They'd be just fine for trail riding.

3. I think a lot of the opinions you have gotten might be from people who haven't actually known any draft horses personally.  I've had a clumsy, lazy clydesdale, and a super athletic TB/percheron event horse.

4. Just keep an eye out!

5.  I don't know how a draft would do in endurance.  I guess it's possible for the shorter distances but in my experience full drafts don't like to go very fast for very long and would want to stop and take a nap halfway through.  With my half draft, I did two 15 mile competitive trail rides, and evented through Training level.  My clydesdale was always ready to take a break, even when I started riding him at 3.

6. It sounds like "Mac" needs a lot of work from an experienced trainer.

Answer 3

1. the fair i show my horses at someone did barrel racing with a belgain

2. my grandpa used to ride his draft horse

3. i love them we had some belgains (Charlie and duke)

4. i live in pa to  you could try pahorsemall.com

5. i think it would

6. he looks good

Answer 4

1. I have a draft and Im going to start showing him.  If they have papers and you have negitive coggins, then you are allowed to show.  The only thing that might stop you from showing is if the show grounds probit drafts.

2. Im 5'10 so i know what you are felling.  I love my draft he's 19.2hh and the most gental thing ever.  I can go on trails and jump, and im goign to show soon!  But they are great for just riding.

3. I believe that they are to an extent.  I think that because people do think that they are only made for the heaver riders.  I dont like that because im not heavy and that offends me because my friend is heavy and she rides them. But only becasue we love the belgains and thats why.  But i do think people dont really see them for what they are becasue of there height.

4.  Try calling them and see if they offer any horses for sale.  If not try horsetopia.com, or Dreamhorse.com.  And search by your area.  They usally have a lot of draft horses for sale.

5. Yea.  They are really good at stuff like that.  I wouldnt reconmend going on a long endurance ride but short and fun ones are fine if the horse is built correctly and can stand the effort that needs to be put in effect.

I personally love him.  He is cute and he looks well built.  But if you are really instreaded in him i would recomend you going out and having a look at him in person just because picture can be misleading.

But good luck and i hope you can find a draft thats right for you.  I love them and i hope thats you can too!

Answer 5

I have never heard of banned Drafts especially if it is for fun.  My trainer has a percheron tb mix and he is a sweat heart.  Most people to just place heavier people on bigger horses.  If you get a well trainer draft you should be able to do alot with it.  My trainer is working on level 1 dressage and will be getting trainer over winter for level 2.  If the horse is fit and healthy to do an endurance ride and it is only for fun I assume you may be able to, talk to your vet for a positive ok first.  In my area in New England we have competitive trail rides.  Its like a huge outdoor trail class.  There is usually a 7 or 10 mile ride.  You have about 5 judged spots that a judge judges you on and then you ride a nice long trail ride.  Maybe a Hunter Pace would be a good thing to do.  If you know your horse well enough you should be able to judge what it can or can't do.

Good Luck

That horse is really nice looking!

Answer 6

I love my draft crosses.

This is Harvey

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N0...

He is an 18.2 Clyde cross and was originally bred to be an eventer, he had an accident at an early age which resulted in him becoming an insurance write off and effectively ended his career.

He can clear 5 feet from a standstill and could go all day as long as the pace wasn't hard.

I have no idea what you can or cannot enter draft or draft crosses in as I have not felt even remotely inclined to competition for quite some time. As far as I know there's no reason why not. ( but I could be wrong)

They probably are misunderstood - people expect them to be pushy and lumbering and thick. While I wouldn't describe Harv as the sharpest tool in the shed he is far from dense and is very sweet natured to handle but far from a push button type horse.

They don't have the maneuverability required for barrels or timed jump offs but they are adaptable and willing to try just about anything you ask of them.  

Personally I think Mac looks very nice - worth an in-person visit at the very least.

Answer 7

omg this is such a good question! Okay first off yes yes yes yes yes draft horses can do endurance! i have percheron cross and she is my baby and i have done mini events and hunter show jumping with her and we kick butt if i do say so myself!  Whoever told you that you can't show a draft horse is wrong b/c i show mine! Most people just don't consider a draft or a cross for a suitable show mount because they don't have the stereotype like the warm blood or the thoroughbred. in my opinion all those people are missing out! Drafts are sweet, dependable and plenty capable of a lot of different disciplines. I’m not sure where you should look b/c am in IL (were neighbors, lol sort of!!!) but you can try websites like dreamhorse.com and equinenow.com. A good place for tack is drafttack.com and i get some things from ebay.

The draft you are looking at is sweet! he’s big *my girl is five and 16.3* and he’s got nice color. Looks gentle enough that he can be ridden bareback and calm enough for cameras and outdoors. conformationally correct and i like him! Good luck and keep riding drafts!!!!!

here are links to my draft and i going cross country and jumping so we're living proof!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4gSd3FXN...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkhBh4Qtr...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrEZexZhs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L-sG7ffk...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGH4Z6Nl...

Answer 8

well i own a draft cross. he is belgain tennessee walker. he is a gentle giant. his name is hank. he is kinda green broke so he doen't really do many things. that is about all i have to say about a draft horse they are good horses. about just as good as other horses. I also have a a QH that is my everything horse lol.Ther is someone in 4-H that does hae a draft and shows him in the shows.