When buying a draft horse, what kind of things should I be aware of?

Question

I am looking to buy a draft horse and I would like to know of certain things that I need to be aware of when I am looking at the horse in person. What kind of health problems are they prone to? What should I look out for? How might there confirmation be diffrent from a non-draft horse? As you might tell, I am not that experienced with draft horses, just AHQ mostly some Arabian too. So, if you could recomend some resourses like books or websites I would be very thankful. So, Thanks!

Answer 1

The first thing to consider is the impact of his size.  He will require stronger and higher fencing, a larger stall, double the feed, more cost to have his hooves maintained, double the amount of things like dewormer, medications to treat ailments, etc.  He'll produce double the manure and urine.  He will require bigger tack, which means more expensive.  They are prone to scratches, or mud fever.

Answer 2

Most draft horses are docile and easy to work with.  Pat him on the head right between the eyes, a good slap, slap, slap.  He should close his eyes with each slap or even lower his head to you.  He should not shy away or pull his head up where you can't reach.  Pulling his head up where you can't reach is a sign he knows he's bigger than you and that will blow up on you later.  The only other thing I can think of is to pick up his feet.  He'll not be willing, none of them are, but he shouldn't freak out over it, he'll just throw his weight to that leg and be obstinent.  Oh, the owner can usually get them to do whatever they want so have the owner pick up his feet.  If the horse does it, that means he will eventually do it for you once he knows you're boss.  If the owner can't do it, the the horse has gotten used to being boss and you might want to look around some more.  Have fun!  

Answer 3

Definitely look up the Beth Valentine pages.

Watch out for any problems with backing up or holding back legs  up for inspection etc as there is a pretty common problem with a condition known as EPSM ( Beth Valentine has loads of info on this)

You might want to consider that you may have more trouble finding tack and rugs to fit.

Shoeing doesn't cost more than for any horse ( not with my farrier anyway)

Drafts are generally good doers so feed prices aren't as bad as you might expect - I spend more time trying too get weigh off mine than onto them !

They are generally pretty heavy on the forehand ( they are built to pull) and goose rumps are normal as well.

Answer 4

as long as its not syco i think that it would be fine. but idk

Answer 5

One thing I didn't know was that draft horses and draft crosses are more prone to founder/laminitis than many other breeds. (excluding ponies and arabs). Draft horses are generally quite easy to get along with, typical of the coldbloods. Conformationally remember the old saying "form-to-function". Another thing to think about is hoof care. Many draft horses don't get their feet taken care of properly because many farriers prefer to do light horses. That being said, heavy horse pull teams cost a lot to shoe as it is a specialty job! Make sure the horse has had his feet maintained and is u-t-d on all other health stuff- worming, vaccinations, etc.

Good luck on the new venture!

Answer 6

umm how about what kind of work did the horse do before they had it.

if they have owned it its whole life

what its potiential is

What dieases its mother and father had

if they have papers for it

and most important if it is negative or positive for coggins.

Answer 7

"Pat him on the head right between the eyes, a good slap, slap, slap. He should close his eyes with each slap or even lower his head to you. He should not shy away or pull his head up where you can't reach. Pulling his head up where you can't reach is a sign he knows he's bigger than you and that will blow up on you later. "

....WHAT?!  That is INSANE.

Uh...anyway,...

There is a great book on draft horse keeping that I highly recommend.  It's by Dr. Beth Valentine, who is somewhat of an authority on draft horses.

http://www.amazon.com/Draft-Horses-Owner...

Take a look at it before you buy, because there is a lot to know (more than will fit in here).  Good luck!

Answer 8

breeding

the amount of bone.

age.

Answer 9

I would say having a vet look it over before commiting to purchase should be a priority.  

Answer 10

Everything about them is bigger so you'd need a big stable so it would be able to turn around and lie down etc. Also there is a tendency towards straighter shoulders and to being higher at the back than the front. This is how they were bred deliberately for more pulling power, so there might be a roughness in gait and heaviness on the forehand.

ou will need to buy bigger than average tack - this might mean shopping around and it may turn out to be more expensive.

feed wise they are not difficult as they are naturally good doers - in fact you are very likely to have to limit their intake as a couple of your answers have already said as the tendency towards gaining weight coupled with the huge pressure exerted on their feet is almost a recipe for laminitis.

Watch out for any "shivering" or strange flexion or stiffness in the quarters as this can be a major problem with them.

Check out that Beth Valentine link.

Answer 11

Horses like to c**p all over the place.

Answer 12

Idk!