Are draft horses a good choice?

Question

I took a break from horses for about 3 years due to moving and schoolwork. I was an intermediate rider before the break so I will need refresher courses. I'm going to be actually buying my first horse. I would just ride the horses in the stable at the old farm before. I'm interested in a draft horse because the place I would board my horse is also looking for a horse to plow. They made a deal that I could have a lower rent if I plowed. That would be all nice and dandy, but I haven't really heard of them doing much more than driving. I will be riding this horse in my last two years of 4H so I would like to know if a draft horse would be able to perform my favorite Western events. Any good stories with your draft horse (especially Shires)?

Answer 1

You need to choose what you want to do mainly if it comes down to not finding a draft that can be an "all round" horse. Plow horse with just normal pleasure riding around the stables or show horse material. I haven't found a draft horse who is that versatile in all the years. Yet that is based off my experience though. I could very well be wrong.

I judged and was in 4-H, plus open shows that included draft. Their bodies are massive and have to take into consideration that their western performance won't be as high grade as a TB, Arabian or quarter. Halter performance, I think they can be. As riding, it depends on the horse.

Shire's in today's society is often seen at shows in hand, or in harness, especially in pairs or teams of four or more.

If you do decide to get a Shire, I think they have great presence and elegant in motion. Just need to see their previous training and if it will be right for you as it is right for the horse.

Have you went out and did any riding with any draft horses to find their deposition and what breed seems to work best?

I also volunteer at a place called M.A.R.E which is Mastering Abilities Riding Equines. They have two Percheron's for the volting (gymnastics) riding portion. Smooth gate and easy to handle. It is known for it's different types of work.

If you could find a facility that has drafts and see what types of work they do besides plow, maybe that can help you decide and know what step you will take.

Answer 2

The draft can be ridden..and they can do western. They probably won't win. I know of a Clydesdale who did barrels...people laughed when she came in but she had one of the fastest times. (couldn't turn well though!)

There's draft horses that do search and rescue and many other things besides harness. You could also steer towards a light breed that can pull...depending on the amount of plowing that can be done.

I would NOT get a horse based on a promise of lower rent...get what you like. You get a shire then the offer is withdrawn because someone else didn't approve and you have a horse you don't have room for and can't do what you want with and that's not fair to the horse.

Answer 3

I work with draft horses and you can very well ride them. But you have to keep in mind that they are very heavy and not made for long distance rides if they have to run. If they can just walk it's fine, they can do that for hours. They also are not very good for any performances where they have to do quick movements, because of their heavy build.
You also have to know, that you can't just put a horse in front of a plow. They need training for that and the training takes a lot of time and patience. If you want your horse to really work it also needs special food which can be very expensive. You also need special equipment for draft horses. Everything has to be larger than for e.g. a quarter.
They eat a lot and can be very stubborn. Besides they are stronger than other horses. And if you want a Shire Horse, they're even bigger than other draft horses.
Try to find a specialist who can help you with choosing a horse, and training it.
I live in Germany and we have three draft horses. A gelding and two mares. They're the best horses in the world and I love them to death but they also are a lot of work.
Get some information first. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 4

Draft horses are good at other things than plowing, but are not very fast, and because of their large bone structure, they aren't as nimble either. They are very strong, but also very quiet and gentle, despite their size. Shires are the largest breed of horse and as a result will probably be too slow for western events like barrels and such, but they are still really good riding horses.Quite brave and not very flighty.

Answer 5

The muscle disease Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) has been confirmed or suspected in virtually every draft horse breed, including Belgian, Percheron, Clydesdale, Shire, Haflinger, Norwegian Fjord, Irish Draught, Friesian, Gypsy Vanner, draft cross, and a draft mule. This newly-recognized disease, under research at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, has likely been around for hundreds of years. It has been identified in many breeds of horse, but appears to be particularly common, severe, and difficult to detect in the draft breeds. In fact, approximately two-thirds of all draft related horses show evidence of EPSM, if you look at their muscles microscopically.
FROMhttp://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/epsm.htm


Please consider reading up on this problem before you make a decision.

Answer 6

there was a thoughbred shire cross at my old stable and she was awsome. they have to be well trained when u buy them because they kno there big and can push u around. the mare at my old stable did english but im sure they could do western too. they r very gentle and smart. a purebred shire eats a LOT because there huge so a cross would proably be better. they need larger tack, larger shoes ( if they need shoes ), and pretty much need everything bigger then regular horses. if u can give them all that then u should go for it. there terific horses.

Answer 7

I don't know about in the US, but we have draft horses here in the UK that we use for riding, one of mine is a Clydesdale that is ridden and a fantastic jumper (I'm an instructor and use her to teach with) they have great temperments too

Just a suggestion but I know Vanner horses (gypsy horses) are making an appearance in the US, they make FANTASTIC driving AND riding horses, look up gypsy horses on the internet and read up about them, they're great, I also have two of them, awesome animals and VERY VERY showy.

I hope that helps.

Answer 8

You could try a draft cross. They would have the strength and maybe more flexibility and agility from the other parent.

But finding one trained to plow as well as do your events might be difficult.

Answer 9

draft only for plowing
i would plow with the draft anf by another horse of ur choice

Answer 10

didn't know you could get horses on draft these days. whats it taste like???