anyone have experience with belgian draft horses? are they well suited for riding...?

Question

i grew up riding horses...mainly quarter horses and arabians. but it's been about 10 years since i've been on one. i've been shopping around. i want a horse that is very gentle (i have a 2 year old daughter) and a horse that loves to be around humans as we plan to spend lots of time with it...even apart from riding. any breed recommendations. advice...?

Answer 1

They are awesome animals. They are well suited for riding and driving.

Even though it maybe kid safe, you always have to consider the possibility of your daughter falling off and the height factor. That would be my only issue with a draft.

All the drafts I have been involved with were just big huge babies and easy to deal with.

However I wouldn't turn down a great horse just because of height, my son rode my 16.2hand TB for the first 3 yrs of his life. Go hunting, find a horse that fits your needs and base it off of that. I would always take a second person with me to catch what you might not see.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Belgians are work horses, they're best suited to driving and pulling heavy loads. However, they can also be ridden, and won't be that much different than any other horses for basic riding (except that you'll probably have a harder time finding tack that fits properly!)

Don't restrict your horse shopping to just one breed. You can find a quiet, gentle horse in pretty much any breed. Although you should consider that a horse as big as a Belgian might be a little intimidating to your young daughter. Make sure you know how comfortable she is being around big horses before you make a decision. Quarter Horses make wonderful family horses and are usually a good average size that will be comfortable for both an adult and a child, and there are also many other breeds that will do just as well such as Morgans, Appaloosas, etc. You might find that a gaited horse like a Tennessee Walker or Missouri Fox Trotter will make a good match for you and your family. Thoroughbreds and Arabians tend to be hotter breeds, but there are still some who are wonderful, gentle horses, and crosses from these breed with other breeds such as QH's can make great mounts as well; TB/draft crosses are quite common too.

Answer 3

My mom once had a Belgian/Quarter Horse cross. Extremely large, extremely laid-back, and extremely comfortable to ride. But keep in mind that it isn't so much about the breed as the individual horse. Thoroughbreds as a rule are really finicky, spirited animals, but every once in a while you'll meet once that's docile as can be. Drafts of any breed are generally placid and easy to handle, but there are a few nut cases. You might look at Haflingers- they're small drafts, and I've only met two but they were both nice to ride and handle.

But just do some looking around, go try horses. Make it your first priority to find a calm, laid-back animal, not just a specific breed. You can sometimes find the best horses in the most unexpected places.

Answer 4

Belgians are amazing. We have a former pulling horse who happily jumps three feet and unless asked to do something "challenging" is safe and good for an inexperienced rider. He has some problems, but for a project horse he has excelled in his new training.

I wouldn't go looking for a certain breed- I started off riding on quarterhorses and arabians and all of those horses were incredibly gentle. Even our mischievous pony who bucks and causes trouble for older kids shows how careful he can be with a young kid on his back.
Visit your perspective horse several times- don't be overly trusting of sellers descriptions and make sure the horse isn't being drugged (A friend had this happen- the horse nearly killed her when she got him off the trailer- unfortunate but still, be careful).
Ask to take the horse for a walk around the property in hand, as well as under saddle- make sure he/she has manners and isn't spooky. Look for an intelligent horse- it will be more aware of it's rider.
Overall, any breed of horse could result in a gentle, family safe horse- good luck on your search!

Answer 5

Belgian Draft Horses (in my experience) are kind and gentle natured. They are quite the beautiful horse also. The only real problem I see in buying a Belgian is they are bigger. They might not be tall, but they are draft horses, and may look huge to little children. Also, they have a wide back, which is wonderful for riding bareback. My friend owns a Belgian and she doesn't show, but can ride her anywhere and everywhere. They are not gaited, but that really isn't a problem unless you really had your heart set on a smooth-gaited horse. In my opinion, if you love it and connect with it, any horse is THE best horse. But I've had experience with Belgians and they are on my top 5 favorite breeds!

Answer 6

I rode a Belgian in drill team. The place I took lessons had lots of them, plus Clydes, Perches and crosses. I did longe line on a black Perch. I am 5 feet tall and the span across their back is pretty wide, so I pretty much felt like a pimple up there, but I loved riding them. They had all these drafts because their main thing was vaulting, but needed general lesson horses, so these guys did the job. It's a lot of work tacking them up, they eat a lot more than a small horse and it's a loooong way to the ground.... Any breed will have excellent horses for your needs. Keep shopping and keep your mind open to any horse who fills your specs, they are out there!

Answer 7

I owned a 18.3Hh Belgian Draft For a year. HE was great for trail and Dressage riding. The only problem is that they eat alot. A pasture light riding draft eats a bale and a 1/2 a day of hay a working draft horse can eat up to 3 bales a day and 5+ Ibs of grain. Good luck they are great horses. Also look for tack that is double wide. I rode in a English Wintec wit ha double wide tree. He also did 25 mile endurance rides.

Answer 8

Hey people lol.. There is more than one possibility to why she wants the horse to be gentle, I doubt the 2 year old will "ride" the horse, i think she wants it gently so nothing happens to her BECAUSE she has a daughter.

Answer 9

Unless you're really really filthy rich, I recommend you not getting a horse. You have too much to do - and pay for - caring for a toddler. Believe me I know - been there. Done that - have the tee shirt.

However, you might consider riding lessons. Since it's been 10 years since you've ridden, no doubt you need a good coach anyway. That way you'll be better able to decide if your schedule - and your budget - can handle horses again.

Rethink the buy your own horse idea. Your baby comes first.

Answer 10

they are great horses, all of the Belgians I even have primary have been finished sweethearts! i certainly do not think of your length could be a topic. I used to trip them while i replaced into approximately 12yrs previous. it incredibly is incredibly the pony's temperament on the middle of that difficulty. I say decide for it!!