Most of my horses are Percheron crosses. I LOVE the big horse. My first draft cross was a Percheron/Tennessee Walker cross. She took me to Intermediate Cross Country Jumping. She was a willing mare & loved to jump. We traveled across the country. I had her for 30 years, she was born on my farm. She was my best friend. Other Percheron crosses, with Quarter horses & Thoroughbreds. Love them. All versatile & very mild disposition. I also rode Shires in the mountains of Wyoming. So enjoyable! I look forward to finding a pair of Gypsy Vanners & Drummers. Like you stated, drafts can do really anything. Mine did. And they enjoyed it...English, Western, jumping, dressage & trail riding is Always a favorite. All my draft crosses were always well behaved around children. And anyone. Also owned an Irish Draft Stallion.. 17.2 hands. Big black beautiful boy. ❤ You are fortunate to have such a gorgeous horse as Fame! Great video! You are spot on with your knowledge!
I'm incredibly happy that we plunged in with a draft horse for our first horse. Yes, his size IS intimidating, but I feel like working with him has helped me be a better horsewoman for all sized horses :) And I think temperament is more important than size for a first horse or a green rider. There's no use in getting a smaller horse if he's spooky and forward and nervous, when a much larger draft might be calmer or slower.
I had a wonderful perch/quarter mix as a kud( she lived to 32!) she was drafty but had the grace of a good quarter horse. Best baby sitter! 16 hands, naturally kind and LOVED me beyond. I never got hurt on her… Miss her ♥️‼️🙋♀️☮️🐴
As someone who has worked with Drafts before, the only difference I have found between a Draft and a regular sized horse is how long it takes to get them groomed. On the subject of broncs, I can confirm that there are Draft crosses in their ranks.
What an amazing well put together video about drafts. Our horse Valentine (Cob x Frysian) is almost as big as Fame and I relate to many points you brought up! 😊 Valentine also does best on a grain free feed. In the Netherlands we have a bit more grass so we manage him with just a balancer and he gets a big slowfeeder net full of hay. How are the western saddle sizes for these types of horses? With English saddles it can be a struggle to find one that is wide enough, but with the right saddle fitter it’s always doable.
Thank you so much! Valentine sounds like a beautiful and well-loved horse. 😃 Wow The Netherlands…you have lots of lovely drafts there! Thats great you’re grain free too. I’m fortunate, Fame fits a wide tree Western saddle which is very common. Hopefully as more of us ride bigger horses, manufacturers will start making more options. 🤞🏻
I recommend checking into a Spanish made English saddle. My current wide saddle is from Spain a size 17 by American measurements and has a good spread that is comfortable for my Belgian mare, she is 17 hands and can fit a table of six on her back. I’m having the padding redone as I have quite a lot of miles on it, but we had to do very little to accommodate her wide withers in regards to the tree configuration. She is 11 months out since she last plowed so her shoulders and withers have started to transition to a less bulky development that you might see in a horse that is only required to move more naturally. However, she is shaping up quite well with different exercise and will get the saddle adjusted some more to accommodate her comfort. My previous horse was a very large paint gelding who looked very much like many of the draft crosses in his build, at 16.3 hands he took a 56-58 girth at the height of his jumping career.
Greetings from Switzerland from a draft horse breeder (Burgdorfer horses and Freiberger). We feed primarily only hay. With hard work there are oats and with changing coats.
Thank you for sharing that! Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries ever. I hope to go back someday and maybe I will get to see Burgdorfers and Freibergers in real life! Beautiful horses also. 😍
It is definitely true that professional bucking stock are often draft crosses. You want them big so they have power behind their bucks because it is that power of that great mass in motion that really tosses riders. The bigger and stronger the bucking horse, generally speaking the harder it can buck. They don't have the bucking endurance of some of the lighter breeds but they only have to do it for a max of eight seconds so you want as much power as you can possibly get packed into eight seconds. So they have to be a combination of big and athletic. Think of them as the football players of the horse world, they have to be quick/athletic enough to catch the quarterback but big enough to smash through defenders.
I almost thought some of the saddle bronc horses look almost like a draft horse. I'm not an expert of horses but I just noticed that some broncs at a rodeo looked mighty large
Interesting! In my country draft horse type breeds are considered the perfect beginner horse because of their laid back character, their versatility and relatively reasonable rice (government is paying farmers to keep breeding the local breeds so there is a surplus on the market). The only thing that keeps me from considering one for my next horse is that they are such easy keepers that 24/7 turnout in a field isn't an option. Funny how cultural stereotypes about these horses vary. Oh and in my experience they compete just fine on an amateur level. There are even competitions and championships exclusively for our local draft breeds in a variety of disciplines from dressage to show jumping and even racing. Our shorter breed has also made a name for itself for having a surprising amount of talent for the western disciplines that don't involve cattle. I love drafts.
@@HappieronaHorse thanks for the reply! I'm in Austria. So I was mostly referring to Haflinger and Noriker breed 💕 (But Tinker is growing in popularity and I've even seen some Shires for sale recently. looking forward to see them find their niche in the leisure riding scene.)
Thanks this helps I grew up visiting my uncles farm he had cows and work horses I spent my adulthood away from them but now I'm around cows again and looking for a horse of my own I keep coming back to the big horses even though I'm 5 nothing I'm looking at a horse that could mature around 18hh
😂❤Fame destroys all those myths with his beautiful antics. Not to mention the flexibility he demonstrates in his bucking and sheer exuberance. My mare surprised me one evening by doing one of those hind leg poses you see in foal pictures where the hind leg is stretched up into the air above the head so they can reach tougher spots to scratch. She’s 17 hands and quite broad, but was standing in the field in a C shape trying to scratch an itch at the back between her hind legs. She stretched her hind leg up into the air over her head easily for several minutes balancing perfectly to scratch what I thought was unreachable. She looked like a ballerina dancer doing her hip stretches with her leg up on the Barre. I was amazed and inspired to find what would motivate the same balance for when the farrier comes. We are going slowly, but she has been very opinionated to let me know the farrier is not as high up as that itch was in her priority list.
Omg you described this perfectly I can just imagine it, ballerina and all 😂 isnt it crazy how they can move themselves?! Haha yes the farrier is low on Fame’s list too.
I have a draft cross who was AWFUL in cross-ties! He was so bad for farriers. They were also trimming his feet incorrectly. So as I learned to trim, it dawned on me that Diesel was just bored in the cross-ties. If I give him a snack in a hay net, he's beyond perfect. Not only does he give up his feet (he even will preempt my requests) but he stands at liberty. The #1 problem regular people have with drafts is they underestimate how smart they are. But if we as their handlers are not listening, we can't hear what they're telling or asking us. And YES! Draft horse diets are different. NO SWEET FEED. Even if they're working. They just need hay (more with work or winter) and if anything, maybe a fat supplement. Diesel isn't working much now, so he gets a little adult supplement with some GC for his noisy joints...(so he doesn't feel left out at feeding time) and lots of quality hay. And that's it.
I'm never going back to small horses. Drafts are brilliant and at least for the ENTIRE shire herd I take care of, are the least spooky horses Ive ever encountered. When they spook, they first freeze for half a second. They dont often run off or move away, they rather looks at the source and investigate. Thats a HUGE advantage for beginners. I find them abnormally intelligent. My horse removes the submersion heater from the tub herself when I go to clean it. She also call at horse trailers, but not other enclosed trailers like car trailer or construction ones. I had to retrain her to give her feets (last fairier wasnt doing a good job and she decide she didnt want to anymore). Big problem cause she'll easily throw a 180lbs man unfolding her leg. So Ive used a lot of treats for positive reinforcements. One day I was praticing her. I train all of them with a word to give their feets because I dont want feets to go up all the time when im tending to the featherings. So I say the word, grab her leg and she lift her feet half inch then put it down softly and nibble the air for the treat. I said no and she looked annoyed and got a little nervous, or perhap upset. I try a second time. Same thing, but shes even more upset, and I get upset too. She finally gives it on third order, then she asked for the treat and I gave it. Then it hits me, maybe she was negociating like a brat or something? So I try again, I say the word, give the treat RIGHT AWAY and boom she raised her leg before I even pull on it ! I was blackmailed by a horse..... Another Shire identified a chainsaw(nonrunning) she never seen before(loaner) from 50ft and immediately wanted to go to it. I had to keep her at a distance. I only found out why when the willow tree branch was cut that she knew the chainsaw was to cut the branch and she would then be able to eat its leaves. That's not a learned behavior, it's straight up thinking. Our little Syrena (15month old) is the grandaughter and showing promises too. I experienced her brain turning from single attention point to multiple goals and its like you kids first steps. She's up for adoption, cant keep them all. Full registration to ASHA and CSHA in process. Third generation on the property so grandmother and mother can be seen. Sir has been sold to Brazil unfortunaly. She's black with one grey eye, four equal white legs to the knee and wide simetrical blaze on forehead. Half white tail. People say they cant buck you off? Lol ! We have a shire herd and one has jumped 5ft in the air over a round bail from a stand still. Was also often found in the wrong paddock back when we had the horses separated. Yes our fences are 5ft tall. If theres a fire or something , I can trust the horse to get out of danger so we never looked for taller fencing.
OMG YES DOC T IS THEE BEST!!!!!! My most senior horse has been grain free thanks to Dr Tucker for at least five years and he looks and feels AMAZING!!!! My other boy I adopted about a year ago and also put on no grain and his overall health completely turned around for the BEST!!! His previous owners come by to visit from time to time and can’t belief how different (in a GOOD way) he looks! 🥰
It took me 3 weeks to teach my Percheron to pick up his feet. Simple! I give him a 1 cm slice of carrot every time she does it right. Not right? No carrot. It’s a question of learning to balance on three legs. Best thing I ever did. And a draft horse doesn’t need special feeding unless your forage is poor quality. Get it tested if in doubt. You can also give them Pavo vitamin cookies if you’re not convinced
Hi I was wondering if maybe you could maybe post a video on how to teach the draft horse to pick up his feet I have a thoroughbred and a Rocky Mountains I’ve never had a draft horse I purchased a Clydesdale she is four years old and she doesn’t pick up her feet very well and when she does she pulls her foot away from me . I am a pretty strong person but I am definitely doing something wrong this is not working.I’m 104 pounds knocks me on my ground on the ground . I could sure use some help with this please!!
Hey Annette! I used clicker training to teach Fame to do it. There’s lots of videos on introducing CT (check out Shawna Karrasch) on youtube but basically you need to “mark” the moment they do the right thing with a unique sound (I clicked with my mouth, different from how I ask for a trot) and then offer a treat as a reward. Initially he got rewarded for attempts (shifting weight), then lifts and stomps, then for lifting so I could grab his feathers, then lifting and holding momentarily, etc until he could hold long enough to pick out his feet. You do need to teach them to behave well around treats first if you’re going to offer treats so they don’t pester you for them. I got Fame when he was 5 and his balance wasn’t great - they are still growing and learning their feet so it may take some time. Hope that helps!
Stephanie, so glad you are back. I am in a mini crisis. I have a percheron/quarter horse cross 16.2 h wide and broad. I am having a devil of a time finding a saddle to fit her. No one seems to make a truly x wide or xx wide tree. I have ordered and returned three custom made saddles! I mean if you advertise you are a custom saddle maker but you can't make a wider one. Seriously? She can wear a warmblood size bridle since she has a lovely head. With respect to draft horse myths I agree with what you said in your video. My mare is a very forward going horse more whoa than go but that is what I need since I am a senior rider. lol What type of saddle are you riding in? Was it custom? Thanks so much for your input
Thanks! Oh man saddle troubles are so tough (and expensive). So I ride in a Circle Y Drover Trail which is a flex tree. Some people love/hate flex trees and I’ve heard awesome and awful things about them lol. I would say I’m neutral. It’s lightweight and seems to fit fine so far. My trainer rides him in a Billy Cook and I like her saddle a lot. My friend with a 19.1 Clydesdale rides in a Stonewall and before that she had a Wintec. I hope that helps and that you’re able to find something suitable!
Also if you go the Billy Cook route I would call them - different saddles use different trees and I believe when I talked to them awhile back certain models were wider than others even though they were all “wide.”
If you enjoy this topic, check out my video on 8 Common Questions I Get About Owning a Draft: th-cam.com/video/-MyerO3gRYc/w-d-xo.html
Most of my horses are Percheron crosses. I LOVE the big horse.
My first draft cross was a Percheron/Tennessee Walker cross. She took me to Intermediate Cross Country Jumping. She was a willing mare & loved to jump. We traveled across the country. I had her for 30 years, she was born on my farm. She was my best friend.
Other Percheron crosses, with Quarter horses & Thoroughbreds. Love them.
All versatile & very mild disposition. I also rode Shires in the mountains of Wyoming. So enjoyable!
I look forward to finding a pair of Gypsy Vanners & Drummers.
Like you stated, drafts can do really anything. Mine did. And they enjoyed it...English, Western, jumping, dressage & trail riding is Always a favorite.
All my draft crosses were always well behaved around children. And anyone.
Also owned an Irish Draft Stallion..
17.2 hands. Big black beautiful boy. ❤
You are fortunate to have such a gorgeous horse as Fame! Great video! You are spot on with your knowledge!
I'm incredibly happy that we plunged in with a draft horse for our first horse. Yes, his size IS intimidating, but I feel like working with him has helped me be a better horsewoman for all sized horses :) And I think temperament is more important than size for a first horse or a green rider. There's no use in getting a smaller horse if he's spooky and forward and nervous, when a much larger draft might be calmer or slower.
I totally agree that temperament is key. I love that you started with drafts! Our numbers are growing haha 😆
Our first horse was also a 2yo, 16.0hh draft type and we are so happy with him. He 4yo now, full of love and very eager to do groundwork with us.
@@DwallysHorses that’s fantastic! Getting him started well 👏🏼👏🏼🤠🤠
I had a wonderful perch/quarter mix as a kud( she lived to 32!) she was drafty but had the grace of a good quarter horse. Best baby sitter! 16 hands, naturally kind and LOVED me beyond. I never got hurt on her… Miss her ♥️‼️🙋♀️☮️🐴
Fame got quite a bit of height in that buck didn't he... That's a happy horse there
Absolutely is 😂
As someone who has worked with Drafts before, the only difference I have found between a Draft and a regular sized horse is how long it takes to get them groomed. On the subject of broncs, I can confirm that there are Draft crosses in their ranks.
There’s a lot of extra to brush out isn’t there. 😆 Ok sweet thanks for confirming about the broncs. 👍🏼
The deit conversation is very interesting
What an amazing well put together video about drafts. Our horse Valentine (Cob x Frysian) is almost as big as Fame and I relate to many points you brought up! 😊
Valentine also does best on a grain free feed. In the Netherlands we have a bit more grass so we manage him with just a balancer and he gets a big slowfeeder net full of hay.
How are the western saddle sizes for these types of horses? With English saddles it can be a struggle to find one that is wide enough, but with the right saddle fitter it’s always doable.
Thank you so much! Valentine sounds like a beautiful and well-loved horse. 😃 Wow The Netherlands…you have lots of lovely drafts there! Thats great you’re grain free too.
I’m fortunate, Fame fits a wide tree Western saddle which is very common. Hopefully as more of us ride bigger horses, manufacturers will start making more options. 🤞🏻
I recommend checking into a Spanish made English saddle. My current wide saddle is from Spain a size 17 by American measurements and has a good spread that is comfortable for my Belgian mare, she is 17 hands and can fit a table of six on her back. I’m having the padding redone as I have quite a lot of miles on it, but we had to do very little to accommodate her wide withers in regards to the tree configuration. She is 11 months out since she last plowed so her shoulders and withers have started to transition to a less bulky development that you might see in a horse that is only required to move more naturally. However, she is shaping up quite well with different exercise and will get the saddle adjusted some more to accommodate her comfort. My previous horse was a very large paint gelding who looked very much like many of the draft crosses in his build, at 16.3 hands he took a 56-58 girth at the height of his jumping career.
@@travelinglilly4380 very cool! Thanks for sharing that tip. 👍🏼💙
Greetings from Switzerland from a draft horse breeder (Burgdorfer horses and Freiberger). We feed primarily only hay. With hard work there are oats and with changing coats.
Thank you for sharing that! Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries ever. I hope to go back someday and maybe I will get to see Burgdorfers and Freibergers in real life! Beautiful horses also. 😍
It is definitely true that professional bucking stock are often draft crosses. You want them big so they have power behind their bucks because it is that power of that great mass in motion that really tosses riders. The bigger and stronger the bucking horse, generally speaking the harder it can buck. They don't have the bucking endurance of some of the lighter breeds but they only have to do it for a max of eight seconds so you want as much power as you can possibly get packed into eight seconds. So they have to be a combination of big and athletic. Think of them as the football players of the horse world, they have to be quick/athletic enough to catch the quarterback but big enough to smash through defenders.
That makes so much sense. I love the football metaphor thank you 😆
I almost thought some of the saddle bronc horses look almost like a draft horse. I'm not an expert of horses but I just noticed that some broncs at a rodeo looked mighty large
Interesting! In my country draft horse type breeds are considered the perfect beginner horse because of their laid back character, their versatility and relatively reasonable rice (government is paying farmers to keep breeding the local breeds so there is a surplus on the market).
The only thing that keeps me from considering one for my next horse is that they are such easy keepers that 24/7 turnout in a field isn't an option. Funny how cultural stereotypes about these horses vary.
Oh and in my experience they compete just fine on an amateur level. There are even competitions and championships exclusively for our local draft breeds in a variety of disciplines from dressage to show jumping and even racing. Our shorter breed has also made a name for itself for having a surprising amount of talent for the western disciplines that don't involve cattle.
I love drafts.
Thank you for sharing this! So wonderful to hear drafts have such a positive reputation. What country are you in?
@@HappieronaHorse thanks for the reply! I'm in Austria. So I was mostly referring to Haflinger and Noriker breed 💕 (But Tinker is growing in popularity and I've even seen some Shires for sale recently. looking forward to see them find their niche in the leisure riding scene.)
Fame is Gorgeous!
Dude your back👍
Wootwoot 🥳
Thanks this helps
I grew up visiting my uncles farm he had cows and work horses
I spent my adulthood away from them but now I'm around cows again and looking for a horse of my own
I keep coming back to the big horses even though I'm 5 nothing I'm looking at a horse that could mature around 18hh
😂❤Fame destroys all those myths with his beautiful antics. Not to mention the flexibility he demonstrates in his bucking and sheer exuberance. My mare surprised me one evening by doing one of those hind leg poses you see in foal pictures where the hind leg is stretched up into the air above the head so they can reach tougher spots to scratch. She’s 17 hands and quite broad, but was standing in the field in a C shape trying to scratch an itch at the back between her hind legs. She stretched her hind leg up into the air over her head easily for several minutes balancing perfectly to scratch what I thought was unreachable. She looked like a ballerina dancer doing her hip stretches with her leg up on the Barre. I was amazed and inspired to find what would motivate the same balance for when the farrier comes. We are going slowly, but she has been very opinionated to let me know the farrier is not as high up as that itch was in her priority list.
Omg you described this perfectly I can just imagine it, ballerina and all 😂 isnt it crazy how they can move themselves?! Haha yes the farrier is low on Fame’s list too.
Thank you for the video. I have owned and ridden several and truly enjoy them.
Thanks Richard! Do tell - what breeds? 😮
I have a draft cross who was AWFUL in cross-ties! He was so bad for farriers. They were also trimming his feet incorrectly. So as I learned to trim, it dawned on me that Diesel was just bored in the cross-ties. If I give him a snack in a hay net, he's beyond perfect. Not only does he give up his feet (he even will preempt my requests) but he stands at liberty.
The #1 problem regular people have with drafts is they underestimate how smart they are. But if we as their handlers are not listening, we can't hear what they're telling or asking us.
And YES! Draft horse diets are different. NO SWEET FEED. Even if they're working. They just need hay (more with work or winter) and if anything, maybe a fat supplement. Diesel isn't working much now, so he gets a little adult supplement with some GC for his noisy joints...(so he doesn't feel left out at feeding time) and lots of quality hay. And that's it.
How awesome you figured out what he needed! And yes they get underestimated a lot. 👍🏼 Diesel is lucky to have you! Thanks for sharing.
I'm never going back to small horses. Drafts are brilliant and at least for the ENTIRE shire herd I take care of, are the least spooky horses Ive ever encountered. When they spook, they first freeze for half a second. They dont often run off or move away, they rather looks at the source and investigate. Thats a HUGE advantage for beginners. I find them abnormally intelligent. My horse removes the submersion heater from the tub herself when I go to clean it. She also call at horse trailers, but not other enclosed trailers like car trailer or construction ones. I had to retrain her to give her feets (last fairier wasnt doing a good job and she decide she didnt want to anymore). Big problem cause she'll easily throw a 180lbs man unfolding her leg. So Ive used a lot of treats for positive reinforcements. One day I was praticing her. I train all of them with a word to give their feets because I dont want feets to go up all the time when im tending to the featherings. So I say the word, grab her leg and she lift her feet half inch then put it down softly and nibble the air for the treat. I said no and she looked annoyed and got a little nervous, or perhap upset. I try a second time. Same thing, but shes even more upset, and I get upset too. She finally gives it on third order, then she asked for the treat and I gave it. Then it hits me, maybe she was negociating like a brat or something? So I try again, I say the word, give the treat RIGHT AWAY and boom she raised her leg before I even pull on it ! I was blackmailed by a horse.....
Another Shire identified a chainsaw(nonrunning) she never seen before(loaner) from 50ft and immediately wanted to go to it. I had to keep her at a distance. I only found out why when the willow tree branch was cut that she knew the chainsaw was to cut the branch and she would then be able to eat its leaves. That's not a learned behavior, it's straight up thinking.
Our little Syrena (15month old) is the grandaughter and showing promises too. I experienced her brain turning from single attention point to multiple goals and its like you kids first steps. She's up for adoption, cant keep them all. Full registration to ASHA and CSHA in process. Third generation on the property so grandmother and mother can be seen. Sir has been sold to Brazil unfortunaly. She's black with one grey eye, four equal white legs to the knee and wide simetrical blaze on forehead. Half white tail.
People say they cant buck you off? Lol ! We have a shire herd and one has jumped 5ft in the air over a round bail from a stand still. Was also often found in the wrong paddock back when we had the horses separated. Yes our fences are 5ft tall. If theres a fire or something , I can trust the horse to get out of danger so we never looked for taller fencing.
So happy ur doing videos again. Fame is amazing. He has a great owner 😁
Thanks Wes! 🤠
I would love to request more videos with you and fame, like taking care of him from the ground etc. Like one of your trimming vids ♥️
Thanks Liza! I’ll add that to my list. ❤️
@@HappieronaHorse I'm so excited you 2 are such inspiration for me ♥️♥️
OMG YES DOC T IS THEE BEST!!!!!! My most senior horse has been grain free thanks to Dr Tucker for at least five years and he looks and feels AMAZING!!!! My other boy I adopted about a year ago and also put on no grain and his overall health completely turned around for the BEST!!! His previous owners come by to visit from time to time and can’t belief how different (in a GOOD way) he looks! 🥰
Right?? Wow that is so great to hear!! I love dramatic changes like that. So glad your horses are doing so well grain free!
Thank you for sharing.
GreatVideo! And what amazing clips you added of Fame. He is so beautiful.
PeaceAndLove
Lori
Thanks so much Lori! Happy Sunday ❤
It took me 3 weeks to teach my Percheron to pick up his feet. Simple! I give him a 1 cm slice of carrot every time she does it right. Not right? No carrot. It’s a question of learning to balance on three legs. Best thing I ever did.
And a draft horse doesn’t need special feeding unless your forage is poor quality. Get it tested if in doubt. You can also give them Pavo vitamin cookies if you’re not convinced
Hi I was wondering if maybe you could maybe post a video on how to teach the draft horse to pick up his feet I have a thoroughbred and a Rocky Mountains I’ve never had a draft horse I purchased a Clydesdale she is four years old and she doesn’t pick up her feet very well and when she does she pulls her foot away from me . I am a pretty strong person but I am definitely doing something wrong this is not working.I’m 104 pounds knocks me on my ground on the ground . I could sure use some help with this please!!
Hey Annette! I used clicker training to teach Fame to do it. There’s lots of videos on introducing CT (check out Shawna Karrasch) on youtube but basically you need to “mark” the moment they do the right thing with a unique sound (I clicked with my mouth, different from how I ask for a trot) and then offer a treat as a reward. Initially he got rewarded for attempts (shifting weight), then lifts and stomps, then for lifting so I could grab his feathers, then lifting and holding momentarily, etc until he could hold long enough to pick out his feet. You do need to teach them to behave well around treats first if you’re going to offer treats so they don’t pester you for them. I got Fame when he was 5 and his balance wasn’t great - they are still growing and learning their feet so it may take some time. Hope that helps!
Stephanie, so glad you are back. I am in a mini crisis. I have a percheron/quarter horse cross 16.2 h wide and broad. I am having a devil of a time finding a saddle to fit her. No one seems to make a truly x wide or xx wide tree. I have ordered and returned three custom made saddles! I mean if you advertise you are a custom saddle maker but you can't make a wider one. Seriously? She can wear a warmblood size bridle since she has a lovely head. With respect to draft horse myths I agree with what you said in your video. My mare is a very forward going horse more whoa than go but that is what I need since I am a senior rider. lol What type of saddle are you riding in? Was it custom? Thanks so much for your input
Thanks! Oh man saddle troubles are so tough (and expensive). So I ride in a Circle Y Drover Trail which is a flex tree. Some people love/hate flex trees and I’ve heard awesome and awful things about them lol. I would say I’m neutral. It’s lightweight and seems to fit fine so far. My trainer rides him in a Billy Cook and I like her saddle a lot. My friend with a 19.1 Clydesdale rides in a Stonewall and before that she had a Wintec. I hope that helps and that you’re able to find something suitable!
Also if you go the Billy Cook route I would call them - different saddles use different trees and I believe when I talked to them awhile back certain models were wider than others even though they were all “wide.”
Is your beautiful horse a spotted draft or a draft cross with gypsy vanner??
He’s technically a Drum - 2/3 Shire and 1/3 Gypsy Vanner in his case.
Have you ridden your draft in rugged areas and trails? Narrow single track?
Yes 👍🏼 there’s more rugged out there I’m sure, but at least for our area he’s experienced a lot.
What kind of draft is yours?
He’s a Drum horse - his particular mix is Shire/Gypsy.
WHICH COUNTRY YOU ARE LIVING?
Is your horse a Gypsy Vanner?
Partially! He’s a Drum - 2/3 Shire & 1/3 Gypsy.
I'm so happy you're back! Hope you and your daugter are well. I really love watching you and Fame and I look forward to learning more from you.
Aww thank you so much! Glad to be back and glad to have you watching!