Clydesdale horses for joy riding.

[ThreeBoysChicks]

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[PatchiePonie]

I have a draft horse - and I LOVE him! I'd have a hundred if I could.

I have a friend who breeds Clydes, and I almost purchased one from her...but in the end, I decided I needed a horse who could help earn his keep by being able to teach riding lessons. Not easy with an 18hh Clyde. So I decided on a compromise...I got a Norwegian Fjord - a small draft horse. He's GREAT! And I have never - not even for one minute - felt like I "settled" for something less.
Sweet ride!!
He is everything I love about the drafts: he's easy-going, happy, calm, steady, and built like a tank! He's like taking your sofa out for a ride! All this, but in a 14.2hh package! He never has a bad day! He's easy.

You need big accomodations to play with the "big boys". They need bigger stalls (at least 14'x14' if not 16'x16'), they need stronger fencing (like Great Danes, many are leaners!), they need bigger buckets, bigger tack, and bigger EVERYTHING!

Surprisingly, they don't eat as much as you'd think. Most (but not all) are easy keepers. Siggy gets fat on air - he was 200 pounds over-weight when I purchased him. He is now trim and healthy and eats 3 flakes of straight Timothy each day as well as one cup (yes CUP) of Nutrena Triumph 10% pellets - just so he feels like he's getting something! He also has access to mineral licks to make sure he gets all that he needs.

Haflingers are another Draft horse in a smaller package. Really nice horses.

Here is my Fjord - how do you NOT love a horse with a head as big as your torso?!
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/...Siggy/cid_000501c9592bea093eb06700a8c0Kel.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t22/kellygast/Horse - Siggy/DSC_0079.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t22/kellygast/Horse - Siggy/SiggyLarge2.jpg

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I had both Clydes and Belgians and LOVED them dearly! I would reccomend them to anyone who wanted a quiet and loyal mount.

 

[Queen Mum]

Oh my GOD! I wish we had grass on our property! I'd buy one in a New York Minute! I LOVE draft horses. That Norwegian Fjord looks PERFECT! I want one...

 

[zzGypsy]

we have belgians and mutt drafts right now, have had perches in the past, and clyde mixes...
I've had light horses, hot horses, fast horses and I'm SO over it I can't even tell you. love our draft horses - they're So EASY!

ok, not every individual, but on the whole draft horses are so much more easy going, take it in stride than light horses, it's not even a comparison. we ride and drive. I've got an 18 hand belgian who's an excellent precise-footed trail horse... the only down side is in brushy/woody areas we're often taller than the cleared trail (DUCK!).

but keep in mind, you have to build your fencing as if you meant to contain elephants... and then it'll probably keep your draft horses in.

BTW, love the look of the fjords - such sweet faces!

 

[77Herford]

I'm enjoying my Shire's. They are rather laid back individuals. I work my ladies but have other horses for riding though my Shire's are broke to ride, I've only had them for a couple of days. I wanted Jutlands but there aren't too many around me and I wanted a team for sale.
I do have a Gypsy Vanner mix rescue but she will never driver.

 

[pawtraitart]

We have a shire mare and her 1/2 clyde filly. The mare is a joy to ride! She drives, too. Gentle as can be.

 

[77Herford]

I have a draft horse - and I LOVE him! I'd have a hundred if I could.

I have a friend who breeds Clydes, and I almost purchased one from her...but in the end, I decided I needed a horse who could help earn his keep by being able to teach riding lessons. Not easy with an 18hh Clyde. So I decided on a compromise...I got a Norwegian Fjord - a small draft horse. He's GREAT! And I have never - not even for one minute - felt like I "settled" for something less.

He is everything I love about the drafts: he's easy-going, happy, calm, steady, and built like a tank! He's like taking your sofa out for a ride! All this, but in a 14.2hh package! He never has a bad day! He's easy.

You need big accomodations to play with the "big boys". They need bigger stalls (at least 14'x14' if not 16'x16'), they need stronger fencing (like Great Danes, many are leaners!), they need bigger buckets, bigger tack, and bigger EVERYTHING!

Surprisingly, they don't eat as much as you'd think. Most (but not all) are easy keepers. Siggy gets fat on air - he was 200 pounds over-weight when I purchased him. He is now trim and healthy and eats 3 flakes of straight Timothy each day as well as one cup (yes CUP) of Nutrena Triumph 10% pellets - just so he feels like he's getting something! He also has access to mineral licks to make sure he gets all that he needs.

Haflingers are another Draft horse in a smaller package. Really nice horses.

Here is my Fjord - how do you NOT love a horse with a head as big as your torso?!
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/...Siggy/cid_000501c9592bea093eb06700a8c0Kel.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t22/kellygast/Horse - Siggy/DSC_0079.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t22/kellygast/Horse - Siggy/SiggyLarge2.jpg

Lovely horse there. I just got some Shires for draft work but they are broke to ride and they are great mares. I've always liked Draft horses but never owned them. Now I wish I would of bought them earlier. I just rode one of them the other day and it was like riding a sofa, lol. I tried to find a Haflinger but alas not to be.