Since we seem to be on a draft horse kick around here, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. The horse to your left is maybe appropriately named Bertha. Hopefully the $1,800 tag still isn't too much. If you compare her to last month's, I'm sure she'll look really affordable.Bertha is a 17.0hh, 1995 model with a docked tail. Apparently she has been used mainly for trail riding and has a fairly laid back attitude. While it is stated that she does have a tendency to be a bit slow, I'm sure somebody with some meaning behind their oomph could ellicit a canter quickly with no issue. She stands quietly for the farrier, loads, clips, and loves baths. If you are in the Port Deposit, Maryland area, she may be worth looking at.
what a beautiful neck and head on big Bertha. If I were closer and had the place for her, I'd pick her up in a jiffy. I can just picture her in a collected trot.
ReplyDeleteoh, and I'd also rename her :)
OT but since there seems to be pretty knowledgeable people here in regards to the bigger breeds I'm wondering about opinions on jumping these bigger horses. I seem more and more perchs and other drafts jumping and it makes me cringe, but maybe I'm wrong?
ReplyDeleteIf jumping is hurting the horse they will refuse to jump, unless they are of a slightly hysterical temperament that leads to the horses that just blow through the course blindly.
ReplyDeleteSome of the cattiest (and funnest!) jumpers I've ridden have been work horses. The strenth and comformation that makes a horse a great puller also gives them the strength and conformation to jump, e.g. strong bone, tendons and ligaments, powerfull shoulders and haunches. Workhorses also tend to have a level headed temperament, so will let you know what they can and can't do. Their genetic mental background (as a general rule) is more thoughtful, and their self preservation tactics are usually more in the line of refusing or evading rather than blindly stampeding.
Draft horse breeds have been crossed into most jumping breeds for a reason! Most of the draft breeds were used as family farm horses and are incredibly versatile.
The Germans imported Shires in 18th and 19th century to produce the WB breeds. So, if you think about it, WB are approximately 85% Shire or Percheron and 15% Arabian.
ReplyDeleteI will deal with this topic on TrooperandSarah.blog. I will show that that Shire has the same body proportions as Andalusian or Lipizzaner. The hip in the Shire is proportionally wider and the joints and legs thicker. For their body ratio the draft breeds have more mass in the leg and joint muscle and tendons. Their body is well put together to withstand tremendous force. Plus, the subject of drafts and jumping has been thoroughly studied and the finds are that they suffer no more injuries than light horses.
Please note that the Shire was originally bred as versatile hunter and dressage horse c. 1600. Since that time it has grown about two hands, but has maintained the breed proportions. The Clydesdale originated in a breeding plan to produce a hunter-riding horse with versatility.
ReplyDeleteBertha is a cutie! And looks like a sweetie , hope someone snaps her up
ReplyDeleteShire at the beach
ReplyDeleteHere's CCC and Buck…re…I mean Lauren and her Percheron jumping 3'9"
ReplyDeletePercheron Jumping
Bertha's adorable. I bet she's a cuddle pony.
ReplyDeletewish I was closer to Bertha-
ReplyDeleteNow I tell you, if she were closer and I had the cash, that is exactly what I need. And want. LoL Have to change her name though.
ReplyDelete~DK
I LIKE her name:)
ReplyDeleteBig Beautiful Bertha.
Good luck to her!
I want Bertha in my paddock.
ReplyDeleteI feel so guilty when I think of owning a Percheron. I have no use for one, I ride saddle seat. But I WANT a dapple grey Percheron. Always have. I want to have one, and brush it and braid flowers in it's mane and feed it cookies. Just like an extra big St Bernard I suppose. I want a paca too. To do the same sort of things with. I guess I miss my babies.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, Bertha does not look like she's 17h to me. Even though I know the drafts can be gentle friends and ponies can be demons, I'm instinctively attracted to the 15h and under shrimps. I guess it's because I'm a mere 5'2" and a chicken. :-)
ReplyDeleteBHM feel free to use this as a topic
ReplyDeleteHas anyone read FHotD about finding a trainer? I sort of agree with her on many points, but she doesn't seem to take into consideration the riders skill and innate talent.
One Saddlebred Show trainer I know spends a great deal of time bringing a horse down to the level of their rider. Taking a Park horse down to country pleasure type thing. For you huntseat folk, it would be like taking an Rolex eventer down to HUS. This does the horse no harm,and hopefully the rider and the horse can be retrained together.
I love Bertha, she is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBHM, snorking on me and the Buckster jumping 3'9". I don't think I have the energy to get Bigun going enough to jump that. He did do low level eventing before I got him, but he is really lazy. I just ride him on the flat which is really a nice ride. He is very comfortable to ride.
The girl/Perch in that youtube looked really nice and I loved the Shires on the beach. How beautiful!
Kaede, nothing like having a big ole draftie around. It does have some challenges, but Buck is nothing short of special. Buck is mostly whited out but does still have some light dappling on his legs. He has a very full, long tail that is gorgeous, but I want him to have the mane of the one BHM posted a bit ago. Probably not going to happen, but I can dream.
Did you have pacas before? Have you seen my blog with my herd?
CCC,
ReplyDeleteI think that I'd fall off before I'd get over the fence!
For a long mane and tail wash and then let dry. Once dry, comb out the knots and then oil (ie. baby oil). Put MTG on the skin of the mane and dock of the tail. Braid in large loose braids and then wrap with white vet tape. Then let it grow out.
BHM, I've jumped 3'9" before but not on something like Buck. That scares me a bit, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. Buck has a wonderful tail, no complaints at all there, but his mane isn't near as thick.
Okay, I am not coming up with what MTG is.
MTG is sulphur oil compound that you can buy in stores. It's the product name. It's better to buy MTG that mix a sulphur treatment yourself because it's complicated.
ReplyDeleteIt's called Shapley's MTG (Mane and Tail Groom).
ReplyDeleteAHHHH, thanks darlin. I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteWhinnie also has a nice tail but her mane and forelock are somewhat skimpy. She might benefit as well.