December
4
Draft horses vs Quarter Horses (For a novice rider)?
A few months ago, I asked a question about what type of horse to buy, me being a novice rider. Well, I haven’t ridden much since then, so yes, I am still a novice. XD I have a slight bit more confidence on horseback than I did back then, but I am still practically a newbie.
Anyway, the answers back then were telling me to get a gelding, about 10-15 years old. That’s the points they all mostly agreed on–but then they were kind of undecided about draft horses vs QHs. Some said one, some said the other, some couldn’t decide between the two, so they just told me about both.
I’m leaning kind of towards draft horse, because looking back at my first horse ever–an older gelding named Scout (Rest in peace <3)–I think he was some kind of draft horse, or at least had some draft blood in him. He had huge feet, was built sturdy, and was kind of tall–about 16hh, maybe a little bigger. He was my favorite horse ever, calm and gentle, though we did have our little spats. XD
So now that the time is getting closer for me to be getting a horse (This spring, hopefully!!), I’m wondering, once and for all, which I should be looking at. I mean.. there’s so many types of draft horses, I’m overwhelmed trying to figure out which one would be best. XD
Thing is, I’m looking at photos of draft horses… and they look so HUGE–huger than Scout, even! (though maybe the handlers standing beside them are just short..? lol) I mean, I’m pretty small, only 5′4", so I don’t know how that would mix–but they seem to be sturdy too, and that would be a definite plus as my brother sometimes rides, and I might have to let him ride my horse, and he’s huge–like 6′1". I know that a huge horse can be intimidating, but I also know that huge doesn’t always mean ‘brute’ or whatever, so I’d be perfectly ok with a larger horse–it would just take some getting used to, plus I just might have to get a block or something. XD
(the photos I’m talking about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ShireDraftHorse.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logging_in_the_Larch_wood.JPG)
I’m also wanting something that can canter/gallop/trot but not likely to be spooky or something. And one with a smooth gait would be HEAVENLY. (The mare I currently own has the roughest gaits ever. Not even joking. x_o; )
If it makes any kind of difference at all, I mostly ride western style. I don’t do any disciplines, but I ride with a western bridle and saddle. The saddle is actually a kid’s saddle, but it fits me well enough, plus it’s nice and light. XD
Ok, ok, I’m not going to ramble anymore. Short and sweet: Draft or Quarter horse, and if draft, WHAT FREAKING KIND?! XDDD
Thanks!
xoxo
I never understand why people always jump up with suggestions that someone ought to buy a draft horse. The argument is they’re "gentle giants" but I don’t think large drafts are always suitable for most people. They eat more for one thing, require more space in terms of housing, and are just much larger animals than your average horse can be. They’re also horses who know their own weight, and can take advantage of that. (Although any horse could be pushy, even a pony)
That doesn’t mean drafts aren’t bad. I’ve got a Haflinger myself, and he’s a draft pony. But there’s a vast difference between him and a Shire or a Clydesdale. Some draft horses are not very much taller than the average horse, and draft crosses might be perfectly fine. It’s really going to depend on personality, but I don’t think that drafts are automatically great horses for the average horse owner if they’re the large 17-18 hand ones.
I’m not sure if people are right jumping to the conclusion that Quarter Horses are the way to go either. I’ve ridden a few quarter horses, and like them quite a bit. But like drafts, they’re pretty stereotyped as being calm and easy-going. You really ought to be looking at individual personality more than actual breeds.
That said, if you’re dead set on a draft, why not try a draft pony like a Haflinger. They’re generally in the 13-14 hand range, although some are a little taller. The more drafty looking ones are a bit smaller. My gelding is 14.1 hands, and I’m 5′6". We get along pretty well, and he’s small enough to care for easily.
In my opinion, look at many horses. Don’t get fixated on a breed. Go check out quarter horses, and Haflingers, and just about anything else you might be interested. You’re looking for the right individual horse to suit your riding needs, not a breed. I knew I was looking for a trail horse/pleasure riding/having fun on horse. I looked at quarter horses, and appaloosas, and Morgans and just about everything that fit my criteria of what I wanted in a horse. The horse that I ultimately decided fit my best was the Haflinger.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I don’t know much about horses but:
There are a lot of types of horses other than the two you mentioned. A draft horse would be so big around that you would get very uncomfortable wrapping your legs around him after a while. I can imagine that quarter horses would be very quick and maybe a little high strung. I have a friend who bought a mare with a sweet and quiet disposition because she wanted to have a horse she could enjoy the scenery with. She is happy about her choice. Good luck.
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December 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
My advice would be to hang out around a stable at the county fairground or a similar place, and talk to the people who know their horses and can size you up and offer advice from someone who is around horses daily. Just remember one thing about a horse. You don’t usually get to ride them everyday, but you do have to feed and groom them every day! I had a friend who had a horse for a couple of years and she found out just how expensive they are to care for and how much time is involved every day. Boarding, feed, daily care and veterinary bills will add up. One final note: draft horses are very large animals and the quarter horses are smaller and quicker. Good luck in your decision!
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December 4th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
If you are a novice rider, I would suggest a QH. Most drafts you buy even young, are only trained to pull and therefore you have to transition them to riding style reins and directions (Your kid saddle and bridle will doubtfully fit a full sized draft
. There are many larger breeds out there other than a full on draft, if you are looking for size. Drafts however are wonderful. I have rode percherons, belgians and mixes of those 2. The last one I rode this summer was 21 hands! Rode like a dream had her in full gallop and it felt like I was on a cloud. HOWEVER, not to scare you, but later in the summer I rode her again and she tripped easily in soft ground, threw me and then rolled over my body. As wonderful as they are to ride, they cannot maneuver the same way a smaller horse does. So I would consider your riding area and plans of what type of riding you’re going to take part in. Considering your size as well, I would be careful. I am 5′9 and still it’s a duty to stay put in a strong full western saddle because drafts widen out much more.
Personally I always say the larger the horse the better. When you get them going full speed it’s like nothing you’ll ever experience on a smaller horse. I have rode pretty much every size possible. I’d say go out riding on some horses first before you buy one. It’s important to fit the horse you’re going to ride in order to become one with it. Good luck to ya and I hope you have a great time riding it when you find the right one.
References :
Rider for about 14 years.
December 5th, 2009 at 12:38 am
I would lean towards the QH mainly because it’s going to be much easier to find a DECENT QH pretty cheap right now, whereas (at least where I’m located) I find 10 draft horses on craigslist a day and they have terrible conformation and the two I went to look out for curiosity’s sake ended up being pushy and not mannerly at all.The owner’s excuse was "Oh he just does that because he’s big." No matter how big, whatever horse you DO look at needs to be mannerly, especially if you’re a novice.
Also, when you get a draft, you may have problems finding a farrier that will trim him. My trainer has 17hh percheron gelding and where she’s at (I have since moved), she could not find a certified farrier within 100 miles to do a basic trim on her big guy. She ended up pay almost $100 do have a farrier come down and trim him.
A lot of boarding barns I’ve worked for, worked with, and boarded at do not ACCEPT draft horses, so if you’re going to board, look into it.
It’s not ALL places, but enough to present an issue sometimes.
And for reference, I live near Louisville, KY so there are HUNDREDS of boarding barns around here, but if I needed to use one anymore and had a draft, I’d be looking at the $300-$600/month boarding cost.
Tack is also going to have to be bought in draft size. Everything from halters to saddles to shoes if you do have your horse shod. And sometimes this ends up costing little bit more than just the regular "horse" size.
So, for ease of finding a good horse with a good personality and at least decent conformation, a QH is going to be your best bet.
However, if you can FIND a draft horse that is as mannerly as he should be, is built correctly, and is sound of mind, and you have already found a place to keep him (double check when you look into boarding) and can locate a farrier to trim him, then I would by all means recommend a draft. They’re generally easy keepers and I have met very few hot headed ones (and in reply to one of the posters above me..some QH ARE hot, but a majority of the ones you find for a novice rider are NOT. One of the breed’s traits is an easygoing hard working personality type).
I like the rocking horse canter of a well built draft or draft cross (QHs don’t cross well with drafts in my experience, and if you cross them with anything else, generally people jack up the price and call it a warmblood whether or not it’s registered) and their trots will certainly help you to develop a strong-as-steel seat!
Personally, I like Belgians and Percherons. Clydsdales sell for more round here because everyone’s heard of them. We have a lot of grade drafts that look to Percheron and something else. I like the build of Percherons whether they are the stocky hauling type or the more refined sport type.
For the record, Shires are notably larger than most other draft breeds. Belgians around here are quite smaller than what people assume they’re going to be. Shires are a good breed and pass on a lot of their good nature to draft crosses (very prepotent breed I suppose), but they’re not too commonly found where I’m from.
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December 5th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Well first of all, Shire’s are 17-18+ hands tall. That’s why the person in that picture looks so small. (:
If you get a draft horse just know that they are BIG horses. They are wide and tall with big feet, and seeing pictures is nothing like seeing one in person. Since they are big, they have big gaits. Not always bumpy, but just big. A lof of beginners have trouble riding some draft crosses even if they are smooth because since they are big horses, their gaits are also very big. The best thing for you to do is go ride a draft horse and see what it’s like. That way you have an idea of what to expect. Just remember not all horses are the same. (:
I think something that would be perfect for you is a draft cross. Maybe even a Draft horse x Quarter Horse cross. (; That way you are getting both breeds that you want. You could find a draft cross that’s about 15.2-16 hands, easily. They’d be thicker then a purebred Quarter Horse, but not quite as big as a draft. They’d definitely be stocky enough that your brother could ride it as well as being a suitable size for you.
Here’s an example of a draft cross for sale right now. http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1454787 She’s 15.2 hands, which is a good size for you – she’s not too big or intimidating, but she’s not too small for your brother.
The main thing you should look for is a horse that will suit your needs. While draft horses, draft crosses and Quarter Horses are all great breeds, the perfect horse for you might be something else. However if you want one of those three, then that’s what you should look for. (: In the end it’s your decision, you’ll know when you find the right horse!
Good luck!! (:
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December 5th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I am a pretty novice rider too. I have a 22 y/o quarter horse and he has such a great temperment, but my father in law has 2 belgians and those also have a wonderful temperment. I would suggest looking for the one that suits you the best. Honestly, maybe if your looking for a big stocky horse, try a draft horse mix. i have been looking for a couple spotted drafts for my father in law, and have not been able to find a team, but there are singles out there. Just start looking at both and find the specific horse you want. Here is a link to this one spotted draft i found, but couldn’t be driven and i was so disappointed because he seems like such a great horse. Just to give you an idea of what i am talking about.
the first link is just to the ad
http://www.draftsforsale.com/ShowAd/index.php?id=4aee32b441ac9
the next is the links to the pics and the videos (also on this guys ad)
http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery2.php?instanceid=153443707
http://www.motionbox.com/videos/4c96d3b41d12ecc2c3
good luck hun
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December 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I own an Appaloosa mare and she is the best thing i have ever purchased. She is incredibly hardy, sturdy, very sound mind, and not mare-ish at all. NOT ALL MARES ARE BAD! do not count them out. Some people just click better with geldings or mares than others. its all up to you and your personality.
Drafts cost A TON more to feed if you plan on graining and giving hay. They cant help that they are so big
We have a percheron/TB cross who is 17hh and he gets feed 3 times the feed all the "normal" sized horses are getting. Drafts need bigger stalls, different saddles&tack, often times bigger trailers, and it is often times more expensive to shoe them. I have nothing against drafts. I love them. But the reality is they cost more to maintain and own from their size,so please consider that. PS. if you are short and the horse is tall its a MUCH MUCH longer way to fall off and hit the ground. maybe you should look for a "draft type" pony if that’s what you are looking for.
Do not pick a QH because everyone tells you to. do a TON of research on all sorts of breeds. There are so many out there. At my barn we have POA’s or pony of americas. They look just like Appys but are pony sized all the way to 14.2hh. I am 5′5" and i can ride all but 1 of our poas. They have amazing temperaments and the coloring is a plus to me. We also have 2 QHs and they are smart and amazing. We have the percheron/TB. We have 2 appys and last but not least 1 paint and 1 arab. So really just take your time.. look around… get tons of info on any breed that interests you.
PS.. there are good and bad horses in every breed. Dont let someone tell you.. oh appys are stupid (if i had a dime for every time ive heard that id be rich!!
and i will often go in to classes with QHs and beat the pants off them) dont let them tell you QHs are perfect either. Any horse is capable of ANYTHING it doesn’t matter what breed, color, size, age, or gender. My mare is 16 and people still think she is 4 (she doesn’t know her age!! lol) I would look…especially if your novice… look for a horse between 15-20. The older ones are often WAY better teachers than the young ones and the older ones are built different and have handled a lot more situations. They are more reliable…but not all the time! I would stick to that age range though. And as for height wise because of your height.. pick from 14.1h (pony) to 15h. Dont go too much higher or too much shorter.
GOOD LUCK!! take your time. and remember be careful! there are so many people out there trying to pass off a bad horse as a "great" deal. use common sense…find a reliable horse peabilitieso knows your ablities and what you want your horse for) they are going to be able to help you the most.
References :
I own 1 Appaloosa mare who is 16. I have been around horses for more than 10 years. I ride english, western and i show. I have been around MANY breeds. Its not the breed that makes the horse!!!
December 5th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Really breed is not important, though I would steer clear of a thoroughbred or arab or something flighty, especially as you are a novice.
What is more important is that he is up to your weight and is sensible in temperament and is an expert in the job that you want him to do. An older one would be better since it is wiser and more likely (though nothing is certain) to be kind to you and have been schooled.
Take your instructor/trainer with you when going to see a horse for the first time and he or she will ask the right questions. Do not believe adverts that say that the horse is 100 per cent perfect in every way. No horse is perfect. When and if you decide to buy a horse make sure that you get it vetted by a vet of your choosing, not just the vet of the seller. Fresh eyes are better and also the vet and vendor might be in cahoots. Nothing is more disappointing than getting it home and then finding it has some underlying health problem.
As for the saddle, that is an individual thing. The saddle must fit the horse. A saddle that does not fit the horse will cause severe pain to a horse, so you might have to buy a new one.
References :
Riding instructor
December 5th, 2009 at 3:11 am
I never understand why people always jump up with suggestions that someone ought to buy a draft horse. The argument is they’re "gentle giants" but I don’t think large drafts are always suitable for most people. They eat more for one thing, require more space in terms of housing, and are just much larger animals than your average horse can be. They’re also horses who know their own weight, and can take advantage of that. (Although any horse could be pushy, even a pony)
That doesn’t mean drafts aren’t bad. I’ve got a Haflinger myself, and he’s a draft pony. But there’s a vast difference between him and a Shire or a Clydesdale. Some draft horses are not very much taller than the average horse, and draft crosses might be perfectly fine. It’s really going to depend on personality, but I don’t think that drafts are automatically great horses for the average horse owner if they’re the large 17-18 hand ones.
I’m not sure if people are right jumping to the conclusion that Quarter Horses are the way to go either. I’ve ridden a few quarter horses, and like them quite a bit. But like drafts, they’re pretty stereotyped as being calm and easy-going. You really ought to be looking at individual personality more than actual breeds.
That said, if you’re dead set on a draft, why not try a draft pony like a Haflinger. They’re generally in the 13-14 hand range, although some are a little taller. The more drafty looking ones are a bit smaller. My gelding is 14.1 hands, and I’m 5′6". We get along pretty well, and he’s small enough to care for easily.
In my opinion, look at many horses. Don’t get fixated on a breed. Go check out quarter horses, and Haflingers, and just about anything else you might be interested. You’re looking for the right individual horse to suit your riding needs, not a breed. I knew I was looking for a trail horse/pleasure riding/having fun on horse. I looked at quarter horses, and appaloosas, and Morgans and just about everything that fit my criteria of what I wanted in a horse. The horse that I ultimately decided fit my best was the Haflinger.
References :
December 5th, 2009 at 3:48 am
I agree with GoldenPonehRider. (;
Just because someone has had a great experience with a draft horse doesn’t mean they’re all that way. Same with a Quarter Horse. Any breed could be a suitable beginner horse, it depend’s on the particular horse, it’s history, training, disposition and temperament.
The best thing for you to do is try a bunch of horses. Look for something around the 14.2-15.2 hand range. That would be a good size for you. Often one horse isn’t suitable for multiple riders. For example, if you’re 5′4" and your brother is 6′1" it’s unlikely that you’ll find a horse that will work out for both of you. If you’re brother doesn’t ride much, then don’t try and find a horse that will work for both of you, find one that will work for you. 10-15 is a good age range for you to be looking at. I wouldn’t consider anything under the age of 8, even if it’s a very calm horse that you like a young horse needs training and a novice rider can not train a horse. You could go above 15 years old too if you’d like. There are plenty of older horses that still have plenty of years left in them. And you’ll probably have better luck finding an older horse that fits your needs, instead of a younger horse.
I’d stay away from the draft horses. B Grand Blue’s point of a draft horse was a good idea, but whether or not you’ll find a draft cross that’s totally beginner safe with smooth gaits and that’s not too much horse for you, I don’t know. I exercise a Belgian cross mare who can be quite a handful. She is used in lessons for intermediates, and she’s fine with supervision but she does try to take control of her rider at times. She is only 6 or 7 years old. On the other hand, I know a different Belgian cross mare who is in her late 20s and she’s the best beginner horse I know.
When you are looking for a beginner horse, your first horse or an all-around horse similar to what you are looking for, you are going to start running into problems when you limit yourself to a breed. Sure, some Arabians are energetic, spirited and too much for a beginner. But I learned to ride on an amazing Arabian mare that taught countless little girls how to ride. And yeah a ton of Quarter Horses are very calm and relaxed and make great beginner horses, but some of them are sensitive, energetic and spunky and not trustworthy for a beginner rider.
Good luck with your search!
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December 5th, 2009 at 3:56 am
I would go with a Quarter Horse, unless you want to spend a bajillion dollars from the get-go for a lot of stuff made especially for Draft horses (and some stuff may have to be made custom), such as a saddle for their huge backs, blankets, halter, bridle, etc. They also can eat a LOT more- some are hard keepers, others get fat on air.
Quarter Horses and Drafts are both pretty calm, and gaits just depend on breeding (i.e. conformation).
The kids’ saddle will probably not fit either horse unless it has QH bars.
If money is no matter, it just comes down to the individual horse and how well you get along with it.
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December 5th, 2009 at 4:22 am
Quarter horse draft horses arnt as fun to ride…less comfertable!!!!!!
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December 5th, 2009 at 5:06 am
i would go with a qh. qh’s are sweet and and sturdy with no major medical issues usually and are fairly sound. qh’s are built for western events or english. i’ve seen qh’s running barrels, doing poles, doing flags, reining, used in western pleasure. i’ve also seen them jumping so if you got a qh you could have a variety of things to choose from if you were just playing around at the barn or later on if you decide you want to get into one kind of riding. qh’s are good for any age or level of rider and are sweet and take care of their rider and usually have no buck, spook, rear, or bite and are quiet under saddle or on the ground. they also usually have good gaits and can carry anything.
drafts have feathers you either have to clip off or pick out twigs and things from trails that get caught. they are big so they cannot turn as easily around barrels or stop as quick on reining, they usually are to big to weave in poles or get that spin on flags.however they do have nice gaits though but their size can be intimidating to some people espically a beginner but they do have good smooth gaits also.
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i have ridden many qh’s several kinds of drafts and even a qh/draft mix and i would suggest a qh for how you described what you want