Anyone own Ardennes..??

SatansLittleHelper

SatansLittleHelper

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Just curious really about Ardennes and what they are like as riding horses..??
I was going to look at buying another Clydesdale late next year but after losing my boy lasy Xmas I still struggle to even look at one without a big lump in my throat :(
I miss having a heavy terribly...they are my first love but I just dont think I can ever face having another Clydie.
My friend has a Breton who is fab but they dont really come up big enough for me. I have seen some beautiful Ardennes and am really taken with them (literally just in thought stages right now, have enough on my plate lol).
 
I love them, but pretty much own the opposite end of the scales (fine welsh a ..) so cant help but can bump :)
Have you considered a percheron? They are lovely, nice natured but have alot of power and a suprisingly good jump!
 
I have an Ardennes - Trait du Nord (I think!). He is 8 and about 15hh. He is a complete gentle giant and wouldn't hurt a fly. I have him as a companion primarily but he has 2 sharers that ride him regularly. He has a lovely trot, v bouncy! He has jumped nicely although we mainly use him for hacking and sponsored rides. He is very calm, excellent with children and traffic.

Only 2 downsides : the size of his shoes - but I guess your used to that with having a heavy before! (The farrier is not his biggest fan as although he is well behaved he struggles to hold his feet up for long). Other downside is his weight - a constant battle! He came to me very overweight and it's taken 2 years to get him down to a reasonable size. He could demolish a whole bale of hay in under an hour I'd say and has been known to polish off a deep straw bed in one night! But saying that he's cheap to keep as he could and does live on fresh air. I believe the breed is used for the meat market abroad so they are built to pack it on!
I think they're a lovely breed and of a calm, easy temperament.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
Just curious really about Ardennes and what they are like as riding horses..??
I was going to look at buying another Clydesdale late next year but after losing my boy lasy Xmas I still struggle to even look at one without a big lump in my throat :(
I miss having a heavy terribly...they are my first love but I just dont think I can ever face having another Clydie.
My friend has a Breton who is fab but they dont really come up big enough for me. I have seen some beautiful Ardennes and am really taken with them (literally just in thought stages right now, have enough on my plate lol).
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Hello again,

I think they are quite nice riding horses as not too big for a heavy. There is a state run farm in Luexmbourg which has a small stud just 2-3 mares. It is an educational facility visited by children from all over Benelux.

Children learn all about food production from sowing seed to harvesting and milling wheat. They get a chance to plough with Ardennes horses, when the season is right. Also carriage rides.

We visited in the summer and went on a carriage ride - I asked if I could drive and was handed the reins. They are lovely horses and something I considered adding to our rare breed stud.
 
Thanks for the info...I really do like the look of them...I have seen a few that will make 16hh+ so more my height. That said I just saw a Breton gelding for sale in France at 16.2hh..!!!
 
Rollin said:
Hello again,

I think they are quite nice riding horses as not too big for a heavy. There is a state run farm in Luexmbourg which has a small stud just 2-3 mares. It is an educational facility visited by children from all over Benelux.

Children learn all about food production from sowing seed to harvesting and milling wheat. They get a chance to plough with Ardennes horses, when the season is right. Also carriage rides.

We visited in the summer and went on a carriage ride - I asked if I could drive and was handed the reins. They are lovely horses and something I considered adding to our rare breed stud.
Click to expand...

Hello again :)
Im rather taken with them I must admit but do like the Bretons too...shame there are so few here :(
Hopefully we can organise the Breton stallion for my friends mare in Sprung. Thanks again for your help with that :)
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
Just curious really about Ardennes and what they are like as riding horses..??
I was going to look at buying another Clydesdale late next year but after losing my boy lasy Xmas I still struggle to even look at one without a big lump in my throat :(
I miss having a heavy terribly...they are my first love but I just dont think I can ever face having another Clydie.
My friend has a Breton who is fab but they dont really come up big enough for me. I have seen some beautiful Ardennes and am really taken with them (literally just in thought stages right now, have enough on my plate lol).
Click to expand...


what about this as an option - got the Clydie that you obviously love with a nice dash of Percheron - sounds a lovely horse! Best of luck finding what you want :)


http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/109403658/162-safe-weight-carrrier-3250.html
 
You are BAD :p
LOL. Im not even remotely close to considering buying another horse at this point. My youngster needs alot of work and Im committed to providing it...but in a year or so, maybe?? :)
 
Hi, I have an ardennes. All I can say is that I adore every inch (&there's lots) of her. It's taken two years of getting to know each other, her likes (food) & dislikes (tractors), but I cannot imagine not having her in my life. She's strong, nappy if I'm not one step ahead of her, barefoot, has an extra large wardrobe, but is generally easy to keep. I have an Albion saddle for her, bridle is an extra full & bit is a 6.5" Pelham, but nothing custom made. We've had our ups & downs but I wouldn't part with her for the world! Go for it - heavies are amazing!
 
The horse in my sig is probably 3/4 Ardennes and I used to own another gelding who was 1/2 Ardennes. The lady who bred them mainly had pure bred mares and although stocky they weren't particularly tall horses. Neither of the boys were more than 15 hh.
 
I have an Ardennes X. She is/was brilliant! Super working hunter type and went up to elementary doing dressage. She could've gone on too, but she got written off with KS and navicular :-s That part doesn't really sell her, I'll admit. Still, she's one of the cleverest, most engaged, and willing horses I've ever worked with. Love her to bits and would like to have a full Ardennes one day.
 
We have a shirexTB - he's 17hands and built like a brick outhouse, but is as gentle and kind as they come and totally uncomplicated!(Some might say simple!!!)
 
Shameless photos....!! Obviously just to remind myself how to do them as not posted any for ages....

We call him an Ardennes...in truth he's probably a mixture of whatever happened to be in the field at the time before he was imported over here by previous owners....

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A lady up the toad from me has a comptois, who thought was an Ardennes, he is the chunkiest horse I have ever seen in the flesh :)
 
anothernewbie said:
Shameless photos....!! Obviously just to remind myself how to do them as not posted any for ages....

We call him an Ardennes...in truth he's probably a mixture of whatever happened to be in the field at the time before he was imported over here by previous owners....

242177_10150196468532909_5934845_o.jpg

306019_10150268746712909_7561566_n.jpg

540336_10150738666337909_1235362567_n.jpg

303201_10150295526222909_1009326601_n.jpg

Test.jpg
Click to expand...

Aw so sweet . Looks sooo much like a Ardennes cross Suffolk punch !
 
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