Can you show me your Ardennes

There's a book I read years ago...there, I've found it, still on my shelf. "Crusader" by Tim Severin. It's about his journey riding Ardennes across Europe in the path of the Crusaders, in 1988. I also have a friend who has an Ardennes stallion...she's not on here as far as I know, but if you are really interested, I could probably put you in touch.
 
My friends horse is Ardennes, tho this is a bit of a guess, but has prob got some in him! Imported a fair few years ago, 'rescued' by a previous owner from the meat trade (we guess?!). He's only 15hh, but built like a brick **** house! He loves people and cuddles, tho doesn't understand when to stop sometimes! He knows how big and strong he is, but at the moment *touches wood* isn't using this knowledge. He's been out of work for a while, and his owner is just starting hacking again at he's being a good boy. Still doesn't get that there is any reason to move faster than 'plod'. Suits us!

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Just realised I have no up to date pics on photobucket! These are quite old now!
 
I had a Belgian Ardennes for 3 years and she was fab. Lovely temperament, liked her work and I used to do everything with her - hunt, xc etc. The looks we got from people after making it round a 2ft6 hunter trials was priceless!

Let me know if you want to know anything specific!
 
You can't tell me that I need pics loads of pics please. ;)

Thanks for replies what are they like in trot and canter are they really bouncy or nice to sit.
How hard is it to get tack for them. Also is anything the breed is prone too e.g ocd, sweet itch is it common I know its not breeds but for e.g friesians are prone to it. Nowhere I live there is loads of bogs at other side of our fences so I have to be careful of midges.

Thanks a mill so for all questions
 
Will try to get some pics up here but am on iPhone so bear with me . If you are on Facebook I am karly holland-Taylor and I can share some pics on there.

Tack wasn't a problem really. Normal saddle and extra full bridles.

She never had any health problems other than leg mites which are common in the breed and very treatable.

Her trot was bouncy but very comfortable. I taught my hubbie rising trot on her.

Canter was lovely. She was strong and opinionated but not a bad bone in her body.

I would definitely recommend the breed!
 
anothernewbie said:
My friends horse is Ardennes, tho this is a bit of a guess, but has prob got some in him! Imported a fair few years ago, 'rescued' by a previous owner from the meat trade (we guess?!). He's only 15hh, but built like a brick **** house! He loves people and cuddles, tho doesn't understand when to stop sometimes! He knows how big and strong he is, but at the moment *touches wood* isn't using this knowledge. He's been out of work for a while, and his owner is just starting hacking again at he's being a good boy. Still doesn't get that there is any reason to move faster than 'plod'. Suits us!

303201_10150295526222909_1009326601_n.jpg
306019_10150268746712909_7561566_n.jpg
242177_10150196468532909_5934845_o.jpg


Just realised I have no up to date pics on photobucket! These are quite old now!
Click to expand...

How gorgeous! So chunky he has similar proportions to a my little pony (original style of course!)
 
Hi sorry I'm not on face book. But your pics on her are class. What a stunner, I've never seen one just in pics I have a trotter, coloured sport sport horses and coloured heavy traditionals. Ardennes are hard to get. I've a few mares and foals for sale at min and once there all gone I will be hopefully horse shopping. But want to take my time, would love to ride one, so will check online my nearest one. Its not diffo I will get one as want to learn the breed and try them out. But I'm just think they look class and if trained right big gentle giant. I would like one about 15hhs as that's my comfortable height.
Thanks a million for pics really stunning and thanks for info.
 
Thank u I had a great look at her. Stunning, she really is.

How do you find the breed, any joint problems like ocd, or sweet itch ect. I also love the nice height as I like 15-15.2hh. But they are hard to fi.d was looking through sale ads just nosey as not buying one yet till j sell my mares and foals. I do like that comtois breed too. Never heard of them.
I really want a 15-15.2hhs bomeproof good riding horse just for ne yo hack and ride in field. But want very strong bone. Love ardeenes, sufolk punch, percherons, comtois or very old type drafts or friesians. Very strong bone.
Thanks a million
 
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You asked for it!:) Meet Teddy, aka Huge Horse! He is not Ardennes,but very close cousin Belgian Draught!
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He is very strong and know it and uses it quite often but not against you, just generally,to brake a fence for example. Or take gate off the hinges whilst scratching his bottom on it!:) Very prone to mites and mud fever generally as a breed. Trot is ground eating,canter is very soft, can drink tea:) Like cantering on a big soft sofa! Teddy goes barefoot, usually no problems with his feet, but this year due to rubbish weather they look a bit tired. Teddy is the best horse to have fun with,you can ride him double, and he wont even notice that! They not designed for jumping, as of course very heavy, but he loves jumping natural stuff out hacking, and wont jump a colored pole:)
And he and hubby raced the bikes at Tour of Britain!!:) He is awesome!!!
If you planning on getting one,do! But be prepared for a loads of oops!moments! Oops,i didn't wanted to break that, i just leaned on it! Oops, sorry mum, didn't noticed you on the end of lead rope! And huge feed bill too! And huge legs with feathers and feet what will need a hell of a lot of attention! And prepare to be searched for carrots and drooled all over:) They truly are gentle giants, and so so lovely!
 
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Omg he is Sooooooooo cute. Class, I don't mind mites my heavy coloured horses get them all the time. I just really don't want sweet itch as where I live there are bogs all around the outskirts of my fields. But if I.bought one and it was my horse of a lifetime and it delvoped sweet itch ext I would deal with it and of course keep her. I had o.e a few years ago and yes once he was rugged and washed it was quite easy to deal with. It just really annoys me big time yo have a horse looking stressed and annoyed no matter how much you do. Si I would like something older with less chance if developing it. Also with heavy horse my coloured I find some have joint issues. So just want to be careful.

I live in northern ireland, but only thing is, I have to sell a few mares and goals so prob be a few months before I am looking to buy. So want to search all I can and learn all I need too. I just want to di all my best to find the right one. So this has been great learning already. Please keep posting.
 
l I know some irish slang gives us away lol. Trait Breton is another class lol breed. Thanks everyone I am loving all these breeds and hopefully in the near future I will have one of my own. But will take my time as I really want to get it right.
 
Ah looking at percherons again are class too but all over 16.1hhs. I only want 14.2-15.2hhs. Ideal 15hhs,
Loving searching heavy strong horses. Why is there so little about. The few I've seen for sale seem to be all green or hard to handle my opinion owners letting them away with things. Horses that size need to be trained right esp with lifting feet small things that should have been taught as foals, but left till horse matures leaves big big big horses hard to handle.
Also prices are unreal was looking on french we sites and there all over stocked as thats there breed. Comtois that is all under £1000 some £600. But transporting over could be £500-£1000 which still works out less than half the price they are here.
As I say I'm weighing everything up at min. As will be few months before I'm buying. But have learned loads since posting this thread.
Just wish they where more common if trained well would be ideal fit disabled riding or riding schools. Or great for heavy riders as I'm not the slimests either. I've had all horses from all sizes and breeds. But I have always wanted a true heavy horse but about 15hhs. So my search continues. Also have to sell a few first to make room for my dream one.
 
Its not a lot of heavy horses around because they not actually saddle breeds,but working breeds and not a lot people work their horses. Also as you said heavies are very hard work and if trained well from the early age its loads of time and money, so know it all do it all heavy horse will cost A Lot! Also common mistake by thinking what the heavier the horse is,the bigger weight rider can be! Its not! Heavy horses were bred for work,driving,pulling,ant not for riding! Look at their confirmation,not very good for riding, but perfect for driving/pulling heavy loads_short massive necks,big shoulders! Backs can be surprisingly weak because they weren't selected generation after generation for their ridin, but for other qualities. Hope you get what im trying to say:)
 
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