Comtois horses

Niddlynoo

Niddlynoo

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I am looking for a new horse soon, needs to be quiet, up to weight and hardy. Don't care if its as ugly as sin etc, I just want a nice hacking horse. Have seen these horses advertised and was wondering what the experienced peeps of HHF think of them? They seem ideal, or are they too good to be true?
 
They can be great but be wary of buying a recently imported "rescued" one from a "charity". I'm sure others on here will get you up to speed with why - probably by PM though.
 
I think they can be lovely horses but you need to be careful. Some have been bred for meat for generations and the farmers are far more concerned with meat production that temperament....they can be bargy and bolshy. You should be OK if you go to a breeder who concentrates on riding / driving horses.
 
No personal experience but agree with Jendie

Two types those bred for performance--riding/driving and those bred for meat whose conformation may not be up to staying sound with the work you want to do.

Think about where you would keep one--they probably get fat very easily and for me they would be too wide to be comfortable--my preference.
 
I put them in the same group as suffolks, a bit "wooden headed" if they dont want to do something, they aint gonna do it. But I have only seen them driven and worked in harness not ridden.

What about a cob good old dragon driving might have some on there.
 
I love comtois, good ones can be very good indeed!!
But they do have problems:
Some are worked from a young age and suffer with arthritis prematurely, especially if not bred from good working stock.
Common to have very short front pasterns which predisposes them to coffin joint problems.. if it trips or stumbles don't blame it on being a heavy horse- walk away!
They live on fresh air so be prepared to weight watch constantly or they end up too wide to ride.
Electric fence is a must as they will walk through anything in search of food.
They can be ploddy to the point of being a bit nappy, must be well schooled to go forward lightly.
Having said all that I'm still looking for one as great hacking lumps that are up to weight is proving soo hard to find...
Go and see some at Jane Wordsworths.
 
Hi everyone I have a comtios and she is the best, she's just gone 6yrs had since a baby, they are gentle giants, so good to train, I've just started to do dressage with her and doing well, love her to bits
 
Toffee44 said:
I put them in the same group as suffolks, a bit "wooden headed" if they dont want to do something, they aint gonna do it. But I have only seen them driven and worked in harness not ridden.

What about a cob good old dragon driving might have some on there.
Click to expand...

As an owner of a Suffolk x ......! He is a big boy yes, but more agile, clever and talented and down right fun than they look or people think.
 
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