Does anyone own a Percheron?

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suzyqet

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Hi, I am hopefully going to be having Percheron mare on loan shortly and was wondering if anyone on here has one? Or has had dealings with them?

She is an unbacked 4 year old who has had minimal handling but aparrently is very laid back.

She will be coming from France.

Although I have had dealings with large horses, I have never had dealings with 'heavy' horses.

If anyone can offer any tips or advice it would be greatly received.

Many thanks to all in advance.
 
You're getting a horse on loan from France?
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Wouldn't it have been wiser to have done your research beforehand?

Have you ever dealt with a barely handled horse of any size before, let alone one the size of a Percheron?

Have you had the horse vetted?

Have you viewed the horse yourself or are you simply relying on the words of somebody who wishes to loan you a horse that it's 'laid back'?

If the answers to the last two questions above are 'no' then you need to be prepared that the article you bought might not necessarily match the description in the catalogue!

It begs the question why on earth you are bringing a horse over from France to loan - could you not find one more local to you?
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Hhmmm I look after my OH's two Percherons both geldings, both 18.hh, they act like Sherman tanks, they will barge through anything if they can (post and rail fences atm) and just because they can
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I wouldn't have one again, they eat & poo *so* much
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On the other hand if you like heavy horses I'm sure you will be fine as they can be lovely, they will stand tied up and behave if they have something to eat, they are quite nice to poodle (hack) around on (ride & drive) if you like that sort of thing (I don't) and love a good brush, but there is a lot of them to groom
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Oh and a set of shoes is twice the normal rate
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Hope I haven't put you off
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Here they are with their 'mini me' eyeing up another p&r fence to crush:
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I have looked after 5 young percherons, 4 of whom were not the best handled when they arrived. TBH you need to know what you're doing with them. Dopes on ropes are made, not born. You have to be strict with them. P's are very clever and very live, they're not what everyone expects of a heavy.

On the other hand they are very loving and have lovely active paces. I adore the breed now.
 
This wouldn't be another of those rather peculiar French "rescue" things, would it?

I have to say, given that you presumably haven't even seen this horse in the flesh if it is coming from France, you're taking an awful lot on trust (is it really laid back, is it sound, etc). Are you expecting to turn it into a riding horse i.e breaking and backing it yourself?

I know someone from another board who had a Perch as their first horse, and while it was a stunning horse, it was also VERY stroppy and knew how to use its size to get out of doing anything it didn't want to do. Don't forget, like most heavies, they mature late, so yours won't even hit her Kevin years for another couple of years.

Is she on permanent loan to you?
 
I have a percheron 4 yr old, she is approx 16.1 hh.

I bough her as a driving mare to go with my boulonnais mare. Of the two I would say the percheron is the quieter but of course every horse is different.

I do wonder though at loaning from France most french breeders of quality percherons would sell + there not that expensive in France.

Mine like Lollies cost a lot to shoe but both my mares live out without rugs and have only 2/3 bale of hay a day.

regards
 
ok, maybe I should give you some more background seeing as I have been jumped on by some people!

I currently have a 17hh ID x who I have owned for 14 years since she was weaned. I trained her, backed and schooled her myself. I have over 30 years experience. Have 10 acres of land with Electric Fencing to divide the fields up and hedges as perimeter fencing!

I have absolutely loads of photos of this horse and I know the owner.

The owner is selling up and would rather the horse went to someone she knows.

Saying barely handled, I mean she has not been taken out of her field for a very long time, although she has regular visits from the farrier etc.

I have done loads of research but have not 'spoken' to anyone who owns one or deals with them on a day to day basis.

I asked for some advice, not to be questioned about my capability.
 
Don't know to much about them to be honest, but they are gooooorgeous!
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Good Luck with your new neddie!
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Hi Truly didn't mean to jump down your throat but I would really suggest you contact one of the percheron breeders thst LHS linked to my percheron is from one of those studs and I can promise you that most percheron breeders are more than willing to help with advice.

Failing that if you live up on the East coast on Sunday is the annual percheron Stallion day there you can meet both horses and breeders in the flesh and see what you think.

The percheron society is really friendly please do call them.
 
A further point to add

I am hoping that she will remain barefoot, and yes I have already spoken to my farrier about her (and my vet too). So again, yes I have done my homework and know about what to expect for about 70% of it, but just that little 30% gap which needs to be filled.

We have less than 100yds of road work to do before you hit bridleways and have miles of beach to ride on.

She will be used as a poodle about on horse as at nearly 40 with 2 children, I have done my share of competing and attending shows etc so I am looking for a quieter lifestyle hacking which my current horse is not cut out to do!

Thank you to LHS and Sessle and thanks to Lolliie for the photo! They look lovely.
 
Don't take it personaly, there is A LOT of history on this forum with regards to French rescue horses, it is because you put the words Loan, French, Horse in the same post
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Anyway, enjoy your new horse, I am sure you will be fine, posts lots of pics and let us know how you are getting on ... rather you than me with a big 'P'
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As others have said, French rescue apart, a number of people come on the Forum who have no experience whatsoever and go and get something totally unsuitable, then there's another horse that has an awful time of it.

Have a hug and a hot choccy. Look forward to the piccies
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The OP has stated she is very knowledgable about horses, so I am sure she will have had her new loan horse thoroughly checked and vetted, like any responsible sensible owner would.
She's obviously not some well meaning novice who would take on something unseen.

Good luck with your new horse.
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They are stunning horses indeed. I love that photo of the Percherons with their "mini-me". If you crossed one with a TB, i bet you'd get a lovely HW riding horse!

Sorry the OP feels jumped on. However, I'd ask the same questions of anyone who said they were getting a loan horse and implied they'd never actually seen the horse in question.
 
We had one come to the yard where I ride for reschooling with a view to becoming a working livery but it went back after a few weeks as it was too much of a handful!

It was gorgeous looking though.

They have a reputation as being excellent ride/drive horses capable of much more that just pootling round the lanes, in fact the french cavalry use them as ridden horses and they are apparently quite good at dressage.

They also have extremely good feet and are often fine barefoot.

Good luck and post us some pictures!
 
We own a percheron x which I bought as a 3yr old from local horse sale for my OH. He looked dreadful and had been broken to drive at 2!!!! He is now 5, is ridden by all the family (inc 15 yr daughter), hunts regularly and whipped in when whips horse went lame. I have also pootled him around small x country course and later on this year I hope to teach him to jump properly but will be taking it slow as he is still growing!! He can be a bit bolshy when you are on the floor but will move over when asked, stands perfectly for the farrier and is a true gentleman when you are mounted. He is the most affectionate of all our horses and if we are doing stuff in the field he will follow us round like a dog.
Go for it and have lots of fun.
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There used to be one on the yard where I kept mine. Young horse with a novice rider but they seemed to get on fine, did all sorts together, very well mannered on the ground. Mind you he wouldn't think twice about walking through the fence to our field! I couldn't count the number of times we had to get him out and repair the fence! Beautiful when there all scrubbed up to.
 
Thank you for the positive comments.

I appreciate that they are big powerful horses and I know that I will have my work cut out teaching the ground rules as it were.

I have been watching a few videos (kindly supplied by youtube) of Percherons doing dressage! WOW! That canter looks like a real powerful rocking horse ride!

I just cannot wait to go on the beach!

I promise to post pictures for everyone whos interested when she arrives.

We have lots to arrange before hand. We are still in the very early stages at the moment.

For all those concerned about vetting etc, she is having a full vetting and health check complete with swabs for infectious diseases etc before she travels. We have had a quote from the transporters and we have just got to let them know when we are ready.

Will keep you all updated if interested but please, keep the information coming please and stories, good or bad! Need to be prepared!

Thanks.
 
sorry for another question, but those who have mentioned problems with them walking through fencing, have any of these fences been electric?

The energizer I use is a pretty powerful one and all the horses respect it once they have had a shock.
 
Hi, oh Im all green eyed, Ive always wanted a P!! I worked for a while with Shires before going back to a 'normal' yard, and I would have the heavies any day of the week!
Good luck and keep us updated! I dont really have anything advice wise, but would prob be thinking of getting form heavy duty wire and a good shock going through it, all heavies are seemedly immune to electric! lol! x
 
I have two heavies and adore them. One is 17.3 and one is 17hh. As long as you use your common sense, heavies are wonderful. One of mine weighs 1 tonne
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. The most important thing is to teach them that they are never to come into your space. Mine never barge - I can open their stable doors and they wait patiently to have a headcollar put on before coming out. They are very quick to learn and Percherons are certainly bright. I always think most heavies are broken too young which can lead to arthritic problems later on, so the fact that yours is 4 and unbacked is a bonus. They obviously take longer to get fitter, need big rugs (equestrian clearance to rugs especially for "big boys and girls"), my gelding takes 7ft 6", and bigger stables, transport etc. As Percherons naturally have good blue feet, you will probably be alright barefoot. My two have to be shod and I have a wonderful farrier who does heavies without charging me the earth. Good luck and lets have some piccies when your Percheron arrives.
 
i ride a 15 year old mare at work (a riding school). she's like a giant pony haha! very comfy and willing, behaves herself and is great even with kids.
 
My friend has one, she is now rising four and been owned for three years by my friend. She is gorgeous but does need firm handling. Good luck, can't wait to see photos.
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I have a draft, not a Percheron but an Ardennes (Trait Ardennais) be prepared for snide comments from people. We had a lovely one from a fellow member of our riding club she said "shouldn't it be pulling logs?" I think the thinking can be if it is not a TB or WB it is useless.

Some people on the breeding part of this forum were very anti breeding from her, I got some not very nice PMs. But I also got some lovely PMs and advice. So please don't mind about what some people on here say, most people are very friendly, honest!

Hope yours is well recieved, our mare has proven herself over and over again as a fantastic natured and aimiable little mare. I hope you enjoy your poodling around on her!
 
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