Following on from heavy husband horse question

[Cortez]

Draught horses pull, leaning into the collar over their shoulders so all the weight goes forwards. Riding horses move the centre of gravity back by lowering their hindquarters and carrying more behind (well, properly trained ones do, at any rate). Opposite uses of the horses power. I don't know of any studies per se (I'm sure there are some), but I rely on what several and various experienced vets tell me; big and very tall horses tend to have more problems, with their hocks, tendons, joints, hearts and wind, etc..

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Draught horses pull, leaning into the collar over their shoulders so all the weight goes forwards. Riding horses move the centre of gravity back by lowering their hindquarters and carrying more behind (well, properly trained ones do, at any rate). Opposite uses of the horses power. I don't know of any studies per se (I'm sure there are some), but I rely on what several and various experienced vets tell me; big and very tall horses tend to have more problems, with their hocks, tendons, joints, hearts and wind, etc..

IME big horses are just less able to use their own immune systems to remain healthy. My 6 yr old very leggy Shire has Cushings, the 11 yr old Clydie had cancer, the 11 yr old IDx had septicaemia. None of those was directly attributable to their size/breeding and definitely nothing to do with joints but they just weren't robust enough.

 

[Cortez]

IME big horses are just less able to use their own immune systems to remain healthy. My 6 yr old very leggy Shire has Cushings, the 11 yr old Clydie had cancer, the 11 yr old IDx had septicaemia. None of those was directly attributable to their size/breeding and definitely nothing to do with joints.

That would be in the "etc." category.....also noted by my vetty friends.

 

[Kat]

Have you looked at Thorpley Irish Draughts? I have no connection or direct knowledge but they seem to have lots of weight carrying types. Not just IDs maxi cobs, suffolks and crosses too.

Also what about a Cleveland Bay? Another endangered breed, of nice big sturdy hunter type. There used to be someone on here who bred them and they always looked super horses, nicely put together and strong.

 

[ester]

Without meaning to sound argumentative and apologies in advance if it sounds it but, do you know if there are any studies to back this up. I'd be interested if there is anything which may help me protect the long term health of my big lad.

I wonder if its different from Shire / Clydesdale to Suffolk where the former has been through a lot of change and development to the breed making them much leggier with a higher centre of gravity, and therefore less suitable for driving work...while the latter has maintained a stockier build and low centre of gravity to push (surely they push rather than pull; the collar is in front if the shoulder?) carts, machinery and carriages.

I do query the suffolk v. Shire/clydesdale thing, no one seems to have tried to make the former move flashier from my obs at shows.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Ive just seen this and would frankly be interested enough to go and view if it was the right time for me.
Horsequest ref 236081 I just love the description!https://www.horsequest.co.uk/2/horses-for-sale/5/cobs/165/cobs-and-heavy-horses-allrounder?page=2

 

[cauda equina]

Smashing name too

 

[Tiddlypom]

‘Solid as a rock and built somewhere between a rhino and a tank with a bit of spark and a boldness you could go to war with.‘

Brilliant!!

 

[Surbie]

Ive just seen this and would frankly be interested enough to go and view if it was the right time for me.
Horsequest ref 236081 I just love the description!https://www.horsequest.co.uk/2/horses-for-sale/5/cobs/165/cobs-and-heavy-horses-allrounder?page=2
View attachment 53673

That's a great sales pitch! That last point...

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Ive just seen this and would frankly be interested enough to go and view if it was the right time for me.
Horsequest ref 236081 I just love the description!https://www.horsequest.co.uk/2/horses-for-sale/5/cobs/165/cobs-and-heavy-horses-allrounder?page=2
View attachment 53673

Now him I like!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Oh he’s very nice and fairly local!

I’m sending to husband. I like the fact that he’s been used to round up cattle. Perfect!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

‘Solid as a rock and built somewhere between a rhino and a tank with a bit of spark and a boldness you could go to war with.‘

Brilliant!!

My favourite bit of the ad! You could just see him thundering into battle!

Oh he’s very nice and fairly local!

I’m sending to husband. I like the fact that he’s been used to round up cattle. Perfect!

I clocked he wasn’t too far from you. I think he looks fab!

 

[Annagain]

When I was looking this seller was recommended to me. She never had one that was quite right for me to go and see but I spoke to her a few times on the phone and she seemed very honest and straightforward.

 

[COldNag]

Oh he’s very nice and fairly local!

I’m sending to husband. I like the fact that he’s been used to round up cattle. Perfect!

He sounds super. Please promise you will go see?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Husband says “but you didn’t want another baby?”

I then told him about the cattle rounding and the steadiness and he said “you would say that about Mim and she still does baby things.”

And then he asked me if I was planning to phone up the owner and ask if their four year old wasn’t too babyish. Which, of course, is exactly what I was going to do and also, if I received that question from a prospective buyer, I would roll my eyes so hard they’d get stuck.

He is right, isn’t he?

 

[Roxylola]

Hes right that you should phone them for a chat ?
Define babyish things, supercob is 11 and still does stupid stuff logic is often distinctly absent in his processing. That cob looks awesome age is just a number - if you get a young one you lower the risk of them having done loads of mileage, risk with anything but more so with a good solid cob I think

 

[cauda equina]

Sorry if this is way off the mark, or inappropriate or whatever -
but does he really want a horse, or do you want him to want one?

 

[Goldenstar]

Ive just seen this and would frankly be interested enough to go and view if it was the right time for me.
Horsequest ref 236081 I just love the description!https://www.horsequest.co.uk/2/horses-for-sale/5/cobs/165/cobs-and-heavy-horses-allrounder?page=2
View attachment 53673

Looks very nice , but I would not be after a four year old for LG’s other half .
I would view him if he where nearer but I am looking for an older one atm.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My cob was sensible at 2 yrs old - and never did accept that she was the youngest in the herd and should do as the others told her. She was a bit babyish in that she played with 'stuff' in the stable if she was brought in and she has grown out of that to some extent but then our first horse was a gelding in his teens and his greatest pleasure was to drop grooming tools in the water bucket.

I think some horses are just born middle aged.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

He looks really lovely being 4 wouldn't bother me, I think you just need to go and have a look.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Looks very nice , but I would not be after a four year old for LG’s other half .
I would view him if he where nearer but I am looking for an older one atm.

I dunno if you missed the part saying he was made to ride as a lad, it’s put him off etc. I think he has the experience, just needs the motivation. Given the situation with Milagra, I’d be keen to have a third just in case!

Re being babyish, mine is 18. Yesterday, just for a laugh, he decided to spook (there was nothing there) and lunge round me for fun. Shame the gate was in the way, it was quite pretty to watch. Another oldie still plays with his stable toys. I think it all depends on what you call babyish.

 

[sollimum]

I thought my cob was rising 7 but was rising 5. I would not have looked at him if I had know his true age but he is wonderful - the best horse ever. I have owned him for 6 years and he was a baby when we bought him but did grow up!

 

[Goldenstar]

I dunno if you missed the part saying he was made to ride as a lad, it’s put him off etc. I think he has the experience, just needs the motivation. Given the situation with Milagra, I’d be keen to have a third just in case!

No , nothing to with that .
I never let four old horses carry big men it’s to soon for them .
they they a year of development on the back and core to learn the job ,it’s why so many heavy weight hunters don’t last .
most of these horses pull with their fronts because they have a high percentage of draught blood .
Developing a back and core that they will need to keep them sound for riding and carrying weight takes time .
I think you need to be careful with until they are at least six .