Heavy Horse Trekking

Kenzo

Kenzo

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How much fun does this look!!, well to me it does, I have a soft spot for heavy horses (anything ugly, feathered and built like a brick sh*t house basically) although I've never ridden one, apart from a heavy Clydesdale cross once but I love to have a blast down the beach one of these guys, I came across it while I was at the lakes this weekend gone on a brochure and managed to google the centre, I've never come across a trekking centre that just has heavies and thought hmm wonder how many more you guys would be interested, it's certainly different!

http://www.lakedistrictletsgo.co.uk/cumbrianheavyhorses.html
 
Oh my god i clicked on that and suddenly saw my worse nightmare - hundreds of Hovis'!! Seriously one in the world is enough!
If they're anything like the destroyer though they will MOTOR! No one ever believes me how fast the destroyer is until they sit on him. He leaves Omar in his wake and easily keeps pace with the TBs at the yard. I'm hoping to get him to the beach this year so I will have my own re-enactment of some of those photos. It looks great!
 
i really fancy it because it would be different
they are def not my type but look great fun.
in saying that i really lovge hovis since i seen the pic in the mag
 
I love big Hairy beasties!! i want to do that so much!!! i might book up for me and my dad to go for his birthday, he used to ride loads when i was a kid but the big hunter he shared had to be pts about 10 years ago nd dads not done much since, hes to heavy to ride mine
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nd doesnt like any of the others at the yard but he'd love this!!
 
We went on a farm trek on a recent visit to Lakes (hubby non-rider so had to pick an easy ride!) - the horses are awesome!
I loved every minute on my horse, Luggs! He was a cheeky monkey but very well behaved, my hubby rode Prince who really looked after him!
It's amazing and I would highly recommend it if you're up there...
Here are a couple of pics of our horses...
Luggs, 17.3hh full Clydie
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Prince 17.3/18hh full Shire
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I would love to do something like that. I know when I get my Percheron mare to canter, it is like being in a rocking chair, she is very smooth and fluid. And boy can she EVER cover ground too.
 
Yep you can't beat a galloping clydie - Cairo was a case of lots of effort, not much speed, but he did put his heart into it. Farra on the other hand is a lighter build, more leggie and whilst I have not yet had her flat out, shows potential for giving a good blast.

I galloped Chancer, my young gypsy cob flat out for the first time last weekend - he was so fast my eyes were streaming - I was very suprised - last time I had streaming eyes was on my WB.

Now plan to give Farra a good blast this weekend - the ground by us is now perfect for top speed finally.

You may be suprised at how sprightly a heavy horse can be - clydesdales (I believe having rode them all apart from the percheron) are the most agile of the english heavy breeds, not quite as thickset as the shire, and a longer legged than the suffolk and percherons.

Go for it.
 
Oh my lordy lord, Luggs... I so want him, how can anyone resist his face!
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Now I know heavies can do most things to a certain level but once I saw a Shire at a dressage comp and I must say it did look terribly out of place lol but (I pleased to say this) it out performed most of the horses that were there, whoop whoop!

So out of interest, is there much difference personality wise and physically between the Clydesdales and the Shires?
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I found that Prince was far more laid back but a bit grumpier than Luggs - Prince is about 17 yrs old tho and Luggs is only 7yrs so that could be a reason!
Luggs seemed mischevious but as tho he thoroughly enjoyed his job, Prince would rather have been eating somewhere I think!!!
I don't know if that's typical to the breeds tho...
We had an impromtu canter and Luggs felt lovely - I know it sounds very obvious due to their size in comparison to a 'normal' horse but his paces were huge! Luggs' canter was easy to sit to as it was comfy but it just felt huge compared to my 16.2hh!!!!!! I suppose it makes sense as he's much bigger than my horse!!!!!!!
I rode him in a pelham with double reins but at no point did I feel that I'd need the brakes he was very well mannered
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I'm only 5'3" so was like a pea on a mountain but funnily enough I never felt over horsed!!!!!! I wanted to bring Luggs home - they do send them out on loan over the winter, but Hubby wouldn't let me have him!
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I don't know if you've looked at their website (the photos in the Gallery are phenomenal!) or heard much about Cumbrina Heavy Horses but they moved from the Isle of Skye to the Lakes - they rode the horses to their new home!
The have a migration DVD, which you've reminded me I wanted a copy of, we watched a bit as we were early for our trek - it's awe-inspiring for want of a better explaination!!!!!
I've just sent an email to order the DVD so thanks for reminding me...!
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Having had TBs before my cob, i was dubious of getting him.

Turns out hes as comfy as an armchair, and he has more spring than most L/W - M/W Horses. Think i may try the Cumbrian ones - mine is only 16.2hh so it will be even better to ride a BIG beastie!!!!
 
Firstly I have to admit I am very biased - on our second clydie, but I have ridden the other heavies and did enjoy them.

This is my personal opinion and based on the horses I have ridden, and others may not agree with me.

I am only 5' by the way and tend to avoid anything over 17.3.

Clydes - all the ones I have ridden - well going down hill they move lightly, they feel a bit more active and lighter to ride. Wonderful gentle horses but with a bit more spark than the other breeds. The lighter ride I feel this is due to the longer legs, a more active movement and a little less bulk the breed has.

Cairo did everything from dressage to XC and loved his jumping, Farra is looking to be the same. Cairo was just under 16.3 and Farra is 16.2 and may end up 16.3 so they are not too big so make a good all rounder.

Shires - bit more laid back. Down hill they feel a little stuffy - tend to take their time and you have to ride them forward more. Very powerful but feel heavier and take more effort to get off the forehand. The breed is generally bigger, heavier and shorter legged than the clyde, but they are very similar to look at. If you see a well bred example of a clyde against a well bred example shire, they are fairly easy to tell apart. Both breeds have been bred together in the past to improve aspects of each.

Suffolks, I do love them but they are very wide, very laid back and definately take more to get going. I also found them not quite so switched on as the other two breeds, though a lovely canter when you got it.
 
Thank you for that, that's really interesting.
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Every time at a agricultural/county shows (see as they only have classes for them there) I love to go over to the boxes and give the a pat and admire them (bit a like child aren't I) you get the usual looks of the farmers/owners, thinking it's someone that's never really stroked a horse before lol
I'd love to have one one day, I feel so sorry for the odd ones you see at the horse sales, no body ever bothers with them, just stood a corner looking all sorry for themselves as people think there too big to do anything with.
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