In love with Dutch Draft / Ardenne

cobmum said:
WOW she is gorgeous literally the most stunning horse that i have ever seen in my 29 years :D. Thank you so much for posting pictures!!

Her colouring, especially the shading around her eyes is just gorgeous and she sounds like such a darling, i am glad that she has got your daughter back in the saddle.

My main priority when i go to buy is that the horse is as bombproof as possible and has a leg in each corner as my OH needs a weight carrier :D
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Thank you, I must admit she is a stunner! But she has the temperament to match, she is a total sweetie. She is a weight carrier and is very bombproof. However, she does have a slight downside, don't we all? She is very, very stubborn and extremely strong and will try to turn for home when she has had enough exercise. But she is getting better and is very good tempered about it, no rears or spins, just tries to turn around.

She has been amazing for Elizabeth's confidence, our other horse is not a hack at all.

I honestly can't recommend them enough, everyone I know who has one feels the same. They are such gentle horses, and will turn their hoof to most things.They generally just want to please.
FDC (Rosie x)
 
jodie3 said:
Cobmum that is an amazing video!

Despite the problems I had I still think there is something very special about them and would still love to have another one!

Oberon - not jealous at all - she lies!!!!!! I got a video of Pink Panthar as was thinking about using him on my mare and thought he was very lovely.
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He is supposed to live up this way, but I don't think he stands any more. I think his owner died, but not sure. I would have loved to use him for Fany. I have never been able to find him, even though I think he is in Cumbria somewhere as is Thomas Pink so I am told.I would love to use him, if he is still entire.
FDC
 
Perhaps contact Alec Emmett, his original owner - as he retained some breeding rights when he first sold him.

Or I can make some enquiries as I think he was in Wigan, but rarely served as he didn't like to travel. I'm sure one of the local farriers knew where he was.

Alec sold him to Alex Pimbley (who died recently) but Arnie had been sold to a third owner, before Alex died (RIP).
 
Oberon said:
Perhaps contact Alec Emmett, his original owner - as he retained some breeding rights when he first sold him.

Or I can make some enquiries as I think he was in Wigan, but rarely served as he didn't like to travel. I'm sure one of the local farriers knew where he was.

Alec sold him to Alex Pimbley (who died recently) but Arnie had been sold to a third owner, before Alex died (RIP).
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Cheers, I knew he was up this way somewhere. I would love to know where as if I do decide to breed Fany he would be my first choice. Or Thomas Pink, if he is still entire.
FDC
 
Fany Du Champ said:
Cheers, I knew he was up this way somewhere. I would love to know where as if I do decide to breed Fany he would be my first choice. Or Thomas Pink, if he is still entire.
FDC
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Thomas Pink is a gelding. Alec Emmett may have an entire - he had a few Ardennes mares last time I visited. He had a skewbald colt from Arnie (Pink Panthar) that was lovely too.
 
I had one a few years ago, for my very nervous daughter to ride, and my OH learnt to ride on him - he was absolutely bombproof, very gentle, travelled well in a trailer, good to clip etc, but he did have a habit of walking through the post and rail fencing when he wanted more grass!

I think there is a lady who advertises on NFED who imports a few.
 
Just something I realized, I looked after chunks for 10years including some Shire/percherons with HUGE heads. Local saddler whipped up some bridles and headcollars for them way cheaper than you could buy off the peg. Plus the quality was far better!

Just something to consider if you're stuggling!
 
I knew one. She was VERY stubborn and would use her weight to get her own way. She didn't like being stabled and once trashed it over night, causing a lot of damage. She used to rub herself on fence posts, pushing down whole sections of fence in the process! The paddock was bare days after her arrival and she needed two good feeds a day. She spooked at birds but was otherwise very steady. Just be aware of the stubborn streak and don't let them get away with an inch 'cos they'll take a yard. I found her more of a handful than Shires, somehow they are more compact and stronger. They have been bred for meat for generations and I fear temperament has been a secondary consideration.
 
I've got an Ardennes X TB and adore the mix. In my experience, there were no temperament issues (she certainly didn't get her nature from her stroppy dad!). She was an absolutely smashing little dressage horse, up until a few years ago (she's now retired through injury), but would turn her hoof to anything. Incredibly fast learner, very willing and opinionated only in that 'convince me and I'll give you everything I've got' sense. Wouldn't call her bombproof exactly - she was terrified of soda cans, plastic bags, anything that would amuse her to pretend to be afraid of for a few minutes, but we used to have the red arrows and army helicopters go overhead and she wouldn't blink. I will, however, second the permanently on a diet issue!
 
jendie said:
I knew one. She was VERY stubborn and would use her weight to get her own way. She didn't like being stabled and once trashed it over night, causing a lot of damage. She used to rub herself on fence posts, pushing down whole sections of fence in the process! The paddock was bare days after her arrival and she needed two good feeds a day. She spooked at birds but was otherwise very steady. Just be aware of the stubborn streak and don't let them get away with an inch 'cos they'll take a yard. I found her more of a handful than Shires, somehow they are more compact and stronger. They have been bred for meat for generations and I fear temperament has been a secondary consideration.
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Sorry but not all are bred for meat!

In fact there are quite a few types of Ardennes, the ones bred for meat tend to be Trait du Nord they are much bigger, sometimes up to 17hh. The smaller, original Trait Ardennais (sometimes also called the Ardenner) are not bred for meat but are very often working horses, racing in harness or show horses. Very much like our Clydesdales/ Shires /Suffolks etc. There are also the Traits Ardennais Suedois, Ardennais Francais,Ardennais Luxembourgeois , etc. All closely related but I think with their own stud book, certainly not in the Cheval de Trait Ardennais stud book.

See here for more info.
http://www.chevaldetraitardennais.be/index.php?lg=fpdb/chev_fr&page1=a-accueil.htm

FDC
 
Regarding the stubborn thing - I learnt very quickly, and on the flat of my back, when I got The Tank as an unhandled 2 year old that it is not possible to bully these horses.

He is very sensitive and intelligent, like my Arab, but much bigger:0

I know he is stronger than me, and he knows he is stronger than me. So rather than using my muscles when dealing with him, I used my brain - and wore gloves:p.

As well as my traditional tricks - I found Kelly Mark's 'Perfect Manners' an excellent book in the early days. I learnt to outsmart him rather than wrestling with him.

If something were to make him panic - no bit, rope, strap, wall or fence could stop him.
And I thank him for that - he's taught me alot.
 
Totally agree Oberon, luckily Fany has excellent manners generally, although she did take off when I was walking her out and her BF shouted for her, no way I could stop her. But overall her manners are excellent, mainly because she had been a show horse, so had to have good manners for that. But like you say if they decide to go, nothing will stop them. However, that does go for all horses, Ardennes do seem to be fairly easy going, from what I know.

FDC
 
My Ems an Ardennes, she's got a fantastic temperament, soft as anything and a bit cheeky to! They're a very hardy breed but I wouldn't say there's anything they couldn't have at least a go at.

Like many have said they can be stubborn if they don't want to do something as they know their strength, planting seems to be Ems get out clause. I have to keep an eye on fencing and field shelters as an itch can quickly become a wrecking ball so everything is electrified!

Tack/rugs haven't been an issue but anything to do with feet I.E. large poultices or boots can be a struggle to find. For such a big horse she doesn't eat a massive amount of feed, but hay bills are dear come winter.

All in all I feel incredibly lucky to have found her and I think we make a perfect team.

P.S. Hi FDC! Happy to hear you're both doing well x
 
I'm in the Flemish Ardennen in Belgium at the moment, and there are quite a few in fields next to houses round this way. They really are something special. I must get some photos. I've seen a few roans but yesterday I saw a splendid dark bay, very compact and muscled.

If you have ever tried cycling here and know how steep and difficult the terrain is, you will understand why they bred horses so strong and muscular!
 
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