Not all Ardennes are fat

JFTD said:
:) How little you know...
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I'm afraid that I agree with RutlandH20.

You showed your ignorance of the breed/type quite spectacularly on the other thread. Those of us with experience of the breed/type recognised a less than fully fit horse in full winter coat, which for these horses is an extremely thick double coat. There were no fat pads evident.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I'm afraid that I agree with RutlandH20.

You showed your ignorance of the breed/type quite spectacularly on the other thread. Those of us with experience of the breed/type recognised a less than fully fit horse in full winter coat, which for these horses is an extremely thick double coat. There were no fat pads evident.
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From where I'm sitting, you're showing woeful ignorance of the equine obesity crisis and the (extremely commonplace) inability of owners and people involved in the industry to distinguish fat horses from those in an acceptable condition.

But hey, you're entitled to your opinion...
 
Thank you, Pearlsasinger.

JFTD, actually, you owe Tnavas an apology. What she had to say about the breed on the other thread was informative and in no way condescending. Your response was rude and uncalled for. And, when you were called out on your response, you admitted you were rude. What's the point? You were in over your head regarding a breed for which you have no knowledge. You were applying opinions and judgments that are applicable to other breeds, not the Ardennes. Had you taken that tack in relation to the coloured mare, Sprite, no one would have disagreed with you.
 
JFTD said:
From where I'm sitting, you're showing woeful ignorance of the equine obesity crisis and the (extremely commonplace) inability of owners and people involved in the industry to distinguish fat horses from those in an acceptable condition.

But hey, you're entitled to your opinion...
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I certainly am because I have a similar type of horse and know what they are supposed to look like. Kikke's is a superb example in a summer coat but is certainly not sylph-like, although I'm not saying that he is obese. I would love to see him in his winter woolies.

I am certainly not ignorant of the equine obesity crisis and in fact put mine on a diet as soon as she arrived here, so I know exactly what an obese version of this type looks like. 'Clarissa' does not look obese to me, she looks like her type, they have a completely different body-shape from most British horses. My guess is that many of the people commenting on Clarissa's weight have never seen a similar horse in the flesh. IMO there are other horses from that dealer which *are* obese but weren't picked up on by posters on the thread.

I'm not sure that rudeness adds weight to your opinion.
 
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RutlandH2O said:
Thank you, Pearlsasinger.

JFTD, actually, you owe Tnavas an apology. What she had to say about the breed on the other thread was informative and in no way condescending. Your response was rude and uncalled for. And, when you were called out on your response, you admitted you were rude. What's the point? You were in over your head regarding a breed for which you have no knowledge. You were applying opinions and judgments that are applicable to other breeds, not the Ardennes. Had you taken that tack in relation to the coloured mare, Sprite, no one would have disagreed with you.
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Actually I said that it was rude - but so was Tnavas in my opinion, so frankly, no I will not apologise :rolleyes: And as for my knowledge of the breed, or indeed the basis of my judgements, I would like to ask: How do you know what experience I have?

And finally, I am happy to agree to disagree, you think the horse is fine, I think it is obese. You seem determined to slate my opinion, which I feel is a little childish and somewhat unnecessary.


PS, that's your opinion and I choose to disagree with your analysis of that mare.
 
JFTD said:
Actually I said that it was rude - but so was Tnavas in my opinion, so frankly, no I will not apologise :rolleyes: And as for my knowledge of the breed, or indeed the basis of my judgements, I would like to ask: How do you know what experience I have?

And finally, I am happy to agree to disagree, you think the horse is fine, I think it is obese. You seem determined to slate my opinion, which I feel is a little childish and somewhat unnecessary.


PS, that's your opinion and I choose to disagree with your analysis of that mare.
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How do I know what experience you have? Your posts in relation to the Ardennes are key to your lack of knowledge of, and experience with, this particular breed. I cannot comment on any other aspect of your background in horses.
 
RutlandH2O said:
How do I know what experience you have? Your posts in relation to the Ardennes are key to your lack of knowledge of, and experience with, this particular breed. I cannot comment on any other aspect of your background in horses.
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Ah so I disagree with you, so I must be plucking my ideas out of nowhere?

Nice logic... Not true, as it happens, but why let the truth muddy a good story.
 
JFTD said:
Ah so I disagree with you, so I must be plucking my ideas out of nowhere?

Nice logic... Not true, as it happens, but why let the truth muddy a good story.
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What ideas? You are plucking your ideas from ignorance. Logic? I'm bored now. Good night.
 
Anyone else think they look like giant (normal coloured) My Little Pony's! :p Or is that just me! :)

I want oneeeeeeee!
 
Haha. Don't tempt me! :D I love big chunky monkeys! :D Just wanna smoosh their not so little faces! :D So the idea of a pink one makes me go :O :D:D
 
Where's fany du Champ, hasn't she got one of these lovely horses?
I hope the thread doesn't deteriorate further into a personal slanging match, too, OP between some parties on here.
Lovely horse, too,OP.
 
Aww, a WoollyLegs.

About 10 years ago, I rode an Ardennes mare at the riding stables attached to the Shire Horse Centre at West Runton, Nofolk.

It was a lovely surprise to see how forward-going and responsive she was - I was expecting her to feel heavy and be ploddy but not at all.
 
Oberon said:
They have been likened to giant Exmoor ponies :).

http://www.thejoyofhorses.com/oct98/ardenneshistory.htm

They can be pretty short coupled and look pony-ish while being extremely agile for their size :).
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A friend says that my Draft mare reminds her of her mini-Shetland. I must admit that she often reminds me of a rhinosceros.

Chottsy said:
Haha. Don't tempt me! :D I love big chunky monkeys! :D Just wanna smoosh their not so little faces! :D So the idea of a pink one makes me go :O :D:D
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Mine has a very kissable 'marshmallow' soft nose and is extremely affectionate.
 
I soooooo want one, the 2 adult photos are simply stunning, thank you for posting them, I havent actually had any hands on dealings with a Ardennes, but I am now a fan.
 
Kikke said:
Who says they are fat?
Ours is lovely weight and where they are from they are not known to be "fat" horses.
bca82dd089f19c1dcbc2a3e6102d03d1.jpg
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What a lovely apple bottom :D:D
 
No, not all Ardennes are fat but they need damn good management or hard work so they don't become porky!

I lived for many years next to a farm in Belgium with 2 working ardennes. They were the sweetest gentlest giants and they have a place in my heart. My husband thinks they are good on his dinner plate :rolleyes: His idea of a Belgian Draft is a Belgian Draught!

Are you familiar with http://eventing-draft.blogspot.co.uk/?

Amazing what these heavy breeds can achieve.

The person who posted the photo has a lovely example of the breed.

And for those who are berating her for buying a horse with a docked tail, please be aware that it was the Belgians who were the first to pass a law in 1986 forbidding all tail docking in all animals and ear cutting in dogs, or any non-medically necessary surgery that causes harm to any animal so I would assume that this horse was either bred elsewhere or is older than 17.
 
nicnac, I love that Percheron - really smart horse. I rather like Percherons generally, but again, not for the novice who can't maintain manners and keep them fit and trim!

Also loving Oberon's pink pony!
 
I am a great fan and would add them to our small Rare Breeds stud if we had more acreage (working on that!!).

They are 'rare' and preserved by a farmer's co-operative in the Benelux countries, as far as I am aware they are the smallest heavy horse in Europe and so like the Clydesdale make good riding horses.

There is a state run farm in Luxembourg with a small stud, (which we visited several years ago), it the most popular farm visit for school children from the Benelux. They have a hostel and children who visit learn about farming.

They keep Ardennes which are used for everything from ploughing to carriage driving. School children learn how wheat is sowed, reaped, milled and baked into bread.

I will have to have a hunt and see if I can find a website link.
 
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