metalmare
Well-Known Member
... what do you use them for and how much do they cost you to keep. If I ever had my own land (wanders off into dream world) I would love a shire!
People who have shires...
- Thread starter metalmare
- Start date
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Never had one myself. And I know they're not the same, but Ive seen Clydesdales ridden successfully! Seen them ridden side-saddle at county shows which looks pretty amazing. And I know one who does little ODE's locally.
Must say, they do look amazing galloping round a ring! A well schooled one can look stunning! I would expect that they cost quite a bit to keep. Obviously you'd need a bit more land and a larger box etc.!
Must say, they do look amazing galloping round a ring! A well schooled one can look stunning! I would expect that they cost quite a bit to keep. Obviously you'd need a bit more land and a larger box etc.!
Onyxia
Well-Known Member
We had a clyde X shire and a full shire at RS when I was younger.
Both wonderfull horses, but of course it was hard to find tack to fit(the clyde X had a XXX full bridle!!!) and cost a bit more to keep then the "normal" horses.
Fab to see them work and although we diddnt jump them they were great to ride.
Both wonderfull horses, but of course it was hard to find tack to fit(the clyde X had a XXX full bridle!!!) and cost a bit more to keep then the "normal" horses.
Fab to see them work and although we diddnt jump them they were great to ride.
metalmare
Well-Known Member
And, for me, a bloody big step ladder! They just do something for me. If I ever had the money...
metalmare
Well-Known Member
I bet they can jump a bit though.
Onyxia
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I bet they can jump a bit though.
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh yes!
Seen them both jump out of their fileds, then back in, then out again, then in again,lmao!
They must have enjoyed jumpig and had a hell of a pop on them, we just diddnt feel comftable doing it with them-YO was worried about the strain on their joints.
I bet they can jump a bit though.
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh yes!
Seen them both jump out of their fileds, then back in, then out again, then in again,lmao!
They must have enjoyed jumpig and had a hell of a pop on them, we just diddnt feel comftable doing it with them-YO was worried about the strain on their joints.
rema
Well-Known Member
I used to work with 40 of them.We had three stallion,10 working horses,10 or so show horses and the rest were broody's and youngsters.They are an amazing bunch of horses.The place i worked at was a shire centre that opened to the public.We done everything from working, ploughing,driving,carnivals,shows,breeding.A very rewarding job.I would also love to have a shire to drive/show.
Weezy
Well-Known Member
I used to own a Shire X Hannovarian - she was 18hh+ and jumped a house! She was incredibly good over 1.20-1.30m courses
fizzer
Well-Known Member
we have a shire x at home ( parents ) crossed with i draught but looks more shire, has shire shoes( 120 quid a set) eats a bale of hay in the winter to himself, tack is xl and has 7.3/7.6 rugs, mum and dad both ride him, very gentle, hacks out brill in traffic and jumps fab, for temperment yu cant fault him, looks after the most novice riders. would def recommend shires but be prepared to pay a bit extra for feed, shoes etc
sleepingdragon10
Well-Known Member
Lady on my yard has two! She struggles to find a farrier though as no one wants to deal with them, for whatever reason
Bex7
Well-Known Member
Bert is a shire x although for his breed not very big........must have got more of that from the appy side of him.
He only stands ay 15hh2 but is really broad with massive feet and feathers. lovely boy and he can jump.......
He only stands ay 15hh2 but is really broad with massive feet and feathers. lovely boy and he can jump.......
Llwyncwn
Well-Known Member
Barney Bear is my shire. He is 18.1hh now and rising 5, still got a couple of years maturing to do. I intend to take him for his first dressage test (W&T and Prelim) in May/June. He is still a baby though in his mind and build. It takes his bottom an extra second to catch up with his brain when you give him an aid
He loves his schooling twice a week and even more so his hack around the block twice a week.
As far as food is concerned, yes he does manage 3 giant nets of haylage during the day and only one feed. Unfortunately he has sweetitch therefore he is quite high maintenance.
If ever you venture near Swansea, please PM me and you can visit Barney Bear and maybe even come for a ride if you are up for it. Mind you, it does take a little thought mounting
As far as food is concerned, yes he does manage 3 giant nets of haylage during the day and only one feed. Unfortunately he has sweetitch therefore he is quite high maintenance.
If ever you venture near Swansea, please PM me and you can visit Barney Bear and maybe even come for a ride if you are up for it. Mind you, it does take a little thought mounting
charlottenicol
Well-Known Member
Haven't got a shire but have a Clydesdale so you could call it a Scottish version!! He does all sorts, loves swimming, and tomorrow we are doing a local trec competition, not sure if we will finish as not done much this winter but we will have a giggle anyway.
sleepingdragon10
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Barney Bear is my shire. He is 18.1hh now and rising 5, still got a couple of years maturing to do. I intend to take him for his first dressage test (W&T and Prelim) in May/June. He is still a baby though in his mind and build. It takes his bottom an extra second to catch up with his brain when you give him an aid
He loves his schooling twice a week and even more so his hack around the block twice a week.
As far as food is concerned, yes he does manage 3 giant nets of haylage during the day and only one feed. Unfortunately he has sweetitch therefore he is quite high maintenance.
If ever you venture near Swansea, please PM me and you can visit Barney Bear and maybe even come for a ride if you are up for it. Mind you, it does take a little thought mounting
[/ QUOTE ]
Wow!! What a lovely boy
Bethxx
Barney Bear is my shire. He is 18.1hh now and rising 5, still got a couple of years maturing to do. I intend to take him for his first dressage test (W&T and Prelim) in May/June. He is still a baby though in his mind and build. It takes his bottom an extra second to catch up with his brain when you give him an aid
As far as food is concerned, yes he does manage 3 giant nets of haylage during the day and only one feed. Unfortunately he has sweetitch therefore he is quite high maintenance.
If ever you venture near Swansea, please PM me and you can visit Barney Bear and maybe even come for a ride if you are up for it. Mind you, it does take a little thought mounting
[/ QUOTE ]
Wow!! What a lovely boy
Bethxx
Llwyncwn
Well-Known Member
Why thank you Beth
Forgot to mention his jumping - only tried him with trotting poles and he breaks them without any effort
But he is rather forward going, doing turns on the forehand, walk to canter (already) and canter 20m circles without falling in or out. Temperament to die for, just a big teddy bear x
Forgot to mention his jumping - only tried him with trotting poles and he breaks them without any effort
metalmare
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all that info - I'm even more convinced now - would love one if I could ever afford one. Shoes are mighty expensive!! I struggle to get a farrier around here for a normal horse. Is it usual for a shire to be shod? I prefer horses to be barefoot where poss but I imagine the extra burden of their weight makes this a no no does it? Llwyncwn - what a gorgeous boy! I don't have any plans to venture near swansea but if I do I'll let you know
junior_7178
Well-Known Member
Cant believe i didnt see this post earlier!!
I have just bought Bella,my Shire X Something else (TB i think).She's 18.1hh and 10 years old.
We dont do much at the moment as im only a begginer and she's only hacked out for the last few years.
Shes Bombproof hacking.....but we are having a few issues in the school
Here are a few pictures of her......
I have just bought Bella,my Shire X Something else (TB i think).She's 18.1hh and 10 years old.
We dont do much at the moment as im only a begginer and she's only hacked out for the last few years.
Shes Bombproof hacking.....but we are having a few issues in the school
Here are a few pictures of her......
Llwyncwn
Well-Known Member
I only pay my farrier the same as I pay for the others which is £45, plus extra for tungsten road nails. Perhaps Im lucky
Hey junior - Bella is beautiful. Just take your time in the school and it will happen. I have had to do Barney Bear at his own pace. Its not like my TBx mare - think and she does it - with BB I have to give him time to put his brain in gear. Perhaps we could get together for a Prelim test
Hey junior - Bella is beautiful. Just take your time in the school and it will happen. I have had to do Barney Bear at his own pace. Its not like my TBx mare - think and she does it - with BB I have to give him time to put his brain in gear. Perhaps we could get together for a Prelim test
sleepingdragon10
Well-Known Member
You're very welcome
Sounds like he's really going well for you. Please keep us updated on his progress, would love to hear how he gets on in the coming months
Bethxx
Sounds like he's really going well for you. Please keep us updated on his progress, would love to hear how he gets on in the coming months
Bethxx
fizzer
Well-Known Member
regarding shoes, my parents have to have front shoes on their lad as without they do tend to splay and split, farrier says its due to all the weight on them, they are fine and last 6-8wks
junior_7178
Well-Known Member
I was so pleased to get a chance to show Bella off that i forgot you were asking about costs!
I have spent LOADS in the last 3 weeks,but thats only coz shes my first and there is all sorts of stuff i've had to get.
As for ongoing costs i hope im not going to pay much more than most other people pay.
Farrier told me if she needs shoes its going to cost £150!!!!!! But he says at the moment i can just get her trimmed thank god (£30)!!!!
Haylage wise,its included in the cost of my livery,so i dont pay any more then the 12hh pony in the stable mext door wich is good.Obviously she's going to eat a bit more hard feed than a smaller horse.
I'd say the main problem ive experience in the 3 weeks ive had her is not the cost,but its finding stuff big enough...ie,tack,rugs etc.
I have spent LOADS in the last 3 weeks,but thats only coz shes my first and there is all sorts of stuff i've had to get.
As for ongoing costs i hope im not going to pay much more than most other people pay.
Farrier told me if she needs shoes its going to cost £150!!!!!! But he says at the moment i can just get her trimmed thank god (£30)!!!!
Haylage wise,its included in the cost of my livery,so i dont pay any more then the 12hh pony in the stable mext door wich is good.Obviously she's going to eat a bit more hard feed than a smaller horse.
I'd say the main problem ive experience in the 3 weeks ive had her is not the cost,but its finding stuff big enough...ie,tack,rugs etc.
metalmare
Well-Known Member
Wow - thanks! You're all putting ideas into my head now! One day...
Welcome to the forum junior - what a lovely horse - looks very honest and I'm sure you'll build a great partnership. No rush. safe on the roads is first priority unless you want to compete.
Welcome to the forum junior - what a lovely horse - looks very honest and I'm sure you'll build a great partnership. No rush. safe on the roads is first priority unless you want to compete.
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
OH has Cairo - who is a proper working size clydesdale of 16.3. We don't have any problem getting tack - though did have to have his western bit made for him. His rugs are 7' and bridles extra full.
The Clydesdale is the most agile of the heavies - also the most lively/sharp - which is why we love them - there is something about them makes us prefer them to the suffolks and shires. Cairo is no plod, but so safe but can be very cheeky with a confident rider but always makes you laugh as he has a very naughty sense of humour. Put a kid on him and he changes to a nanny type.
Farrier - for a full set I pay £90 but he is barefoot from mid September to late May and then wears fronts - he did have full set from July to September last year as the ground was so hard and I was worried about his feet cracking. I pay £25 for a trim - every 8 weeks.
Feed - apart from hay Cair has exactly the same as my 14.3 cob - simple systems alfa chaff and a vit supplement with speedibeet in the winter. In winter if no turnout he eats about 3/4 of a bale a day on ad lib hay. My cob eats 1/2 a bale.
He is now 21 and semi retired (though still enjoys a good gallop) - but in the past did dressage, SJ, XC - just about anything and has lots of rosettes. The only thing he has not done is what he was bred for, ploughing and driving.
Everyone loves him - he has fans all over the place.
Would definately have another clydie - but no more than 17.1 in height - but OH and I are only 5' and 5'7. I don't really like the big show types of 18 hands plus.
Clydes have a huge jump - one hell of a powerful bum - hence why crossed with TBs they make such good SJ and hunters.
The Clydesdale is the most agile of the heavies - also the most lively/sharp - which is why we love them - there is something about them makes us prefer them to the suffolks and shires. Cairo is no plod, but so safe but can be very cheeky with a confident rider but always makes you laugh as he has a very naughty sense of humour. Put a kid on him and he changes to a nanny type.
Farrier - for a full set I pay £90 but he is barefoot from mid September to late May and then wears fronts - he did have full set from July to September last year as the ground was so hard and I was worried about his feet cracking. I pay £25 for a trim - every 8 weeks.
Feed - apart from hay Cair has exactly the same as my 14.3 cob - simple systems alfa chaff and a vit supplement with speedibeet in the winter. In winter if no turnout he eats about 3/4 of a bale a day on ad lib hay. My cob eats 1/2 a bale.
He is now 21 and semi retired (though still enjoys a good gallop) - but in the past did dressage, SJ, XC - just about anything and has lots of rosettes. The only thing he has not done is what he was bred for, ploughing and driving.
Everyone loves him - he has fans all over the place.
Would definately have another clydie - but no more than 17.1 in height - but OH and I are only 5' and 5'7. I don't really like the big show types of 18 hands plus.
Clydes have a huge jump - one hell of a powerful bum - hence why crossed with TBs they make such good SJ and hunters.
metalmare
Well-Known Member
Thanks Theresa_F - really useful info there! Yes, I'm only 5'3" myself so I have my physical limitations
Is that Cairo in the picture? He sounds like a really really good sort. I used to ride a Clydie X (or at least I think he was). he was a lovely boy and a great favourite but despite being schooled by my riding instructors who are all very good and keen on flatwork he always stayed on his forehand. He was a real armchair ride but had a very set neck. A real character though!