PERCHERONS!

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Conniekins

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Heey everyone! My grandparents lived in France for years (back now). When I used to go out there to see them, I rode their friends 17/18hh Percheron, he was an absolute star. I now own a horse of my own but am looking for another. My grandparents went back out to France to see their friends and I got a text from my nan saying if I went over for a week and showed I could take care of him (which I can) I could have him. So I just wanted to see if anyone has some info from their experiences of Percherons, i.e temperament, character etc.

BTW I'm only 13 years old, but 5'7/8 and would not like any comments about my age and the height of the horse being an issue, I assure you I'm a better rider with bigger, bulkier horses anyway.
Anything would help, Thanks!
 
My friend's just bought a 3 year old percheron. He's lovely, really laid back, super chilled and very loveable.

Tbh, having ridden him, I'd say a big Percheron is probably a better, safer bet for a tall child than many other breeds of horse, especially "hotter" breeds.

The main thing is that you have a good support network and you keep him somewhere with lots of knowledgable help - a good yard - and have a good instructor to help you.
 
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Thanks so much for a quick reply!
Here are some pictures;
This grey Perch is Cue's (the one I might be getting) brother:)
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And again
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Cue and Eppie, me and my friend
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Me and Cue, and his owner, shorter than me!
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And the last one
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Percherons are my favourite heavy horse. I have seen them ridden and they are fantastic (I knew an Arab x Percheron - fabulous). I should imagine their stoical nature makes them gentle giants. There was a ploughing match near us and they did a ridden display before they went off ploughing. The Percherons were massive :)

Sorry can't see your photos!
 
Hi, we bought a pure bred Percheron (now 11) for my husband about four years ago (imported from France, not by me). He is an absolute pleasure to own. In fact he's the best mannered horse I've ever had - very easy to handle and lovely to ride (I'm 5'6" and usually stick to horses around 16-16'2"). In fact, he's much more responsive than my IDxTB, under saddle.

The only thing you will need to be prepared for is the increased costs that come with such a large fella.

For his size I would say mine is a good doer so feed costs aren't an issue but if they are ill they need higher doses of drugs etc which can add up. Also, whilst he is immaculately behaved, he does need daily turnout all year round and you may find some livery yards may not wish to offer this on the prejudice he will churn up the ground more in the winter than your average horse. I keep mine at home which resolves this issue. He'll also need a bigger than average stable.

Also, correctly sized headcollars, bridles etc can be difficult to find and more costly. Saddles aren't too bad at all if he's got a decent wither. Mine is ony a MW fitting which surprised everyone, including my saddler! Cheap rug tip - Masta Check Tech rugs fit brilliantly, though they don't need one unless it's absolutely freezing. I tried a Check Tech extra deep which was too long in the legs for my boy, which I couldn't believe as he's around 18hh, so just use the standard check tech. Not sure what the check tech extra deep is supposed to fit, a rhinocerous?!

Also, if you don't have your own transport be prepared that not all travel companies will transport him for you due to 'increased wear and tear' - more prejudice. Mine does go happily in an Ifor Williams 511 so you don't have to break the bank to get mobile.

You do get some money back in other ways - because they need less in the rug department, you get through them less quickly, unless you have a hooligan on your hands. In addition, they are less likely to injure themselves from careering around the field. Also, depending how much you do with him, he may not need shoeing unless you hunt / seriously compete him.

Please don't let my comments put you off. I just want you to know the additional considerations which come with a super sized horse. For me, all this is far outweighed by their amazing tempraments. We are the proud owners of a beautiful, fun, safe horse which in itself is priceless.

P.S. Be prepared for your horse to be a local celebrity. Sometimes it seems EVERYONE knows our Anton, wherever we go, which I have to say is very surreal but funny. It's nice to know that lots of other people love him as much as we do!
 
Cant see your pics :(

But a percheron will be my next horse. I intend to ride and drive. From experience with heavies you need good fencing, and plenty of grazing, supersize tack and a big poo scoop :)
 
Thanks so much for that, the bad and good weigh up quite evenly:) Tack and rugs will come with him as nothing will fit her others, so buying them isn't a problem. Headcollars are fine too. We rent a field so he will be out all year, he has options at his present home in france and chooses to stay out, a shelter is okay for him. He has no shoes on at the moment and won't do when he comes here. The only things that will cost more are trimming of hooves and if ill dosage of drugs, but we will have insurence! So all is well in the cost department:) Thank you so much for your help in pros and cons. Really appreciated.
 
My farrier only charges me £30 so much cheaper than having to shoe.

V good point Toffee44 - never turn your electric fencing off! They are not bad mannered - just pop their heads under the fence to get that nice piece of grass, lift their heads up and the fence comes with them! Have to say, Anton's never done it and has never got out of his field but I do keep his electric fence is on 24/7!

Have another go at uploading your pics - it would be lovely to see him!
 
Already tried a few times on a random thread I set up but have deleted the thread as it didn't work. Could email them to you Itoolan if you want, up to you, pm me if you want me to :)
 
Also, when your horse first came over from France, did it behave straight away? Or did it wonder where it was! I thought th travelling may affect them slightly for the first few days :P
 
We didn't import him so I honestly can't tell you. All I know is he came to the UK as a graded stallion and was later gelded over here.

My experience of other horses coming to the UK is it doesn't really matter if they travel 10 or 1,000 miles they generally cope with it well, it's just really important to stick to the routine they know to start with and introduce change gradually.

My experience of other breeds coming to the UK is many young WBs blow their brains when they are first turned out, as they have previously spent their lives in indoor barns and can't contain themselves when suddenly introduced to a field on a daily basis. They are often very green hacking too as they have never experienced it before.

French horses tend to live a lifestyle much closer to our own so often deal with their new life in the UK much better. You just have to introduce them to UK wheelie bins, road signs etc as these will look different to those in France.

The nice thing about Percherons is when encountering something new they just tend to eye it suspiciously as they walk past rather than make a song and dance about it. Despite all his years in the UK, I'm sure Anton doesn't believe me that monsters do not live in wheelie bins. The look he gives them is really funny.
 
Haha, this guy got spooked by the horse spooking in front of him, so he turned round, and trotted straight back down the hill he just came up! Finally stopped and then looked at the hill most probably annoyed he IS going back up there whether he wants to or not! He doesn't rear or buck. But will bolt sometimes if he is in a really bad position. So he's a good fella:)
 
Conniekins, why don't you contact the British Percheron Horse Society. Several members have imported their horses from France. There is a wealth of knowledge available from several very friendly, experienced people. If I didn't have my four Shires, I would have a Percheron in a heartbeat, and I would happily acquire one from the UK. The Society website is www.percheron.org.uk

One very important aspect of heavy horse management is manure collection and disposal. Many horse owners don't poo pick, preferring to harrow and rest their soiled fields, while moving their horses to fresh pastures to start the process all over again. Heavy horses produce very weighty, voluminous dung. Unless you have access to vast acres of land, leaving manure of Percheron size uncollected will reduce your grazing and render your fields incapable of producing optimum forage. We poo pick daily, which encourages grass production, reduces the work load, and, ultimately, aids in keeping the worm burden down. We collect the dung and place it on a large trailer. When the trailer is full we take it to a local farmer's muck heap for disposal.

Good luck with your new horse!
 
Yes, when poo picking I do spare a thought for all those zoo keepers mucking out hippos and the like! Fortunately as mine was gelded v. late he is very clean pooing in just one place for which I am very grateful. I know yours will live out Connie but if he does need to be stabled at any point I find large flake shavings the easiest to manage and most economical bedding. Don't know what works for you Rutland H2O?

Also, Rutland H2O, would be interested to know where you get your bridles from as looking for a new 'best' one for my boy? Needs to have a noseband as for dressage.
 
If you would like some pictures, I could possibly email them to you, as it will not show up when I try to reply with them attached. Just pm if you want me to email them to you :)
 
ltoolan said:
Don't know what works for you Rutland H2O?

Also, Rutland H2O, would be interested to know where you get your bridles from as looking for a new 'best' one for my boy? Needs to have a noseband as for dressage.
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Hi, Itoolan, We use Ecobed. We over-winter our four Shires in a 90' x 45' polebarn. The bedding is placed in just under half the barn. I swear by the product, because it is so undusty.

I don't ride my horses (lost my nerve 15 years ago when my back crippled me for several years). I did have a saddle and bridle made 17 years ago, when I was "normal." The horses I own presently would have to be refitted because of their great size. Where are you located?

Can you post photos of your boy? I am a member of the Percheron Society, as well as SHS.
 
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