Riding a draft horse

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melisza

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Hi All!

I'm new here and came for a paticular reason : I would like to learn what people from outside France think about drafts as riding horses.

I am planning to open a small riding holiday center in Northern France, and would like to use local draft horses only. However, to finalize the project I am trying to find out if there would be enough interest for this kind of activity.
I've prepared a shot poll for that, of which you can find a link hereafter (I hope that this is not forbidden on the forum! sorry if it is). I would be very grateful for all draft friend friends or not taking part in the survey, it will take only a couple of minutes and will be a great help for me.

Also, all kind of comments here will be the most welcome.

Link for the poll :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPFI6rFVJ30E_w1GanG7KFMLscZrS0K2zVqgRhyLh4mo0tpQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
 
Sorry, I considered it like Central Europe together with France, Benelux, Germany, Austria... I'll change it to Central and Western Europe, it might indeed be better.
 
There is a group in Cumbria who run a riding center using Clydesdales only. It might be worth hooking up with them and seeing how they found the start up.
 
Just to give some news and to thank you all that took part in the survey.

The plans are becoming real, and I'm now starting a small breeding and horse rental activity http://domainemismar.e-monsite.com/ . Two first Finnhorses will be born next summer (if everything goes alright...) and I am offering horse rental first on Finnhorses, and if this all seems to work well, with Boulonnais as from next spring.

I'm quite excited and happy, but also pretty stressed... I am now translating my site in English, and might need some help :p Equestrian vocabulary is not my strength...

My two Finnhorse beauties that are pregnant :

Vikki, in France since 2015
vikki.jpg


Picsou, that has just arrived in France
picsou2.jpg
 
Beautiful horses!

I love Draft horses, having had a Shire and Clydesdales and then until last November, when she was sadly pts, a Westphalian Kaltblut who had been imported from Germany. Yours look rather lighter built than those though?
 
Oh yes quite far from the Shire and Clydesdales. The Finnhorse is a lighter draft horse that is nowadays used in Finland for riding (dressage and jumping included) but also for racing (trot).
Even the French Boulonnais that I will have are not quite as big as your giants. Perhaps heavier, but not so high.
 
How exciting! Your mares look lovely and it sounds like your plans are coming together.

I sell riding holidays and I do think there would be some interest, but they key thing really is what kind of riding you can offer, what the terrain is like and the price. Perhaps you can PM me your website? I can understand a bit of French so no problem if it's not translated yet. :-)
 
Lovely horses - make sure we get to see pictures of the foals when they are born. I have a retired Ardennes who is the love of my life! (excuse for photo - ETA a VERY large photo for some reason!)

41134549_10155580173451771_8927693646245920768_o.jpg
 
Any Cob Normand in your venture, Melisza? I would have thought they would have been the perfect choice and on your doorstep too. (From one UK Cob Normand owner so very biased!)
Wishing your new project every success.
 
Originally I thought of having at least one of each 7 French draft horse breeds. Perhaps one day.
No Cob Normands planned for the moment, but it's true that they would be perfect. I've always liked them, as they make me think of a big Finnhorse. :) And as you said, they are not far from here either, we even have a breeder at some 30km from my place.

However, Boulonnais for the moment are the closest to my heart, as I am right in the middle in their region, and as for many years already I have been trying to find homes for young colts, far too often going to butchery. They are just wonderful horses, and I would love to start using them as they deserve, otherwise than in a plate...
 
Have a look at Cumbrian Heavy Horses and Adventure Clydesdale.

The real question is the appetite of customers to specifically ride these horses. It appears that there is interest in the UK and the hacking is in great locations too.
 
French Boulonnais are beautiful horses with pretty much perfect temperaments and will turn their hoof to most things. They’re also a more manageable size, unlike the UK draft giants!!

I’ve had my eye on a Brabant but I won’t enquire because the time isn’t right. Clydesdales will always be my first love but I pretty much like em all :D

Good luck with your venture, your mares are beautiful. Word of mouth advertising is your best friend, along with social media and an up to date website. I can’t be doing with businesses that pay no attention to their web page. It’s the first place customers visit.
 
Deb, I'm just getting aware that the advertising/marketing part is the hardest one on all this :eek: I more or less know French sites and pages, but as I'm planning this more for people from elsewhere in Europe, I'm having some hard time...

What sites would you consult, if you wished to come for a holiday including riding in France?
 
I have to say the only place I now look for riding holidays is Far and Ride (Hollywoozle who posted previously works there).
Having been on an exceptional holiday through this company I now wouldn’t use anyone else, but I’m sure there are lots of other places to look too!
 
Cumbria Heavy Horses use loan horses. One of their Shires (Major?) Is actually owned by a friend of a friend. Other riding centres I've used own the horses but loan them out off season.

I've got a Suffolk. I know there is a 10yo for sale in Wales being sold from the field for a bargain price despite plenty of ridden and driven experience.

I think looking into combining riding and driving opens a more rounded family holiday which includes non-riders.
 
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