Shire or Clydesdale?

I have a Shire x Tb - she's retired, but sharp and reactive as hell. I wouldn't part with her, but I'd never get another.

I imagine that having such a horse in the heat of Portugal would be miserable for you and the horse - perhaps it would be better to get a horse that is bred for the heat (Tb/arabs etc?)

I hope your boy gets better - if it helps both my two have had colic surgery (one 14 years ago and one 10 years ago) and they are both still here, and fine.:)
 
Shilasdair said:
I have a Shire x Tb - she's retired, but sharp and reactive as hell. I wouldn't part with her, but I'd never get another.

I imagine that having such a horse in the heat of Portugal would be miserable for you and the horse - perhaps it would be better to get a horse that is bred for the heat (Tb/arabs etc?)

I hope your boy gets better - if it helps both my two have had colic surgery (one 14 years ago and one 10 years ago) and they are both still here, and fine.:)
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that def does help to know your horses had colic surgery and they are still with you thank God, and fine!! I don't know anyone whose horse has had colic surgery so hearing this def does help
 
Clydesdale all the way for me but I am biased as I had a fabulous multi-functional clydie who could turn his hoof to anything you asked of him.

Contrary to popular belief they are not weight carriers.............they are weight pullers and are no more capable of carrying heavy weight than your average neddy, probably less so when they're young as they take a long time to mature.

Mine loved the warm weather but he wasn't awfully fluffy. He rarely got sweaty and wasn't clipped.

They are fabulous horses but you have to consider everything in gigantic size. Shoeing costs a fortune, rugs aren't always easy to come by. Have you considered Irish Draft, rather than Clyde or Shire. Just as versatile but not as hefty.

Shires are definitely sharper than Clydes but not dangerously so. Crossed with a thoroughbred on the other hand............................

It's worth having a visit to Cumbrian Heavy Horses when they're back open. What Annie doesn't know about heavies isn't worth knowing and she's more than happy to share her knowledge.

My chap (no longer with us)

ryGcVsI.jpg
 
optimistic07 said:
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so sorry to be a pest, but can you recommend any reputable seller's for the types of horse you have? i took the day off work to google search but i'm not having much luck.
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This is were you may struggle sadly. The Clyde came via Clip Clop Traders, Emma Hinckley in the south of England, no idea if she is still trading. The mare is an irish import and was sold as a freshly broken 4 year old to a novice rider. I bought the horse aged 6 from the novice rider as the mare had got the upper hand. When I was looking for a maxi cob I really struggled to find something with bone and a touch of quality. This mare is borderline for me conformationally, but her outlook (when we had had a little chat about manners !) was ideal for me as an aging rider with limited aspirations and no ability to bounce if I came off a horse.

The Shire came direct from a breeder who was disbanding his stud, as a foal. This horse has been 8 years of blood sweat and tears to raise. He was very tricky in terms of anxiety and flight reflex. He looks like a gentle giant but is more reactive than most race fit TB's. I don't ride him myself, but a couple of friends have a fab time with him.

You could try the cob importers but current fashion is now small coloured vanner types rather than the big powerful types. Shire mares are rarely cross bred as the breed is endangered now and the genetics are closely monitored. Someone on the forum might know where you could look for bigger vanner types.
 
deb_l222 said:
Clydesdale all the way for me but I am biased as I had a fabulous multi-functional clydie who could turn his hoof to anything you asked of him.

Contrary to popular belief they are not weight carriers.............they are weight pullers and are no more capable of carrying heavy weight than your average neddy, probably less so when they're young as they take a long time to mature.

Mine loved the warm weather but he wasn't awfully fluffy. He rarely got sweaty and wasn't clipped.

They are fabulous horses but you have to consider everything in gigantic size. Shoeing costs a fortune, rugs aren't always easy to come by. Have you considered Irish Draft, rather than Clyde or Shire. Just as versatile but not as hefty.

Shires are definitely sharper than Clydes but not dangerously so. Crossed with a thoroughbred on the other hand............................

It's worth having a visit to Cumbrian Heavy Horses when they're back open. What Annie doesn't know about heavies isn't worth knowing and she's more than happy to share her knowledge.

My chap (no longer with us)

ryGcVsI.jpg
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Oh my goodness you are right to be biased what a wonderful looking horse. Sorry to hear no longer with you.

Thanks for your suggestions, very helpful and I'll look into them! :)
 
AdorableAlice said:
This is were you may struggle sadly. The Clyde came via Clip Clop Traders, Emma Hinckley in the south of England, no idea if she is still trading. The mare is an irish import and was sold as a freshly broken 4 year old to a novice rider. I bought the horse aged 6 from the novice rider as the mare had got the upper hand. When I was looking for a maxi cob I really struggled to find something with bone and a touch of quality. This mare is borderline for me conformationally, but her outlook (when we had had a little chat about manners !) was ideal for me as an aging rider with limited aspirations and no ability to bounce if I came off a horse.

The Shire came direct from a breeder who was disbanding his stud, as a foal. This horse has been 8 years of blood sweat and tears to raise. He was very tricky in terms of anxiety and flight reflex. He looks like a gentle giant but is more reactive than most race fit TB's. I don't ride him myself, but a couple of friends have a fab time with him.

You could try the cob importers but current fashion is now small coloured vanner types rather than the big powerful types. Shire mares are rarely cross bred as the breed is endangered now and the genetics are closely monitored. Someone on the forum might know where you could look for bigger vanner types.
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Thanks so much for the time and effort of your reply. I appreciate the advice and info! The part where you had a little chit chat about manners made me smile
 
I have a Clyde / quarter horse x and he’s amazing. Done most things but not to a high level. Pretty calm but like most larger horses tends not to be as brave. Shoeing is an issue as he has the typical Clyde flat foot and as he gets older soundness may be an issue. Oh and you always need a larger vehicle and trailer combo for the weight.
 
SBJT said:
I have a Clyde / quarter horse x and he’s amazing. Done most things but not to a high level. Pretty calm but like most larger horses tends not to be as brave. Shoeing is an issue as he has the typical Clyde flat foot and as he gets older soundness may be an issue. Oh and you always need a larger vehicle and trailer combo for the weight.
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thank you that's definitley something to consider, good point about the trailer and vehicle. i bet a clyde and quarter horse x is amazing. i used to have a quarter horse until he passed of old age. great horses.
 
I think it would be a huge mistake to take a big heavy horse if any sort to a hot country. It will be miserable for them. You also seem to be equating heavy horses with quiet ploddy horses and that's a big jump to make. You are much better looking for a horse already in Portugal and one that is a quiet hack regardless of breed.
 
Leo Walker said:
I think it would be a huge mistake to take a big heavy horse if any sort to a hot country. It will be miserable for them. You also seem to be equating heavy horses with quiet ploddy horses and that's a big jump to make. You are much better looking for a horse already in Portugal and one that is a quiet hack regardless of breed.
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thanks for your feedback and def something to consider!
 
I would go Clydesdale over a Shire any day of the week
But I would absolutely question the wisdom of having such a horse in a hot country. As others have said, they struggle even here in the UK when it's very hot.
I have my fingers crossed for your current boy xx
 
I have a Suffolk and a friend with a Clydesdale and a Shire.

For your dressage background I'd go for a Clydesdale over a Shire for the flashier movement. Every horse is different you'll get flashy shires and more workmanlike Clydesdale. Same on temperament; some behave like the stereotypical racehorse. My Suffolk is as level headed as the come (most of the time, just don't mention water)

Either way, they will likely struggle in the heat. There was a Suffolk who recently had to be brought back (I don't want to use the word rescued- the owners begged for help, someone from the UK volunteered to take him on) from Spain after becoming ill due to the weather (Taliesan), he's now thriving back in the UK.
 
Hello, here's hoping your Spanish horse recovers well and enjoys his retirement. It can get much, much hotter than 28c in Portugal! Why wouldn't you look at some of the truly beautiful horses bred in Portugal? There are all sorts there, not just the pure bred Lusitanos, and I'm sure you could find something that was good to hack there. I personally wouldn't subject a heavy draught horse type to that kind of environment.
 
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You must be going through such a difficult time. Having a horse go through surgery once is a nightmare, twice must be so, so difficult. I'm keeping everything crossed for you and your boy. If it's any consolation my friends horse had 2 colic surgeries and is now competing at medium in dressage. He recovered really well once home.

I completely understand you being drawn to heavies, they are so impressive. I've had a couple of shire crosses who have been quite hot and needed regular work to keep them sane and safe. A lovely mix I had for schooling a while ago was 3/4 arab, 1/4 ID. Sounds a bit odd but this mare was a lovely mix of sane and forward, with some bone and quite hardy. Obviously a complete fluke that could have looked very odd. Any sort of Arab mix may fare better in the temps you will experience. Hope you find what you're looking for, good luck with your boy and your search.
 
I would get a local horse in Portugal if I were you, but that said, I have a Shire-TBx who came from Colorado, and she's absolutely fine in the heat, but she is from Colorado, and she laughs at 27C (or 80-ishF). It gets into the 30s there in the summer, and we survived four years in New York and Massachusetts, which is 30C+ and like a steam bath to boot. And we showe dressage in those days, so I was miserable wearing about a black wool coat but the horse coped fine. Did a two hour hack today in 27C -- no issue, like the Colorado girl she is, even though she's 27. Didn't bat an eye and was only sweaty under the saddle and girth. I, however, have gone soft and was melting and hot and sad.

She's forward but not sharp or hot. Unfazed by all traffic, tractors, lorries, bikes, screaming children, screaming children on bikes, motability scooters, out of control dogs... And goes out by herself no problem.

The problems with having a horse isn't 'local' is that she has zero tolerance for the insects -- midges and cleg flies - and hates horizontal rain. Also, a lot of young horses in the UK will have been exposed to cows because they are everywhere, but she hasn't, so I have to avoid them or we have a meltdown.
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SatansLittleHelper said:
I would go Clydesdale over a Shire any day of the week
But I would absolutely question the wisdom of having such a horse in a hot country. As others have said, they struggle even here in the UK when it's very hot.
I have my fingers crossed for your current boy xx
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SatansLittleHelper said:
I would go Clydesdale over a Shire any day of the week
But I would absolutely question the wisdom of having such a horse in a hot country. As others have said, they struggle even here in the UK when it's very hot.
I have my fingers crossed for your current boy xx
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thank you
 
OrangeAndLemon said:
I have a Suffolk and a friend with a Clydesdale and a Shire.

For your dressage background I'd go for a Clydesdale over a Shire for the flashier movement. Every horse is different you'll get flashy shires and more workmanlike Clydesdale. Same on temperament; some behave like the stereotypical racehorse. My Suffolk is as level headed as the come (most of the time, just don't mention water)

Either way, they will likely struggle in the heat. There was a Suffolk who recently had to be brought back (I don't want to use the word rescued- the owners begged for help, someone from the UK volunteered to take him on) from Spain after becoming ill due to the weather (Taliesan), he's now thriving back in the UK.
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thanks!
 
Cortez said:
Hello, here's hoping your Spanish horse recovers well and enjoys his retirement. It can get much, much hotter than 28c in Portugal! Why wouldn't you look at some of the truly beautiful horses bred in Portugal? There are all sorts there, not just the pure bred Lusitanos, and I'm sure you could find something that was good to hack there. I personally wouldn't subject a heavy draught horse type to that kind of environment.
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thank you so much
 
Jules111 said:
You must be going through such a difficult time. Having a horse go through surgery once is a nightmare, twice must be so, so difficult. I'm keeping everything crossed for you and your boy. If it's any consolation my friends horse had 2 colic surgeries and is now competing at medium in dressage. He recovered really well once home.

I completely understand you being drawn to heavies, they are so impressive. I've had a couple of shire crosses who have been quite hot and needed regular work to keep them sane and safe. A lovely mix I had for schooling a while ago was 3/4 arab, 1/4 ID. Sounds a bit odd but this mare was a lovely mix of sane and forward, with some bone and quite hardy. Obviously a complete fluke that could have looked very odd. Any sort of Arab mix may fare better in the temps you will experience. Hope you find what you're looking for, good luck with your boy and your search.
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thank you. it is reassuring to know that your friends horse had 2 colic surgeries and is now back to work and doing so well. thanks for sharing that.
 
Caol Ila said:
I would get a local horse in Portugal if I were you, but that said, I have a Shire-TBx who came from Colorado, and she's absolutely fine in the heat, but she is from Colorado, and she laughs at 27C (or 80-ishF). It gets into the 30s there in the summer, and we survived four years in New York and Massachusetts, which is 30C+ and like a steam bath to boot. And we showe dressage in those days, so I was miserable wearing about a black wool coat but the horse coped fine. Did a two hour hack today in 27C -- no issue, like the Colorado girl she is, even though she's 27. Didn't bat an eye and was only sweaty under the saddle and girth. I, however, have gone soft and was melting and hot and sad.

She's forward but not sharp or hot. Unfazed by all traffic, tractors, lorries, bikes, screaming children, screaming children on bikes, motability scooters, out of control dogs... And goes out by herself no problem.

The problems with having a horse isn't 'local' is that she has zero tolerance for the insects -- midges and cleg flies - and hates horizontal rain. Also, a lot of young horses in the UK will have been exposed to cows because they are everywhere, but she hasn't, so I have to avoid them or we have a meltdown.
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great picture of you guys!! looks like such a nice horse, so pretty! thanks for sharing your story. :) :)
 
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