To Buy Or Not To Buy? [Sorry it's a bit long]

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Paigeous

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I currently own a Liver Chestnut Welsh mare, who will be 7 in April. She's about 14.2hh and gorgeous! I love her to bits
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However..I feel I may be getting slightly too tall for her. I know she can easily carry my weight but I feel that I look odd when I ride her. I broke her in myself and I know ever trick she has. I'm attached for life and there's no chance of selling her. I am going to teach my mum to ride her as she is shorter than me and quite interested, she helps me out around the yard and really loves our mare.

So I'm thinking about buying an Irish Draught in a couple of year's time. I want a mare about at least 16.2hh or taller. Thing is, I don't want a horse that's really slender and needs clipping and millions of rugs in winter..but I don't want a big hefty carthorse either. My friend said that I would be best off with an Irish Draught. I've looked on the Internet and they seem like fantastic horses. However, they also sound really laid-back..almost point-and-press horses, which I don't like - I like a challenge when I ride, something you have to be with for every stride. Their casual-ness is the only thing about them that I don't like the sound of.

Does anyone know if they are just well-behaved rather than boring? Are the breeding websites just biased about their good behaviour? Are they tough to look after in winter?

Any advice much appreciated x x
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I ride with someone who has a 15.3hh ID gelding. Point and press is not the way I would describe him, more like light the blue touch paper and stand well back.

He is a great guy though and not in the least bit nasty, I just think his rider brings out the 'best' in him
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Hello LiverChestnutLover, I have a pure bred ID and she is a lovely lovely horse. I wanted something to be an allrounder and she has certainly been that. I have had her 8 years and would never part with her, she is a gem.

As a breed, they are usually hardy, sensible and adaptable. However, in my experience they are not always totally laid back. My mare is not a novice ride but she is a great fun ride, forward going, biddable, can be strong, can be spooky, but 1000 per cent honest and genuine. I can't stress that strongly enough. She has no malice at all, she is mortified if she has to be told off, she is sensitive for a big horse, but all the better for it in my opinion.

They are great horses, they can do anything. I would certainly buy another ID, in fact I my mare is in foal to a RID stallion and I can't wait to see the result! The stallion competes dressage to a very respectable level, is elegant and elevated. They don't all have brilliant movement but they are generally jolly nice horses.
 
Most Ids and ID crosses are fairly laid back, so not sure it would be what you are after. There are always lots of exceptions. With the laid back you get good bone, sensible and reliable personality (useful when you mix with TB!) - so generally no the breeding sites are accurate to describe them that way - but often quite stubborn and I reckon (having a mostly ID boy) theyre not always the sharpest tools in the drawer ahhhh...... Theyre pretty good doers for big horses.

Maybe you can find a sparky one, you might do best with an IDxTB that takes after the TB side, could be perfect!
 
I had an ID cross and he was laid back to handle and usually to ride, but he had a certain 'spark' to him that meant you still had to be on your toes......I felt this made him safe but fun!
 
I have a 20yr old ID mare I've had since she was 5. I had no confidence jumping when I got her. We have hunted, team chased and done all RC stuff. She was never too careful SJing though, doesn't mind bashing herself on a pole. They are typically good doers and easy to look after but they can be a bit stubborn if they don't want to do something.
She is scared of nothing and has probably spooked about 4 times in her life. She can be forward going and fun to ride, however on other occasions I can ride her bareback with the reins on her neck and she'll poddle around.
If you're used to the sharpness of a Welshie I guess you might find them a bit laid back?? Obviously depends on the individual though.
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I think it depends on the individual horse - I have a full TB who is a good doer, lives out all year unrugged and is incredibly solid and placid (people often think he's ID X) and my OH has a ID X who is quite sharp and slim and people always think he's the TB!
 
Some ID bloodlines are very sharp compared to others, so try and learn a bit about that before you go and look.
I have found our bloodline lively but so brave and scared of nothing. I wouldn't advise it for a beginner but you obviously aren't.
Have a look at the stallion Kensons Aragon , his stock are well known for being superb rides. His owner comes on here sometimes and might have something young you could bring on.
 
From what you have said it sounds that largely you are looking for a good doer with a good temprement, that is easy to do. If this is the case, then I wouldn't get too hung up looking at only certain breeds, as you may find you are missing some really good horses, that may not fit your initial "ideal" criteria.
For quite a few years I only had Welsh D's, and swore that I would never have another TB or TB cross as they are fussy and finicky and TBH most of the time a dam nuisance!! But I ended up with a little TB mare as a project horse, that I was supposed to have for about 3 months. She has been one of the best horses I have even had. I had initially shyed away from having her as she wasn't a Sec D - but I am so glad that I did.
My TB mare (chestnut as well!!!!) was the most un-TB, most un-marish and most un-chestnut horse I have ever come across - and she had an amazing sense of humour as well.
Not all TB's are the same - just as not all ID's are calm and quiet!!!
 
Thankyou everyone you've been a great help
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I haven't got to make the decision for a while so I can weigh up all the pro's and con's appropriately..although I wanted to start working out what to get early to make sure I get the right horse..I'd hate to have to sell one!

I shall keep all of your advice in mind - Thanks Very Much!

And if anyone else wants to offer any more wisdom, please feel free!
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Why don't you look into getting an ISH?? You'll probably pick one up a lot easier/cheaper than a pure ID as you don't see as many about nowadays.

This is my horse, Badger, he's an ISH and IDxTB (although not a strait x if that makes sense..

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He's 16.3 and has plenty of bone/hair and big feet but is a bit more athletic than your average ID. He's well behaved and a sweetie but certainly a bit of a challenge!!
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I dont think that id's are push button boring rides my friend has a id and although he is the perfect lad and can be laid back, he also has a bit of personality and will jump practically anything, whethr you want him too or not, i think they are an excellent breed, even get a x if you dont want a touch button ride although never seen one of them myself lol:)xxx
 
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