| Although they were specifically bred to pull a plow or a | | | | uncomfortable for both horse and rider otherwise. |
| carriage, you may be surprised to find that large draft | | | | When you are looking at riding draft horses, you may |
| horses can be ridden as well! Draft horses are known | | | | be wondering what breeds are available. As |
| for their heavy build and impressive strength, but this | | | | mentioned above, as long as they have been trained |
| does not work against them at all when it comes to | | | | to it, draft horses can make great riding horses. |
| riding for pleasure or even for competition. Many draft | | | | Belgians are definitely a popular breed for riding, as are |
| horses are used in trail riding and with proper training, | | | | Percherons and Clydesdales. Gypsy Vanners are also |
| they do very well in dressage competition as well. | | | | quite popular where they can be found, as are Shire |
| Despite their large size, they can move very lightly and | | | | horses. These horses were all bred to pull and to drag |
| be very responsive to signals from their rider. It is | | | | rather than to ride, but this may not always have been |
| generally believed that with the right training, any draft | | | | the case. Percherons, for example, are thought to be |
| horse may be ridden, although their larger girth can be | | | | the modern descendants of the destriers that carried |
| a little uncomfortable for a rider who is not used to | | | | knights to war during the Middle Ages. |
| them. | | | | What distinguishes riding a draft horse from riding a |
| If you own a young draft horse and are looking into | | | | normal horse? The first thing that most draft horse |
| training it for riding, you need to keep in mind that they | | | | riders will point you towards is the power. There is an |
| do not develop like quarter horses. Their size alone | | | | amazing lot of muscle on the frame of a draft horse, |
| makes them a lot different from the lighter breeds that | | | | and when they have a rider on their back, their |
| were bred with riding or dressage in mind, and their | | | | endurance is impressive. Clydesdales especially have a |
| bones are simply slower to mature. Remember that | | | | reputation for being excellent to ride. They have an |
| their spine does not close until sometime in their fifth | | | | impressively fluid gait, and their strength serves them |
| year, and many trainers tend to stay away from riding | | | | well without getting in the way. |
| them before that point. Before training them for the | | | | While the steadiness and patience of a draft horse |
| saddle however, they can still be trained for bathing, | | | | make it an instant favorite for trail riding, you may be a |
| and for gentleness when their feet are handled. Just | | | | little surprised to hear that they do very well in |
| spending time with your horse in terms of leading, | | | | dressage competition as well. Clydesdales and |
| driving and lunging will help get them to a place where | | | | Belgians especially make an impressive showing in the |
| they are going to be much more prepared for the | | | | dressage ring, and their owners swear that they have |
| saddle. | | | | an heightened capacity to learn. One example of their |
| A draft horse has many advantages when you are | | | | biddable nature and rock-steady temperament is their |
| thinking about riding. Their large size can make their | | | | presence in mounted police. They are also highly |
| movement particularly smooth, and their gentle and | | | | sought out when disabled people are interested in |
| docile temperament make them a real winner when it | | | | riding. |
| comes to how well they handle new riders. Do | | | | Take some time and consider whether you are |
| remember that you might need to do some leg | | | | interested in draft horse riding. This is a sport that is |
| stretches if you are planning for a long session in the | | | | seeing more and more usage, and if you are |
| saddle; their increased girth is going to take some | | | | interested, start searching for a venue where you can |
| getting used to. If you are looking to ride your draft | | | | give it a shot. Draft horses are willing and loving |
| horse, always make sure that you do a wither tracing | | | | animals, and you may find that they are a perfect |
| before you purchase a saddle. Too many people end | | | | match for you. |
| up with a saddle that pinches or is otherwise | | | | |