Drafts Jumping?

[DressageDude]

ok, i know this sounds really stupid.

But is it ok to jump draft horses? like 2'6'' or what ever? like can they physcially handle it? Will it create issues with there legs/joints later in there life?

The reason why i ask, is because i have been toying with the idea of geting a Draft for lower level dressage and jumping. And i know there not really build for jumping, like say a WB there bred to be a work horse.

[Quelah]

You can, and they can, and IMO, if you do it a lot, yes it will hasten issues later in life. I say that after talking to a lot of draft knowledgeable vets.

And there's variables. My lighter bodied 16.3 Shire mare, vs my friend's honest 19 hand on the stick hitch horse. A light bodied Perch, vs a massive heavy pulling Belgian. And footing, and correctness of limb, etc etc.

So not the ideal breed for it, but possibly ok if the horse has correct legs and you're careful about what you do. You could use a WB or a TB or even an Arab to plow a field, but they're not built or bred for it, and it will take a toll on them fast than doing that task that they've been designed for. I've taken my Honda off road when I've needed to, knowing that I took some of the lifespan off the suspension when I did it.

[DressageDude]

ok, that's what i thought.

[flypony74]

My Percheron...











He's half-TB but doesn't look it. He's slowly and properly conditioned, and I'm careful with his footing....Mr. Healthy, Sound, and Personality!

[Quelah]

Oh flypony, he's goooorgeous! That almost makes me want to give up Shires!

[Martijn]

That's a spectacular horse flypony.

My horse is a clydesdale and I won't jump him.
He will sometimes leap over a puddle but that's it.
I'm really only interested in jumping if I can be competitive.

[SallyB]

I used to event a clydie cross some years ago. He got to pre-novice but really we couldn't get the speed to go any higher up the levels. But he was brave, athletic and had a great heart. He was half TB. He's now retired in my back paddock. I have never had such an honest horse. Quite a few cydie x's showjump here. I think you have to be aware of the ground and their weight and fitness. I don't think low level stuff would hurt.

[Repartee]

OMG, Flypony, he's so adorable! And I don't usually like the heavies! I want to hug him

[bravestrom]

we event them - here are some pics - these are all half drafts

[leheath]

My Dad has evented his TBxPercheron mare (who looks more like a Percheron than a TB!) up to the 3' division. The biggest issue he had was her speed cross-country - drafts aren't designed to cover the ground in canter (as others have mentioned)! She evented from approx. 5-6 years old until approx. 16-17 years old before she started finding it difficult/uncomfortable to jump. At nearly 20 years old, she is now retired from eventing but still is ridden approx. 3x/week, mostly long hacks but she also still does some arena work. She has some slightly arthritis in the shoulders, but has otherwise been sound since we got her at 4 years old. Below are a couple of photos of her going cross country 8.5 years ago (at approx. 12 years old). In our experience, if you live in a hot climate, drafts stuggle to eliminate heat more than lighter horses (less surface area compared to body mass) so you do have to be vigilant about heat and fitness issues.

[Ibex]

I know someone who events a full Belgian at Prelim, but I think she's the exception more than the rule!

[robnrun]

I notice those are mostly half-drafts (and the other half is Tb). Aren't there also some issues about high speed exertion for drafts? The amount of fast-twitch muscles as opposed to slow-twitch muscles bunches, which would lead to heat issues and lactic acid problems? Or is that just me half-remembering nonsense?

[leheath]

Yes, drafts were not designed for speed and IME, this is where they are most limited for eventing (although they can do just fine at lower levels).

They do struggle to eliminate heat - more body mass compared to surface area for sweating than lighter horses. They can be hard to get and keep fit and, IMHO, they need to be kept fitter than a lighter horse to be able to handle the cross country phase, especially if they live in a warmer climate.

[mg]

I used to breed TB/Perch for field hunting. They always sold for full asking price and they all went on to hunt in big hunts, like Middleburg, Ringos NJ, and Millbrook, NY.

[1goodpony]

Its quite common to see Draft and Draft Crosses out eventing at the lower levels. Some appear more suitable than others but all seem reasonably safe over fences. Most horses regardless of breed should be able to complete a BN horse trial.

[kadi]

I know someone who took a Clyde/TB cross prelim successfully.

[Basie]

I worked for some folks that had a Clydesdale cross. In his prime, he went prelim..I took him training. His name was Moooose......count the o's....that was not a mistake........Once he got rolling he was rolllllingggg
You could hear us coming!

[HollyWould]

I have a 3/4 TB x 1/4 Percheron Gelding that has taken to jumping like a kid to candy! He LOVES it and is actually quite athletic. He succesfully competed Novice level eventing his first year under saddle with scope for more!
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[Martijn]

I ride a full clydesdale and he has no trouble jumping anything up to 3,5 feet.
He would have trouble with tight turns in a competitive course but he can jump.
I don't do it often because I don't think it's in his interest.

Flypony..your horse is unbelievably gorgeous!
Very, very cool!

[lily.99]

Years back I used to jump my Clyde Cross...he was so much fun. I love having a nice big solid horse under me...He is semi-retired now....we do trails...lots and lots to keep him in shape. He is 19 now.
Lower levels won't hurt them. The heat is the biggest problem I think. Come summer here in SC...he becomes a slug! LOL!

[bighorse]

I have a full Belgian that I ride dressage. We've done ground poles but I haven't jumped her. She paddles some and I worry that it would just cause problems later on.

I think you have a better chance with a cross, although there are exceptions. I would stick to the ligher drafts if you are going to jump.

You always have issues with big drafts, like finding tack, paying extra to the farrier, but mine has the best mind!

[RebelsHope]

Here are two blogs on jumping drafts:

http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/

http://jumping-percheron.blogspot.com/

btw everyone's pictures are awesome. Love to see drafts doing it all, even if they were not made for it.

[WielkopolskiFan]

A client of mine has a Percheron/TB cross who she has evented up to Intermediate. He had no problem with any of it, but wasn't very competitive at that level because he just didn't do the cross country all that fast.

There are a lot of draft crosses who are 1/4 draft who are spectacular jumpers. I can think of a couple that I massage - with a 1/4 cross they have similar build to a WB.

[bravestrom]

My younger son won the young rider pre training challenge series reserve champion on his 1/2 draft. They won a number of events.

[heppa]

full drafts and half drafts are two totally different categories! She is asking about full drafts , I assume...

[DressageDude]

* He

I was asking about full drafts. Lol, this is such an old topic, i actually ended up with a Part draft.