Getting Started in Drafts

DAPNET Forums Archive › Forums › Draft Animal Power › Horses › Getting Started in Drafts

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  • April 4, 2009 at 7:42 pm #40290
    IDEALJACOBSHEEP
    Participant

    Hi all,

    I have been trying to tag along and keep up with the posts, but am fairly new to this site. I am trying to find my way into getting started with Draft horses. I just moved to MO. on a shepherding apprenticeship, and would like to do some firewood logging, and farm work (large garden/ some haying). I guess my biggest questions would be: Does anyone know of anybody who would mentor, preferably in NW MO. or KS? I have worked with Hanoverians, and Oldenburgs since I was a child. Unfortunately my driving experience is limited to working Standardbreds for track, and even less in training a colt to harness. I’m hoping to either get a single horse, or a team of two within the next year or so. I’m thinking Belgians, since my Belgian X Gelding had a great temperment, and many seem to be within my limited price range.

    Thank you for your time!

    Lynette
    IDEAL FARM
    Jacob Sheep
    http://www.idealjacobsheep.com

    April 4, 2009 at 10:04 pm #50654
    jen judkins
    Participant

    Welcome to the site, Lynnette. I’ve been here about a year and have successfully started my young belgian to some simple work on my farm. I would say that 90% of my start up information came from the folks here…so you are in a good place. I would recommend a mentor if possible, but you can learn alot right here…especially since you are not new to horses.

    BTW, my best saddle horse is an Oldenburg:)

    April 5, 2009 at 1:10 am #50655
    OldKat
    Participant

    Welcome Lynette, hope you enjoy the site. Some really good folks hang out around here; really knowledgeable, too.

    The subject of getting started with draft horses comes up from time to time on this forum, at least indirectly. The conventional wisdom is too get started with a very sound, well broke individual or team. I can’t say that I disagree with that, though that is not the way that I did it. 😉

    Young, untrained horses are certainly (usually) cheaper than getting a proven trained one. However, some sage on this site (and I don’t really recall who said it) said something recently that makes a world of sense on this subject. The statement was something to the effect of “would you rather be driving your horses, or would you rather be training them?” THAT is a very valid point. Unless the time spent training is something that you would value, go with the ready to use version. Probably cheaper in the long run anyway.

    The mentor is a great idea, if you can find one. I have not had one and it makes the sledding a little tougher than otherwise. Fortunately for me there is a guy that has been working Clydesdales for about 30 to 35 years that just moved to my town and he said he would be glad to help me out with my horses. I bring this up, because it seems to me that people that are drawn to working animals are kind of like a fraternity, or in your case a sorority, they seem to be real anxious to help other, less experienced folks on down the road.

    Good luck & again, welcome to the forum.

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