Dilemma #2…too much horse?

Hello,

you might want to check out the smaller breeds: Haflinger, Fjord or Highland pony.

I’ve never owned a draft horse in my life. We have regular, quarter-horse sized horses/mules. My current farm team consists of two full brothers, 4 and 5, foxtrotters, who weigh in at about 1200 each. Thats big enough. I also have their 20 year old uncle who’ll weigh 1000 lbs and can hold his own with either one of them. And seeings how you’re wanting to have something to ride and work, this seems like a good idea. And regular size riding horse/mule can pull a wagon, spreader, or logs. Just remember… its not size, but heart. My boys do all I need to and then some, and enjoy it. The meet me at the gate and truly enjoy the work. Heat doesn’t seem to be a bother with them, but they come out of the field wet. I hope my rambling has helped you some. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Mac

Check out my fjord mule team. 1000 pounds each. Just a little over 14 hands and strong as heck. They also pack and have been ridden some and will get ridden much more this summer. They’re very hardy.

I would think you can find a good mule team somewhere down south. Check out dream horse.com or google mule teams for sale.

Muleville.com might have some.

My mules and fjord horse can be seen at gallery.me.com/heehawhaven … They’re not for sale, just offering choices.

I also agree that you can turn a driving horse into riding horse. You’re better off getting a seasoned team if your green driver. Green + green = black

Dave

Those are stout looking pony’s are they available in the Us ?

Yes, smaller horses or mules sound good, but my recommendation is that you find some one working animals doing the kind of work you want to do and get there. I know that can be a real challenge, but you will learn so much. It will greatly inform your ideas about what you want. It might give you ideas about how to find them. Most important it will give you some idea of what to do when you bring them home. We want to you to have a safe start with drafts and spending some time working with someone else is key part for most folks as they get started.

Yes, finding a full range of equipment for a single is tough, but it is definately possible and you can find what you need if you really want work a single. It sounds like you are more interested in a team anyway, and there is nothing wrong with that. My two cents is that you will definately spend alot more time training a team to drive (if this is still something you are thinking about) than the time you would spend to go pick up a team that is far away. You will get a much better start with a team that knows what it’s doing. I see well broke Halflinger teams for sale all the time around here. I know it’s a long way, and you can surely find something closer… I would really do my very best to find a team that already knew what it was doing.

PS. If you really are interested in a single, please let me know what pieces of equipment you are having a hard time finding and I can tell you what I use and/or where I found it. There really isn’t anything wrong with a team, but if you only have work for a single, don’t let the equipment issue hold you back.