New To All Things Draft Horse (2-25-12)

[Anonymous]

Howdy. I’m new, like I just fell off the turnip truck, when it comes to all things draft-horse. Been around OTTBs all my almost 45 yrs of life (grandfather was a jockey and a trainer), so plenty of horse experience in my younger years. Became a city girl for too long and needed to be around horses so I spent a short tour of duty as a carriage horse tour operator in the city of St. Louis with dead-broke Percherons and fell in love with driving. Had the good fortune to be a Dressage rider for a Shire cross for a few years and fell in love with drafts for all-purposes. Now, years later, living in beautiful Willamette Valley (Oregon) with property, I own two amazing light draft horses – brother and sister, 4 and 5 years old. They are well-trained in the basics, but young and a bit hot. They are well-broke for wagons, carts, etc. (some would say they’ve never done any real work, I know – never worn a collar, but there is plenty of time for that) and have a lot of experience for their age. They drive beautifully as a pair, or as singles. Best of all, we make a great team and we are all willing students. I’m definitely out of my league with these babies, but smart enough to do nothing when in doubt and patient enough with them and myself not to get into too much trouble, I hope. The trick is not to get mired in that doubt, and that’s probably when you’ll hear from me with questions.

I wanted to introduce myself because I’ve spent some time getting to know this forum and I’ve learned a lot. You are an incredibly versatile, savvy and passionate group of handlers. Even though most of what you say is over my head, I’m trying to soak it all in. I know I’m going to need some help and hoping to get some friendly advice here, now and then. It makes me feel better just to know you are out there. I don’t have an established network of horse friends in my new area, and even fewer people in my life to guide me in draft-horse things. I’m trying to learn/ re-learn driving, and come back to horsemanship after a long absence, and, for the first time in my adult life, be a full-time caretaker for my horses and keeper of horses in my own 40 acre “back yard.”

I’ve had my horses – who I call The Twins, because they could be – for 3 months tomorrow. They’ve been pasture pets since they got here and we are all in desperate need of a job. I’ve been in “the relationship” stage, my label for it – building leadership and trust and routines and getting to know each other from the ground up. Tomorrow I transition to the “groundwork and saddle training” stage (neither are broke to ride), which means we are going to start learning to work together and learn our roles as teammates in all of the diciplines in which we choose to venture. I’m in this for the challenge, and the fun of it, and because I’m passionate about my horse-kids and want to find endess ways to enjoy them – whether it be plowing at sunrise or riding the Oregon beaches at sunset.

So, that’s it. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and willingness to share your experiences.

[Tim Harrigan]

Welcome to the forum. You will find that there are a lot of intelligent, perceptive and articulate draft animal practitioners that willingly share their knowledge and skills to advance the community of practitioners. I think you will fit in real well.

[njfarmer]

Welcome. i have found everyone on here extremely helpful and knowledgable. Just dont be afraid to ask a question no matter how silly you may think it is. The only stupid question in an un-asked one.

[menageriehill]

well I wil say that your resume looks ok. You sound like you are knowledgeable.There is volumes of knowledge in this site. Here for the gleaning. It sounds like you have had an interesting life. I have been here for a short time. Owned a working donkey for a short time. And even though it might not be a high dollar entree, I find that the teaching of a donkey and his handler is much the same as a 3200 lb beast. Oh my, maybe I have drank too much coffee. WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME. What is OTTBs?

[Anonymous]

@menageriehill 32836 wrote:

What is OTTBs?

“Off The Track Thoroughbred” (the opposite of a typical draft temperament)

[Author]

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