I didn’t know they rode draft horses under a saddle, this was the first year for a show at the state fair, I tried finding some pictures but can’t, is there anyone on here that does this?

The work horses I owned which were mainly used as teams for farm work .All these draft horses I broke to ride and pack as well .Mostly I used saddle horses to ride but the drafts were good for beginners and were handy on pack trips in the wilderness . I like the Percheron breed.

Sure do. Love riding drafts. Outfitters for years have chosen half drafts for trips into the bush.

My Aussie gear , in semi Quarter tree, and a thin felt pad, will fit anything just fine. The adjustment I have with a tackeberry cinch and collar does a great job in keeping it in place.

Drafts are like sitting in a comfy , stuffed lazy boy chair. Their lope is like a rocking horse that you liked as a kid.

You feel on top of the world.

Not my picture

My Mother used to tell me about riding her Uncles Drafts , but bareback

Half Drafts are very nice riding horses, or can be. I've never rode a full draft but the Half drafts are very pleasant, smooth.

Like Sharon said Draft Horses are very smooth and Comfotable to ride. My Uncle had them and as a kid we used to ride them all the time. Even Morgans that I have ridden are smooth and they are technically work Horses.

Me and my bud, Big Mac .He is Percheron, 18 hands . He is great on the trails. On flat ground, at a brisk trot, he has showy front end high action. Love that huge arched neck. We are as peas and carrots. Good buds and a team together.

I've watched a lot of jousting competitions where people rode Percherons. For tilting against each other they used cardboard tubes from carpet rolls with pool noodles sticking out of them. For tilting at fake heads and quintains they used blunt wood lances. For tilting at brass rings on a ribbon they used light, wood, sharpened lances.

Keith

So Awesome

Very nice, now can you fire that wheel gun safety off his back?

I have always wanted a draft. But the cost of entry and increased feed cost keep me from pursuing it very far. Maybe in. Few years, daughter's picked a path and now to pay for tuition..

I've ridden a few draft cross and have friends that have owned and ridden them. As a whole they aren't for me. They are more of a novelty it seems though a lot of them can be quite docile which is one plus for the outfitters and packers putting dudes on them. The ones I've been around move mostly about like u would expect them too. But for my game quickness and speed are valuable qualities so I'm a bet bias.

I've ridden some draft saddle horses for trail work back in the days I worked for NPS in Yellowstone.

Took some getting used to... made my hips ache for the first couple days, cause my legs were spread so much further!

Pete

I can only imagine 18h. That 15h 3/4 Arab I had would find every low hanging limb, lol.

You didn't sit side saddle? May be better with a platform with pillows and sun shade like they use on elephants!

P.F. , that wheel gun is a Colt Python 357. Plenty loud, and unless in an emergency, I wouldn't think of firing it above my Mac's ears ! I can sit out his reactions, he bucks in slow motion compared to lighter breeds, and it takes him a little bit to get rolling in speed, but once he does, he's like the Fridge of the NFL . Don't get in his way... As for cost, the funds and special effort it takes to keep a draft in shoes alone, can run expensive enough.

Ok, Yes Sir, talk about speed ?

This is another bud, Vinny. Pure Spanish Arabian. He isn't mine, he belongs to my good friend, who endurance races this breed all over the west, and has won many firsts, seconds, best condition, in race after race out here. At vet checks, he is often mistaken for Quarter cross . He isn't. The Spanish Arabs have remarkable stout fast twitch muscles , as well as the endurance slow twitch, and thick bone. The best of both worlds. She only trusts two people on Vinny, her sister and myself. He is about the best horse I have ever ridden. With many miles under his cinch, he is more level-headed in taking care of himself and his rider than 90 % of horses and mules I've ever known. His bursts in speed , even after miles , is phenomenal. He gets lots of treats and hugs after every ride.

The big warmbloods , used in Dressage and Hunter/Steeplechase events, are the perfect balance of draft and light breeds for speed and strength.

This shot was headed back to the barn after a 50 mile practice day stint , here in the mountains. Not just sticking to the valleys. There is barely a sweat spot on Vinny. Still with plenty energy to brisk trot back to treats .

I enjoy speed , too ...

Sharon

That Arabian has a lot of substance to him compared to most of the breed. Them breeding them to be so refined for the show pen hasn't helped the breed as a riding horse.

The prince of Arabia would care to differ…

Miss S could sit on a glue bucket and sell it to a Texan

Too funny, Dave

Y.S., correct. Even in the show Arab world, complaints exist on the much too refined look, these days, too much dip in the face and muzzle, to the point of some having breathing issues. This breed is all about being the Porches of the horse world, all air intake and lungs , wrapped in thin skin to cool quickly, one less vertebrae than any other breed , making for a short back and axle base that holds up without rival from other breeds.

Like mistakes made in other breeds, dogs included, those weak points , over time are turned around and hopefully breeders go back to the original hardy types.

Below is Vinny and his pal, Dion , resting up after that 50 mile ride. They still have plenty of energy to pick on each other. You can see how dry they are , just minutes after unsaddling. Riding with my friend on this caliber of horse has been among the most enjoyable riding in my life.

Sorry, Bob, we seemed to have changed horses in mid stream .

Those are some nice horses Sharon, the picture with your foot out of the stirrup is where I’d be saying a few words as I would probably be falling off at that point, I guess this a fairly common thing, I found the video I wanted the horse show starts at about 38 minutes and the draft under saddle is at about 42 minutes, I can’t figure out how post the video just the link.

https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/fair/episode/10094/fair-2023-friday-august-18