draft horses

[Cumminsdeere]

Anybody on here using draft horses ?

 

[farmerwithmutt]

Neighbors got them in them the field disc yesterday in sw wisc grounds a lot dryier then you think dirt rolls easy but im keeping my tractor at least its a lot easier riding

 

[Bret4207]

Yup, or rather I should say I'm in the process of starting young teams. I foolishly let the old guys pass on before I started working the young stock.

 

[Dachshund]

Yesterday, I helped/watched an Amish friend do dirt work for his new barn using a team.

 

[ericlb]

i dont have any, but a guy in the town up the road does, he uses them to pull a tourist wagon in the summer and a sleigh for tourists rides in winter, since our snow fall is the lowest in many years here the sleigh is interesting as it has runners and retractable wheels too

 

[Suffolk1]

I have been working Suffolk draft horses for about the past 25 years. Mixed farm power cause using old tractors also, (especially for after dark work).

 

[lee little]

Yep! Probably more than anyone with good sense would have. Sometimes I think horses,mules and farming are an addiction for me.lol Lee

 

[Cumminsdeere]

Thanks for all the replies . I have always wanted to have a team of draft horses I have a nice cow horse can rope of off and do anything with and I have my grandpas old harnesses and I am wondering what kind of trouble I can get myself into . Wondering what I need to do to be able to drive my horse maybe pull a small buggy ?

 

[Suffolk1]

Sounds doable to me. Start slow with your horse and go easy, one step at a time. Would help a great deal to avoid problems, if you could find a local draft horse person to be a mentor as you learn and apply. There are some good resources and books around which would be helpful for someone starting out. You will make some mistakes along the way, but work with your and the horses safety in mind, be consistent and persistent, and you can get it done. Go for it.

 

[Bret4207]

What Suffolk said, and be advised "grampas old harness" may be a dry rotted rodeo waiting to happen. Start twisting on the leather and if it's tearing or ripping then forget using it.

Find someone who either has draft or driving horses and learn what you can.

 

[Chester5731]

(quoted from post at 07:11:56 04/02/14) I have been working Suffolk draft horses for about the past 25 years. Mixed farm power cause using old tractors also, (especially for after dark work).

Suffolks are my dream team. Right now I have a pair of haflingers that don't get used enough.

 

[Cumminsdeere]

Thanks to all the replies and photos I'll do some searching and see what books and videos I can find. Thanks for the heads up on the harness leather I'll check out and see what kind of shape its in.

 

[Bret4207]

See if your local area or county has a draft horse club.

 

[Cumminsdeere]

Ill have to look around and see what I can find out. one neighbor uses draft teams sometimes but he's about as approachable as a skunk with his tale up