Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
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Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
We had a tragedy in our barn last week. One of my barn mates lost his beloved Clydesdale mare to colic, very suddenly and unexpectedly.
The poor man is devastated. This was his first horse, they were a mutual adoration society (really, this guy would come home from a business trip, came straight to the barn and she would come running up the pasture to greet him. It was really very sweet.) She also took great care of him as they trail-rode all over creation--while he is the nicest guy, he is still a bit of a beginner and has beginner moments so he needs a bit of a babysitter.
The family has literally just moved to the area full time (they were second homers here before and the horse was in full care at our barn) and he was so excited about being able to trail ride every weekend and go out with his young son, who they have just bought a nice horse for.
So, after the initial "I'm never riding again" reaction, Dave has proved that he really is a horseman, and has decided he needs a new trail mount. We all said we would put out feelers for him, so here I am.
Dave is a big man, so he wants a draft or part draft. Mare of gelding. Needs to be gentle and able to take a joke, but also be able to take him for a canter out on the trails without killing him. He rides in a Western saddle, a grab the horn and go kind of guy. He's not going to be taking lessons in an arena, but he doesn't have scary horrible hands or ride in a curb bit or wear spurs. This does not need to be a trained dressage horse, but does need to have the training to be a bombproof rockstar. It will get tuning rides from a very competent trainer.
In return, the horse will have a very cushy and loving home for life with daily pasture turnout and a huge stall, and excellent professional care from people who understand caring for drafts and feathers and diets and footcare (we have a very fine farrier who is really good with draft horses) and all that stuff.
He will pay an appropriate amount for this paragon of horsey virtue and he will travel just about anywhere to find it. (Actually, he will send our trainer first. She has a good eye for exactly what's needed.)
So, if anyone knows of anything that might fit the bill, let me know. We have a 19 hand hole in our barn at the moment that needs filling.
The poor man is devastated. This was his first horse, they were a mutual adoration society (really, this guy would come home from a business trip, came straight to the barn and she would come running up the pasture to greet him. It was really very sweet.) She also took great care of him as they trail-rode all over creation--while he is the nicest guy, he is still a bit of a beginner and has beginner moments so he needs a bit of a babysitter.
The family has literally just moved to the area full time (they were second homers here before and the horse was in full care at our barn) and he was so excited about being able to trail ride every weekend and go out with his young son, who they have just bought a nice horse for.
So, after the initial "I'm never riding again" reaction, Dave has proved that he really is a horseman, and has decided he needs a new trail mount. We all said we would put out feelers for him, so here I am.
Dave is a big man, so he wants a draft or part draft. Mare of gelding. Needs to be gentle and able to take a joke, but also be able to take him for a canter out on the trails without killing him. He rides in a Western saddle, a grab the horn and go kind of guy. He's not going to be taking lessons in an arena, but he doesn't have scary horrible hands or ride in a curb bit or wear spurs. This does not need to be a trained dressage horse, but does need to have the training to be a bombproof rockstar. It will get tuning rides from a very competent trainer.
In return, the horse will have a very cushy and loving home for life with daily pasture turnout and a huge stall, and excellent professional care from people who understand caring for drafts and feathers and diets and footcare (we have a very fine farrier who is really good with draft horses) and all that stuff.
He will pay an appropriate amount for this paragon of horsey virtue and he will travel just about anywhere to find it. (Actually, he will send our trainer first. She has a good eye for exactly what's needed.)
So, if anyone knows of anything that might fit the bill, let me know. We have a 19 hand hole in our barn at the moment that needs filling.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Oh gosh, I know of nothing, but am sending jingles that you find the perfect unicorn for him.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
That's so sad, what a loss. I can't think of anything but will definitely keep my eyes and ears open.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Aww I hope he finds the perfect mount. I am so sorry for his loss.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
I just had a thought. Is there a hack stable anywhere around that might have a bombproof hack that is drafty? I boarded at a stable with a hack line for 12 years. The hacks were mostly draft crosses and all gentle giants. Every once in a while someone would come regularly to ride, fall in love with one of the hacks, and then wind up buying it. It always worked out so well.
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
My friend has a lovely 3/4 Belgian draft cross but she probably doesn't tick all the boxes. I am not even sure she wants to sell but she hasn't ridden her in months due to her own health issues. I hate seeing her just standing out at the barn in her little pen. If I wasn't up to my eyeballs with elder care, full time work and my own critter, I would be working her. She is 16 h and approx. 1650lbs. She is 21 but sound, healthy and BF but I would imagine he would want something a bit younger. She doesn't have a lot of trail experience but is pretty unflappable. I have never seen her do anything on our rides out together but she might need a short trail boot camp with the trainer and of course some (gentle) conditioning.
For the right home, who knows? If he can't find something, I can ask if she would entertain a sale.
Susan
For the right home, who knows? If he can't find something, I can ask if she would entertain a sale.
Susan
from susamorg on the UDBB
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Thank you all... we might just have found something. Needs vetting before we get too excited about it, but is very promising--another Clyde, which will make him happy. Fingers crossed!
I will post pix if it works out!
I will post pix if it works out!
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Good luck to Dave in finding his new riding partner. I love that he wants a horse that 'is able to take a joke'!! Yeah, some can and some can't eh. Crossing fingers too!
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Please keep us updated! Tell Dave there are a bunch of us pulling for him and his new unicorn.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
awwww....sending him and everyone good wishes~!
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
And tell him those of us who have experienced random, sudden, deadly colic, cry with him.
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
All the above, in spades.
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Fingers crossed for your new find!
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Fingers crossed for the prospect. Let me know if it doesn't pan out and I'll send your/his criteria out into the draft world. Often better that way than the 30 day wonders you see advertised on FB
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
The horse in question is getting vetted this week. It's out of the Budweisser program in St Louis. Flunked out because wrong height, I believe, supposed to be nice to ride and drive. Fingers crossed!
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Jingling for a successful ppe!
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Everything's got moved out to next week, what with the holiday and all, so we just have to wait and see!
Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Jenniferkey just posted a nice drafty type in the sales section, horse is located in TX. (just in case)
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
"wrong height" Too short?
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Re: Looking for a draft-sized unicorn.
Jenniferkey's horse looks a bit too advanced for Dave
Tarlo, he's 17ish hands, I believe. Which will feel short to Dave after Madison, who was a horse mountain, 18.2ish I believe.
Tarlo, he's 17ish hands, I believe. Which will feel short to Dave after Madison, who was a horse mountain, 18.2ish I believe.
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