I use a team of HaflingerX here–they do everything from pull manure spreader to haying work. They’ve also done logging in the past. They weigh in at about 1600# for the team. I like them because they have great feet–I only shoe them in winter for traction, and they’ll go all day. They are easy keepers, and I love the smaller size for harnessing.
Someone suggested the Rural Heritage site…I’ll second that; lots of great info and advice there, as well as team listings.
Where I am at once we have freeze up it lasts until spring. We rarely get the thaws to muck up the drive. I have loader tractors and a skid steer loader, but I pack the snow with my tire. It makes a good base and doesn’t create a pile for snow to drift around. I bed with straw because raise barley and it is a byproduct. I also don’t stall horses. A good wind break a run in shed an leave them alone. Up the feed as needed with the cold. My horses do fine all weather. Now keep in mind, I don’t show so I have no need to keep the sun off or clip the hair off.
A sled or wagon can be used to shovel sawdust onto and haul manure out. Yes, a tractor is easier. Think of the stop, start, stand training the horses are getting during a chore session.
LF
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>we are very, very busy </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
slc, she’s good people 
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”> this thread has ‘deteriorated’ to the personal attack level </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You’ve had masses of excellent information on this thread. Perhaps if you were a little more gracious in 1.recieving it, 2.ignoring the crap you don’t want to use, 3.laughing at the jokes then the sky wouldn’t open and pour smelly brown rain all over your thread. 
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by slc:
hitch, if i don’t want to get a morgan, i don’t have to get a morgan. it doesn’t mean i’m stupid or don’t have my eyes ‘open’. just because someone has a different idea than you doesn’t mean they aren’t doing their homework or don’t have their eyes open. i gave my reasons up above and the reasons are valid for this area. i love morgans. i’m just not getting one right now. are you ok with that? good. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Absolutely. No argument.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>if not, that’s fine too. unless you move in next door and start coming over every day ranting about morgans, i don’t have to listen to it, so i’m perfectly happy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey, sorry if I came across as ranting. Just wanted to point out that Morgans (in general) are NOT expensive, and Morgans (in general) are multi-purpose horses suitable to light draft work. They seemed to fit the parameters you set out in your first post, and when the breed was mentioned you noted they were a) expensive, and b) had an unsuitable body type. I was ONLY trying to show you that this might be an incorrect assumption on your part based on what you have seen in your area.
Are you ok with that? GOOD.
Originally posted by horselips:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Those of you in doubt need only to trouble yourselves to REALLY read all of her posts, to see that she enjoys baiting people. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually, it’s not the posts that are as telling as slick’s responses to those posts… 
I guess no forum on here is safe… 
hey
Sorry to dredge up an old thread but my neighbour is looking for advice on this subject and this came up on a search.
What breed of horse did you eventually settle on, slc?
My neighbour is seriously considering getting a Cheval Canadien or a Morgan. This would be for fun though because he also has a big honkin tractor with all the accessories. 
Actually, EOT, I rather enjoyed reading this–a lot of souls who no longer lurk on this forum posted. It was kinda fun reading something I wrote 2 years ago.
Our slc friend doesn;t seem to post here anymore.
I’m very curious why you wouldn’t be interested in a mule or a pair to do your work? The size would be right, easier on the pocketbook too. My dad and grampa used them to do the farming for years. Liked them better than horses for work-not near as many health problems, etc. They did say that mules are in a class all by themselves and you don’t interact the same with them as horses. Haven’t ever owned one myself but would love too!! (a gaited one that is!!!)
[QUOTE=LostFarmer;1194402]
Warmheart, Good to know I’m not the only one that visits the RH site and here. I guess I am just a little redneck for this site. Not a problem with me, and you all haven’t kicked me off yet.[/QUOTE]
I love Rural Heritage. Didn’t know that it meant anything in particular except that I love Rural Heritage.
I like Rural Heritage too. One of the best times I ever spent at my driving trainer’s was a very rainy weekend during which I spent most of the time holed up in my quarters whiling away the time reading their huge collection of old back issues of the magazine. Didn’t get much driving time in that weekend but I was transported by reading the magazine to a place and time that I really think I was meant to be from. I always did think I was born 100 years too late. 
Here’s the website for those not familiar with it: http://www.ruralheritage.com/
I never miss an episode of RH on RFDTV!
Speaking of which they show cased the Brabant Belgian just a short time ago and they would make a great selection for a hard working farm horse. Not bred for show but to work hard! That is if some one was looking for a real work horse! 
Evening,
My husband was reading this thread and told me about it. I wanted to say that we have a wonderful pair of Amish broke and trained Haflingers. I looked
for three years and they are perfect!
I’ll chime in my 2cents and say draft crosses too. You just have to look for what you want. I’ve had two Perch/Morgan crosses who were as different as night and day, but both are terrific horses. Just that one takes after the Morgan side and the other the Percheron side. The Morgan one was better for speed and riding, and the Perch gal is just a big sweetie whose taken kids to the GA Special Olympics and won! There are plenty of crosses out there that favor the draft side. Many still have the draft heart and temperment, but aren’t pushing 18hds. either. And simply because something was Amish trained doesn’t mean it was a throw-away. The Morgan favored one I had was Amish trained and one of the best trail horses I’ve even seen. Totally fearless and traffic safe, but I never drove that one, only rode it. You’ll just have to use common sense and shop around. But my money is always on a draft cross, and yes, I’m partial to Percherons.
