I know some DHH have made it to GP, but not very many. From the tiny photos of Guyot’s horse, he looks lovely. My friend likes this horse and, from the comments, so do a lot of others. I don’t get it. I think the conformation is really bad and weak. What is it people like about this horse. (If this is inappropriate to post here, tell me and I will delete it.
https://www.facebook.com/cmfarms89/photos/a.1690653470985503.1073741922.479684518749077/1690653577652159/?type=3&theater
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I agree with you on that one, though he could develop into a decent low level horse. Who knows. He just looks all around under muscled and weak.
I have a DHH/Belgian cross - Amish bred, broke to drive, big head, some action up front. It’s been two years of work developing the right muscles, encouraging him to lift and push, but he’s getting it. He now looks NOTHING like the horse I went to see 2.5 years ago.
I foxhunt and and event my horse and he throws down some fantastic scores in dressage. He’ll never climb the levels, but as a low level event horse he scores very competitively. He’s jumping well at Novice and is a XC machine.
He he also has one of the best brains ever. He’s wickedly brave, keenly interested in everything, yet also nonplussed about things that send other horses into a tailspin.
ETA: photos are from when I tried him July 2015 and at an event in September 2017.
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This percheron cross is the one I think is nice. Although he is only 2 so who knows what he will look like.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cmfarms89/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1710319909018859
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Gorgeous horse Guyot!!! And kcmel, I’d shell out $5k for that grey in a heartbeat, though I do wonder how hot he might be being DHH x Percheron, as some Perchies themselves are quite hot and reactive. Conformationally though, looks like a lovely cross.
Agree that Lori Garnant at Dundulk is wonderful to work with from a buying standpoint and none of the horses she sources are idiots. She’s had a few DHH crosses here lately that I was impressed with.
on the topic of getting them through and over their backs, while maybe a bit more challenging with these horses and their high set on necks, this seems to be a recurring refrain across all breeds and is pretty fundamental to bringing along a horse from scratch. I honestly haven’t found it to be any easier with the warmbloods I’ve had and quite a few of those had rather shitty temperaments that got in the way of their lovely gaits.
Agree that the canter is a struggle to get truly round, but again, that’s training.
I am reminded that most of us dont need a $50k horse, but a $5k horse and $50k in lessons. My most expensive horse cost me $6500. I love all 3 of my draft crosses and I’ve had more expensive warmbloods. I’ll keep what I’ve got. YMMV
Maybe, but the best rider in the world can’t do much with conformation that is too weak to do the required work. I’m not just talking about GP, but ever lower levels. I think that horse I linked a photo of would never be able to collect. Jhmo.
I guess I’m just not up for the challenge of selecting a challenging horse. Dressage is hard enough when you have a well conformed well bred one.
Also, about that grey you guys like. Watch the video of him walking toward you. He rope walks.
I have no personal experience with DHH so this has been a really informative thread. I look forward to seeing photos of your boy!
Also, about that grey you guys like. Watch the video of him walking toward you. He rope walks.
Yes, but that’s probably due to his age and being a bit narrow yet and will likely self correct as his chest spreads as he grows and fills out. He’s fairly priced for what he is at the moment.
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Gorgeous horse kcmel!
IME DHH’s are much sounder than warmbloods being brought over and don’t have any where near the issues. Amish breed for a hard working horse that last for years doing countless miles on pavement. They don’t breed the pansies that break down. Those get shot or sent to slaughter. Too much to feed a horse that isn’t working or paying their own keep.
Might not be perfect conformation, but they are typically sound forever even with extremely hard work. Especially at the price point difference.
The grey is cute, I wouldn’t buy without x-rays on the hocks and front feet. Rope walking is extremely common in young DHH that are narrow in the base and not balanced in their feet. Usually with an hoof flare and can be corrected if caught young enough. Wouldn’t be a turnoff for me, cause I have access to a great farrier that can fix it with frequent trims and using shoulder rehab strategies to open up the shoulder and straightness training. Grey is only 2 so he should widen in the base quite a bit as he matures.
Can you back up those statements with any kind of evidence? Or is it just your opinion.
Edited to add: The only reason these Amish horses are popular is because they can be gotten cheap. Put a high tag on them, and then see how much interest people have.
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What do they like? He’s under saddle, BLACK, and under $10k! He seems pretty bombproof, and is a decent mover. Did I mention he’s under $10K? And the pictures are quite good (not saying conformation is good, but he is clean, set up nicely, nice background, professional pics). I bet if he was listed at $25k, he wouldn’t get so much attention. Under $10k - he is most likely a bargain at that price point…
I agree, conformation isn’t all that great - but he’s tall, black, broke, going pretty nicely, exposed to a lot of things (trail ridden, driven, totally unfazed by traffic, or anything). And under $10k!
Interestingly, the DHH’s and Gelderlanders I’ve seen have all been HOT. Super tight backs, super hot. So this is interesting, seeing another side to the breed.
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They aren’t that cheap. CMF asks $15-20k for some of theirs and they seem to sell quickly. Most of the Amish-bred purebreds I agree aren’t that nice, but I do see some cross-breds that I wouldn’t kick out of my barn.
There are a few DHH percheron crosses around here doing lower level eventing that look like cool horses. Not elegant movers but they score pretty well in dressage and are good jumpers.
I agree that not all DHH are something I would buy for dressage, but one that has a great canter I would definitely consider. Does it take more skill to make them up as FEI dressage horses, yes. But if you find the good gaits and the great mind and have a good program for the price point I would seriously consider them.
Some of us have a budget so something has to give! I’ve only seen one other (and I look) that moves well enough like my own, that I would buy as a GP prospect.
That said there are a few for sale down in Florida and those, while still not priced as high as a warmblood, are not cheap. I’d say comparable price point to an equally moving warmblood.
As as an aside: there used to be a full DHH mare competing in international GP years ago. And Laura Graves Diddy I believe he is half DHH. And didn’t Lauren Sprieser have one at GP years ago? And those I’m just thinking of off top of my head that are popular riders and very well known.
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Amora, ridden by Oded Shimoni. I remember her before he got her. An AA lady had her boarded at Lightfields here in NJ where I was boarding at the time. This goes way back to 1990.
Thanks! Here’s a dressage video from last fall. Not his best test, but pretty good considering he was a holy terror in warm-up! But it shows his nice canter, and what I forgot to mention is his best attribute, his tail:love-struck:.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8gXGqW3m_s&t=26s
ETA: my trainer is riding.
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Very nice! He looks like a lot of fun.
Agree with Mysticoakranch. How much muscle do you want on a 4yo anyway? He’s big black trainable and has some training.He probably won’t go GP but neither will most horses ,perfectly conformed or not. A long back does not preclude collection, take a look at some of the current GP horses.I’d be delighted if I could buy something like that even remotely in that price range 
He’s lovely. Enjoy your journey with him.
Its mine and my old lameness vets opinion. He always said it was worth keeping very updated equipment in the truck cause he would always need it with the warmbloods cause they always had something going on. He said he only went to the harness barn for vaccines and occasional colic or abscess. They just didn’t break as easy. They had DHH and Standardbreds.
Just personal opinion so take it for what’s its worth.
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I have a limited budget but not so much that I couldn’t get at least a DHH cross. I wasn’t looking for an outstanding pedigree. Good conformation, sane brain between the ears, physical ability to go up some levels, but not GP. Even if we don’t see I-1 I’d be fine. I’ve had a TWH and an OTTB. Figured by my 3rd try I’d have something that will fill my insatiable appetite to do Dressage. All of the opinions expressed here are eye opening and helpful. If Laura Graves and Diddy can do this so can we! I look forward to continue reading all the insight and posting my photos and progress! Keep it coming. I still feel really good about my purchase. Worth the 5k
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