@jackie_oakes I bet you are going to love him! I would get another in a heartbeat. Keep us posted on your progress.
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This. They breed for what they want - a sturdy, driving horse with a lot of motion. Even the Amish found the Dutch heads pretty ugly when they first came to the states, so they crossed them with lighter stock to get what they wanted.
I would suspect that the OP’s horse wasn’t sold ‘because he wanted to be a pet’ but because DHH are a cash crop for the Ams. There are several large sales throughout PA, OH, IN, & IL. They aren’t particularly inexpensive; it’s not uncommon to see a nice road horse bring $20K or more. $50K or $100K isn’t unheard of for breeding stock.
There’s a bit of 1980s Arab business trading paper going on, but most Amish don’t drive a $200 New Holland special.
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What kind of evidence do you want? I’m not sure how you’d set up a study to even to determine this. But based on the years I’ve spent with Amish horses, they are pretty darn sound. Hock injections are not a thing like they are in a sport horse barn. If a horse needs that much maintenance, he’s not suited to the job, and is culled (much like in Europe).
As to the prices, while they may not command GP prices, a nice driving horse isn’t super cheap. Even my mother’s funky built, super plain, but kid/elderly safe driving pony has a reasonable $5K price tag. I’ve seen broodmares go for $20K at local sales, not even the big spring/fall events that draw thousands. There’s quite a few $100K stallions going down the roads of Amish communities.
I’m not going to waste my time arguing with you or others.
@red mares you may be correct on “why”. The woman I’m buying him from was guessing because of his personality. You don’t get a lot of information from the Amish apparently and it’s a good way for them to earn money. If I didn’t feel in my gut that Norman had what I was looking for I wouldn’t have bought him. Yes, he has a big head but he’s got a little Clyde in him. I’ve never seen thicker soles on a horse EVER. He vetted with flying colors. I appreciate all the support and information coming my way! Good AND cautionary
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Lovely progression there Big Mick! Congrats!
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We have a Dutch Harness Horse–a cross between a KWPN (s and saddlebred (dam). We purchased him for driving and he has knee action, but not too much. He also has incredible suspension in his gaits and is quite an athlete. He can easily canter across the pasture doing one-tempis in beautiful balance.
The woman we purchased him from had picked him up as a tiny weanling at an Amish auction, along with two other weanlings. He was the smallest so she decided to sell him when his was a yearling and we bought him off a photo. He is 5 now (and 16.2!) and his gangly body parts are sorting themselves out. He’s developed good muscle from 2 years of riding (we are big believers in putting a riding base on all our driving ponies/horses).
His personality is hilarious, and he is REALLY smart! He is sensitive and can be hot, but his lazy side wins out most of the time. It’s really taught us how to focus on relaxation as the foundation of training, as well as developing a correct topline. Our biggest challenge is that he wants to drop the contact when he gets tired, but we focus on keeping him in the contact and going forward, and slowly and surely, he is getting stronger and more consistent. We are in no rush and it really does work wonders when you throw timelines out the window.
Here is a picture of my husband driving him last September…
And a picture of him as a yearling before we purchased him…
He’s come a long way. 
@Aeris really good suggestions! He does tend to carry his head a little high but from what everyone has said so far that stretching and relaxation are the key. Any particular make of bridle you suggest? Crown, Passier? Etc
@jackie_oakes I have had great success with the Tota Comfort Bridle. The change was drastic and instantaneous! Also, lunging with lauffer reins can really help. Cheers!
I see your horse also got the great tail! He’s gorgeous!
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Switching to a Nathe bit has helped my horse a lot. But the poll relief bridle is a good idea; I’ll have to see if I can borrow one.
This question is for EVERYONE who has weighed in on this conversation: one of the posters recommended a poll relief bridle. A very good thought considering Norman is a former carriage horse. I bought a copper alloy double joint snaffle eggbutt bit so it’s not such a nutcracker in his mouth. The Tota Comfort bridle was mentioned as working beautifully for her horse. I’ve had super luck with Micklem on my OTTB and really like them. Any bridle thoughts out there as poll pressure may be an issue?
I too like the Micklem’s. I’ve had good luck with Nathe’s and similar to get a horse seeking the contact, but then found I had to change back to a French link because my guys then started leaning on the bit, pulling themselves along, rather than carrying it.
The greatest contributor to excessive poll pressure is a very tight noseband , so if you don’t do that it should help a lot
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I use a drop on my guy. He objects to having the cheek pieces of a bridle short enough to hold the bit where he wants it (poll pressure) but also objects and acts like he’s gagging if the bit is lower in his mouth. I have a 3-way adjustable drop on the way, but have been using one which is too big for a while and it made a huge difference nearly immediately. There is a gap between his nose and the noseband, but the shape of it and groove of his chin still help keep it in place to hold up his bit in the corners of his mouth.
I bought a DHH/Saddlebred cross as a yearling, he is now 5. Awesome awesome awesome! Exceptional canter and at a judge a test ride/clinic last year, judge said would give an 8 on trot. He is hot but I wanted that as I am a horsey tranquilizer by nature. With minimal work (he is young) he is schooling 2nd level. Did flying changes in his first few rides under saddle whenever you would move your head, so I do have to ride the canter “in position” and sit quietly…so changes wont be an issue! Great feet, great personality. He is short coupled and long legged, and black, lovely head.
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@jackie_oakes, drop nosebands sit much lower than the conventional noseband. The positioning itself can help stabilize the bit in a way that a typical cavesson won’t without a flash, and it’s typically quite effective in educated hands with a stronger horse that might be inclined to run through the bit/bridle/ignore half halts. Anatomically, certain horses simply go better in drops because of the way their lips/cheeks/head are shaped. It’s definitely a nosepiece that you can get a lot of reward out of using on horses if it’s used correctly (that said, if a rider has heavy hands/undiplomatic connection, drops are not something I would advise).
Also, they can be hard to find a nice, adjustable one these days. I have no idea where I found mine or what brand it is (it has a buckle on either side of the nose to adjust for length across the nose, to ensure proper fit) but I would recommend looking for something like it to allow for adjustability, if you do go for a drop.
That said, I’ve never specifically bought a bridle for poll relief, but I have used a pad on the bridle that goes over the poll (might be back on track?) and I quite liked it. That might be a consideration for you.
This was the specific noseband I had highly recommended to me. Nunn Finer also makes one with the adjustments as Edre mentioned.
In my case it’s just an anatomical thing. My guy doesn’t have the same draft cross issues, but has a small mouth, is super sensitive, and generally has opinions about everything. And in his opinion a drop is the greatest thing ever.
https://vod.ebay.com/vod/FetchOrderDetails?itemid=202178290308&transid=1619387404010&ul_noapp=true
So those of you who have had success with drop nosebands, have you tried Micklems?
