Redroan- Congrats on getting a draft. I got my first one two years ago Oct. 5, and my only regret is that I didn’t get one sooner.
I have been very lucky to have met some people who no longer had their drafts, but still had several bits that they gave to me since I had a use for them. I just drive mine and do light farm chores with them. I don’t ride them.
My three drafts are Percherons. The gelding is the tallest at just about 18 hands. He is pretty much retired and does nothing except eat and hang out. He is a “grade” horse without any papers. The two mares have registration papers. All three are Black with white stars.
The bit that came with Barney was a 5 and a half snaffle like those I’ve seen used on some hunters. I think it is called a full cheek. Anyway, it was way too small, and it hurts just thinking about him having to work for five years pulling a carriage with that bit in his mouth. He needs a 6 and a quarter inch bit.
All the draft bits given to me are six inches or more with the largest having a 6 and 3/4 inch mouth. My girls are “tiny” drafts-- under 17 hands- actually about 16.2 or a bit more, but both take a six inch bit. One mare Lou is more stoutly built and short-legged. The other, Dixie is a retired hitch horse, and is much more “leggy” and was always a little “light or lacking” in the hindquarters-- or so I was told by the gentleman who trained and drove her until she was seven. Despite their different builds, both take a six inch bit.
Barney came with a 28 inch “farm” collar. Both Lou and Dixie take a 26 inch collar.
I really love working with these drafts. They are so smart and willing, and they seem to genuinely like being around people. All three will follow me around the pasture when I’m checking fence or picking up branches. They will continue to follow me even once they find out I don’t have any food. My light horses lose interest in me much more quickly than the Percherons do.
What breed of draft do you have, and what do you plan on doing with your horse?
