I would agree with what people are saying about QHs. I’ve seen a couple good crosses (the fresian I mentioned), but honestly I’ve never seen many part QHs make it very far anywhere, besides some western disciplines. And I’ve never really understood the appeal of the appendix horse.
No, although I’m not defending irresponsible QH breeding, at least more of them seem to be broke enough for trail riding (which is where most horses end up, the average horse owner is not a show owner). Tbreds are mostly bred for the track, and if they aren’t viable race horses (which most of them are NOT), they are dumped. And since they are mostly of the “hot” type and if they have any training, it is track training - they are not as easy for the average horse owner to ride. So they end up in rescues and slaughter quite a bit. The race industry is does not take care of its rejects…
And then we see “breeders” pick them up for $200 and cross them to WB, Friesian, QH, Arab, Pony, you name it, everyone has a free TB broodmare:( And most TB mares should not be bred, especially track reject horses!
I can’t for life of me understand why anyone would breed a gaited horse to a non-gaited horse. The worst cross I have seen is a QH/TW. I have worked with two of them. One was sort of gaited the other one trotted–most of the time. The worst cross I have heard of which, in my mind is sacreligious, is a Cleveland Bay/TW. Since Clevies are an endangered species I don’t know why you would cross them with something like that.
I just don’t get it.
[QUOTE=pheobs;7651525]
And I’ve never really understood the appeal of the appendix horse.[/QUOTE]
Athleticism (and size) of the tb with the temperament of a QH. It’s a good cross because there is already so much TB in the QH that you are less likely to get something funky. They are pretty popular around here. I was considering one but ended up with a perch/paint cross (which I am also seeing more of).
[QUOTE=Donatella;7651363]
Relax Perfect Pony, nobody was picking on MysticOakRanch so she doesn’t need to defend herself. She was picking on weird Friesian crosses as much as everyone else. Face it, most of them are pretty bad. Does the world really need another Friesian/TWH or Friesian/QH? Nobody said they’re all bad though.“Nice crosses” isn’t the topic of the thread though :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
For a minute I forgot why I don’t visit the forums anymore. Thanks for reminding me.
[QUOTE=LookmaNohands;7651623]
I can’t for life of me understand why anyone would breed a gaited horse to a non-gaited horse. The worst cross I have seen is a QH/TW. I have worked with two of them. One was sort of gaited the other one trotted–most of the time. [/QUOTE]
We somehow ended up with two TWH crosses at our barn, neither of which are gaited, both of which are lovely horses.
The one is a TWH/ QH cross, and got the very best of both temperaments (he is smart, forgiving, kind, unflappable), decent conformation, trained up to 2/3 level dressage.
The other is a TWH/ probably Haflinger (maybe Belgian/Morgan, her dam was rescued pregnant) who is an incredible sport horse, 3rd level dressage with gaits to spare, loves to jump (I’d take her training level eventing tomorrow), great brain, although spicier than the other.
Neither have issues with their gaits. I believe TWHs can trot, and many do voluntarily, so it’s probably not as consistent as crossing to a purely gaited breed would be. They do have lovely temperaments and uphill build. Not that I’m recommending it, of course.
We have an Icelandic/QH/WB cross. Worse cross I have ever seen, none of his parts blended, it looks like someone picked different parts of all the different breeds and stuck them together. Has WB sized ears, a QH head, and Icelandic mane… With a WB barrel and QH legs in front and Icelandic in the back… 14’2 hands, and a surprisingly good jumper pony. Laziest POS ever.
Quite some years back, a friend had a Morgan/TB/QH cross mare that was an eventing fool. She was not a pieces and parts horse - had really quite lovely conformation, and although small - maybe 15.2 on her tippy toes - she could tear up a cross country course. She went Prelim and maybe even Intermediate before she injured herself schooling stadium jumps.
We also had a Friesian/Arabian cross at the barn some years back. He was a cute dude - came there as a 3 y/o (IIRC), and ended up looking quite like an Andalusian. He also had pretty decent “sporthorse type” conformation and gaits. He did have the worse underbite I have ever seen in a horse, though, and choked on a regular basis because of his mouth conformation.
A third one - I saw a pinto colored Hanoverian/QH/Saddlebred cross mare at an RPSI inspection some years ago. She was pretty nondescript - not much harmony in the way her body was put together, and more QH in her gaits than anything else. She had a foal at side by Rainbow, and he was a good looking guy - nice topline, correct in his foundation, good head and neck, and a WAY better mover than his dam.
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;7651613]
No, although I’m not defending irresponsible QH breeding, at least more of them seem to be broke enough for trail riding (which is where most horses end up, the average horse owner is not a show owner). Tbreds are mostly bred for the track, and if they aren’t viable race horses (which most of them are NOT), they are dumped. And since they are mostly of the “hot” type and if they have any training, it is track training - they are not as easy for the average horse owner to ride. So they end up in rescues and slaughter quite a bit. The race industry is does not take care of its rejects…
And then we see “breeders” pick them up for $200 and cross them to WB, Friesian, QH, Arab, Pony, you name it, everyone has a free TB broodmare:( And most TB mares should not be bred, especially track reject horses![/QUOTE]
Many TBs end up as riding horses unless injured. A too-high percentage do go to slaughter, it is true. Typically a quarter to a third of the foal crop goes to slaughter in this country. By sheer numbers, more QHs than TBs are slaughtered or end up unwanted hands down. The percentage compared to TBs is similar. According to the links I provided (did you even read them?) USDA statistics state that up to 50 plus to 70 per cent of horses that go to slaughter each year are QHs. Once TBs have a letdown period from the track, many are just like any other horse, just more talented and willing.
But I see you’ve made up your mind and will not be swayed by facts. My issue with your post wasn’t whether or not TBs are treated well by the racing industry (often they are not), but your erroneous statement that more TBs end up unwanted than all other breeds combined.
Two Bitter was purchased by A Fine Romance’s breeder after a career as a “failed” race horse. Gail took a chance on her and Two Bitter produced A Fine Romance. And save me the “that’s an exception” crap. Yours was a blanket statement.
Running ability doesn’t have much to do with jumping or dressage ability in an individual horse (although those horses can be descended directly from top runners).
Most mares shouldn’t be bred, period, including Arabians, QHs, warmbloods, you name it, because a lot of people can’t tell a good horse from a bad if it kicked them in the head.
[QUOTE=DownYonder;7651937]
Quite some years back, a friend had a Morgan/TB/QH cross mare that was an eventing fool. .[/QUOTE]
OMG, I’ve seen a few Morgan/Tb crosses and Morgan/Appendix crosses that were also eventing dream horses! There are a few Morgan breeders in this area that have experimented w/ the cross, and they are all nice, nice horses. Got some size and longer leg and speed from the TB/Appendix, and brain, soundness, hardiness, handiness, from the Morgan (I’ve known a lot of Morgans who could jump too!), so it seems to be a successful cross.
I bred a Morgan/WB/Friesian cross and ended up with an eventing monster too - he eats up the cross country. Still a young horse, but several top clinicians have said he’s a great talent.
I love Morgans - the sport bred ones are like mini Warmbloods with incredible work ethics and a higher degree of soundness.:winkgrin: Years ago, I had a Friesian/Morgan cross that was really fancy - he coliced and died young, but all the judges and clinicians were really impressed by him, and no one believed me when I told them what he was… I am surprised we don’t see more Morgan crosses in the sport horse world.
[QUOTE=Canterbury Court;7647581]
Quarter Horse-Hanovarian-Selle Francais-Thoroughbred-Morgan. Gorgeous hunter and a pretty darn good jumper too. 3’9 courses at age 5.
Worst result I’ve seen from an odd cross - Arab Percheron. Arab legs, Percheron body and head. Not a pretty or useful animal.[/QUOTE]
Just curious… Was the first by Red Clay Tributary? You don’t see that SF/Hano/QH cross a lot!
I have one by Red Clay Tributary out of a race-bred Arabian mare. I call her my “well-bred mutt.” :lol:
[QUOTE=pheobs;7651525]
And I’ve never really understood the appeal of the appendix horse.[/QUOTE]
This is probably my favourite cross. You can get the sporthorse athleticism of the TB with the sensibility of the QH, when it works out right. When it doesn’t work out like that you usually still end up with a useful horse for contesting or another western discipline.
Appendix are excellent horses and very suitable for 99% of whatever 99% of riders would ever want to do.
Of course, I’d same the same of a lot of breeds 
Years ago bought sight unseen a QH x Missouri Fox Trotter as a pony horse for the track. Owners said they used him sporadically to rope the Brahma Bulls when they got loose and drug them home… The best horse ever. Looked like a foundation QH - jet black with flowing mane and tail. He was like riding a sports car. When he got anxious or excited he would do this weird pacy thing instead of trotting but was fearless on trails, tolerant of silly 2 yr old TB colts on the track and the absolute best pasture mate for youngstock.
Icelandic x Tennesee Walker
Great thread - just wanted to point out that we need alot more pics…:winkgrin:
I had a freebie that was standardbred to spotted Missouri fox trotter? can’t remember what else was in there. He was beautiful after he filled out, was gaited, and I gave him to my neighbor who trail rode him. Not a desirable cross in my opinion, but at least he was gelded. .
Friesian mules. :disgust:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IS6u0pZVIIQ/S5-INOPeBqI/AAAAAAAAKp4/2G0i_eXYekw/s400/freemule.jpg
There was this girl I knew FOREVER ago on a horse sim I played who had a Friesian Sport that she did Dressage with… Not my favorite horse ever. Had a horrible head and horrible movement that wasn’t fancy in the least… and she was planning to do FEI Young Horse with him! Thankfully he was a gelding, but he was cute.
[QUOTE=jdeboer01;7653405]
Friesian mules. :disgust:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IS6u0pZVIIQ/S5-INOPeBqI/AAAAAAAAKp4/2G0i_eXYekw/s400/freemule.jpg[/QUOTE]
“Extremely rare - may be only ones in world.” :lol: I love mules, but the advertising for these just made me laugh. Reminds me of something like a Craigslist ad for Chihuahua/Husky puppies being sold (no really, I knew someone that had one. Ha!)
