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Veteran
Posts: 138
 
| I have had a couple of people tell me over the years that I have owned my mare that she looks like she would be a good barrel racer. I always laughed them off because she is tall (16.1 hands) and heavy built (being part draft and all). Then at the tack shop last night I met a girl that actually barrel races a draft cross that is much heavier than Sydney. I have always wanted to give the sport a try. I don't expect to be competitive, but I am curious if there is anything I should worry about as far as my mare with doing something like this? She is sound, healthy, and doesn't have any super serious conformation problems. Has anybody else done this? |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My friend races a draft cross. He is about 16.2 and is a heavy, big boned dude. That boy can haul pretty good though and is super powerful. She runs consistent 20s on him and is happy with that. Although he does have room for improvement.
If you're just wanting to go have fun, then what is stopping you? |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 612
| The great thing about the 4D/5D system is that everyone can compete. You should get your horse working and enter some divisional races. You can have a lot of fun and still feel successful. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | A local girl here in Northern CA runs a half bred one. I think he is half friesen/half quarter. Gorgeous blue roan and she consistantly wins the 2/3D around here. It is a really cool horse and cool to watch one that is different do so well. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Go exhibition and ask for opinions. You should get plenty of help that way, lol. You can just work with her until you start to run some times in exhibition that are close to your local 4D or 5D times. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
| draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I would never have guessed yours had draft breeding. Very pretty |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I think you should go for it. As long as you and she are happy, have fun! She's cute as can be too. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | We have a draft cross actually, she came from North Dakota and her stud was a dash for cash stud, her dam was a draft mare, why they bred her, I have no idea but she's so cool and fun to ride! She has a really nice pattern on her and she works nice just like any other horse. She's a little heavy on her feet but look at the size of them LOL! She's 19 years young and takes care of our family well.
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I know someone that runs a draft cross. She has a ton of fun with him and even manages to pick up a check here and there with him. Barrel horses can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you just run what you have. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| RnRJack - 2016-11-18 9:48 PM
We have a draft cross actually, she came from North Dakota and her stud was a dash for cash stud, her dam was a draft mare, why they bred her, I have no idea but she's so cool and fun to ride! She has a really nice pattern on her and she works nice just like any other horse. She's a little heavy on her feet but look at the size of them LOL! She's 19 years young and takes care of our family well.
She's cute! |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Chandler's Mom - 2016-11-18 8:13 PM
draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I think you should go for it. As long as you and she are happy, have fun! She's cute as can be too.
Thanks!
I think it would be fun, and something different to do on her. Now I just need to find an instructor that would be on board with the idea.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| purplemoon828 - 2016-11-18 6:25 PM
draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I would never have guessed yours had draft breeding. Very pretty
Really? The giant feet and big head didn't give it away? 
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Draft horse were originally bred t carry warriors with a full suit of armor. I would say go for it. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | draftmare - 2016-11-21 7:44 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2016-11-18 8:13 PM
draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I think you should go for it. As long as you and she are happy, have fun! She's cute as can be too.
Thanks!
I think it would be fun, and something different to do on her. Now I just need to find an instructor that would be on board with the idea.
We're pulling for you and her to have fun! |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| Here's a video of my son racing a clyesdale owned by a local ranch. It was the horse's first look at barrels and it was meant to be a fun joke. Turns out the horse shocked us all with his agility. I think after this was shot, the horse was then sent off to film commercials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADSS7VAO7GY |
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http://www.horsedimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14791212_1... |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| RidenFly - 2016-11-22 5:08 AM
Here's a video of my son racing a clyesdale owned by a local ranch. It was the horse's first look at barrels and it was meant to be a fun joke. Turns out the horse shocked us all with his agility. I think after this was shot, the horse was then sent off to film commercials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADSS7VAO7GY
I am impressed! Seems like at most draft shows there is some form of barrel race for fun. Most of the time the horses make huge sweeping turns or otherwise look not very well suited to what is being asked. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Chandler's Mom - 2016-11-21 9:31 PM
draftmare - 2016-11-21 7:44 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2016-11-18 8:13 PM
draftmare - 2016-11-18 12:23 PM
stayceem - 2016-11-18 10:44 AM
I don't see any reason you couldn't. A friend of mine used to dabble in it with a few of their draft crosses and some of them did pretty well at a local level. But it also depends on what your draft his crossed with. Her's were TB x Percheron so they were heavy boned but not so much where they lost athleticism.
Mine is Appaloosa x Belgian draft. She's hefty, but not overly so. https://goo.gl/photos/GsaWKnEa3c9ynUNUA
I think you should go for it. As long as you and she are happy, have fun! She's cute as can be too.
Thanks!
I think it would be fun, and something different to do on her. Now I just need to find an instructor that would be on board with the idea.
We're pulling for you and her to have fun!
Any suggestion on things we can work on?
She does really seem to enjoy doing things at speed. I just started working on canter to halt to roll back a couple of weeks ago as a way to get her moving her feet and more responsive, and we also do a lot of lateral work: shoulder in, haunches in, etc. As well as the usual, walk, trot, canter. Last week my instructor had me start working on walk to canter, again something Sydney seems to really enjoy.
Edited by draftmare 2016-11-22 7:51 AM
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | Hey, why not. Just have fun and who knows she might surprise you.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| cranky B4 10am - 2016-11-22 7:52 AM
Hey, why not. Just have fun and who knows she might surprise you.
She might! She actually seems to really enjoy excercises that involve quick changes of direction or quick changes of gait really well. |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
Location: Texas | What do you have to lose? Just go have fun! |
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Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | draftmare - 2016-11-22 8:02 AM cranky B4 10am - 2016-11-22 7:52 AM Hey, why not. Just have fun and who knows she might surprise you. She might! She actually seems to really enjoy excercises that involve quick changes of direction or quick changes of gait really well.
That's half the battle. You can have a horse bred out of the wazoo but if they don't want to run you won't have fun at all! |
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Expert
Posts: 1255
| Go for it. |
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Barrel racing a draft cross
