Is it okay to jump a half draft horse?

Question

Hes 16.1hh and very very stocky. I know they're not meant for jumping, which is why I ask. And I dont mean serious or really high jumping, but sometimes i like to try new things on the trail with my friends. I didn't know if he could support 1800 pounds coming down hard after a jump.

Answer 1

In Ireland some time back there was a program devoted to crossing TBs and draft horses to produce sturdy yet fast jumping horses. They were called Irish Jumpers, I think. I don't know how the idea worked out in the long run.

I've known one horse that was a cross of draft and something else, and he could jump quite high with not trouble at all. However, he wasn't 1800 pounds, either.

It's the weight of your horse that's the problem, because you'll add your own weight to his, and he's already very heavy. (Are you actually sure about his weight?)

The best thing is to ask his vet before you experiment.

Answer 2

Sorry, but this is probably a bad idea. Not only are draft horses very heavy and generally slow moving, they're really built for endurance and working at a slow pace for a very long period of time. Making one garner up the energy for a jump is not really fair to it, especially for a 16 year old. You can still do poles on the ground and the like; I would even say that an extremely small cross pole jump would be acceptable too, but it would just step over it anyway.



Draft horses can be fun, I promise! Jumping isn't a good plan though.

Answer 3

Yes! Especially just popping over things on the trails. I've done it plenty and they are fun. Don't push them hard since they are bigger and I would never suggest doing courses or going to shows with a draft but just fun logs when you are outside is a great idea!!

Answer 4

Small / low jumps will have no effect on him...as long as you aren't doing so constantly...meaning, jumping everyday all of the time.