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Post by WindyRidge on Apr 1, 2015 13:03:36 GMT
So I mentioned in the other thread we're thinking of adding a new draft to the herd in a year or 2. Boone is only 15h, Bill a little bigger (and still growing though I don't think he'll top 16h). With the hills around here having a third horse in the mix is sometimes nice. If we add another we'd like to step a little bigger yet, maybe 16-17h. I've been searching for a horse that would fit with the two we have, or maybe even a breeder who breeds the right type. I keep coming up empty. Everything Percheron I find seems to be a hitch type - they're all legs and absolutely no butt! I don't have any good conformation pics of Boone, but he is exactly what we want - an absolute tank, wide as he is tall. Bill isn't quite as wide as Boone but was the best we could find at the time, and he does work very well with Boone. I have to sit with a bib to catch the drool when I look at the Percheron stud farms in South Africa. They have some gorgeous horses!! Why can't I find that here?? Importing one is simply never going to be in the budget. And I'm just not a fan of the lankier hitch type horses that are all the rage right now.
I suppose what I'm asking is, does anyone have any knowledge of breeders of the bulkier, farm-type Percherons in the US? We're not ready to buy yet, but I'm filing information away for future reference. I don't care about registrations and am not opposed to crossbreds (although have found we really like Percheron in the mix). I have a feeling there must be some Amish farms around that still breed a good work horse, but those aren't going to turn up on google lol. I've gotten burned buying sight-unseen before so don't really want to do that route again (although I might consider it for a foal). Which limits me to the surrounding states - OH and PA being the most likely candidates I think.
Any thoughts/suggestions/leads?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 13:10:18 GMT
There is a farm in South Carolina, near Trenton that raises some great old style Percherons. I cannot remember right off the name, but he does a small farm horse days near the Black Rock Park there. I bought an old style Belgian from him and she was the absolute nicest mare, very, very well trained to pull and ride.
I remember his horses very well, they were stout and stocky and he did all his farm work with them from haying to planting, pulling wagons, fertilizer spreaders, etc. I will try to look him up and give you his farm name. He has a 250 acre farm, the whole farm is run by horse power.
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Post by Maura on Apr 1, 2015 22:28:08 GMT
My neighbor still has percherons, I think. There are Amish around here and they use two types, light buggy, and heavy draft. But, we are in Michigan- too far for you.
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Post by Otter on Apr 25, 2015 10:54:17 GMT
I worked for the TripleW in PA and they had about 5 old-style Belgians and Percherons. The owner at the time bought all his horses from either the New Holland auction or the rare horse sale the local sale barn put on. So they are not rare around that area of PA, because he didn't look hard or pay much for them.
Auctions are not for everyone, but maybe head out to one, sit on your hands and see if you can track a horse back to someone who might have what you're looking for.
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Post by aoconnor on Apr 26, 2015 23:21:45 GMT
Well, funny thing. I saw an add on Craigslist for a Percheron stallion, 4 years old, not broke, bad at haltering, no respect on the ground, thin, rowdy, cheap. Picked him up for even less than they wanted, but I argued with them about his condition and the ensuing vet bill on my end. They gave in, and also gave me a little 20 year old QH gelding in horrid shape as well, just as a buddy for the big guy. I now have a lovely, gelded(!) Percheron that will be coming home in 3 weeks from the vet. He is getting his testosterone level down a bit before meeting my herd. He is very big boned, will max out close to or over 17.2 I believe, and will fill out to be a beauty. I am super excited:-)
I have been searching for a Percheron/TB gelding since we lost ours almost 2 years ago, but hadn't found anything I was interested in. I drove 2.5 hours and took my horse trailer when I went to see this new guy, I knew he was the right one. Since I have been working him at the vets daily to get him handled and under control as much as possible before he comes home, he is proving to be a phenomenal boy. He learns instantly, responds immediately, and has decided I am his. We already have a months worth of ground work covered in just 5 days. He is going to become a fantastic gelding!
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Post by WindyRidge on Apr 27, 2015 12:49:52 GMT
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!  You can find amazing things on Craigslist. Half our current herd was craigslist finds, including the two boys I'm hoping to find a third teammate for. A larger team popped up a few days ago on Craigslist and I thought really, really hard about them. They sounded like a steal at $1500 (I assume each) but we're a taller than I wanted. The ad vanished the next day - someone sure swooped them up in a hurry! I've certainly found patience to be a virtue, especially when horse shopping. When the time is right, the right horse will come along. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2017 13:58:15 GMT
My neighbor still has percherons, I think. There are Amish around here and they use two types, light buggy, and heavy draft. But, we are in Michigan- too far for you. I am looking for a heavy draft / old style Percheron, and I am in Michigan! Does your neighbor still have them?? If so could I get some contact info and / or where they are located?? I am in the Upper Peninsula  JOni |
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Post by aoconnor on Dec 27, 2017 16:41:24 GMT
An update on my boy. I had Titan for 2.5 years, and decided to send him off to my trainer for a couple months to settle my herd down a bit and get my lead mare back in her place. After him being away for a while. I realized how much calmer and relaxed my herd is, so I got in touch with a guy who places horses for mounted patrol police officers around the country, and within a couple of days was in touch with an officer in Alabama who was interested in my guy. It was a wonderful match, so I hauled Titan halfway and the officer came the other half, and it was love at first sight for my horse and the officer. They are doing great together, and I can proudly say that one of my rescues has gone on to a very noble profession as a mounted patrol officer!
While I adore Titan, he was too young to be a good lead gelding for my herd, and after 2.5 years had them all in an uproar:-) I miss him a lot, but am at peace with where he is and what he's doing.
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Post by Maura on Dec 28, 2017 14:57:28 GMT
Joni, that post is over 2 years old. My neighbor no longer has horses. He is an old man with a sick wife. I miss seeing the horses, but they are all gone.
He was quite knowledgeable about horses and I enjoyed listening to his stories.
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Post by here to stay on Dec 28, 2017 15:05:03 GMT
When I was younger, there were always pulling contests going on somewhere. If they are still doing it, that might be a place to ask around.
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Post by stickinthemud on Dec 28, 2017 16:49:06 GMT
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JOni
