Freebie Belgian
Posted by Dave Schulz at 2014-12-16 08:06:51
I was just given a 6yr old Belgian mare. So far she seems pretty darn nice. She is sound, has great ground manners and is really nice looking. I have no idea what she knows about driving. I am going to put harness on her this weekend and see what happens. I have heard she was trained for saddle by a trainer and then bucked off the owner... who then said to get rid of the mare from her hospital bed. Heck they even delivered her here from the other side of the state!
Response by Dris Abraham at 2014-12-16 10:30:49
Registered?
Response by T Payne at 2014-12-16 12:07:22
Don't look her in the mouth.
Response by Vince Mautino at 2014-12-16 16:36:26
Cheap mules and free horses have cost me a lot in medical and vet bills and torn up equipment in the past.
Response by M. Burley at 2014-12-16 19:53:14
Some of the best bucking horses in this country have Belgian blood. Most have a tough time doing it in harness, and more still seem to lose their desire to do it when in harness. Take your time with her, but don't baby her either. Try to find a sensible teammate to hitch her with after you find out how much or little she knows.
Response by Dave Schulz at 2014-12-16 21:17:59
My plan is to start her as I would a single horse and then when I know what she is like I will hook her in with one of my girls. I am also looking at getting a 3 horse evener and line set up too. My team of steady mares are earning their keep pulling sleigh loads of tourist all winter. I rather doubt I will have this new girl working like that this winter.
Response by grey at 2014-12-16 21:18:18
Use a kicking strap when she's in shafts.
Response by Dale Wagner at 2014-12-16 22:00:18
Just the right age to get educated. You can work her without any worry about hurting her. When you ground drive her to see if she knows how to turn and whoe, you can make the decision if she might need a running W or if you are brave enough to just go for a ride. Put a lot of miles on her. I'd like a wagon loaded some with brakes to hook to. But the main thing is just figure how to use her.
Response by KC Fox at 2014-12-16 22:38:51
Just my advise when you harness her for the first time. I would first put a Running W on her just in case so, if she wants to run or fight you that you can control her from the start. It is better to have it ready to use & not need it than to wish that you had it ready.I would drive her single and not let her get away with anything. Good luck with whatever you do.
Response by T Payne at 2014-12-17 08:49:00
3 abreast sounds good to me. Your steady mares can help with her education. That's not to the exclusion of training single, but working 3 opens up the options.
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