I actually have a large clydesdale named Houdini that we use in a bit less bridal for vaulting at my ranch. It all depends on the horse whether or not you are able to use certain tack or equipment. Some horses don’t take well if they were trained differently and some take to it just fine.

A great place for you to start your search for finding yourself a perfect draft is equine rescues. Many people make the mistake thinking they can care for such a large equine that they end up making the purchase before researching how much extra care a draft takes. Drafts are a larger build and require much more maintenance and feed and hay. That price adds up not to mention the farrier bill. Most farriers charge quite a bit more when a draft horse gets shod. Then you have to add on all the extra tack you’ll have to purchase. Most quality bridals are pretty pricey for a draft. I would also make sure you have a lose slant trailer where you can remove a swinging door to make a bigger space in your trailer for a draft.

My advice is do a lot of research before you make a purchase. Find a sound healthy draft if you are going to buy one this way it will cut the costs in the veterinarian area. Take some lessons in your area. Most barns have a draft of some sort. My ranch has friesians, clydesdales, welch, and Belgians. Most are used for free style vaulting, dressage, and some even go to rodeos and equine events with the cowgirl ******. Take lessons to prepare yourself for such a gentle giant.

I have been wondering about the bitless bridle also. I went to their website and then contacted them through email and asked questions. The responses are very complete and helpful.

hi my name is jody rudewicz and i live in hershey pa. you are looking to buy a draft horse? they are a wonderful breed but you want to be very careful in buying one.if you go to a rescue see if you can get as much back ground on the horse you can. i bought my belgin mare through a rescue and i was really mislead.it just so happen my girl was a team worker and owned by an amish farmer i guess when she (molly) refused to work anymore he took her to auction and she was bought by the killers thank goodness she was rescued she was on her way to canada for human food yuk!! when i met her she seem really pleasant. and quite little did i know when i got her home and started working on her she became a hand full. i found out she does not like people (i know what !!) she is very scared of anyone new .i’ve had her now over a year and i still have a hard time taking her out to ride because she is scared of everything and let me tell you she is alot of horse to have to hold !! i ride her english and western so what ever saddle seat i use does not matter .she also hates the vet and farrier. i have to have her sadated everytime one of them come around. she will not let the farrier touch her at all with out beening out of it even then beleive it or not she still fights him.(i cant even lift her feet to clean them) so she gets her feet trimed 2 times a year which is sad you know as well as i do they need there feet done at least evey6-8 weeks so you can just picture how they look !! so make sure you can lift the horses feet all 4 of them also ask if they had their feet done while in there care. the vet she hates her also she runs and fights her to.we have to put her into a stall that is to small for her to get her shots and she still tries to strick and rear up it is terrible.i cant help it though i love her and i made her a promise when she came home she will never work or have to be thrown any place again i will keep her till the good lord wants to take her.it is even hard to get her to stand still for a bath.i also would like to try the biteless briddle im looking to buy one when i do i’ll get back to you with my progess if you like you can e-mail me at that way i can reach you by your e-mail address you can reach me for sure at that address.well good luck with your search and please beware. jody