|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 6, 2011 14:29:55 GMT 1
I've only been around horses for the past few years, but almost ever since I first sat on a horse, I've loved CLYDESDALES! So, anyway, here's a few that I've known over the years... This guy first got me interested in the breed: His name was Jamie, and he was just such a big, stunning, friendly beast that I was instantly smitten! The next one I met was this chap, Angus: He used to live up at the local Riding for the Disabled centre, although he wasn't used for RDA (he was simply too big at 19hh!). He was such a huge, soft lump, though. Although he's not a Clydesdale (he was either Clydesdale or Shire crossed with Appaloosa), this is the first heavy horse I ever got to ride: Ace He was the first horse I worked with at the RDA, and I worked with him for the better part of four years! My first Clydesdale: Sally Sally was the first pure Clydesdale I got to ride. She was 16hh, and as soft as butter. I ended up sharing her for six months back in 2007. Sally's last foal, Arwen. Completely bonkers, but very lovely little filly. She won a few prizes at local shows before being sold on. I'll post up some more later if anyone's interested...?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2011 14:51:11 GMT 1
Oooh Darren thanks for sharing, they are wonderful. I'm a fan of big hairy horses. I work for my local RDA and I can well imagine Angus being a wee bit too large for the clients. What a handsome chap he is though
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Dec 6, 2011 20:12:41 GMT 1
Gorgeous pics! I haven't had much to do with Clydesdales but if I had I think I'd be addicted too. Like Rosie I love big hairy horses Yes please to more pics - I think I can speak for everyone here when I say we never tire at looking at pics of horses, dogs and cats!
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Dec 6, 2011 21:18:46 GMT 1
Lovely pics, hi from me. I often wonder what is it that makes us fall for a particular breed/type of horse, dog or cat. Whatever it is, it takes hold!
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 6, 2011 23:55:00 GMT 1
I'll fire up a few more tomorrow - I've had a long day of chasing a dog about the woods!!!
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 7, 2011 11:08:28 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 7, 2011 11:18:43 GMT 1
A photo I took at a heavy horse evening down in the Scottish Borders a few years ago:
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Dec 7, 2011 12:15:56 GMT 1
Thanks for sharing more pics with us - the're great! Arwen is a star! Looks nice countryside round there too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2011 13:33:42 GMT 1
Smashing photos Darren. Love the 4th photo down of Arwen You look very comfy sat on Sally And that last photo..... Awwwww!
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 7, 2011 15:58:50 GMT 1
Yeah, Sally was like sitting on a sofa - very comfy! Anyway, this gorgeous lady was at the Royal Highland Show a couple of times. I never learnt her name, or where she was from, but she attracted me because she reminded me of the horse from my novel in progress. Clearly the events of the show were tiring for her! Obviously my arm was quite comfy, due to her falling asleep on it, hence the strange(!) angle of these shots! And, speaking of sleepy Clydesdales, here's my pal Strathorn Jamie again:
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Dec 7, 2011 18:54:46 GMT 1
Wow what a stunning mare! Thanks again for the pics they have really made my day
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2011 19:21:10 GMT 1
hee hee, I just want to tickle that top lip in the first photo ;D
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 7, 2011 21:41:37 GMT 1
I've been down to Cumbrian Heavy Horses a few times, the first time being in 2007. I went the following two years, both with friends and with family. These photos are from the last trip down (2009) with my mum and stepdad. My mum had never sat on a Clydesdale, and my stepdad had only ridden a horse a couple of times before then! Here's my stepdad with his mount for the day (my pal Lugs): My mum on Trotter: Yours truly on Ollie, the biggest horse (at the time) on the yard - 18.2hh:
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 7, 2011 21:56:01 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Dec 7, 2011 23:24:18 GMT 1
Beautiful pictures.....looks like there may be a few more Clydesdale addictions starting up on here ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2011 8:11:51 GMT 1
WOW! Storm is stunning.... Want one!
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Dec 8, 2011 10:47:38 GMT 1
Finally - Bracken. Bracken was a 17.2hh gelding that I shared for a number of months earlier this year. He was a big, soft, friendly lump, great for confidence building, with a very comfy canter, and he could really jump! Here we are, poshed up for a ride-out in the town. Here we are, having a quiet moment in the field: Riding bareback: Birthday boy: Head shot: Itchy spot found! Locked up - where he should be! Clydesdale kisses: For some reason, he loved LICKING things, but especially ME! He'd lick my jackets, my hat, my hands, my arms, my face, and my neck!!! Here's my mum riding him: Clydesdale cuddles:
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2011 13:16:10 GMT 1
I know I keep saying WOW but...WOW ;D What a great big cuddly stunner he is
|
|
|
Post by sarah on Dec 22, 2011 17:58:06 GMT 1
Me too - WOW - what gorgeous horses :-)
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Jan 23, 2012 7:42:08 GMT 1
Yeah, Sally was like sitting on a sofa - very comfy! Anyway, this gorgeous lady was at the Royal Highland Show a couple of times. I never learnt her name, or where she was from, but she attracted me because she reminded me of the horse from my novel in progress. Clearly the events of the show were tiring for her! Obviously my arm was quite comfy, due to her falling asleep on it, hence the strange(!) angle of these shots! Someone added me as a friend on Facebook yesterday, a chap from Ireland. It turns out he now owns this mare! Her name's Kate.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jan 23, 2012 14:35:38 GMT 1
Thats nice that you know her new owner now, she's gorgeous.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2012 16:09:39 GMT 1
Kate is lovely, lucky chap who owns her
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Jan 23, 2012 20:47:45 GMT 1
Have to say, much as I love heavy horses - it would never occur to me to want to ride them!! But then I like little horses, being vertically challenged myself! In one place I worked with Welsh cobs (D's) - they were far too big for me, never mind anything bigger! I'll never forget their trot - the ground shook for miles around and your teeth nearly fell out with the force! The thought of climbing back on 17hh of horse every time you have to get off to open a gate............ ;D
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jan 23, 2012 21:24:26 GMT 1
I actually prefer bigger horses as I'm very tall with long legs. I was riding a welsh cob well before I was into my teens! That said I dont think I could manage a Clydesdale (tho I'd love to), my hips protest madly with larger barrelled horses nowadays as I'm such a physical wreck, may have to stick to skinny ones from now on.
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Jan 23, 2012 23:13:21 GMT 1
Actually, some Clydesdales aren't that wide across the back. Bracken was only an issue when you were thrown up on him with a leg-up, but once you settled into the saddle, he was fine.
If anyone fancies a shot on a Clydesdale, I cannot recommend Cumbrian Heavy Horses high enough! Even my stepdad rode one, and he'd only sat on a horse twice before then!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2012 12:45:17 GMT 1
Wish I was tall with long legs I'm in the vertically challenged camp. I find riding wide horses hurts my knees
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jan 24, 2012 14:17:23 GMT 1
Is Cumbrian Heavy Horses the one in the Lake District Daren?
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Jan 24, 2012 16:48:20 GMT 1
That's them, just outside Millom.
And I'm also in the vertically challenged camp...!
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Jan 24, 2012 17:02:15 GMT 1
So what happens when you have to get off at a gate then? ?
|
|
|
Post by darenc1 on Jan 24, 2012 18:36:30 GMT 1
I try to ride out with someone who's a bit more adept at those things than I am....
|
|