Hardier? Less likely / prone to field injury?

[Trewsers]

Couldn't help looking at the gorgeous pics that DarenC1 posted - and wondering about those lovely heavy horses - my OH really fancies one - and I was wondering are they not only hardier in that they are good doers but do they injure less in the field? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Of course our potty tb just keeps on doing himself mischief - and I wondered if the heavier breeds weren't as "breakable"?

[devonlass]

Couldn't help looking at the gorgeous pics that DarenC1 posted - and wondering about those lovely heavy horses - my OH really fancies one - and I was wondering are they not only hardier in that they are good doers but do they injure less in the field? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Of course our potty tb just keeps on doing himself mischief - and I wondered if the heavier breeds weren't as "breakable"?

Hmm tricky one to answer.
I have a clydesdale mare who (and I soooo don't want to jinx myself saying this!!) has not so far done herself too much mischeif *frantically touches wood*.Have had her a year and a half almost and only injury she's had was a small puncture wound from itching on a fence post we think!!

Yes I think they certainly are hardier than many breeds in this respect.They have very thick chunky legs with probably far more protection around them than some of the finer breeds (by that I mean things like tendons etc not so close to the surface,lot's of feather,very thick skin etc).They also are not so prone to moving very quickly and hooning about (just their nature,much more laid back and lazy!!).
However,and this is the worry I always have,if they do go down,that is a lot of weight to fall and get up again.They are not so agile and will struggle to 'right themselves' a lot more than other types.

Overall I think yes they are hardier for the reason mentioned above,but if they were to have an 'incident' it would possibly have more dire consequences than some of the lighter breeds.

Hope that makes sense and sorry if not much help

[Trewsers]

Thanks for that! I know what you mean about them being heavier and therefore not as likely to move quickly and therefore injure!! (Think spindly tb with our Joe who injures regularly!!!). OH really likes the idea of something quite heavy - he's mentioned it a few times and I just thought I'd make some enquiries on here! (Not that we can afford another at the moment, we're just about managing our pair). I do love the look of the heavies, but I guess there is a lot to consider like the expense in shoeing (always assuming they're not barefoot) etc.

[Marusenka]

Hmm hardier- i suppose so in a sense- my h/w is barefoot and goes over all ground without ever becomming sore or anything and in all the years i have had him he has never done anything particulary bad to himself- when the chiro has come for checkups he never has anything wrong whereas other more "delicate" horses at the yard constantly put themselves out or are lame because they trod on a stone! Fieldwise though i think it probably depends on the horse- mine is constantly getting into mischief although he has got better as he has got older- if there is a slightly dodgy bit of fencing he will be through it, if we use electric tape he will go under or through it and he is always coming in with ripped rugs and small injuries on his legs here and there or the other day on his nose! But i suppose he is much hardier really as he hasn't cost me much so far and his legs seem to take a fair bit of bashing and withstand it very well!

[Ashlea]

I have an Irish Draught x TB/arab....hes the hardest nut Ive ever come accross! I put that down the the ID in him though...
When he was younger, I sued to find his rugs up trees, in ponds and on fences - not a mark on him!
He's also ran through all the thickets on the moors, through gorses and under small spikey trees - again, nothing on him!
He's been bullied by a few other horses, but they'v done nothing more than pull out huge chunks of hair, and never actually gotten through to the skin! (my cob was the same too - also had him since a foal - not caused any damage at all.....never had to call the vet!)
He's not sensitive to anything Ive used on him yet (various shampoos...and I often scrub him down in VANISH when hes really dirty - not had any reaction to that either!)....although hes got white legs, he hasnt suffered from mud fever yet either - and some of the fields hes been in have been more marshy than "field"! Ive had him since he was 6/7 months old, and he hasnt done much damage yet at all! Infact, he got dragged down a road by a bus as a yearling, and he still only managed to graze his knees!:eek:
HEs very good doer too - winters without rug, not stabled, and only fed a bit of hay:D

In general though, Id definately say cobby/native/heavier and draught type horses are generally tougher and need less mollycoddling than lighter, more TB types....but it does depend on the individual horse and what its been brought up on! in general though, Cobs/natives etc have alot more "natural" protection on them with thicker skin/hair.....it stops them from getting so many scrapes through thorns, and also because they are less inclined to run flat out, and the thickness of their build means they are less likely to pull tendons/sprain/injure their muscles/tendons/bones etc...
oooh, also, younger horses tend to be more "accident prone" than older horses generally are.....just because they are more curious, and they like to investigate and chew and push on things...its just that they havent learnt to stay out of trouble yet.....:o

Heavier types are usually more docile and less scatty too (not bred with the "flight" factor), so when they get spooked in the field, they generally just "jump" and snort and maybe run a few paces.....something like a TB might spook at something and just run...and run.....and thats when they end up in trouble because they panic and try and run THROUGH things...causes more damage because their skin/hair is often less tough and much finer than a more cobby/nativ/heavy horse's would be.
ETA -A friend I used to be at college with had a few TBs in her time - all nutters.....one had to be put down because it got spooked and ran head on into a brick wall - -caused all sorts of damge to itself!
Im not saying ALL TBs are like that....but what Im trying to draw attention to is the fact that they are usually built to "run", and therefore are more inclined to do so.....also, they tend to get cuts and scrapes much easier because of the finer fur/less tough skin!
I like TBs....but Id save em for those who want to specifically compete on them!

[cinammontoast]

Whilst I love TBs, I have heard that they are the most prone to injury-true for the one I used to loan: constantly injuring herself. Another that a friend was going to buy injured itself in the field just before she bought it, so she got a different one! I think any horse is prone to injury if the fencing is poor or there are bargy horses in the herd-my Hanoverian X was PTS due to a broken leg-kicked in the field, as was one of his old field mates (different yard) who I think was an ISH. Fortunately, I don't think anything like that could injure my boy-9.5 inches of bone! *Frantically crosses fingers* It's nice not to have to worry about what the weather is going to be like and which rug to use: he's out 24/7 except at weekends and is nice and furry, so no rugs til at least January!

[Tazanne]

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[Trewsers]

Im not saying ALL TBs are like that....but what Im trying to draw attention to is the fact that they are usually built to "run", and therefore are more inclined to do so.....also, they tend to get cuts and scrapes much easier because of the finer fur/less tough skin!


Tell me about it:D OH's horse is a tb x hannoverian - he's nuts:p he's cost us an arm and a leg since we got him 4 years ago - he only has to look at a field of grass and instead of eating the dam stuff like my connie and pigging out he hoolies around and does himself mischiefs!!!!! I think OH is looking for something less breakable in the future.........

[devonlass]

Thanks for that! I know what you mean about them being heavier and therefore not as likely to move quickly and therefore injure!! (Think spindly tb with our Joe who injures regularly!!!). OH really likes the idea of something quite heavy - he's mentioned it a few times and I just thought I'd make some enquiries on here! (Not that we can afford another at the moment, we're just about managing our pair). I do love the look of the heavies, but I guess there is a lot to consider like the expense in shoeing (always assuming they're not barefoot) etc.

On the extra expense and shoeing note.It *can* be more difficult to get things for a true heavy (bridles even in extra full come no-where near fitting my mare around the nose for instance:rolleyes:) but unless you have a real giant of one then it's not too bad,and sometimes the real big stuff is actually cheaper on places like e-bay as not so many people are after it lol

My mare is barefoot and copes really,really well.She was shod before I had her but took to barefoot fine,despite many 'heavy horse people' telling me heavies have to be shod:rolleyes:.She hacks out on roads,and in fact the more work she does the better her feet are according to my trimmer.You may need shoes though if you intend to do driving,and yes they will be more expensive I'm afraid!!

It's nice not to have to worry about what the weather is going to be like and which rug to use: he's out 24/7 except at weekends and is nice and furry, so no rugs til at least January!

Just to say for info for the OP that this isn't true of a lot of the actual heavy horses.My clydie does not grow a very thick coat (would think she would being scottish and all!!),and is already in a medium weight rug with full neck.Having said that she could (and has done) live out in that all winter,but I could not get away with not rugging her at all until january.She get's rugged around october time even if just a light weight.
Have to bear in mind that a horse that weighs up to a ton in weight (my girl is only around 700kg,but some of the shire types can weigh in at a ton!!),needs to keep weight on and don't really want them dropping too much,rugging helps with this and saves giving them loads of feed.

[Trewsers]

Ah, thats interesting about the rugging.

[Ashlea]

Just to say for info for the OP that this isn't true of a lot of the actual heavy horses.My clydie does not grow a very thick coat (would think she would being scottish and all!!),and is already in a medium weight rug with full neck.Having said that she could (and has done) live out in that all winter,but I could not get away with not rugging her at all until january.She get's rugged around october time even if just a light weight.
Have to bear in mind that a horse that weighs up to a ton in weight (my girl is only around 700kg,but some of the shire types can weigh in at a ton!!),needs to keep weight on and don't really want them dropping too much,rugging helps with this and saves giving them loads of feed.

Any horse will need rugging in the future if thats what it has been brought up on! If a horse was kept rugged up since a foal, then it wont grow as thick a fur as it is capable of (even if its parents are REALLY hairy....it has little effect on the foal if its rugged)! Also, the earlier in the year one rugs their horse, then less "winter" fur it will grow....and it will carry on the same each year!!

You could theoretically keep a TB out and unrugged 24/7/365 from birth, and provided it made it through its first year, it may never need rugging as its fur will grow long and fluffy! You just need to make sure you are feeding it enough to keep weight on!
If, on the other hand, you had a typically really hardy native type, and you rugged that up from birth, the chances are, it will not grow a thick winter coat....

So its not just breeding that should be considered when it comes to winter coats - its the history of that particular horse, and what it has been brought up on! I must say, however, heavier, draught horses are usually left to winter naked for much longer than lighter, more TB types, and therefore, you would expect to see a draught with much thicker and fluffier hair! My guess, is that yours was mollycoddled at a young age, and therefore doesnt grow the thick coat that it once had the potential for!

Just for the record as well....its not the cold that really gets to horses....its the rain and the wind that causes them to catch a chill....horses are very good at maintaining body heat at -30 if its still and dry outside! If people took note of this with yearlings, then the chances are, they'd all be much fluffier!

[chickyd444]

My ID, was always very chilled in the field, and didnt once come in from the field with an injury the whole time i owned him :)

[RachelEvent]

actually I think that big heavy horses are prone to more serious injury in the field due to their weight and size and relative strain on the leg and hoof structures.

[Rarah]

Not had time to read everyone's replies but I would say more hardy!

I've had my cob/clydesdale cross for 2 and a half years. She's had one field injury in that time which was pretty nasty and resulted in about 3 months box rest but it was a freak accident which in my opinion would have killed any of her less hardy field mates. My mare fell in a ditch and bashed her head very badly but was otherwise unscathed. How she managed not to break any bones is beyond me and I consider myself very lucky to still have her.

There are other finer horses at the yard who seem to be lame every other week due to kicks / tendon injuries. We've never had any of that.