Novice Ride - Irish Draught x Thoroughbred?

[Dnav]

I have been offered the share of a 16h2 7 year Irish Draught x TB who sounds adorable, he's called Fergal. I advertised as wanting a novice ride as I have been away from riding for 18 years and the owner has stated she feels he would be suitable. Before I get too excited I just wondered if anyone had any experience with this type of horse and whether they would consider it to be suitable for a novice? I don't want to waste her time if this really isn't a suitable horse.

[Wings]

Well done for finding a potential share horse so quickly!

I'm afraid you are just going to have to try the horse to see if he is suitable. Every horse is different, and you cannot really generalise to say that a particular breed would be (un)suitable for you. As long as you're honest with the owner about your abilities, and honest with yourself about feeling happy with this horse, you should be ok.

Good luck!

[The Flying Irishman]

Well I have a 3/4 tb 1/4 id and he can be a plod somedays and very spooky other days, I don't think that you can generalise and say that one breed is suitable for novices, every horse is different with a different personality. All you can do is go and try the horse and see what you think

Kath x

[Tots N Dots]

I would have said as a cross breed they are a relaxed kind of horse, (I have one) but without seeing or knowing this particular horse I wouldnt know if it was suitable for a novice or not, my lad tackles tractors with trailers, trains, other horses running up his bum without the flicker of an eye, BUT he does have other issues we are dealing with, he has taken me in the last month or so from a jibbery rider with a confidence problem, to a rider like I used to be, especially since he has taken to vertical rearing this weekend!, every horse is an individual, just like we are, if you are looking at buying him I would ask for a trial and vetting just like any other horse :D

[redcedar]

Great advice Wings!!

I have an IDxTB and i have to say he is def not a novice ride but my friend has another of the same breed and he is a total star!

Go and seethis horse, if you like him, try him and see how it goes. Be brave he may be just what your looking for :)

Good luck!!

[ajhainey]

Definately worth a look - my two favourite horses are IDxTB and fantastic, very suitable for novicey me. Admittedly both are a bit older but I think it is a cross that can give a lovely sane yet forward ride and I found the paces to be so comfy!

Usual provisos about every horse is different etc, but it's definately a cross I would consider on my shortlist if I were looking for a share.

aj xx

[Dnav]

Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.
D

[Bay Mare]

Mine is a IDxTB and she's an adorable, opinionated bossy boots :)

As others have said, though, you need to see the individual horse. TO GENERALISE - IDs can be quite opinionated though they tend to be quite brave and kind at the same time. Saff doesn't tend to have mega spooks, she's pretty laid back about most things and takes it all in her stride. Even if she spooks it's usually a 'tap dance plant' while she glares at the scary thing :rolleyes:

I like the breed, they can be a challenge but are a great mix on the whole.

They tend to have quite nice paces too, even the smaller ones (Saff is about 15.1hh), more 'horse' than 'cobby' so are nice to sit to. Saff's canter is to die for when she's being sensible :D

[Skib]

Agreed that each horse is an idividual. Though they are not normally thought of as riding school horses, my learning to ride has been done largely on Irish cross horses at three different schools. In my first year a 16.2.h. with a funny trot but totally amenable in the school and would do any of the elementary exercises I asked. Wish I rode him now. Then the first horse I hacked was an Irish cross. Solid and sensible, spook free when she wanted to be, and with the softest canter like riding on felt. And my current lesson horse, a dressage horse is an Irish cross too, moves beautifully, and as safe as houses.
You may be in luck.

[neen]

the softest canter like riding on felt

What a lovely description Skib!

[NoviceNic]

I am sure that the owner wouldnt want to pair you up with her best friend if she didnt think that her horse may suit you. After all not only are you looking for the perfect match but so is the horse and owner. Tell us all about your try out. Best of Luck..

[carthorse]

Just go along & see what you think. As so many people have said each horse is an individual but in my experience the IDxTB often seems to take the best of both breeds & leaves out the less desirable traits. I'm an ID addict but I must admit the xTB can often be a far easier person to be around as they tend to be less opinionated & have less brute power if it comes to a "discussion". At the same time they tend to be calmer than a TB & less high maintenance. They also look more the part if you want to compete - IDs can easily do most things but they don't always give the elegent first impression that a lot of people like!

Good luck & please let us know how you get on!

[Guest]

I agree with the majority who say you need to try him (more than once) and see how you feel. Grady was ID X TB and he was very laid back but also very opinionated and spooky. I think it's a lovely mix and I would have to agree that Grady had the most amazing canter. Being a 7 yr old I would have my doubts about him being suitable for a novice but you won't know unless you try.
Good luck

[honeychop]

the best horse you can get!!

[MeMe]

Have owned and known several some of which would have been fine for a novice others such as my current ISH (ID x TB) who I wouldent let a novice anywhere near as she would injure them.

But I agree you cant judge by a particular breed, obviously some breeds have certain things they are more known for, but each horse is an individual.

[Crazy Mare]

I would definately go see him :)

I agree with everyone who has said that you can't generalise whether or not a certain breed is suitable for a novice.

I have a friend with a reliable looking cob that's fun to ride but definately not for the nervous or novice rider!!

Good luck x

[sweuzo]

temperment really has nothing to do with breed.

[Bay Mare]

temperment really has nothing to do with breed.

Well, it has to a certain extent. There are traits in certain breeds that are more prevalent than in others.

As most of us have said, though, you really need to judge the horse rather than just the breed.

[horsemad]

My IDxTB is a very pretty horse, has a fantastic personality (and a great sense of humour - mostly at my expense!) and I wouldn't change her for anything! She is my first horse, so I would say that yes, she is suitable for a novice.

Having said that, she was 19 when I bought her - I'm not sure I would have been able to handle her when she was younger! She is brilliant to work with on the ground - very well-mannered and friendly (although she doesn't always look friendly to those who don't know her as she likes to put on grumpy faces :rolleyes: )

But although she is a kind horse, she is quite bossy and opinionated - she likes to do her own thing and I know she often has the upper hand when I ride her. She doesn't do anything dangerous, but a lot of what she does is on her terms - ie if she doesn't want to be bothered, she will be lazy and put very little effort in. If she wants to go for a gallop - well then she just goes right ahead, and I don't have any brakes :eek:

Last night was a prime example. She was very lazy and I could barely get her to trot. She wouldn't bend on a circle, she spent her whole time looking around to see where the other horses where....then I asked for canter and she took off after another horse. I tried to stop her but she just tossed her head and kept going! She kept doing this - wouldn't trot properly, but then was quite happy to go for a fast canter.

I have no idea if Cindy's temperament and behaviour are 'typical' of the breed type, since she is my first horse and have nothing to compare her with. But I think it is quite common for IDs to have quite strong personalities - great fun, good all-rounders, and kind temperaments, but probably need firm handling to stop them taking charge!

I think you should give it a go - if it is a share arrangement, you have nothing to lose. And if the owner says the horse is suitable, that means a lot - she must know the horse better than anyone. Let us know how you get on :)

[Dnav]

Well, thanks for all the replies everyone. The latest update is that I am going to try the horse and had planned for that to take place tomorrow. However, I have met with the owner and she has asked if she can come and watch me in my riding lesson before I try him. She is aware that my confidence is a little low and has said that she doesn't want me to get on and be scared to bits! So although my lesson, which is on Sunday, is going to feel like I'm sitting an exam with an audience, I suppose it's positive that she's judging for herself whether my riding ability is suitable, afterall he is her baby. I feel pretty nervous about it though!!:( Anyway, on the positive side, I am going up to meet Fergal tomorrow and will get to see Sara (the owner) ride him. Hopefully I might get a go after my lesson on Sunday - you watch it be the worst lesson I've ever had!! I think Sara's a little concered that Fergal may be a bit strong for me, so fingers crossed I manage to stop the riding school pony - I usually do, but you know what it's like with an audience. Watch this space....!:)