Jumping Draft horses?

[LongShot]

I've always wanted to get a big draft horse, something like a Clidesdale. Are Clidesdales and other draft horses too big to jump? just wondering because I was looking into getting a horse soon. Right now I ride a thoroughbred about 15 or 16hh and he's great but my instructor is looking to sell some horses and might even be my Norton soon I just thought I'd ask.

[Sarah-B]

Draft horses CAN jump!! My Suffolk Punch X (who looks like a purebred so is BIG) used to do XC and I've seen him jump whilst free-schooling - it's amazing!!

One of the girls on another forum I use jumps her Belgian Draft too and he is HUGE!!

[joey_olop]

Draught horses can definately jump-tho you probably wouldnt get the speed in the jump off:)

[michie]

My friend has a gigantic Percheron, and he jumps fine. :)

[jowyles]

Shire xs are very good jumpers and usually very honest they make a good sports horse when crossed with something finer so they have some more spedd and agility, you have to watch their joints tho because they get strained too much and causes artheritis

[HC_Horses]

they can definately jump :)

[sugarpuff]

I agree with you there Jowyles, i have a TB cross shire, who is a very honest girl, and jumps amazing in cross country as well as showjumping :D

[ponytude]

Just a note, switching from a TB, whom I adore:rolleyes: , to drafts will lead to big changes! lol, just within the first few moments you may find yourself asking, "Where have my insaely long legs gone too?:confused: ";)

[lilyharvey]

:) yes you can jump them! a friend at the yard has a pure bred shire and entered him in the county show last year in the 4ft class. he won it!! (also its probably easier to jump on a draft horse as you have more mane to hold on to and the jumps seem smaller!-well thats my viem on it anyway!!:rolleyes: )
good luck anyway!

[jenren!!]

I dont see why not, but i agree with jowyles here, i think because they are 'heavy' it puts quite alot of strain on their joints, especially when they land so i think they are better jumped if they have a finer breed in them, takes the weight off a little.

But of course they can jump, just dont go too overboard with them :)

Jenny xx