Opinions - Percheron Horse Breed

Added on Jan 9th, 2009

   
Greetings! What a fabulous retirement you have planned!!
   
As you know, everyone has a favorite breed or strong opinions one way or the other; so take this for what it's worth. I have raised (and started from the ground up) Quarter Horses, Paints, POA's, Arabians and Thoroughbreds. Although every horse is an individual and experiences can be wildly varied; the easiest by far have been the stock-type breeds both QH and Paints. Now, having said that... last year I acquired a badly abused, misused, neglected Percheron gelding somewhere between 5 and 7 years old. This horse was utterly terrified of humans and rightly so, given his background. In spite of the hurdles of his psychological issues, he has been the easiest horse I've ever trained. I have no previous experience with the breed and but one horse to judge by, but he is by far the sweetest, most gentle and most honest horse I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
   
The research I've done since buying this horse leads me to believe that he is not an "exception" but rather the "rule".
   
I would definitely recommend the breed and suspect that an experienced horse person, such as yourself, will have no problem whatsoever with a good-minded youngster.
   
My only advice: They clearly do not know their own strength... make SURE that YOU DO. :o)
   
Best of luck to you.
   

Added on Jan 2nd, 2009
Hi
   
I would like opinions on what would be a good horse breed to work with from the ground up so to speak. I am going to be retiring in a few years and have decided that when I do I would like to work with a young horse, maybe a yearling or so, and train her/him to be a good trail/all around horse for me. I have been thinking of a Percheron. Does anyone have some ideas they would like to share? I have owned horses for 15 years or so and have two at this time though one is getting on in years so I an not a novice horse owner but I have never raised a "baby" on my farm.
   
Thanks!