[Drafty]

I got my Belgian Draft horse when i was 17 yrs old he was 17 as well. He was abused by an amish man all his life. I found out after i got him that the amish man he belonged to would not feed him or give him water for days at a time and he would leave the harnesses and everything on him 24/7 becasue he said my horse would not listen. We anyway when i got my horse he was supposed to weight in at 1,385 to be healthy well he only weighted in at 600lbs. He was almost dead when i got him. i was so sad he was my friend as soon as i saw him. But anyway it took alot of nights sleeping with him to make sure he made it through the night and that he got enought to eat and drink and got enough of medication. It took me 6 months to get him back to health and in the mean while the vet told me to start working him alittle to build up his muscules to amke his stronger to make it through this stage of his life. Well when i first started working him he loved it he found it the most funniest thing to get out and not have to worry about being hooked up to harnesses. I walked him on the roads and over huge branches and everything to get him used to riding with me and he loved water i found that out the hard way when he went into a stream deeper then what i thought it was but hey he was okay. But that part of the training was fun for the both of us and i have never trained a horse before i was using books and movies and i did it all myself. The next stag was ggetting the bridle on his head and that was easy he did not mind it it was more comfy then the other bridle the amish man put in his mouth. So the same day i put the bridle on i decided to give getting on him a shot and he was a little uncomfortable with it but he took it very well after i got on. We went for a short ride and he did so good everyone was surprised after the abusive life he had of getting hit and not being feed. So i came back to the barn and got off and i got in front of him to take the bridle off and he kept pushing me away and my dad and mom were standing there and they said try the saddle i don't think he is done and i put the saddle on and he was such a good boy just 4 hours i had all his trust because i was so kind and i had a soft tone and touch he liked. So while i had the saddle on i decided to go for another ride and he did so well i thought we would go down to the ring and try to trot. He was so clumsy but he got it after an hour of working at it. Then i got off and he was not happy he was having so much fun so i took everything off hosed him down and let him graz and before i went home i tacked him up again and we tried the cantering and it was so amazing i have never cantered a draft before it was so comfy it felt like i was on a rocking chair. The vet just looked at him in amazement and said to me let him work as much as he wants he is a very determind horse and he is fighting to get better and i think he is winning. After that one day of training he was broke to ride with a bridle and without. He was road safe and ready for kids to ride. The vet said i don't know how you trained him in one day but god was looking down on you and said thi is my last vistit for a while and good luck to you and he came back 2 months later and my horse was back to health and happy and spoiled he could not believe how good he looked to the mess and almost dead horse he was when i got him. Everyone was so happy and wanted to ride him but i had a problem on my hands. He only liked me to ride along with my nephew we are the only 2 people he liked haveing on him casue we are the onluy two people he trusted. My 3 year old nephew could ride him by himself at a walk trot and canter and whatever comand my nephew gave the horse he followed it down to the "T" when he would say whoa he would stop and when he would say getup and he knew to do it. the same with me. After the first year he started letting other people on him but he would only go in circles or show the people his poop piles i had to lead people around and i wasn't going to push him to do anything to extreme. I didn't want to stress him and then ruin everything i accomplished. Then i ttok him to a show you can read about that in showing and competition.

Thank you Drafty

[4horsem0m]

Congratulations! He sounds like a wonderful horse, so sad that he had to live an abusive life for so long. He trusted you because he knows you love him. I hope for you many more years with him!!

[cjohns]

Good for you. It's sounds like the two of you were meant for each other.

[DraftXLuvr]

Awww, what a nice story! Do you have any photos of your big horse? My horse is part Belgian and I love Belgians!

[smitty]

What a nice story. I have posted this before. I am a HUGE fan of rescuing animals....rescued animals are in a catagory all by themselves. They never forget the life they once led. They will usually go above and beyond their capabilities to give a loving person their WHOLE heart. I love the stories about the ones that get lucky.
He got lucky!

[SweetIron]

That is such a heartwarming story; I would bet that you showed that horse more in a day, in the way of training and trust-building, than anyone else did in his entire life before.
I would just be a little careful with letting other people ride him; if they do't know what they're doing, his training could be unndone or spoiled. But you said your nephew was cantering him/etc, so if he was giving the right cues and all, he should be fine.
My mare, we got her riding well in one day also (our trainer, my man, and I.) It is amazing what you can teach them/get them to do by just being patient and clear.

[mustang_dodger]

what a great story. it makes me thinking about some of the horses i've helped with training, or have trained myself.

[I_Luv_Ponies]

Do you have any pictures?
Congrats!

[MyBelgianAzzy]

Drafty, I love your story. I had to laugh at one point though... my pleasure horse is 1/2 Belgian 1/2 TB and he can be VERY clumsy! Sounds like you did a great job with him.

Wishing you continued success...

A.

[Midnight Felicity]

Good Job Girly!!! Congrats on it all. Its so sad that someone would abuse such a beautiful creature, especially a daft horse. Their naturally so calm and docile and willing to please. What a weirdo. Have fun with your boy!