This message is from: Linda Lottie <horselo...@hotmail.com> Good Afternoon, List Have enjoyed the discussion of fjord types. I own three fjords. All three are mid to heavy draft. The youngest, gelding, age 7 has been trained to ride and drive. He is my daughter's favorite to ride......so, he has more experience under saddle than pulling a cart. This gelding is nearly 14.2 and a BIG boy with a huge head. There is nothing "fine boned" about him. However, my daughter thinks he is the BOMB!!! Why? He LOVES to canter. My daughter has NO INTEREST in driving. NONE, nada....... She (and her age mates) are the future for fjord shows - and, future fjord owners/breeders/promoters. Young people prefer to ride and love to ride fjords. Frankly, I like to ride and will until I can no longer get my butt in the saddle. I also enjoy driving......and purposefully learned to drive knowing one day I would not ride. Young people (and more "mature" as well) want fjords that RIDE.......WELL.......all three gaits. They want to show their fjords and want them to be mannerly, collected. If you want to sell your fjord/fjords.......have them trained to move well/collected at the walk, trot and canter........riding and driving. Most folks do not have the skill, time or desire to work with a fjord to bring it to a place where it can be shown or safely ridden at all three gaits. I LOVE driving my fjord - but, we ride more. We have a choice......and for now, riding wins!!! Fine boned, mid-draft, drafty.......matters not. A well trained, collected, horse at all three gaits is a joy to own and to ride. Confirmation and temperament paired with a knowledgeable trainer, IMO, will tell you what you need to know to fully enjoy your fjord or market your horse to the right buyer......and the right discipline. If you are a trainer.......you are half-way there and can save a bunch of money :) JMHO on a dreary damp fall day in NW Wisconsin. Linda Baker LottieGrantsburg WIOwner of Sven (driving buddy), Lena (ride/drive), Hasse (ride/drive)
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