Tag: Breed of the Month

Draft power!!  This month on YourDressage, we are celebrating the mighty Draft Horse and Draft Crosses of all kinds.  Dressage riders who choose Drafts...

Moose came into my life when, truthfully, I couldn’t have needed him more. I found myself mid-pandemic unemployed, at my heaviest weight, and depressed. My friend recommended I start riding again, something I hadn’t done in over three years and did very much miss. However, there was no way I was getting on any average sized horse, with my then weight being well over 250lbs. So she told me to find something big enough that I would feel comfortable.

I still remember walking into the barn and seeing a newly arrived American Shire named Echo Valley Nash in the stall across the aisle from my horse.  I had never seen one in person and at two years old, he was at least 16.2h and 1,500lbs.  He was black as night with a wide blaze that swept over his left eye like a dodo bird.  He had silky white feathers covering all four legs, an undocked tail as thick as the jungle, and feet the size of 7-inch dinner plates. He was absolutely majestic, and I was enamored by him.

Afton Stables is a dressage farm on the Charlottesville side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Afton, Virginia.  We have a small herd of mostly warmblood horses, and one draft horse.  That draft horse is Eoghain.

Draft power!!  This month on YourDressage, we are celebrating the mighty Draft Horse and Draft Crosses of all kinds.  Dressage riders who choose Drafts...

When I said I wanted a draft horse, Belle isn’t what I imagined. I did not intend to actually bid on her, but spontaneously hit her bid button while sitting on my couch at home. And then, no one bid after me.

All Jazz'Dup, or Jazz as we call him, is my 15-year-old Warmblood x Draft cross. He is the epitome of the Draft breed to me: kind, gentle, patient, and always willing to try. Dressage doesn't exactly come naturally to a big drafty gelding like Jazz, but he sure puts in the effort and I'm thankful everyday for this absolute love of a horse.

I decided to name him Rubeus Hagrid after the lovable and generous half giant from the Harry Potter books. After all, it was his mother who was the giantess while his father was a normal size. His story was too similar and he was too hairy to not be a Hagrid.

Draft power!!  This month on YourDressage, we are celebrating the mighty Draft Horse and Draft Crosses of all kinds.  Dressage riders who choose Drafts...

If you ride, own, or love these horses, we want to know what makes them special to you! Leave us a comment and let us know!