I Bought a Half Draft! (Episode 221) - Herm Gailey: A Lifetime with Horses

[@reneedickerson4489]

❤😊❤😊 Thanks for the kindness you showed the mare in evaluating her and the respect you gave the previous owner.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment. It is hard not to be kind to her when she is showing such kindness to us.

[@sportmom2222]

Beautiful horse, the more you look at her the more there is to like about her. Just found your channel. I’ve loved horses all my life. I can’t wait to see your next video, part two. Thank you for being so informative while working with your new horse, Betty. Good wishes to you, sir, and Betty!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I agree. The more time I spend with her the more I find myself appreciating her. We will be posting ongoing videos, definitely. Hope you keep watching.

[@martylesnick2032]

HERM THEY SAY "WHEN YOU GO DRAFT YOU NEVER GO BACK". AQHA HORSES ALL MY LIFE. AT 74 I RESCUED A HALFLINGER X 20 YRS OLD MR NICKERS. SO KIND LEARNS QUICKLY AND LOW KEY. MY HUSBAND MARTY AND I JUST ADORE HIM, SO THE BEST TO YOUR NEW MARE AND YOU, HOPE U 2 HAVE OODLES OF TRAILS TOGETHER. Susan

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your perspective. I certainly hope I have the same experience.

[@algernon_2023]

She's just lovely and I have no doubt that she will try her best to give you everything that you're looking for. ❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Actually, you just put your finger on the thing I am liking best about this young mare.She definitely tries hard and I admire that. Thanks for your observation.

[@algernon_2023]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses I couldn't help but notice it because it's written all over her. With your gentle, forgiving nature, and even-handedness, I sincerely believe that this will blossom into a beautiful partnership and I'm really looking foward to watching this story unfold.

[@PaulaR-mp9di]

Nice mare. Love the feet and the level back. Nice head and eye are a plus! Smart too. Great choice.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment and for your encouragement. Hope you keep watching.

[@monaliberty473]

Now this is going to be fun. Can't wait to she how she matured My current horse is a Percheron Friesian cross. Bought him as a 4 yr old - 16.1, 1600 lbs. By the time he turned 8, he was 17.0, 1825 lbs, size 5 shoe. Looks and travels like a draft. Now, he replaced a Percheron Paint Mare that I raised from a weanling, had her entire life. A drop dead gorgeous apron faced, bay overo. She was 16.1 at 2 yrs old & never grew another inch. She looked & travelled like a big QH. A blast to ride, athletic, with lovely gaits. She was also the smartest horse I have ever owned. Trick trained, drove. Emily, how I loved that horse. Oh, should add both of these crosses the mother was the Percheron. I really like how you work with horses & your philosophy on training. Your channel has been a good find.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am struggling to envision a size 5 horse shoe! Please keep watching. This mare will reappear in future videos, for sure.

[@laurenholbrook1907]

Nice addition and I can see why you got her. Looking forward to more videos

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. Look forward to working with her and putting up more episodes on her progress.

[@hummingbird_chirps8520]

​@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorsesSubscribed as I really love how you handled Betty... She's a beauty and intelligent!🦋

[@donvivian7999]

She's a beauty. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment. Glad you like her.

[@maryannwaygan]

What a beautiful horse. Her photos of buggy horse trot are so lovely to watch. I know absolutely nothing about horses but she is smart I bet!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

So far, I think you are right. She is pleasant smart and trainable. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.

[@barbarawitt9989]

You're gonna love those big feet! She's a lovely filly! Congrats!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. The longer I have her the more I agree with you about those feet. Good foundation. Thanks for watching .

[@carolynstewart8465]

Lucky horse! Lovely clean, safe barn!❤ you're very gentle with her!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thank you for the encouraging and kind comment.

[@348Tobico]

Betty may be antsy but she is a lovely mover. And the knee action is notably different as you point out. Beautiful topline! Just WOW on her smoothness at the trot and lope. I know you will get her past being antsy very easy. Bet she is a girl who will thrive when you give her a job to learn. A game plan she can buy in to.. Can't wait to see the next episode, sir.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment and, especially, thanks for your enthusiasm. I agree then as she becomes more familiar I think she’s going to relax more. In the interim since making the video that is already starting to happen. We will certainly have more on her and thanks for your observations.

[@joancruickshank7771]

hi herm...i knew "mark the colonel" sired by "colonel freckles". he was gorgeous...but had trouble standing still. that was over 25 years ago.

[@joancruickshank7771]

p.s.she is very nice.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment. I have had a number of horses from the Colonel freckles bloodline. I agree they are pretty ambitious but very nice horses. Hope you keep watching.

[@nohalfwayjourney]

She's beautiful! Smart, eager and has a good mind. Congratulations!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thank you. I think/hope you are right on all counts.

[@nohalfwayjourney]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses Anyone can see her beauty, but because this was your first round pen experience with her as a mostly stranger to her, and her ability to mindfully figure out you are not a threat to her and give you what she's got (so far), that is HUGE! She's a keeper!

[@epona9166]

Really enjoyed your commentary and the fact that you just let her be for now.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. This is the “go with her” phase. So I’ll be putting up videos showing her beginning to “go with me.” Hope you’ll keep watching.

[@conniemorgan8402]

I called her at 15 hands even

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

Oh I’m so excited for you ! I am really looking forward to her development !

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. If you’ll keep watching we’ll keep posting!

[@RobertPhilpott-vr6wd]

Beaut horse, beautiful video

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thank you. Hope you keep watching to see how this girl develops.

[@sharonbeck-hl7cf]

What a sweet face and kind eye. Just beautiful!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I agree that big soft epis a plus! Thanks for your comment.

[@teachersusan3730]

Beautiful horse ❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. She is a little different type of horse that I’m used to but I like the strength and scale of her. I also suspect that she will get steadily more attractive as she matures. Hope you stick around to watch and see how this goes.

[@idellbrown1825]

Tell you what, when she's fully trained, with her build , she is going to be a real mover. I mean she's built for incredible speed!!. Like to see you open her up one day like a race horse!!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Interesting,. I agree she looks like she could run a bit. Certainly isn’t bred to do that but I have been surprised before!

[@idellbrown1825]

We call her color a Black Bay. She'll fill out and grow as you know. Be interesting after a few years how she'll change with age l. Beautiful.❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment. I agree it will be interesting to see how she develops especially since she is a different type that I’m used to. Hope you’ll come along on that journey.

[@StephenLathrop-kd8fx]

A couple of years ago. I bought a Morgan draft cross. Working out well. His color is almost spot on with yours. To the point he could be her twin brother.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Nice to hear from a fellow experimenter! Glad to hear yours is going well. Thanks for your comment.

[@susans3976]

Very cute, congratulations!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for the encouragement! And thanks for watching.

[@her8425]

A lovely video.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for the encouragement! Hope you keep watching.

[@gail2283]

Great video

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@carolmay-ud8cs]

Looking forward to see how she does under saddle. I thought she was taller, but then I am around some tiny quarter horses. I did guess Percheron as the half draft when you said half draft although I would not have guessed half draft if you had not said so. She looks like the old pictures of the Army Remount horses.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Wow. She could be a remount horse, couldn’t she? Great observation. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching

[@robinfarmer4787]

You are so lucky wish I could have a horse

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. Hope someday you get your horse. I promise it will be as good as you hope.

[@finngamesknudson1457]

I’m wishing we had space, time and money for a second horse. Wife has a QH who doesn’t respect me much so I need a bunch of horsemanship instruction (riding too) before getting a horse for me. Been speculating a draft might be a good fit for strength and calmness as I’m older, heavy and a timid rider. Don’t need to fall off again and don’t want to have to fight a horse...

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

I have a TWH. I love her big head and knee action.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I am also getting used to both. Thanks for watching .

[@alliepetty1005]

I think she's gorgeous and a perfect size... I wish I could have a horse. She'd be just what I'd want. I love her hoof size, too

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I wanted more foot and bone. Certainly not complaining about getting them!

[@donnie9455]

Beautiful ❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thank you. Hope you keep watching as we continue with this mare.

[@shashakeeleh5468]

That's a VERY nice mare! I look forward to see how she develops. CONGRATULATIONS!

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. Will keep posting more videos as things go forward. Hope your keep watching.

[@shashakeeleh5468]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses I will keep watching.

[@aujkalenic4203]

She's a Doll Baby, love her color❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Glad you like her. We are enjoying her too.

[@finngamesknudson1457]

Wow.... how tall are you? Next to you she looks like a pony! Our QH is 15 hands and she looks at least two hands shorter. Such a beautiful horse! Maybe you say later in video but do you have a weight estimate? As a big guy myself (around, not up 😖) I’m concerned with horses carrying capacity.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I plead guilty to being 6’5’’’

[@AndyTheCornbread]

Pretty sure that is what Joe Hancock was more or less. I see a LOT of folks(including myself) going 1/2 draft or 1/4 draft lately with their programs for horses in the ranching industry as well as the guide/outfitter folks as well. It's not new but I am glad people are starting to put the size, bone, and stamina for all day work back into their breeding programs. Something I have noticed with my draft crosses is that foot to bone ratio really evens out as their bones thicken up and they continue to put on mass and bone much later than my quarter horses or thoroughbreds ever did. Don't be surprised if she is still thickening up at 6 - 7 years old. I guessed her at just under 15-1 so I was about an inch off but if she holds to the general growth pattern I have seen with TB, QH, and draft crosses my guess is that she will finish up right at 15-3 and will probably weigh an easy 1,250 when she is done thickening up and has her full mass. Just looking at her I would say her performance side has a lot of TB in it or looks to anyway. Something that I have found to be really nice about the draft crosses is it really cleans up the weak feet issues of the modern thoroughbred and quarter horse breeds. It is said that Joe Hancock's breeder found that to be true as well as his sire had poor feet but his mother being Percheron gave Joe Hancock good feet.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Interesting to hear from somebody who has a lot more experience with crossbreds than I do. Your assessment of how she will mature is almost exactly in line with what I thought might be her future, as well. It will be interesting to see. Hope you keep watching as we progress this young horse.

[@twildy8917]

She's pretty! I guessed 15hh. Little Peppy!❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

That’s not a bad guess . I probably fooled you by being so darn tall and standing next to her! They all look smaller next to me.

[@Alex-horsman]

I like your videos very much. You said, you have 8 horses, why do you need so many? I have 3 horses, but would like to breed 1 more from one of my mares taking a stallion, which I like from the neighbor, Belgium warmblood Cortes C (Clinton), jumping horse...😅, but I have hesitation trying to find the reason, why do I need so many horses, as more of them I have, as less time I can spend with each of them...? Thanks.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Your comment certainly identifies a reality of horse ownership. I sometimes think that you’re only halfway in the horse business when you only have twice as many horses as you need. What I find is that inevitably you have a couple who are too young a couple who are too old and several that are about the right age that you concentrate on. Also, both my wife and daughter ride so additional horses make at least a little more sense! Something we can all do together.

[@georgiascott5779]

15 and counting and tops out at 15.2.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Pretty much spot on including final estimate. Hope you’ll stick around with me and see how things turn out. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.

[@lousylvester923]

First time watching your channel It's really hard to tell on video She sure is pretty though.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

I completely agree that judging height on video is tough. Thanks for your compliment on her appearance. I find her attractive as well. A little different from what you would expect from a draft cross.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

She is gorgeous.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks and thanks for watching.

[@catherinebrady2640]

I think she is a beauty.❤❤

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks. I suspect she will get steadily prettier as we ride her into shape.Hope you stick around and see her develop.

[@terriedwards4820]

She's very pretty 😍

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thank you. She kind of grows on you.

[@catherinebrady2640]

I was guessing 15 at the whithers based on comparing her to your height at about 6' ft 4 in.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

That’s a good guess and pretty close to where I thought she was. I was surprised when she measured as tall as she did. Her withers just kept going up and up!Has the withers of a thoroughbred. Go figure.

[@finngamesknudson1457]

Do you shoe all your horses? From what I’ve been reading shoes are not often necessary.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

We shoe the majority of the horses we are working. We ride a lot and our ground is fairly stony.

[@Californiathehorse]

Shes a gem, my estimate was 15 hands

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

That was about where I guessed her. That wither just goes up and up! Makes all the difference. Thanks for watching

[@geonnibanner6692]

Nice mare. I'm not crazy about show-bred Quarter Horses. Too many have feet like little snuff tins. She's got good big feet.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for the compliment on this mare . I will pass it on to her! I completely agree with you about the concern for many of our current show and performance bred quarter horses. You have identified one of several reasons why I am very interested in seeing how this “half draft experiment “turns out. this young horse has feet like I remember on a lot of the rugged durable horses I knew growing up. Hopefully that will provide her with soundness comfort and longevity.

[@SallyLaBaume]

15. 5

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

A bit smaller than that. Stands 15 1 1/2 approximately.

[@anne-grethemichaelsen5789]

Very sweet horse...but she doesn`t look like a draft horse :)

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

You’re right. She almost looks a bit thoroughbred. However, I understand that draft horses and draft crosses mature more slowly. I suspect that she will thicken up a bit as she gets older. Still, she has the combination of some strength and substance that I was looking for without being a “plow horse“ which definitely is not what I need.

[@anne-grethemichaelsen5789]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses She looks sweet anyway :)

[@81Logansk]

15 1/2

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

That’s about what I would have guessed. She measures about 15 hands 1 1/2 inches. Thanks for watching and for your comment.

[@lucesainte-marie9017]

14?

[@lucesainte-marie9017]

Oups - 15,5. Superb mare, want her!

[@teresadasilva4777]

A bit long in the back and appears wasp waisted. Pretty head though.

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Thanks for your comment. I completely agree about the long back. As to the wasp wasted appearance this mare is actually thinner than she appears on video. I think when she puts a few pounds on that will even out. I also agree that she has a shapely, though large, head. it will be interesting to see how things shape up going forward. Hope you stick with us and look forward to your future comments

[@nicolaxoxo1]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses Keep in mind the drafts and draft Xs take far longer to mature. My best mare ever was a grulla Perch X QH (black Perch mare X QH stud) In my opinion Percherons have the prettiest head of the drafts. A friend bought a draft X QH as a 3 year old and he didn’t look like much but boy did he have a Glow Up. One year later and he has matured and filled out. So while your mare may look Perch /TB now, she will look totally different by next year

[@wayneking7050]

14h

[@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses]

Actually, I’m glad you’re wrong. I’m 6 foot five. 14 handle would not fit me well! Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.

[@wayneking7050]

@@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses I'm 6 ft and paint was 15