Shire horse riding - backing and hacking a young heavy horse

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Langley, a 5yo shire gelding, was sent to us to be broken to ride and drive. Here we show some of the work we did when backing him under saddle, riding him out in an open bridle, in the same bit that he is driven in (a soft, flexible rubber snaffle), going into the water, out on the roads and hacking out across the common.
Horse Drawn Promotions - Breaking horses to harness.
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[@horsemania2667]

He's an absolute beauty, a credit to you all. I love Shires and Clydesdales. They seem super intelligent.

[@silverkitty2503]

They are.

[@vermillionskye3298]

I love how nice and calm he is. Being someone who helps back thoroughbreds or retrain them after coming off the track, I seriously wish they were as chill as this guy. Lol.

[@brooksequine7621]

Mikayla Law : There's many differences between a T .B . , Warm blood and a true Draught .... I personally don't get the fun if riding s draught horse . Each to their own .

[@DirtyDan1]

I heard thoroughbreds can tough to break.

[@silverkitty2503]

Don't its darned annoying at times. All horses have strengths and weaknesses. All draughts are typically 'no go' horses or that's how i think of them anyway...even out in the field etc even fresh out of a stall etc..i love them in the stable because they typically have so much personality ....they are really dopey though ...not stupid ..but just built to be slow tempered to be slow etc. you just have to accept them for what they are. They are pretty gutsy though and not fussy they will give anything a go...in that way they are fun! But its tough to get some zoom out of them.

[@LeSuperFishe]

Vermillion Skye shires are the calmest horses you could ever ask for

[@lynnehuff9659]

What a gorgeous sensible young Shire. Sarah handles him beautifully. A tribute to Mel and Barry.

[@Cheshyre.]

I got injured 22 years ago from my thoroughbred mare. We were not a great match, I was too green, she was too hot. I haven't really ridden much since, I lost all my confidence, and I have looked for many years for a good confidence builder. Watching Langley makes me honestly desire to ride again.

[@The1Floyd]

I couldn't imagine a shire being scared of anything, they're unbelievably large.

[@watermelonineasterhay7430]

Beautiful horse. The sound of his hooves on the road is a soothing sound. He's a magnificent horse.

[@angelap381]

it's not just introducing him to things, it's the steady, unafraid hand on the reins

[@deejayk5939]

Love him! What a sweetheart, just don’t let him step on your foot!

[@marcusthesecond9352]

Ouch!

[@mehitabel1290]

Langley is a star! But I also really like the way you keep talking about him being "happy" to do X, Y or Z... The happiness of the horse is everything.

[@SuperSapphireStone]

I'm really glad that you're at least using rubber bits instead of hard metal bits. Just a year ago I get mad when people complain how a bit is a torture divice. But now that I have been watching Rick Gore's videos (Think like a horse) I completely despise bits now.

[@barryhook2]

Yes we have always believed in using soft rubber bits instead of metal ones. However its worth remembering that rope halters and certain designs of bitless bridle can also be used to exert tremendous amounts of pressure and hurt the horse (but on its nose or under its chin rather than in its mouth). We do not believe in using pressure/rope halters for this reason, and therefore do our groundwork training in a normal padded headcollar.

[@KJMudge]

Hi Barry , Once again you and your team have done beautiful work in educating the big boy to saddle . He is a handsome young lad and seems to be a big softy . I would love to own a big strong guy like him he is so calm and takes everything unfamiliar to him in his stride and he seems to have alot of patiences . In the past these big shire horse breeds were very versatile because alot of people back then didn't have huge amounts of money to buy more then 1 sometimes if they were lucky 2 horses . These horses were essential to the farmers as they were expected to do more then one job like ploughing , pulling wagons or used as riding horses so they had to be versatile . I admire your videos and was impressed with your training methods and how you are patient , calm and you never bully or are threatening to the horses training . I believe that people who are from other equine sports could learn a great deal from your videos s the methods you use are universal and can be applied in many other disciples of horsemanship.

[@autumn2525]

Ol' Langley seems like the only thing he'd be bothered by is anyone asking him to trot more than a few feet. lol

[@SirXer]

What a gorgeous horse, he sure would be a pleasure to work with!

[@JustMe-rm2pw]

What a well mannered boy :) very sweet

[@cornell833]

Clyde and shire are amazing 💪 🐎with awesome personality well calm

[@zeldatrash7308]

I would probably need a ladder to get on a shire like oh my god so tall

[@faroshscale]

Zelda Trash hey you're zelda trash too (ironically I came here bc of the new breath of the wild spot about the horses. I hope there's one like this in the game!)

[@gwynvyd]

What a Beautiful and brilliant boy!

[@Laura-gi1kd]

What a wonderful boy!! You’ve done a lovely job with him!

[@rajeevbhardwaj8514]

Certainly

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

wow what an incredibly well trained horse

[@montyzumazoom1337]

Great to watch, good informative video and beautiful horse👍

[@christuft2396]

my dauter said WOW that was good for a first ride and your a epic rider

[@Robby334]

I love all your tube you are so good with horses its amazing to watcgh them.

[@watermelonineasterhay7430]

It's remarkable how such a huge animal can be so docile.

[@sleepingbear_bushcraft]

Magnificent horse well behaved great manners

[@daddystatusactivated8406]

If he was a driving horse, makes sense vehicles don’t bother him. Still, such a calm and beautiful boy! I hope to get my own Shire or Clydesdale one day!

[@carolynneser4067]

i am very impressed that drivers seem to be so aware of horse and rider safety ..

[@738polarbear]

Magnificent horses.

[@scarletttoohey-crock6637]

love the dogs barking at him

[@princessbeaniewiggle]

Langley is so beautiful

[@MoodyMooMoo1]

What a beauty 💗

[@hollyleaf9027]

I have a shire called Luna

[@maddyciancarelli5371]

Has anyone seen this video while watching Stacy Place playing SSO getting a Shire, and wanted to see a Shire irl? I am hoping it was not JUST me xD

[@RunicMama97]

+Mystic - Kitty Ah but the shires on SSO are easy to mount and dismount from xD where as real ones would need a ladder for the rider/handler to get on haha.

[@maddyciancarelli5371]

+Naomi Lightningheart lol.

[@lyvlafluv]

no. but when i saw sso shires i just looked them up. :3

[@UnicornPastelPrincess]

I already seen and been on a shire in real life before SSO added Shires.

[@animereviewwithriteshsenpa7660]

Very nice

[@dilaverali05]

Such a magnificent beast!

[@NanseMax]

This video is the most beautiful video in your entire channel 👏👏👏👏👣

[@naomipommerel8415]

What a sweetheart!!!

[@bill739123]

Very good rider and a wonderful horse

[@delicosauk]

I notice you're using a Trekker Luxus/True Talent saddle. I have one of those saddles too and find it invaluable as a quick swap around. I also have the Trekker Bascule - which is also very versatile and easy on the horse's back. Lovely video and well done!

[@barryhook2]

Julie Baxter Thanks Julie; the saddle belongs to Sarah (not entirely sure of the make myself) and all the horses she backs for us take to it very well; its certainly comfortable!

[@delicosauk]

barryhook2 It's definitely a Trekker ( I swear by them) and almost certainly a True Talent. They're fabulous saddles and I've tried the lot over the years! Best bought straight from Europe. They fit in very well with your 'rubber bit' principle. :)

[@slj90]

Julie Baxter it's a kuda endurance saddle from America x

[@TracinyaLachance]

1:18 The bus apologizes for not being in service? Is this the most English place ever or what? :P

[@alib1919]

😂 Thats pretty standard here! You very often see "Sorry I'm not in service" on the buses - usually when its raining and you're soaking!!!

[@karentjuhh101]

In the netherlands it is the same :p

[@domainofthesun4400]

Canada too - some places anyway "Sorry not in service"

[@Katinnity]

sooo calm and sooo cute

[@bangtanmeiko8226]

He is absolutely gorgeous.

[@diamondwhite1]

Well done Langley 🍏🥕🍎🥕🍏🍎

[@KigerHeartAO]

Beautiful horse, how come most of the horses you train all have iron shoes on? Is that how they are brought in or do you put them on?

[@TheSilverRaven13]

Answeing this as rider of more than 20 years: Horses that work on harder surfaces on a regular basis NEED "road shoes" but even regular horseshoes still help. The shoes act as cushioning from hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt), and offer the horse some grip so as to not slip. Some horses may come with shoes on, others are "barefoot" and may need shod or re-shod during their training. Hope this helps!

[@secretjustice7320]

This is absolutely fantastic 🙌🏽❤️🙌🏽

[@louisex4356]

That's not a rubber bit? I see the rubber protection on the outside.. But the inside looks like sweet iron? Idk if your bits are squishy yellow rubber? Then you can add the rings too?

[@barryhook2]

+Emma Games Our bits are black flexible rubber; we use the bit guards on the outside to stop the metal rings rubbing agains the horse's face (we buy them in green because that's one of our business colours!) If you watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qobSe4epYtqdd9U at about 19:06 we show our bits in more detail and compare them to other common driving bits.

[@louisex4356]

it must be a diffrent colour then, ive never seen a black rubber bit where i live, only yellow x

[@ellajones4534]

+barryhook2 where can I get the Green Cheek Pieces? Or Cheek Guards? I need Green Ones As My Colour Is Green. I'm Trying To Find Them :/

[@louisex4356]

just search online "green bit guard"

[@Jonny-jh2if]

My family are very big people the men are about always over 6’5 and the woman are usually 5’9 or 5’10 I’ve been wanting a horse and since a Shire is a big horse I think this would be a good breed tell me what you think

[@katrena4843]

He's a beauty!!

[@annabelrobertson7974]

Cor, he’s a giant!

[@slj90]

It's a Kuda saddle from America, very compfy

[@misspyrotechnics7967]

Langley looks lovely!!! I must ask what brand/style of boot is Sarah wearing in this video? I've been looking for some footwear like that for ages! :)

[@Alishondra]

Gorgeous horse! Though the hind legs almost seem a bit weak? Unsteady?

[@Little-tee]

wow would love this big gently giant x

[@rulerzreachf4n200]

Hey I don't actually live too far away from there, maybe an hour or so but I've heard of Hampshire UK before, I'm not too far away XD.

[@maddyciancarelli5371]

+Stella Mightytree xD Cool

[@rulerzreachf4n200]

Oh Gawd XD.

[@maddyciancarelli5371]

+Stella Mightytree yep. . . xD

[@maddyciancarelli5371]

+Stella Mightytree all though New Zealand is the free land and I am not trying to brag but it is PROBABLY more beutiful than that.

[@rulerzreachf4n200]

I bet it is c:

[@georgethepony8757]

OMG!!!! He's so big

[@swog8247]

well its a Shire horse lol

[@georgethepony8757]

+Amanda ha yea but the shire horse I have is like 15h and this proberly is 18h

[@swog8247]

George the pony oh

[@Yasmin-go8zj]

i have two too ride so that is really hard work i need to go ride them soon

[@maggieshire8672]

My shire is a 19hh shire and still growing

[@Yippeeexx]

How to get on a Clydesdale 1.Mounting block? Nahhhh. Steps to heaven! 2.Climb up the steps (may take you a while to get to the Clydesdale’s level) 3.Swing your leg over and put both feet into your stirrups

[@cathames9677]

I love the close car moment. Some bellends don't know they should move away if they see a horse

[@IAMcyborg123]

I wonder what kind of saddle they use for the heavies. I have a 3.5yr old shire- a bit too young to start but I'm doing research on the best kind of tack for him. I'm also having a difficult time finding a soft rubber bit that will eventually fit him. All suggestions welcome!

[@daisytalks4818]

Is this in Britain? Because I'm from Britain and it looks like the really nice country side XD

[@barryhook2]

+Daisy Talks (Daisyboo2103) Yes it is - we are based in Hampshire in the UK.

[@georgethepony8757]

+barryhook2 I know where that is

[@georgethepony8757]

+barryhook2 I live in Lambourn

[@lindamclean8809]

Can you please tell me why blinkers are used for harness work and not for general riding ?

[@janehepburn1526]

Do u have envy tips to stop a strong cob from bolting of if u do please reply because I'm having a lot of trouble whit him

[@Nordic_Mechanic]

If everyone who ride rode a draft, they'd probably prefer it once they've gotten over the size problem (most people needing step stool or fence to get on). Their numbers are increasing so maybe that's what happening

[@wagie95]

The rest of the riding world do not wear helmets.. just England.. think we need to man up Fantastic riding and beautiful horse however! Very good training too! 🌹

[@barryhook2]

Thanks for the praise, Wagner! Don't agree with your helmet theory though. How many of the rest of the riding world get serious, life-changing head injuries that stop them doing what they love with horses all for the sake of wearing a helmet? Granted, a helmet will not help in all situations, but as I'm fairly certain no amount of 'manning up' will increase the toughness of my skull, I'll stick to wearing one. I have no plans of coming off a horse, but then again I have no plans of crashing my car but I wear a seatbelt too! - Rhi

[@wagie95]

barryhook2 barryhook2 I’m not sure on the exacts but someone who’s ridden in many places (southern America especially) I’ve noticed that its really not popular sometimes even scoffed at! But I fully understand your stance. It makes complete and utter sense! I do like how in England I’m not required by law to ride with a helmet. However I’ve been told off by some fellow riders as if I am! And then they are absolutely gobsmacked to find out it’s not a legal requirement for adults! Haha Anyways, you guys are incredible

[@barryhook2]

Cheers Wagner! Stay safe :)

[@bh96164]

Is it possible to canter on a shire Because I’m thinking of getting one But I want to be able to canter on him or her

[@barryhook2]

Yes, absolutely. A shire is a horse at the end of the day and like any other horse it can canter. Check this video out for a short clip at the end of Lilly the shire cantering under saddle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJjaXqxjpth8fdk

[@bh96164]

@@barryhook2 thank you

[@virglibrsaglove]

@@barryhook2 I just now watched. She looked perfectly lovely cantering.

[@jessicaferreiradasilvawagn5930]

amorosos e carinhosos meu amor inenso e voce fofinho são dóceis são obedientes fofinhos eu gostaria de comprar e falar com dono dele amar e cuidar sou apaixonada por esses cavalos bonitos

[@pictlandpickers1171]

How much would it cost to get into horse riding. I live on a farm so could keep one or two here cheaply. But the outright cost of purchase and kit seems prohibitive to me.

[@barryhook2]

Depends on the quality you go for - better to shell out a bit more for a good saddle which could last the horse's entire working life. As for the horse themselves, also depends on what you're looking for. Maybe find a riding school first and see if it's for you.

[@lillythecobxpintaloosa5833]

Hes beautiful

[@oregonborn9769]

I cant imagine trying to ride an english saddle with this beast lol

[@deniseshephard516]

how many hands is he

[@chelsiewebster666]

What is around his neck?

[@Nicole39859057]

very nice! such a good boy! altho why didnt u canter at all? :0

[@joshuawhite870]

+Nicole39859057 You don't canter heavy horses, they're just not built for it.

[@toriskippy8915]

+J J E C White You can, (Not that it looks very good.) Haha ;)

[@joshuawhite870]

Tori&Skippy Oh ok, my friend has 4 Suffolk Punches and he said you shouldn't, but fair enough. I don't personally have enough experience with them to say either way, but he does know his stuff. I'll ask him to elaborate next time I see him :)

[@toriskippy8915]

Alright. Suffolk Punches are so beautiful :)

[@meredithmorris493]

+J J E C White I'm assuming they don't canter him as he is only recent to riding, canter tends to be one of the transitions that causes difficulties due to the balance of sitting into trot before going into canter, especially with big horses as they have quite bouncy trots. It is fine to canter heavy horses, and it certainly looks fine on them also, they just have large strides and cover a lot of ground. A Shire X I used to ride was very forward going and when in the school you'd sometimes blink and be back in the same spot you started.

[@lucygliddon5676]

where are you based

[@thegentleequine701]

What is the name of that saddle? It is lovely!

[@barryhook2]

It's a Kuda treeless saddle, I think.

[@pamcullen537]

A lovely relaxing watch but I noticed there was no ‘thank you ‘ to cars etc who bothered to slow down !

[@lynnehuff9659]

Is he black, or considered a brown?

[@MegaNatasha13]

what kind of saddle is that?

[@ellajones4534]

It's a western saddle. But not as big as the other western saddles

[@aliceturpin9081]

It's actually a cub saddle, used for hacking mostly. They can also be called trekking saddles

[@slj90]

MegaNatasha13 it is a kuda endurance saddle from America x

[@stephielulu9096]

🥰❤️

[@Yxrkie-]

Haha I thought this was a thoroughbred at the beginning of the video because of the skinny legs usually their kinda short and bulky

[@ashtray8711]

oh dam

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa790]

Your buses apologize for not being in service.

[@chrishewison4330]

No high viz!!

[@Roses6858]

I don't think shire cares about anything.

[@mandiejennings117]

Can you not see how his mouth is messed up with the bit?! Also the riders hands are WAY too close and high. Reins should be loose on the mid thighs if you're asking for directions or slack with hands on the pommel for everything else. All the work with this horse has been done on his back and it shows in how he's controlled, trained, and broken. And don't think nobody noticed the cane crop.

[@barryhook2]

Hi Mandie, Langley is wearing a soft, flexible, rubber bit, which lends a horse to have a very soft mouth - the opposite of 'messed up' - however, often (particularly young horses like this one) the softness of the bit encourages them to mouth it (chew and move it around their mouth). Are you from America or otherwise ride Western style? What you say may be true for that discipline, but in English riding, the hands are supposed to stay where there rider's hands are in this video - close together around waist height, with a straight line where possible from bit to elbow. If you look closely, you can see she is riding in a Kuda saddle (a treeless saddle primarily designed for Paso Fino horses) which although has a handle at the front - that can prove very useful in the early stages of riding training - is not used like a pommel is in Western riding. Your comment about all the work being done from his back is incorrect - actually the opposite is true! Langley was broken to drive here with us here first before he was broken to ride, therefore his initial training was all done on the ground and then in cart before he even saw a saddle. And finally, the 'cane crop' as you call it is more often called a schooling whip. We normally use one with a sponge ball on the end, however we have to make allowances for the fact future riders (for example owners) may ride with a 'normal' whip and the horse must be used to that. You should also notice that she does not use the whip to beat Langley with, it is only there for direction, particularly as she is small and he is very large and it is easier for him to understand what is being asked of him if she was to touch (not smack) him on the quarters with the whip to ask him to bring them over (for example for safety to move him away from an obstacle / vehicle) rather than rely on leg aids alone.

[@andreamchome5817]

why are you riding a shire horse

[@belanah1419]

why not?

[@ellajones4534]

She's Breaking Him To Ride. Listen Maybe.

[@DanishButterCookie]

Why do u not read or listen?

[@caitlinhughesss]

how tall ?