Meet our newest Backcountry staff members, Ben (8 years) and Buster (7 years)! Ben and Buster are our new draft horse team. We will use them to pull our hay wagon and sleigh for a variety of outdoor activities. The Backcountry Staff, including Ben and Buster, look forward to creating many memorable times for Highlands Ranch families in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ben and Buster:
1. What kind of horses are they?
Ben and Buster are a heavy, work, or draft horse breed called Percherons. Percherons can weigh as much as 2,600 pounds. Percheron is a versatile and adaptable horse. Percherons still serve as logging horses, but are also valued as driving and riding horses.
2. Why do we want Draft Horses?
Draft Horses are bred, built, and used for pulling heavy equipment. With the new programs in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, a Percheron Team of Horses are ideal to pull Hay wagon rides and sleigh rides, giving our guests that rustic and unique experience of the old west!
3. Are they boys or girls?
Ben and Buster are both boys! The proper term used in the horse world is Gelding.
4. Are they brothers?
Ben and Buster are full brothers, being a year apart in age. Ben is 8 years old, Buster is 7.
5. Why didn’t you buy younger horses?
Younger horses need time to develop and gain experience. They can be a bit more on the unpredictable side. Ben and Buster have had many miles in their harnesses and are comfortable around equipment and people. We wanted horses that had experience, but yet had many more years ahead of them. Draft horses can work well into their 20’s if cared for properly. Their age is ideal for our purposes.
6. How long will they work and live?
As the previous answer states, draft horses can work well into their 20’s if cared for properly. There are many factors that will determine how many years they can work. Proper care and maintenance will help prolong their lives. The average life span of a Percheron is approximately 25 years.
7. Do we know how to care for horses?
Yes, the Backcountry Wilderness Area staff knows how to care for horses. One of our staff members is an expert when it comes to horses. Growing up on a horse and cattle ranch, horses have been a part of his life since childhood. He also has a degree in Animal Science and previously worked as an Animal Nutritionist (specializing in Equine Nutrition). Ben and Buster will be well taken care of with their own pasture, including fresh water, feed, shelter, and veterinary care when necessary.
8. Can you ride them?
No, Ben and Buster have not been trained as riding horses, but once they get settled into their new home and environment, we may train them to be ridden by staff for trail patrol.
9. What is the difference between a riding horse and a draft horse?
All horses can be ridden with the proper training. The biggest differences between a light riding horse and a draft riding horse is their size and breed genetics. The average light riding horse weighs around 1,000 pounds compared to a draft horse that weighs o 1,800 pounds on average.
10. Is pulling a wagon hard on them?
No, Percheron horses are capable of pulling up to three times their own body weight. Ben and Buster were born and raised in an Amish Settlement Community where they were trained to pull farm equipment (they were essentially used as a tractor), hay swather and haulers, and carriages.
They enjoy the work that they have been trained to do. They are like any athlete. With the proper diet, workout routine, conditioning, and rest, they are quite happy to pull the hay wagon with guests through the Backcountry Wilderness Area.
(Example) The hay wagon with 20, 200 pound people on it would only weigh 5,000 pounds. The weight is distributed over four easy rolling wheels that make the weight not count as dead weight. Ben and Buster together weigh close to two tons (4,000 lbs). Their pulling capability is roughly 6,000 lbs per horse.
11. How do we meet them?
We will be spending a lot of time in the coming weeks getting Ben and Buster used to us and their new home and getting them in shape. Their first hay ride will be very soon though and we may even bring them around to some of the recreation centers to introduce them. Stay tuned to our facebook page for updates. www.facebook.com/HRCABackcountry .
12. Will there be sleigh rides?
Yes. When there is enough snow in the winter time, there will be sleigh rides offered. Since weather is unpredictable – these rides will be scheduled as soon as possible. You can also create and customize sleigh rides for a party, family, or business outing. Please contact Eric.Grover@hrcaonline.org for information and booking.
13. Where will they live?
Ben and Buster will have several pastures in which they will live in the Backcountry Wilderness Area; but they will spend most of their time in a pasture where we begin most of our hayrides.
14. Will they be okay without a barn?
Yes. In fact, Ben and Buster have never lived in a barn. While speaking with their previous owner, he mentioned that Ben and Buster were never comfortable inside a barn and preferred to be outside.
15. Are horses okay when the temperature gets really cold?
Yes. In fact, horses thrive in colder weather if they have the proper nutrition, fresh water, and a place to get out of the wind. Horses start to grow winter hair coats in the fall to prepare for the winter months and cold. Shortened daylight hours triggers them to start to grow longer, thicker hair coats.
16. Will they have blankets?
No. Ben and Buster will not have blankets. They have never needed blankets due to their incredible adaptability to cold weather and their thick coats. Blanketing horses is typically done with show horses whose owners do not want them to grow thick hair coats for the wintertime. Blanketing horses can actually have a negative impact on the efficiency of their natural method of staying warm.
17. Are they friendly?
Yes, Ben and Buster are nice friendly horses. Similar to people, they have personalities. Ben tends to be pretty straight forward and down to business, not liking a lot of personal attention. Buster on the other hand is a social butterfly that loves to have attention and contact.
18. Where are they from?
Ben and Buster originally came from an Amish settlement in Iowa. We purchased them from Westcliffe, CO, just west of Pueblo, CO
19. What do they eat?
Ben and Buster will eat grass hay, alfalfa hay, grass that grows in their pastures and supplements with vitamins and minerals.
Article links:
http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/living-outside-year-round.html
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/info-coldweather-man.htm
http://www.acreageequines.com/horsecare/horsecare10.htm
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-keeping/cold-winter-horse-keeping.aspx