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Draft Horses
Information and Horse Care for Draft Horse Breeds

Family: EquidaeMore Draft Horse InformationEquus caballusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

Draft Horses are very strong, patient, and have docile demeanor!

Draft Horses are the largest of the horse breeds and are often named for the country where they originated. They were bred for hard, heavy tasks like pulling heavy loads, plowing fields, and other tasks requiring a stout workhorse.

   There are a numerous heavy horse breeds. They varying in size and other characteristics., but all share some important traits that have made them invaluable in their service to man. They are very strong, patient, and have docile demeanor.

     The personality of the Draft horses is sweet tempered. They have a natural curiosity and willingness to learn, which has led to their being well suited to a variety of pursuits. As a workhorse they are used for farm work and commercial carriage horses. For pleasure they are used for driving, trail riding, parades, and showing. Draft horses make wonderful companion horses.

Draft Horse Backgrounds

   The use of Heavy Horses throughout history has been a critical aid in the civilization of man. The Draft Horse is well known as a workhorse. The familiar names of Draft Horse, Draught Horse, and Dray Horse describe these horse by what they were developed for, pulling a heavy load.

     The term 'draft' is defined as the act of pulling loads or something that is pulled or drawn. However it can actually apply to any animal that is used to pull or draw loads, such as dogs, oxen and other farm animals, as well as other smaller horses. "Dray" is a similar term, derived from the Anglo-Saxon term for to haul or to draw.

     The heavier draft horse was developed from the bulkier type of equine found in the northern hemisphere. These hardy horses evolved to survive in a colder harsher climate. They are much heavier and broader than the light horses.
The modern draft horse is believed to have the bloodlines of these earlier large equines. In the middle ages, horses of great strength and stamina became popular war horses, being easily able to carry a heavily armored knight into battle. As early as the roman times, Europeans used huge types of horses for heavy labor. They were used for pulling heavy loads in cities as well as for farm work.

     Into the 1900's the draft horses were used for practical work pulling wagons and plowing fields. Large farm horses demonstrating a calm, constant and unemotional temperament were used for pulling military wagons. After World War II and the development of the internal combustion engine, the need for draft horses diminished greatly. Many were sold to slaughter houses and the number of breeds began to drastically decline. Since the later part of the 1900's, dedicated breeders have begun efforts to pull a number of breeds back from the brink of extinction.

Horse Facts About Draft Horses

     The Draft horse breeds are referred to as cold blood breeds, in reference to their quiet and calm temperament. Also known as the Heavy Horse, these are the largest of the horse breeds. Draft breeds weigh 1600 pounds or more and stand about 15.2 to 20 hands high from the ground to their withers, one hand equals 4 inches. They are slower, but more powerful than the light horse.

     Draft horses are tall in stature, heavy boned, and extremely muscular. They have a shorter back and strong hindquarters. Their shoulders tend to be more upright, making their movement and conformation well suited for pulling. Many of the heavy horses have long hair called 'feathering' on their lower legs. The head profile is either straight or one that is convex, giving the "Roman nose" appearance.

Draft Horse Breeds

     Today Heavy horses are still used on small farms, but they are most often seen by the public at shows. They are popular in pulling competitions and as show animals. The popular Heavy horses found in North America are:

• Clydesdale
• Belgian
• Percheron
• Suffolk Punch
• Shire
• American Cream
• Spotted
• French Mulassier.

     The Belgian Draft horse is probably more plentiful than any other breed In the United States. It is still used on small farms as well as being shown publicly in Draft shows and pulling contests. The Percheron, which probably has the closest ties to the Medieval war horse, is another regular, doing work as well as seen publicly in Draft shows, pulling contests and jumping. The Shire, too, will often be a regular in draft shows and riding shows. But perhaps the most familiar of these Draft breeds is the Clydesdale, being represented by the highly publicized and famous Annheiser-Busch teams.

     There are numerous Draft horses breeds common in Europe, but not in North America. These include:

• Comtois
• Rhinelander
• Auxois
• Avelignese
• Ardennes
• Australian Draught Horse
• Boulonnai
• Breton
• Dutch Draught
• Dole Gudbrandsda
• Irish Draught
• Pinzgauer Noriker
• Trait Du Nord.
  

Horse Care Tips

     The Draft horse is gentle natured with a sweet personality. There are a number of different breeds, with varying characteristics, but all share the common traits of strength, patience and a docile temperament. They are proud, alert, and intelligent and they are noted for having common sense. With a natural curiosity and willingness to learn, Draft horses make wonderful companion horses.

Feeding:
     Draft horses are big eaters. They will consume about twice as much as other horses They can easily eat about 25 to 50 pounds of hay a day, plus about 5 pounds of concentrated feed if they are being exercised.

Housing:
   Because of their size, the draft horse needs a very large stall if kept inside. They need more room than other horses, for example a 24' x 24' stall would be the minimum size for a Clydesdale. If kept indoors they need to be turned out into a paddock daily.They will do very well in a pasture or on dry lot.

Ailments:
     Most Draft horses are easy keepers. They are not particularly prone to health problems. Good grooming is essential, however, as their coats can get heavy in cold climates. Also the hair around their ankles can attract bacteria in the soil, making them susceptible to "scratches" or pododermititis. This problem is more prevalent in horses that are subjected to wet muddy conditions for extended periods of time. Horses with white feet seem also to be more susceptible to scratches.

Horse Class - Equestrian Disciplines and Uses

     Draft horses are adaptable to many situations and types of work. They lend themselves well to a variety of pursuits. As a workhorse they are used for farm work and commercial carriage horses. They have a graceful elegant style and are often exhibited in parades and used for showing.

     Though most Draft horses are used for and excel at driving, they can also be ridden. People use them for trail riding and dressage. Some of the lighter breeds perform well under saddle and many are capable jumpers. With their calm personalities some are used for therapeutic riding programs, helping people with disabilities learn to walk by the feel of the horse's movement. Draft horses are often crossed with lighter breeds to create a large light horse. By adding the strength of the draft horse, it creates a durable competitive sport horse.

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