Draft Horse

A draft horse is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as farm work, pulling wagons, plowing fields and hauling heavy loads. There are a number of different breeds, with varying characteristics but all share the common traits of strength, patience and a quiet temperament. Some of the most common draft breeds are described below.

The Clydesdale was developed in the early 19th century by farmers in the Lanarkshire (previously Clydesdale) district of Scotland.  They can stand as tall as 20 hands in height and can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds. Clydesdales come in several possible colors, including various shades of bay, chestnut or black.  Their most distinctive markings include four white feet and a blaze, some horses sport a white "bald face" marking which extends to the lips and chin and may also extend to the eyes. They have feathering on their legs, which is the long silky hair on the legs that flows to the ground.

The Clydesdale became a symbol of the Anheuser-Busch beer company and the Budweiser Clydesdales have appeared in many of their television commercials. The Clydesdale also excels as a carriage driving horse, sport horse, trail horse and as a therapeutic riding mount.

The Percheron is a powerfully rugged breed originating in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons were first used as battle mounts during the Middle Ages. When war horses were no longer needed the Percheron took on new roles such as pulling coaches and working on farms.

Horses of this breed range in height from 15 to 19 hands high, and the average weight is 1,900 pounds. They have a very pleasant disposition and are proud, alert and intelligent. They are generally very gentle and strong willing workers.

Percherons can be chestnut, sorrel or bay, but the most common colors are black and grey.  Percherons are used today to perform many tasks such as logging, pleasure driving, riding, sleigh rides, farm work, and show competitions.

The Belgian, which comes from the West-Brabantian region of Belgium, is one of the strongest of the draft breeds.  The normal color is a type of light chestnut sometimes called a "sorrel," with a flaxen mane and tail. On average, the Belgian weighs in a little over 2,000 pounds and measures up to 17 hands high.

They are able to pull very heavy loads and are outstanding as working farm animals, but also are used as trail riding horses and show ring competitors. There are more Belgian horses in the United States than any other draft breed.

One of the largest horses in the world, the Shire, originated in England and is a descendant of the Old English Black Horse whose ancestors were the “great horses” of medieval times.  A Shire horse can be black, bay, or gray. The legs usually have white stockings or socks with "feathering.” They average around 17.2 hands and weigh about 2,000 pounds.

Used as delivery horses for many breweries in England, the Shire has also been excellent at farm work and more recently used to create heavy hunter-type sport horses when crossed with Thoroughbreds.

For more information on draft breeds visit the Percheron Horse Association of America at www.percheronhorse.org, the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA at http://www.clydesusa.com the A,merican Shire Horse Association at www.shirehorse.org, Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America at www.belgiancorp.com, or the Jefferson County Draft Horse Association at www.jcdha.com