Breeds of Horses - Draft Horse Breeds

A draft animal is any domestic animal used to pull heavy loads. The Belgian, Clydesdale, Suffolk, Shire, and Percheron horses have been bred specifically to serve as draft animals. Generally weighing approximately 1600 pounds and standing at least 16 hands high, these horses possess docile and obedient natures.

A harness is necessary in using draft horses for working in agriculture or pulling cart or carriages. The harness allows the transfer of the animal's muscle power to the object being drawn.

Belgian

    * Thick muscles
    * Heavy bodies
    * Short legs 16 - 17 hands
    * 1800 - 2200 pounds
    * Black, bay, chestnut, sorrel, roan


This breed is descended from the Flemish "great horse" - the medieval battle horse native to the Low Countries.

The Clydesdale

    * 17 - 18 hands
    * 2000 pounds
    * Bay, dark brown, black,
       white markings
    * High leg action
    * Feathery hair on legs
    * Well formed legs & feet

The Percheron

    * 16 - 17 hands
    * 1900 - 2100 pounds
    * Fairly small, clean head
    * Long neck
    * Well muscled body
    * Agile and energetic
       with mild disposition
    * Black, gray

Originating in the Perche region of
France, this breed likely descends
from the Flemish "great horse". The Percheron was developed by adding Oriental blood to develop a coach horse type; and again by the addition of draft blood to produce animals for heavy farm work. The Percheron were imported to the United States after 1851, becoming one of the most influential breeds in agriculture.

The Shire

    * 17 hands
    * Up to 2000 pounds
    * Massive and somewhat
       coarse in build
    * feathers on feet
    * Bay, brown, black,
       gray, chestnut

Native to the middle of England, this
breed descended from the English "great horse" which carried men in full armour that often weighted as much as 400 pounds. Shires were improved by breeding mares from Holland to English stallions.

The Suffolk

    * Compact and round
    * Thick, short necks, legs, backs
    * Docile but powerful
    * 15.2 - 16.2 hands
    * 1600 - 2000 pounds
    * Always chestnut in color

Also known as the Suffolk Punch, the smallest draft horse breed, originated in Suffolk, England. Also descended from the medieval "great horse", it is an old breed that has likely had less crossing with other lines than most draft breeds. All registered Suffolks in the United States and England trace their lineage to Crisp's Horse (1768).

Letters from Readers:

I found your website useful in clearing up a dispute about whether or not draft horses like the shire and clydesdale were part of the Morgan Horse's origins. One teacher at school claims that the Morgan Horse has draft horse blood. I feel that it might be possible for the Morgan Horse's origins to have the light draft variety but not the heavy draft variety. These versitile horses have a very colorful history. Thank you so much for the information you posted on your webpage. Though I don't own a horse of my own in reality, I still learn as much as I can about them. B.

Dear B.,

Thank you for your nice email. I am glad you found www.huntersponyfarm.com useful to you. Was your dispute settled? ~ Pam Hunter

yes my dispute was settled and now I can continue working on my schoolwork while I learn more about horses. Hopefully after highschool I can pursue a career working with horses but if I find the courses difficult I know I can still have a life around horses. A life without horses to me is like having no life at all. B.