![]() ![]() The appearance of the Clydesdale has changed considerably over the centuries. Their ancestors include the Shire and Flemish horses that were crossed with local mares. These high-stepping horses stand out with their silky white feathers and are most commonly bay in color.Ĭlydesdales were developed over in Scotland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They have beautiful intelligent eyes, muscular bodies, and well-arched necks. These stunning horses are best known for pulling the world-famous Budweiser hitch, which is truly a sight to behold.Ĭlydesdales typically stand between 16-18 hands tall and weigh between 1,700-2,200 pounds. ClydesdaleĬlydesdales are perhaps the most recognizable breed of draft horses. Although the breed has stabilized somewhat, it is still considered at risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Sadly, the number of Shire horses has drastically fallen during the mid-20th century. These magnificent horses have also claimed many world records, as the title for the largest horse ever belongs to a Shire named Samson (later Mammoth) born in 1846 who was 21.2 hands tall and weighed an impressive 3,360 pounds. Their deep shoulders and wide chests make them a powerful pulling horse.Ĭonsidered the largest horse breed, a Shire horse can easily pull a load of several tonnes! In fact, Shires hold the record for the most weight pulled by a pair of horses after two Shires pulled an enormous 50-tonne load back in 1924. Today Shires are commonly used for plowing, driving and riding, and are wonderful show horses. As the breed developed, they were used for agriculture, hauling and even as a war horse during WWI and WWII. They are believed to be descendants of the Great English Horse that carried men into battle. Shire horses were established as a breed in the mid-1800s in the United Kingdom, though their origins are much older than that. They are known for their well-arched necks, slight Roman noses, muscled bodies, feathering, and are often black, bay or gray in color. Shires usually stand between 16-18 hands tall and generally weigh between 1,800-2,400 pounds. Powerful and mighty, Shire horses are known for their incredible strength and size. 8 most common draft & work horse breeds Shire And so it happened that draft horses found their place in modern society and thrive once again. Luckily, dedicated enthusiasts and breed societies have worked extremely hard to preserve these breeds for future generations. Though machinery may have taken the majority of jobs that were once held by draft horses, today they are still used for showing, pleasure riding and driving, logging, and plowing small farms. By the 1950s and ’60s, their numbers were critically low. The mechanization and technical advances of the early 20th century has nearly caused the extinction of many work horse breeds. During WWI and WWII, these hardy horses were used for the transportation of heavy equipment on the battlefield. People used draft breeds as their primary source of horsepower, which helped lead to the rise of the Industrial Revolution.Įven as farm machinery and cars rose to power, many people still relied on draft horses to get the job done. Draft horses were commonly being used for farm work, hauling freight and pulling large carriages. The draft horses we know today rose to popularity in the 19th century, when the demand for a large powerful horse grew. However, though sturdy, these horses were not as large as modern-day draft horses. During medieval times, larger horses were being bred for war and farming. Over thousands of years, humans have carefully bred horses for different purposes. Also known as cold-blooded or work horses, most stand between 16-19 hands tall, typically weighing upwards of 1,500 pounds. The most common draft horse breeds are the Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron, Belgian Draft, and Haflinger. Selective breeding has led to the development of several different breeds. Draft horse breeds are commonly known for their well-muscled builds and docile temperaments, with many breeds sporting feathering on their legs.įor hundreds of years, people have relied on draft horses to perform hard labor. However, what is a draft horse?Ī draft horse is a large horse that has been bred to do heavy work, such as plowing, farming, forestry, and hauling large loads. Aside from their beauty, find out how these horses have played an important role throughout human history. Learn Moreīig, powerful, and beautiful, draft horses are truly a sight to behold.
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