Draft horse

{{Short description|Large horse bred for heavy work}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{About|a type of heavy horse|the cartoon short|The Draft Horse}} {{Redirect|Workhorse}}

[[File:Aa shirehorse.jpg|thumb|A draft horse is generally a large, heavy horse suitable for farm labor, like this Shire horse.]]

A '''draft horse''' (US) or '''draught horse''' (UK), also known as '''dray horse''', '''carthorse''', '''work horse''' or '''heavy horse''', is a large horse bred to pull heavy loads and work agricultural tasks such as plowing. There are a number of breeds, with varying characteristics, but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament. While indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers, draft horses today are used for many purposes, such as driving, logging, and farming, as well as recreation and showing. Draft horses have been crossed with light riding breeds, such as the Thoroughbred, to create sport horse and warmblood breeds.

==Characteristics==

thumb|Comparison of a typical-sized carriage horse (top) to a heavy draft horse (bottom) Draft horses are recognizable by their extremely muscular build. They tend to have broad, short backs with powerful hindquarters. In general, they are taller and tend to have heavier bone and a more upright shoulder than riding horses, producing conformation that is well suited for pulling. Many draft breeds have heavier hair, called feathering on their lower legs. Draft breeds range from approximately {{convert|16|to|19|hands|cm|lk=in|order=flip|abbr=in}} high and from {{convert|1,400|to|2000|lb|abbr=on|order=flip}}. Draft horses are much larger than riding horses, and have a more muscular build than coach horses, which were large and strong enough to pull large driving vehicles.{{r|price|p=46}}

== Background and history ==

Humans domesticated horses and used them to perform a variety of duties, including hauling heavy loads, plowing fields, and other tasks that required pulling ability. A heavy, calm, patient, and well-muscled animal was desired for this work. Conversely, a light, more energetic horse was needed for riding and rapid transport. Thus, to the extent possible, a certain amount of selective breeding was used to develop different types of horse for different types of work.{{r|hj-hotdh}}

It is a common misunderstanding that the Destrier that carried the armoured knight of the Middle Ages had the size and conformation of a modern draft horse, and some of these Medieval war horses may have provided some bloodlines for some of the modern draft breeds. The reality was that the high-spirited, quick-moving Destrier was closer to the size, build, and temperament of a modern Andalusian or Friesian. There were also horses of more phlegmatic temperaments used for pulling military wagons or performing ordinary farm work, which provided bloodlines of the modern draft horse. Records indicate that even medieval drafts were not as large as those today. Of the modern draft breeds, the Percheron probably has the closest ties to the medieval war horse.<ref name="Mischka">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDbxrKedorEC&q=The+Percheron+Horse+in+America&pg=PP1 |title=The Percheron Horse in America|first= Joseph|last= Mischka|year=1991|publisher=Mischka Press/Heart Prairie |isbn=9780962266355}}</ref>

thumb|upright|Draft horses plowing By the 19th century, horses weighing more than {{convert|1,600|lb}} that also moved at a quick pace were in demand. Tall stature, muscular backs, and powerful hindquarters made the draft horse a source of horsepower for farming, hauling freight and moving passengers. The advent of railroads actually increased demand for working horses, as materials and products of a growing economy still needed to be transported to and from the goods yard or rail stations.{{r|Bradley}}

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, thousands of draft horses were imported from Western Europe into the United States—Percherons came from France, Brabants from Belgium, Shires from England, and Clydesdales from Scotland—and breed registries were established in the US for the imported breeds. The Percheron, with 40,000 broodmares registered as of 1915, was America's most numerous draft breed at the turn of the 20th century.<ref name="Mischka"/> There was one draft breed developed in the US, the American Cream Draft, with a stud book established in 1944.{{r|acdha-history}}

Over half a million draft horses were used during World War I. The British were importing American draft horses to supplement their dwindling stock even before America joined the war, preferring Percheron crosses that they felt had "great endurance, fine physique, soundness, activity, willingness to work, and almost unfailing good temper". British buyers were buying 10,000 to 25,000 American horses and mules a month, eventually making up about two-thirds of British Army war horses.{{r|purdy|page=118}}

However, beginning in the late 19th century, and with increasing mechanization of agriculture in the 20th century, especially following World War I in the US and after World War II in Europe, the popularity of the internal combustion engine, and particularly the tractor, reduced the need for the draft horse. Many were sold to slaughter, and several breeds went into significant decline.{{r|hj-hotdh}}{{r|dutson|pp=141,348,362}}

=== Vehicles ===

thumb|A carter and his two draft horses, circa 1910 Draft horses have been used to pull heavy wheeled vehicles such as: * horsecars (trams on rails) * horsebuses (horse-drawn buses) * Gypsy Vardos * lorries and trolleys (delivery and haulage) * heavy freight wagons like the Conestoga wagon and all manner of wagons * large haulage carts

== Modern uses ==

thumb|Modern draft horses Today, draft horses can be seen in horse shows, pulling competitions, heavy horse trials, parades pulling large wagons, pulling tourist carriages, and they are still seen on some smaller farms in the US and Europe. They are still used by agrarian groups such as the Amish and Mennonites. Draft horses are used for logging in dense woodland where there is insufficient space for mechanized vehicles or for other conservation considerations. Draft horses are still used to tow some canal boats in England.{{r|hj-hotdh|hj-barge}}

Draft horse breeds have played a significant role in the development of many warmblood breeds, popular today in advanced-level equine sports.{{r|price|p=231}}

Small areas still exist where draft horses are widely used as transportation due to legislation preventing automotive traffic, such as on Mackinac Island in the United States.{{r|mack}}

==Care==

Management of a large draft horse can be costly, including feed, shoeing, and veterinary care. Although many draft horses can work without a need for shoes, if they are required, farriers may charge twice the price to shoe a draft horse as a light riding horse because of the extra labor and specialized equipment required.<ref>{{cite web|title=Do Drafts Need Shoes? - Farming|url=http://www.farmingmagazine.com/livestock/do-drafts-need-shoes/|website=Farming|access-date=14 May 2017|date=9 September 2015}}</ref> Historically, draft horses were shod with horseshoes that were significantly wider and heavier than those for other types of horses, custom-made, often with caulkins.<ref>{{cite book|title=Wallace's Monthly: An Illustrated Magazine Devoted to Domesticated Animal Nature|date=1885|publisher=B. Singerly|page=496|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BtZIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA496|language=en}}</ref>

The draft horse's metabolism is a bit slower than lighter horse breeds, more akin to that of ponies, requiring less feed per pound of body weight. This is possibly due to their calmer nature. Nonetheless, because of their sheer size, most require a significant amount of feed per day. Generally, a supplement to balance nutrients is preferred over a large quantity of grain. They consume hay or other forage from 1.5% to 3% of their body weight per day, depending on work level. They also can drink up to {{convert|25|gal|order=flip}} of water a day. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and risk of laminitis can be a concern.<ref>{{Multiref2 |1={{cite web|title=Feeding Your Draft Horse: Nutritional Feed Requirements - Triple Crown Feed|url=https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeding-your-draft-horse-nutritional-feed-requirements/|website=Triple Crown Feed|access-date=14 May 2017|date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207145809/https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeding-your-draft-horse-nutritional-feed-requirements/ |archive-date=December 7, 2018}} |2={{cite web|title=Feeding Draft Horses|url=http://www.equinews.com/article/feeding-draft-horses|website=Equinews|access-date=14 May 2017|date=17 October 2011}} |3={{cite web|title=Nutritional Management of Draft Horses|url=http://www.equinews.com/article/nutritional-management-draft-horses|website=Equinews|access-date=14 May 2017|date=16 December 2011}} }}</ref>

== World records ==

[[File:Brooklyn Supreme (horse).jpg|thumb|Brooklyn Supreme]] The largest horse in recorded history was probably a Shire born in 1846 named Sampson (renamed Mammoth). He stood {{convert|21.2|hands|cm|lk=in|abbr=in}} high, and his peak weight was estimated at {{convert|1524|kg}}.<ref name=largesthorse>{{cite book | last1=Whitaker|first1= Julie |last2=Whitelaw|first2= Ian |title=The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-312-37108-1|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tGq6_369WS0C}}</ref><ref name="guin">{{Cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/70453-tallest-horse-ever |title=Tallest horse ever |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref> Brooklyn Supreme (1928–1948) was a Belgian draft horse, {{convert|19.2|hands|cm|lk=in|abbr=in}} high and weighed {{convert|3200|lb|0|abbr=on}}. At over {{convert|19|hands|cm|lk=in|abbr=in}}, a Shire gelding named Goliath (1977–2001) was the Guinness Book of World Records record holder for the world's tallest ''living'' horse (until his death).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehorse.com/16637/living-large-the-death-of-a-giant/ |url-access=registration |title=Living Large: The Death of a Giant |access-date=2009-10-08|date=November 1, 2001|last=Jurga|first= Fran|website=The Horse}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.northcotehorses.com/goliath |title=Wandle Goliath |website=Northcote Heavy Horse Centre}}</ref> Big Jake (2001–2021), an American Belgian standing {{convert|20.275|hands|cm|lk=in|abbr=in}}, held the record for tallest living horse from 2010 until his death in 2021. As of 2024, there is no living record holder.{{r|guin}}

==Draft breeds==

The following breeds of horse are considered draft breeds:{{r|edwards|hendricks|dcboa|okstate}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}} * American Belgian Draft * American Cream Draft * Ardennais * Auxois * Belgian Draught/Brabant * Boulonnais * Breton * Clydesdale * Comtois * Dølehest * Dutch Draft * Estonian Draft * Finnhorse * Fjord * Freiberger (Franches-Montagnes) * Friesian * Haflinger * Irish Draught * Italian Heavy Draft * Jutland * Latvian * Lithuanian Heavy Draught * Malopolski * Međimurje (Murakoz) * Noriker * North Swedish Horse * Novoolexandrian Draught * Percheron * Pfalz-Ardenner * Rhenish German Coldblood (Rhineland Heavy Draught) * Russian Heavy Draft * Schleswig Coldblood * Shire * Sokolski * South German Coldblood * Soviet Heavy Draft * Suffolk Punch * Swedish Ardennes * Trait du Maine (extinct) * Trait du Nord * Vladimir Heavy Draft {{div col end}}

== See also == * Driving (horse) * Heavy warmblood * {{Section link|Working animal|Draft animals}} * {{Section link|Ox|Uses and comparison to horses}} * {{Annotated link|Meat horse}}

==References== <references>

<ref name="acdha-history">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.acdha.org/history |website=American Cream Draft Horse Association}}</ref>

<ref name="Bradley">{{cite book |last1=Bradley |first1=Simon |title=The Railways: Nation, Network & People |date=2015 |publisher=Profile Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84668-209-4 |pages=348–349 |ol=30715586M}}</ref>

<ref name="dcboa">{{Cite web |url=http://draftcrossbreedersandowners.com/blog2/register-a-horse/ |title=List of breeds |archive-date=2015-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823045312/http://draftcrossbreedersandowners.com/blog2/register-a-horse/ |url-status=dead |website=DCBOA}}</ref>

<ref name=dutson>{{cite book|title=Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America|last=Dutson |first=Judith|publisher=Storey Publishing|year=2005|isbn=1-58017-613-5 |ol=3406094M}}</ref>

<ref name="edwards">{{Cite book |first=Elwyn Hartley |last=Edwards |author-link=Elwyn Hartley Edwards |year=2008 |orig-year=1994 |title=The Encyclopedia of the Horse |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=9780756628949 |ol=21938319M}}</ref>

<ref name="hendricks">{{cite book |year=1995 |title=International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds |last=Hendricks |first=Bonnie |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=0806127538 |ol=1279627M}}</ref>

<ref name="hj-barge">{{Cite web |title=Horses with Jobs: Barge Horses |url=https://www.horsejournals.com/popular/history-heritage/horses-jobs-barge-horses |date=October 17, 2025 |first=Margaret |last=Evans |website=Horse Journals}}</ref>

<ref name="hj-hotdh">{{Cite web |title=History of the Draft Horse: The Muscle-Men of the Horse World |url=https://www.horsejournals.com/popular/history-heritage/history-draft-horse-muscle-men-horse-world |website=Horse Journals |date=August 11, 2019}}</ref>

<ref name="mack">{{Cite web |title=Mackinac Island Fact Sheet |url=http://www.mackinacisland.org/pdfs/mackinacislandfactsheet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529014639/http://www.mackinacisland.org/pdfs/mackinacislandfactsheet.pdf |archive-date=May 29, 2008 |website=Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau}}</ref>

<ref name="okstate">{{Cite web |url=https://breeds.okstate.edu/horses/ |title=Breeds of Horses |website=Oklahoma State University|date=January 19, 2021 }}</ref>

<ref name="price">{{Cite book |last1=Price |first1=Steven D. |last2=Shiers |first2=Jessie |title=The Lyons Press Horseman's Dictionary |publisher=Lyons Press |location=Guilford, CT |year=2007 |edition=Revised |isbn=978-1-59921-036-0 |ol=8901304M}}</ref>

<ref name="purdy">{{Cite book |last=Purdy |first=C.S. |title= The Equine Legacy : How horses, mules, and donkeys shaped America |year=2016 |isbn=9780997515909 |publisher=Mozaic Press}}</ref>

</references>

{{Horse topics}} {{Working animals}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Draft Horse}} Category:Types of horse Category:Animal-powered transport *