Draft horses are usually large, muscular horses that were created by breeders for manual labor. Draft is a term that means to pull or draw a cart. This tells you what the animal’s purpose is. These horses are strong, patient, and easygoing. You’ve come to a good place if you’re looking for a horse to draft on your farm. We have compiled a comprehensive list of horses after doing extensive research. So you can make informed purchases, we’ll show you pictures and give you some information about each horse.
1. American Cream Draft
American Cream Draft, a workhorse that hails from the United States, is a rare find. The unique champagne-colored gold of the American Cream Draft is what gives it its name. The breed’s demand declined as technology in agriculture improved during the 20th century. Today, its population is very low.
Height: 18-19.5 inches (6-6.5 feet).
Weight: 1,500 – 2,200 pounds
2. Ardennes
The Ardennes can be traced back to Ancient Rome. You’ll be able to see why the breed survived all these years by looking at its muscular body. It is a native of lands with dense forests, rolling hills, ridges, and other hilly terrains. It was often used as a military horse by its owners, but its strength makes it an excellent farmhand.
Height: 18-19.5 inches (6-6.5 feet).
Weight: 1,500 – 2,200 pounds
3. Belgian Draft
Image Credit: OlesyaNickolaeva, Shutterstock
Belgian Draft is a strong horse breed that originated in Belgium. This horse is usually kept by its owners as a farmhand. It can also pull carts and plow. This horse is the most well-known draft horse in America and is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile and powerful horse.
Height: 16.5-19.5 inches (5.5-6.5 feet).
Weight: 1,800 – 2,200 pounds
4. Clydesdale
Clydesdale horses are a large breed, often standing over 6 feet tall. The mane that falls above the hooves is a sign of its size. The Clydesdale horse has changed over time and is now smaller than their forefathers. These horses are often paraded by their owners, and many people will recognize them for being Budweiser horses.
Height: 18-21 (6-7 feet).
Weight: 1,900 – 2,700 pounds
5. Friesian
The Netherlands is the origin of the Friesian horse. It is agile and graceful, and it has a mane that hangs over its hooves much like the Clydesdale. It was a common horse that carried armor-bearing knights, and people today use modern Friesian horses to ride as well as for farm work.
Height: 18-21 (6-7 feet).
Weight: 1,900 – 2,700 pounds
6. Fjord
Norway’s Fjord draft horse has a unique appearance. It is medium-sized with a long, arched neck. It has a thick mane that is often trimmed to accent its neck.
Height: 18-21 (6-7 feet).
Weight: 1,900 – 2,700 pounds
7. Haflinger
The Haflinger, a horse from Austria or Northern Italy, is the Haflinger. This horse is one of the smaller draft horses. They are small but have lots of energy and can be ridden. They sport a gorgeous chestnut coat.
Height: 13.5-15 fingers (4.5-5 feet).
Weight: 800 – 1,300 pounds
8. Irish Draft
The Irish Draft is an excellent worker who is extremely confident on their feet. The 12th century is the time it was born. This horse is primarily used by its owners for showjumping. Because the Irish Draft is grazed year-round, it receives most of its nutrients from grazing. This makes it a popular choice for ranchers in the south.
Height: 15-18 inches (5-6 feet).
Weight: 1,300 – 1,400 pounds
9. Percheron
Percheron, a French draft horse, is often colored grey or black. However, it can also display multiple patterns. It is characterized by large eyes and small ears. It is one of the most popular draft horses in America, with 75% of its total population. It is still very popular in France, where the Percheron is used for food and work.
Height: 15-18 inches (5-6 feet).
Weight: 1,600 – 2,300 pounds
10. Shire
Shire horses are a large breed, which can be colored either black, grey, or bay. This horse was used by owners to pull delivery vehicles. These horses are now used for plowing and riding. These horses are rare, unfortunately.
Height: 16-19 inches (5.3-6.3 feet).
Weight: 1,800 – 2,500 pounds
11. Suffolk Punch
The Suffolk Punch horse is an English horse of chestnut color. It is energetic and strong enough to do many tasks on the farm. Although it was popular in the early 20th century, its numbers are declining steadily and it is listed as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Height: 15-18 inches (5-6 feet).
Weight: 1,975 – 2,425 pounds
Last Thoughts
We hope that you enjoyed looking through these breeds and found some you like. We recommend the Percheron or Belgian Percheron. They are strong enough for any job you might have and they are popular enough that it is easy to find one at a reasonable price. Although they may be harder to find or more expensive, they are still attractive and well worth the investment if you have a particular trait.
We are glad to help you with your questions. Please share this list of 11 draft horses that are commonly used for work on Facebook or Twitter.
What are the three different kinds of draft horses?
Draft Horses are Important Clinical Points Percheron, Belgian, Shire, and Clydesdale are common breeds that are utilized for hauling, plowing and farm work.
Why are draft horses so enormous?
There are no records of its breed, but it certainly originated from a line of horses who were raised to be enormous and muscular through many years. Draft horses are horses that are specifically bred to draw or pull large loads. The horse is still standing, with the left leg locked at the kneecap.
Which horse is the most powerful?
Belgian Proposals Belgian Draft No. 1: Belgian Drafts The Belgian draft is the world’s strongest horse. The Belgian Draft reaches up to 18 hands tall and 2000 pounds, making it taller than many of the world’s strongest horses. Belgian horses are exceptionally muscular and strong, despite not being the biggest or stoutest breed on our list.
Do draft horses enjoy being ridden?
While many draft horse owners still utilize their hefty horses for comparable forms of work and/or competition, there is an increasing interest in riding the “gentle giants.” “You may ride your draft horse(s),” Teresa Stull of the Percheron Horse Association of America in Fredericktown, Ohio, remarked.
How long does a draft horse have to live?
Caring for draft horses is significantly less demanding than caring for riding horses. The robust working animals, who normally stay productive for 15 to 20 years of their 25 to 30-year life span, will undoubtedly appreciate a traditional horse barn with stalls, but they will not demand it.
What is the largest draft horse in the world?
The tallest horse on record is Shire horse Sampson, who was born in Bedfordshire in 1846 and reached 21.212hh; whereas across the pond, Belgian Draft colt Big Jake was measured at little under 20.3hh in Wisconsin in 2010, setting a Guinness World Record.
What is the world’s most beautiful horse?
The horse of Akhal-Teke The Akhal-Teke horse is comparable to a golden statue in its beauty. In the sunshine, his thin skin appears almost metallic. Buzzfeed.com ranks the Akhal-Teke as the most beautiful horse in the world.
Which horse do the majority of cowboys ride?
Quarter Horse of America Quarter Horse of America Quarter Horses are strong sprinters who were named for their ability to outrun any other breed in races of a quarter mile or shorter. Their tiny mobility makes them especially appealing in rodeo sports like reining and cutting. Cowboys ride horses like this.
Are draft horses quick?
Despite their height and weight, these horses are exceptionally swift and agile, weighing roughly 1870 pounds and standing 15.1-16.1 hands.
What breeds of horses are classified as draft horses?
The traditional list in North America included five draft horse breeds: Belgian, Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, and Suffolk. Draft horses are recognized by the Draft Cross Breeders and Owners Association as the following breeds: Draft American Cream.