| The word "draft" originally comes from "draught," an | | | | After the second World War, America began to turn |
| old word that means "to pull something." From early | | | | to automobiles and mechanized farm machinery, and |
| plows to carriages to fire trucks, draft horses have | | | | the popularity of the draft horse declined. However, |
| pulled them all. Without strong draft horse breeds, this | | | | today, thanks to environmental movements, a desire |
| country wouldn't have been built. The original work | | | | for mobility and agility and fuel efficiency woes, draft |
| horse plowed the farms, provided transportation and | | | | horse breeds are coming back in style. For example, |
| helped to build the great American railroads. With the | | | | parts of the small-scale logging industry have returned |
| onset of the automobile, the number of draft horse | | | | to using draft horses to remove timber. Because the |
| breeds in the U.S. rapidly declined, but the proud work | | | | horses manoeuvre better than heavy machinery, |
| horse is enjoying resurgence and making a comeback. | | | | cause less environmental damage and cost |
| Most draft horse breeds are bred for the region in | | | | significantly less, they're quickly becoming a popular |
| which they were developed. For example, the | | | | choice. |
| Clydesdale draft horse breed came to being in | | | | When it comes to farm work, a large range of horse |
| Clydesdale, the Irish Draught in Ireland and the Belgian | | | | equipment is still available, along with draft horse team |
| was born in Belgium where it was more suited to the | | | | breeders and specialties. Newcomers to team driving |
| climate and soil. The French draft horse breed is | | | | often purchase a complete and trained team of |
| known as the Percheron, while the popular Shires hail | | | | horses, along with lessons on hitching and driving. |
| from England. The only American draft horse is the | | | | When it comes to providing a renewable source of |
| American Cream Draft, originally bred in Iowa. | | | | energy, it doesn't get much better than draft horse |
| To be considered a true draft horse, a horse needs to | | | | breeds. As for riding, draft horse breeds often provide |
| reach at least 19 hands at the withers and weigh more | | | | a comfortable ride with an easy gait akin to sitting in a |
| than 2,600 pounds. The draft is believed to have | | | | rocking chair. From trail riding to even dressage, draft |
| descended from a primitive ancestor known as the | | | | horses are easily trained and ready and willing. |
| Forest Horse, eventually conforming and specializing | | | | Today, contemporary draft horse breeds are not only |
| into its individual specialty breeds. | | | | part of our heritage, but also our sustainable future. |
| Despite their size, draft horse breeds are known for | | | | Whether you're a farmer, logger or simply a hobbyist, |
| their docile nature and easy handling, and are often | | | | these beautiful and gentle giants have something |
| referred to as "Gentle Giants". Through hundreds, if not | | | | wonderful to offer you. With awe-inspiring power, |
| thousands of years of breeding, most draft horse | | | | unwavering strength, stoic temperaments and grace, |
| breeds exhibit a stoic and solid temperament that's | | | | these beasts will win their way into your heart. |
| both admirable and rewarding. | | | | |