DRAFT HORSES -- PAST AND PRESENT

When many people think of "Draft Horses", they probably picture a team of heavyweight horses plowing a field in the "pioneer days". It is true, these strong animals were used for farm work of all kinds before the days of modern tractors and other farm machinery.

All the draft horse breeds--Percherons, Belgians, Clydesdales, Suffolks, and Shires, originated in Europe, where draft horses served as car, truck, and tractor. Heavy loads had to be hauled up to 100 miles to the nearest railroad station. Even in the early days of America, young draft horses were put into service at 18 months, when they were hitched to the plow or wagon with older horses. Work horses were a necessity not only on the farm, but also in big cities around warehouses, freight terminals, and wharves.

With the onset of World War I, there came a demand for heavy horses which could pack supplies and ammunition, and haul artillery to the front. Following the War, the market for these heavy horses declined. An increased demand for American grain exports, and the introduction of gasoline powered tractors hastened the replacement of work horses by machines. Unfortunately, thousands of these animals were slaughtered, and some of the breeds nearly disappeared. Pure-bred draft stock declined sharply from 95,000 registrations in 1920, to under 2,000 in 1945. Clydesdales and Shires were affected earlier than other draft breeds, since both breeds had been used primarily in the city. The heavy feathering on the feet of the Shire and Clydesdale was considered a maintenance problem on the farm, diminishing their popularity. The only draft horse market remaining was centered on the farms of the Midwest. The American farmer looked for a smaller, more economical animal, and Belgian breeders responded with a more compact horse, making the Belgian the most numerous U.S. draft breed by 1940.

In the early 1950's the work horse started to vanish as they were replaced by tractors, trucks, and all sorts of mechanized farm equipment. However, the gentle giants remained as crowd pleasers in circuses and state fairs.

With the oil shortages of the 1970's, draft horses again found a limited place in American agriculture. The draft horse is still a practical alternative in small scale and specialty operations. In selective tree harvesting, horses are very useful in logging operations for removing downed trees. Ecologically, they do considerably less damage to forest floors, work quietly, and do not pollute the air.

Today, draft horses are enjoying a renewed popularity, and are real crowd pleasers at exhibitions throughout the country. Pulling contests, as well as halter, conformation, and hitch classes, are popular events at local county and state fairs throughout the Nation. Probably the most famous draft horses are the Budweiser Clydesdales, often seen on television ads and on display at the Busch Garden Theme Parks throughout the U.S. The Budweiser Eight-Horse Hitch is exhibited throughout the country.

With this revival of interest, registration figures have risen steadily for all draft breeds over the past two decades. Drafts have become a popular choice to cross with lighter breeds such as Thoroughbreds to produce sport horses for foxhunting, eventing, trail riding, and pleasure.

Draft horses may weigh 2,000 pounds or more, and measure up to 19 hands high at the withers. This is quite impressive, since an average horse weighs half that and stands 15 to 16 hands. Draft breeds are known for their friendly, good-natured dispositions, and make steady, willing workers. Whether in the show ring, or working the fields, draft horses win the hearts of people wherever they are seen.

Credits: Karen A. Kandra, US Food and Drug Administration