Read About Draft Horse

Draft Horse is a strongly built horse that was bred for working in farms and pulling carriages. Here's everything you need to know about these horses.

Draft Horse - Horse Type Facts

  1. Type Description:

    Horses that were bred for heavy work instead of speed are called Draft Horses. They were used for pulling carts and farm work. in pre-industrial times. At present these are used as pleasure and trail horses. Some people still use these horses in farms.
  2. Varieties:

    A lot of horses can be considered as draft horses. Ardennes, Friesian, Percheron, Belgian are a few horses that fall under this category.
  3. Uses:

    Draft horses are used as pleasure horses and trail horses. Some people find it economical to use draft horses on farms. They are very strong and can be used to pull carriages.
  4. Training:

    Foals are easier to train than adults, so training should be started at a very young age. Draft horses are intelligent and can learn quickly. The training should not be rushed or random. The horses should be trained patiently and consistently.
  5. Regular Care:

    Draft horses need plenty of water and proper feed. Their hoofs should be cleaned regularly. These horses need plenty of room to move around and make sure you provide them with proper and clean shelter.

Draft Horse - Horse Type Characteristics

  1. Shared Traits:

    Draft horses are gentle, obedient and intelligent. They all have bodies built for heavy work and they don't get tired very easily.
  2. Behavior:

    These horses are good natured and kind. They have a calm nature
  3. Child Friendly:

    Horses are gentle and social animals and are quiet easy going with children when they are not frightened. Children should ride the horse only under parental supervision.
  4. Physical Attributes:

    These horses are strongly built and muscular. They are about 16-18 HH tall and have thick, short legs.
  5. Health Issues:

    These horses are prone to a muscle disease called Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM). Some plants in the grass that the horse eats cause severe problems to the horse. They horse should be given general and dental checkup, by a vet, regularly. Make sure the horse has access to plenty of fresh water and is being fed with a proper diet.

Draft Horse - How to Choose a Horse Type

  1. What to Look For:

    When buying a foal make sure you get to see the parents and check they are healthy and free from genetic diseases. The foal should be checked for abnormalities and diseases.
  2. Supplies:

    You will need stable supplies, feed and tack appropriate for draft horses.
  3. Expense:

    Draft horse usually cost around $1500-3000. They are not very expensive to maintain compared to show and race horses.