A draft horse (US), draught horse (UK) or dray horse (from the Old English dragan meaning to draw or haul; compare Dutch dragon meaning to carry), less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labor. There are a number of different breeds, with varying characteristics but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament which made them indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers.
Draft horses and draft crossbreds are versatile breeds used today for a multitude of purposes, including farming, show, logging, recreation, and other uses. They are also commonly used for crossbreeding, especially to light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred For the purpose of creating sport horses. While most draft horses are used for driving, they can be ridden and some of the lighter draft breeds are capable performers under saddle.
Size comparison of a draft horse of Percheron breeding with a stock horse type light riding horse
Draft horses are recognizable by their tall stature and extremely muscular build. In general, they tend to have a more upright shoulder, producing more upright movement and conformation that is well-suited for pulling. They tend to have broad, short backs with powerful hindquarters, again best suited for the purpose of pulling. Additionally, the draft breeds usually have heavy bone, and a good deal of feathering on their lower legs. Many have a straight profile or "Roman nose" (a convex profile). Draft breeds range from approximately 16 to 19 hands high and from 1,400 to 2,000 lb (640 to 910 kg).
Draft horses crossbred on light riding horses adds height and weight to the ensuing offspring, and may increase the power and...
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... the world's biggest horse; Sampson, foaled in 1846 in Bedfordshire, England, stood 21.2½ hands high (i.e. 7 ft 2½in or approx 2.2m at his withers, and weighed approx 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) or over 1.5 tons.
Breeds
Dutch harness horse A number of horse breeds are used as draft horses, with the popularity of a given breed often closely linked to geographic location.
Harness horses[edit]
See also: Driving (horse)
The terms harness horse and light harness horse refer to horses of a lighter build, such as traditional carriage horses and show horses, and are not terms generally used to denote "heavy" or draught horses. Harness horse breeds include Heavy warmblood breeds such as the Oldenburg and Cleveland Bay, as well as lighter breeds such as the Hackney, and in some disciplines, such as combined driving, light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred or Morgan may be seen.
Training a barrel horse can be lessons because the fastest racers want to be a champion. Training a barrel horse is a timed event where some of the fastest time is what matters the most. (‘Rodeo.about.com”). Speed is what it is all in the training.The riders enters the arena at full speed,quickly rounding each barrel in a clover leaf pattern and then exiting where they entered. Training , is a rodeo sport, it requires the correct equipment,and intense mental and physical training for both the rider and the horse.
In the Civil War, the famed Vermont Cavalry was mounted on Morgan horses. Not only did the Union's General Sheridan ride his Morgan Rienzi, Stonewall Jackson rode his Morgan, 'Little Sorrel,' for the Confederacy as well! In the Indian Wars, the only survivor in the Battle of the little Big Horn was Keogh's Morgan-bred horse Comanche. Crosses to the fastest Morgan blood produced the great speed of today’s racing Standard breds. The foundation sire of the Tennessee Walking horse, Allen F-1, was a grandson of the Morgan stallion Bradford's Telegraph. The oldest of all American breeds the Morgan was strong enough to contribute greatly to almost every other American light horse breed while retaining its own identity across two centuries.
The brumby is a small stocky horse, standing at roughly 14.1 hands high, and is designed to cope with the harsh Australian environment. Each herd has different characteristics based on their individual locations, but overall, are recognisable as the wild horses of Australia.
The world of horse ownership is now more affordable and achievable with the help of racehorse syndication. Like all investments, it’s important to be an informed investor. Get to know our syndicate. Ask a lot of questions and express your concerns. A good company will welcome these and provide you with the right answers.
The auction lot is not a place that a horse would want to be as many although not all are a terrible place for a horse to be. All types of horses are found at an auction all though an estimated 93.2% of the horses that are at the lots and are on their way to slaughter are deemed in good condition according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Guidelines for the handling and Transportation of equines to slaughter. The young and healthy horses are what the kill buyers are looking for, as they are able to make a greater profit then that of older and sick horses. Horses that are dropped of at the lots are not put in proper pens that leads to fighting and establishing a pecking order, ultimately for creating injury to the horses that
Like the Appaloosa, the Quarter horse is a mixture of many breeds including the English horse, Chickasaw, and a few others and was also brought ov...
Every competitor has a question when showing. The question that may come up is what breed of horse do judges prefer? The real answer is that judges don’t necessarily care what breed of horse you have. Their real focus is on the the horse's structure and confirmation. Confirmation includes your horse’s balance and degree of muscling. However, some experts say the American Quarter horse is the best breed to show, “perhaps nowhere else is the breed’s versatility, heritage and work ethic more apparent than in the show arena” (“AQHA Competition Classes”). American Quarter horses are better for showing because “they change leads precisely, easily, and simultaneously” (“AQHA Competition Classes”). Regardless of the horse’s breed, any horse can be trained to do well in the show ring.
More times than not, stallions mount dummies because horses are much less docile in reproductive situations than cattle are. In most situations, artificial insemination is also safer for the humans involved in the process as well. Though we consider horses are the most-likely to be considered companion animals out of all the livestock that we have domesticated thus far, they are also one of the most dangerous when it comes to mating and copulation. Mares and fillies are much more likely to try to fight back when being mounted than cows or heifers are. In commercial situations, such as the thoroughbred industry, this causes lots of problems. While it is still done, it is much less likely for owners to turn out the stallions with a herd of mares
They may have white markings on their head and feet, but any other white is undesirable. Percheron draft horses range in height from 15 to 19 hands high, and can weigh up to 2,600 pounds with the average around 1,900 pounds. They have heavy muscling in the lower thighs and they also have a lot of power. An ideal horse should have a medium long level croup and a big round hip. These draft horses should be close coupled, wide and deep through the chest, and plenty of back rib. In a good drafter, the muscles in the arms, forearms, croup, and gaskins are especially emphasized. Ease and balance of the gait are essential for a horse of this breed. Good Percherons have large and full eyes, a broad and full forehead, and a straight face. They also have a strong jaw and refined ears that attractively set and carry them with animation, which suggests they have Arabian ancestors. Mares should have a feminine look and stallions should have a ruggedness about their head. Percherons are a breed of horse that has a lot of character and is one of the most beautiful horses in the
An assessment of adequate energy intake can be established by evaluating body condition. Deficient diets result in weight loss in the horse. Alternate causes of weight loss are internal parasites and disease. Excess energy intake wall cause obisity which stresses joints and reduces athletic ability. (arg.gov.sk.ca) A horse in moderate physical condition is described as “Back level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.” (Henneke et al., 1981)
Draper, Judith, Debby Sly, and Sarah Muir. Complete Book of Horses and Riding. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Inc., 2003. Print.
Jockeys play a big role in the Kentucky Derby. Fourteen female trainers have competed with Shelley Riley coming closest to winning. The weight requirements for a jockey range from 109 pounds to 116 pounds. For jockeys to lose weight, 30 percent throw up, 69 percent skip meals, 14 percent take laxatives, and 67 percent do “hot box” in saunas.
The American horse racing industry has been admired by generations upon generations. Although it is a very cherished sport, like any other sport, there are many issues involved. The major issue that I find is that many owners make the decision to breed when there are other solutions. The Jockey Club, also known as the head council for the American Horse Racing Industry, should be addressing the major issue of overbreeding in the American horse racing industry.
...als like the plow horse or mule for field use. "In the estimation of the owner, a slave is the most serviceable when in rather a lean and lank condition, such a condition as the race-horse is in" (Northup 201).
In conclusion, horses mean more to me than many other things. They are part of my friends and family, but I also have great respect for them. Horses are surrounded by benefits that make us feel exceptional. Their colors are all attractive. Their breeds are marvelous and unique. Their history with us is quite a beneficial relationship. Their behavior is different from ours, but is an easy language to learn. Showing horses is exhilarating! Caring for them can seem like a chore, but is actually an overall fun and propitious experience. Riding horses is fun and meaningful, not just something to learn or do just because. And, no matter what people say, I believe there is something truly special about my dear friend the horse.