Ranching
Draft Horses
The following brief summary of the draft horse breeds of today was provided by the Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association:
Keith Robertson
3729 C.R 423
Cleburne, TX 76031
(817) 517-7795
American Cream
The American Cream is the only draft horse to be developed in the United States. They are white with pink eyes.
OK State American Cream
Belgian
The Belgian horse outnumbers all other draft breeds combined in the United States. It is native to the country of Belgium.
Belgium lies in the very center of that area of western Europe that
gave rise to the "Great Horses". The color of the modern Belgian is a
chestnut-sorrel ranging anywhere from blonde to a dark sorrel. Most
have white manes and tail, a white strip in face and four white socks.
They are known to be easy keepers and willing workers with an amiable
disposition.
OK State Belgians
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale was developed in and derived its name from the
district in Scotland where it was founded. Its type was evolved by the
farmers of Lanarkshire, through which the river Clyde flows. The old
name for Lanarkshire is Clydesdale. It was bred to meet not only the
agricultural needs of these farmers, but the demands of commerce for
the coal fields of Lanarkshire and for all the types of heavy haulage
on the streets of Glasgow. The breed thus developed soon acquired more
than a local reputation and in time the breed spread throughout the
whole Scotland and Northern England. The most common color in
Clydesdales breed is bay. Black, brown and chestnut are also seen with
roans (solid body color with white hairs throughout the coat) in all of
the colors. The preferred markings are four white socks to the knees
and hocks with much feathering the fetlock. Also a well-defined blaze
or bald face is desirable.
OK State Clydesdale
Percheron
(Percheron pictures courtesy of Lone Star Hitch , the only 6 horse hitch in Texas)
The Percheron was first bred in the Perche region of France where it
is still excessively popular. It is not as "drafty" as the Belgian and
has a more refined head and neck. This can be attributed to Arab and
Oriental blood dating back to the development of the breed. The most
common colors are black and gray.
Shire
The central counties of England are called the Shires and from these
the Shire horse get its name. Some authorities believe it stemmed from
the English "Great Horse". When the demand for horses to carry heavily
armored knight ceased, breeders of England were quick to recognize the
merits of the Shire for heavy agricultural work. The most common colors
are black, brown, bay, gray, and chestnut (sorrel). Feather should be
fine, straight and silky.
OK State Shire
Suffolk
The Great Knights of medieval times clashed in battle, the quiet
farmers of Eastern England went about developing their breed of heavy
horse, the Suffolk Punch. The homeland of the Suffolk horses was
Norfolk and Suffolk counties in England. The Suffolk is one of the
purest of all breeds of draft horses and has remained unchanged and
true to its original purpose, to be a strong and faithful worker for
its master. Their color is chestnut ranging in shades from light golden
to dark liver. White markings occur, but in general are not as
prominent as the other breeds.
OK State Suffolk
Please note: most of the pictures for this page were found on the great
livestock site put up by Oklahoma State University. See my link:
Horses, by Breed on the Links page, or the individual breed links in
each summary.
Other Associations:
American Cream
P.O. Box 30
Charles City, IA 50616-9710
515-228-5308
Belgian Draft Horse Corp. of America
P.O. Box 335
Wabash, IN 46992
219-563-3205
Clydesdale Breeders of the USA
17378 Kelley Road
Pecatonica, IL 61063
815-247-8780
Percheron Horse Assn.
P.O. Box 141
Fredericktown, OH 43019
614-694-3602
Sharon McLin, Secretary
35380 County Road 31
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: 916-757-ASHA (2742)
Fax: 916-758-ASHA (2742)
RR1, Box 212
Ledbetter, TX 78946
409-249-5795
Machinery for the Horsepowered Farm
Plows, Walking & Riding
Cultivators
Disk Harrows
Spike Tooth Harrows
Spring Tooth Harrows
Grain Drills and Planters
Corn Planters
Corn Binders
Hay Mowers
Side-Delivery Rakes
Sulky Rakes
The Horse Drawn Manure Spreader
Email me at goodwrench@cyberranch.org
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