A draft horse is a horse bred to pull heavy goods, from farm machinery such as ploughs to brewery wagons. Simply put, they were the tractor of yesteryear.
Also known as heavy horses, dray horses and – rather appropriately – cart horses, draft horses are famous for their size, strength and gentle temperament.
They are heavier-built than riding horses and their conformation, with a more upright shoulder and short heavily muscled back, is designed for pulling heavy loads.
How big are draft horses?
Draft horses usually range from 16 hands high (a hand is 4 inches) to over 19 hands.
What's their horsepower?
A draft horse's horsepower will differ from breed to breed and animal to animal, but they can usually produce up to 15 horsepower at a sprint. Their main purpose is hauling heavy machinery or goods, so speed is not as important for a draft horse as their strength is.
Draft horse breeds
Draft breeds include the Percheron, Suffolk Punch, Clydesdales and the biggest horse breed in the world, the Shire.
History of draft horses
Their popularity peaked in the 19th century, when they were widely used in cities and across the countryside. London's rubbish collection employed 1,500 draft horses, while the Shire Breed Society reported that the railway companies had a stud of 6,000 horses.
However, with the rise of motor vehicles and farm machinery in the early 20th century, numbers of draft horses declined and today many are considered a rare breed.
Draft horse or draught horse? What's the difference?
'Draught horse' is the British spelling of the term, while 'draft horse' is the American spelling. Both terms refer to the same animal: a large horse bred for heavy work, specifically hauling goods.
What are draft horse shows?
Draft horse shows are events that showcase the capabilities of draft/draught horse breeds, usually showing horses in harnesses undertaking activities such as pulling carts or riding races. They are particularly popular in North America.
Want to learn more about horses? Check out:
- How much does a horse weigh?
- What is the smallest horse?
- How much does it cost to own a horse?
- Pony vs horse: what's the difference?
Main image: Percheron horses harnessed for ploughing © Getty Images