These Shire horses are used to pull a Wadworth Brewery dray delivering beer to pubs in the Devizes area of Wiltshire, England. A wagon (in British English, sometimes waggon) or dray is a heavy four-wheeled Vehicle. Devizes is a small Market town and Civil parish in the heart of the English county of Wiltshire, in the southern United Kingdom Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland In this picture, members of the public are being given a ride.

A draft horse, draught horse or dray horse (from the Anglo-Saxon dragan meaning to draw or haul) is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour. The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. The plough ( American spelling plow; both plaʊ is a Tool used in Farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed A farm is an area of land including various structures devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food ( Produce, Grains, or Livestock 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. Meyers b12 s0947bjpg|thumb|Heavy or draft horse breeds]] This page is a list of Horse and Pony breeds and also includes terms used to describe types of horses that are not Pre-industrial society refers to specific social attributes and forms of political and cultural organization that were prevalent before the advent of the Industrial Revolution Draft horses and draft crossbreds are versatile breeds used today for a multitude of purposes, including farming, show, and other recreational uses. A crossbreed or crossbred usually refers to an animal with Purebred parents of two different breeds varieties or populations Draft horse showing is a competition like many others Draft horses shows include driving and under saddle competitios in North America where exhibitors present their They are also commonly used for crossbreeding, especially to light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred. A crossbreed or crossbred usually refers to an animal with Purebred parents of two different breeds varieties or populations The Thoroughbred is a horse breed While most draft horses are used for driving, they can be ridden and some of the lighter draft breeds are capable performers under saddle. Driving, when applied to Horses Ponies, Mules or Donkeys is a broad term for hitching equines to a Wagon, Carriage

History

A European farmer works the land with a horse and plough.

Draft horses may have originated with primitive ancestors such as the Forest Horse and the "draft subtype", wild subspecies that may have descendants as diverse as the large Shire horse and the small but sturdy Shetland pony. Originally from Northern Europe, the Forest Horse, or Dulivial was a large-boned slow-moving heavy horse believed to be the ancestor of the draft breeds of Europe The evolution of the horse involves the gradual development of the modern Horse from the fox-sized forest-dwelling Hyracotherium The Shetland pony is a breed of Pony originating in the Shetland Isles. These wild prototypes were adapted by natural selection to the cold, damp climates of northern Europe. An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and Natural selection is the process by which favorable Heritable traits become more common in successive Generations of a Population of

Humans domesticated horses and needed them to perform a variety of duties. There are a number of hypotheses on many of the key issues regarding the domestication of the horse. One type of horse-powered work was the hauling of heavy loads, plowing fields, and other tasks that required pulling ability. A heavy, calm, patient, well-muscled animal was desired for this work. Conversely, a light, more energetic horse was needed for riding and rapid transport. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description Thus, to the extent possible, a certain amount of selective breeding was used to develop different types of horses for different types of work. This article focuses on selective breeding in domesticated animals

While it is a common misunderstanding that the Destrier that carried the armoured knight of the Middle Ages had the size and conformation of a modern draft horse, and some of these Medieval war horses may have provided some bloodlines for some of the modern draft breeds, the reality was that the high-spirited, quick-moving Destrier was closer to the size, build, and temperament of a modern Andalusian or Friesian. The destrier is the most well-known war horse of the medieval era. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. Horses in the Middle Ages differed in size build and breed to the modern Horse, and There also were working farm horses of more phlegmatic temperaments used for pulling military wagons or performing ordinary farm work also provided bloodlines of the modern draft horse. A working animal is an animal that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks A farm is an area of land including various structures devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food ( Produce, Grains, or Livestock Records indicate that even medieval drafts were not as large as those today. Of the modern draft breeds, the Percheron probably has the closest ties to the medieval war horse. ^[1]

By the nineteenth century, horses weighing more than 1600 pounds that also moved at a quick pace were in demand. Tall stature, muscular backs, and powerful hindquarters made the draft horse a source of “horsepower” for farming, hauling freight and moving passengers, particularly before railroads came on the scene. Even in the 20th century, draft horses were used for practical work, including over half a million used during World War I to support the military effort. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of draft horses were imported from Western Europe into the United States. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Percherons came from France, Belgians from Belgium, Shires from England, Clydesdales from Scotland. Many American draft registries were founded in the late 1800s. A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in Animal husbandry and the Hobby of Animal fancy, is an official list of The Percheron, with 40,000 broodmares registered as of 1915, was America’s most numerous draft breed at the turn of the century. ^[1] A breed developed exclusively in the U. S. was the American Cream Draft, which had a stud book established by the 1930s.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are among the most widely recognized draft horses in the United States

Beginning in the late 1800s, and with increasing mechanization in the 20th century, especially following World War I in the USA and after World War II in Europe, the popularity of the internal combustion engine, and particularly the tractor, reduced the need for the draft horse. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including A tractor is a Vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high Tractive effort at slow speeds for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used Many were sold to slaughter for horsemeat and a number of breeds went into significant decline. Horse meat is the culinary name for meat cut from a Horse. It is slightly sweet tender low in fat and high in protein

Today draft horses are most often seen at shows, pulling competition or as exhibition animals pulling large wagons. Draft horse showing is a competition like many others Draft horses shows include driving and under saddle competitios in North America where exhibitors present their Horse pulling is a Draft horse competition where horses in Harness, usually one or two animals pull a "stone boat" or weighted sled and the winner is the A wagon (in British English, sometimes waggon) or dray is a heavy four-wheeled Vehicle. However, they are still seen on some smaller farms in the USA and Europe. They are particularly popular with groups such as Amish and Mennonite farmers, as well as those individuals who wish to farm with a renewable source of power. The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively Crossbred draft horses also played a significant role in the development of a number of warmblood breeds, popular today in international FEI competition up to the Olympic Equestrian level. Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France

Conformation

Shire draught horse, of typical draft conformation

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. Equine conformation refers to the correctness of a horse's bone structure musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other They tend to have short backs with very 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 hands high to 19hh and from 1,400 to 2,000 lbs. See also Hand A hand (or handbreadth) is a unit of length Measurement, originally based on the breadth of a Male Human hand

Draft horses crossbred on light riding horses adds height and weight to the ensuing offspring, and may increase the power and "scope" of the animal's movement.

See also: Equine conformation

Care of draft horses

Feeding, caring for and shoeing a 2,000 lb purebred draft is costly. Equine conformation refers to the correctness of a horse's bone structure musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other A horseshoe is a U-shaped item made of metal or of modern synthetic materials nailed or glued to the Hooves of Horses and some other Draught The draft horse’s metabolism is often similar to that of ponies in that Draft horses have lower needs per bodyweight than light horse breeds, but because of their size, most are fed a significant amount of feed and hay per day. A pony is a small Horse with a specific conformation and temperament A grain feeding of only . 3% of body weight is all drafts need. ^[2] Drafts not subjected to extreme energy demands can do well on good quality grass.

See also: Equine nutrition, Farrier, and Horse care

World Record

The Shire horse holds the record for the world's biggest horse; Sampson, foaled in 1846 in Bedfordshire, England, stood 21. Equine nutrition is the feeding of Horses ponies, Mules Donkeys and other equines Correct and balanced Nutrition is a critical A farrier is a specialist in Equine hoof care including the trimming and balancing of a horse's hoof and the placing of shoes to the horse's There are many aspects to horse care. Horses ponies, Mules Donkeys and other domesticated Equidae require attention from Sampson, a Shire horse Gelding foaled in 1846 in Toddington Mills Bedfordshire, England, is the tallest Horse Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland 2½ hands high (i. See also Hand A hand (or handbreadth) is a unit of length Measurement, originally based on the breadth of a Male Human hand e. 7ft 2½in or approx 2. 2m at his withers) and weighed approx 3,300lb or over 1. Wither redirects here For the comic character see Wither (comics. 5 tonnes.

Breeds

Main article: List of horse breeds

A number of horse breeds are used as draft horses, with the popularity of a given breed often closely linked to geographic location. Meyers b12 s0947bjpg|thumb|Heavy or draft horse breeds]] This page is a list of Horse and Pony breeds and also includes terms used to describe types of horses that are not Examples include:

• American Cream
• Ardennes
• Belgian
• Boulonnais
• Breton
• Clydesdale
• Dole Gudbrandsdal
• Irish Draught
• Percheron
• Shire
• Suffolk Punch

Harness Horses

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. The Ardennes or Ardennais is one of the oldest breeds of Draft horse originating from the Ardennes area in Belgium, Luxembourg The Boulonnais, also known as the "White The Breton is a breed of Draft The Dole Gudbrandsdal, Dølahest The Suffolk Punch is an English Driving, when applied to Horses Ponies, Mules or Donkeys is a broad term for hitching equines to a Wagon, Carriage A carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people usually horse-drawn A Horse show is a judged exhibition of Horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide 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. The Heavy Warmbloods (Schwere Warmblüter are a group of horse breeds primarily from continental Europe ||-||-||-||} Oldenburg ( Low German: Ollnborg) is an Independent City in Lower Saxony, Germany. The Hackney Horse is a recognized breed of Horse that was developed in Great Britain. Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed

The vast majority of horses used in harness racing are of yet another breed, the Standardbred. Harness racing is a form of Horse-racing in which the horses race in a specified gait

See also

• List of horse breeds
• Working animal

References

External links

• Draft Cross Breeders and Owners Association