Draft Horses are just horses but they are BIG. A typical horse is in excess of 2,000 pounds (vs. 1000-1200 pounds for a usual horse). They have been bred for heavy tasks like pulling logs, pulling wagons or plowing but despite their size they are gentle.
Historians say they originated in Europe and humans specifically bred them for strength. Best known breeds include Percherons from France, Belgians from Belgium, Shires from England and Clydesdales from Scotland.
With the invention of steam and gasoline machines the need for draft horses greatly diminished and today they are mostly used for pleasure or shown. It’s common to see them pulling a chuck wagon or hay wagon, and a few folks still use them to move logs or for farm work. The most famous draft horses are the Budweiser Clydesdales which I’ll do a post on soon.
In 2000 I rode a draft horse named Hoss for one day on a cattle drive (just for fun). Very smooth gaits, responsive, could lope easily, didn’t have much cow sense. Only problem was getting on such a tall horse! (that’s me in the picture)
da best. Keep it going! Thank you