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.
carriage of horses as "the front wheels of the dray missed Jappy. The hind ones
The first horses were forced to hang in slings under the deck of ships all the way across the sea to the New World. The explorers brought only the toughest and best horses to the New World. They were bringing so many horses that soon the Spanish Government restricted how many horses could be brought to the New World. There were already enough horses in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Santa Domings to start breeding farms. Soon after the farms were established, they started on the main land, and that is where the mustangs got their start.
fun with and enjoy your horse. To start you should have your horse groomed and in the cross ties.
Barrel racing is categorized under the sport of rodeo and is most likely associated with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and the National Barrel Horse Association. The sport of rodeo also includes bull riding, team roping, and tie down roping and can be mostly associated with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Even though the sport of rodeo is mainly dominated by men, barrel racing is the biggest outlet for women to show their skills in such a male dominated sport. Even though any breed is allowed to participate in barrel racing, the American Quarter horse is the most predominant breed in the sport mainly because it is the most versatile of all breeds and has the speed and agility to bend around the barrels. When it comes to the types or bloodlines of the horse, it is more of a personal opinion.
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.
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.
...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).
A place that will take unwanted horses is Equine Medical Services. Equine Medical Services is located in Columbia, Missouri. At Equine Medical Services (EMS) they specialize in in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro fertilization is the process of removing an egg from a show mare and the sperm from a stallion of the owner's choice and placing the fertilized egg into a brood mare which is a rescue mare from wild horse roundups. The mare will then carry the foal to full term and care for it as if it was her own. This mare will have no effect on the foals genetic
Deficient diets result in weight loss in the horse. Alternate causes of weight loss are internal parasites and diseases. Excess energy intake causes obesity which stresses joints and reduces athletic ability. A horse in moderate physical condition is described as “Back level”. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt.
As the ancient civilizations of the west grew their empires, they encountered something so powerful, beastly, and strong that no man could hold down with his own two bare hands, nor could they be tamed. As centuries go on, men learned the ways of the horse and learned to ride upon their backs. They found them to be a key component in transportation, carrying goods, and warfare. As time went on, for every footprint of a human left behind in the wet mud, there was a hoof print not far from the footprint. Ancient Greeks believed that the horse was a gift from the gods, and they were greatly valued in their society.
When riding a horse you don’t just sit there and do nothing, You work hard to control a 800-1000 pound animal. You have to push your horse and yourself to the greatest you can be. It is a lot of work, it is just like any other sport. You have to go ride your horse at least 4 times a week, you practice in the wind, rain, snow, when it’s hot out, and event when it is freezing cold.
The horse is a highly respected animal in United States culture. It has been worshipped and paid tribute to through art, books (Misty of Chincoteague, Black Stallion), movies (Black Beauty, Spirit), and television shows (Mr. Ed). The horse industry is huge in the United States, encompassing everything from rodeos and racing to horses owned for purely pleasure. There have been statues erected of famous racehorses, as well as museums devoted entirely to equines.
A western horse can be trained in team penning, cutting, reining, speed games, trail classes, pleasure and equitation classes, roping, and trail riding. An english horse can be trained in dressage, english or english country pleasure, jumping, hunting, mounted games, polo, and hunter pace. Both horses can be trained in trail riding, endurance riding, competitive trail riding, mounted orienteering, and shown in open shows as an all around
...bject of divination. The horse to the Germans is the most trusted species of augury and at public expense they have white horses kept in sacred groves for the taking of auspices which is conducted by noting the horse's various snorts and neighs.
Completion of at least 100 hours of continuing educations in the horse profession and equine science. To