Category Draft Horses

Information about large draft horses.

Draft Horses

Draft Horses: A Sustainable Farming Solution.

In an era of mechanized agriculture, the sight of a farmer plowing a field with a team of majestic draft horses may seem like a scene from a bygone era. However, these gentle giants are experiencing a resurgence in popularity,…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Belgian Horse Breed Profile: The Complete Guide to the Belgian Draft Horse

If you’ve never stood next to a Belgian, it’s hard to describe what 2,000 pounds of calm actually feels like. I’ve spent decades around horses in Louisiana, including working with draft breeds and learning from local Belgian owners and breeders.…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Shire Horse: The Gentle Giant of the Draft Horse World, History, Size & Care

What is a Shire horse? The Shire is a British draft breed descended from the medieval Great Horse. Stallions stand 17–19+ hands and weigh 1,800–2,400 lb, making the Shire the tallest horse breed in the world. Despite their size, they…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Draft Horses: Breeds, Costs, Care, and What Owners Need to Know

A 2,000-pound Belgian team doesn’t look fast. They don’t scramble. At the Old Farmer’s Day pulling competition in Loranger, Louisiana, I watched a pair move a loaded sled that would have stalled a pickup truck — steady rhythm, no wasted…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

From Draft Teams to Ranch Horses: Which Breed Fits the Job?

Say “work horse” and most people picture a team of Belgians leaning into a plow. But a Quarter Horse sorting cattle, a police horse on a city street, and a pack horse hauling gear into the backcountry are working horses…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Draft Horse Breeds: From Gentle Giants to the Smallest Draft Horses

Draft horses (also spelled “draught horses”) are large, heavy-boned breeds developed for pulling and heavy farm work, typically standing 13–19 hands with calm, steady “cold-blooded” temperaments. The smallest draft horse breeds in common use include compact workers like the Haflinger…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Can You Ride a Belgian Draft Horse and Are They Gaited?

Belgian Drafts are big, powerful horses that can be ridden when fitted and handled correctly. The question is not whether you can ride one — it is how to do it safely and comfortably for both horse and rider. Riding…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Are Shire Horses Good For Riding? Draft Breed Facts and Uses

When you think of riding horses, the most likely image in your head is of a sleek Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse. But what about the Shire horse breed? Are these old-fashioned workhorses good for riding? Shires can make excellent riding…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Meet the Black Forest Horse: Germany’s Small, Rare Draft

Black Forest horses are powerful horses bred to work in the harsh conditions of the Black Forest region.

Miles Henry

Draft Horses, Horse Breeds

How Big Can a Horse Get? Meet 5 Giant Draft Breeds

Stand next to a big draft horse and you’ll find yourself looking up at his shoulder. But height is only part of what makes these horses so big. Quick answer: The Shire is generally considered the tallest horse breed, averaging…

Miles Henry