The draft horse is extremely powerful, with strong legs and a broad body. It has an impressive quality of strength and in times past it was bred to pull a plow or sled. Although draft horses are still seen for pleasure riding and racing today, it is important to remember how far back the history of these powerful horses goes, and how long they have served capably and well in many different capacities. In their earliest history, they were thought to have come from the draft subtype of the ancient Forest Horse, but very soon, they were bred for the desirable traits of a strong body and a gentle, docile temperament.
When the horse was domesticated it was recognized that there were many different purposes for which it could be put. While riding horses needed to be fast and highly responsive, heavier and more patient horses were thought to be more desirable for farm work. They could be called into action to move heavy loads or plow fields, and their steadfastness was an asset when it came to work of this nature. Selective breeding over thousands of years resulted in the draft horses we see today, ranging from the great Clydesdales to the popular Belgians.
When people think of carriage horses in medieval Europe, their minds instinctively go to steeds, horses that carried knights into battle. While it is true that steeds needed to be powerful enough to carry a knight in full armor, the truth was that there was little in common between the medieval steed and a draft horse. Where a draft horse was bred to be docile and stable, a steed needed to be fast and extremely responsive to both its rider and the battle going on around it. It has been theorized that lighter draft horses such as the Friesian or Andalusian might be more like steeds.
Just because they weren’t seen during the Crusades doesn’t mean the draft horse wasn’t seen at all in warfare. In fact, patient and steady workhorses would play an important role in World War I support work. To understand how many horses made it to Western Europe from the United States, consider the fact that in 1913, fewer than a thousand horses were shipped from America. Over the next five years, at the height of World War I, more than 1 million horses were shipped. With the innovation of trench warfare, the lighter Calvary-style horses could not effectively maneuver over the field. It was the cart horses that were most useful; they were the ones who could pull the artillery with almost tireless force, carrying ammunition and supplies. Of the million horses that went to Europe for World War I, only 200 horses returned home.
The horses we recognize today as draft horses, with their powerful bodies and impressive height, may have first appeared on the scene in the early 19th century. These horses were bred for freight transport and agriculture, and were especially useful in pulling carriages and carts, especially in the days before railways. In the United States, thousands of draft horses were shipped from Europe in the early 20th century. During the latter part of the 19th century, many American draft registries were founded, and by 1915 the Percheron was the most numerous draft horse found in America.
After a decline following the invention of the car and truck, the modern workhorse is experiencing a marked increase in numbers. More and more people are realizing that heavy draft horse breeds have some very important contributions to make, whether for trail riding or show ring riding. Today’s draft horses are still used for entertainment around the world, but this is far from their only function.
Whether you are interested in seeing draft horses in action or interested in owning one, take some time and really consider learning more about the history of this breed.