In contrast to pony and light horse breeds, draft horses are the gentle giants of the industry. These horses may also be characterized as a heavy horse breed that stands from 15 to more than 18 hands tall and can weigh more than 2,000 pounds.
They were the workhorses used for agriculture production and hauling freight in days gone by. Today, many draft horses are used on farms and ranches across North America and in exhibition hitches in the show ring or in parades.
Some examples of draft horse breeds include the:
- Clydesdale
- Percheron
- Shire
- Belgian
For more information, see Draft Horse Belgian, Draft Horse Clydesdales, and Draft Horse Percheron.
