These are the gentle giants of the horse world. They are the biggest and strongest of all the breeds. These horses are the strongest animals, exept for elephants. They descended from the great horses of the Middle Ages, which used to carry knights in armor into battle.
In the 18th and 19th centuries they pulled plows, barges, wagons, and heavy loads of timber or coal. Today machines have taken over and few draft horses still do this kind of work. Many breeds almost died out after they were replaced by tractors, trucks and railroads, but they are being bred in greater numbers again. They make a spectacular sight at shows, demonstrations and parades.My favorites have always been the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Clydesdales originated in Scotland where they were bred
with local, native mares crossed with bigger Flemmish stallions.
Later, many large black horses, the founders of the Shire breed,
were imported from the English Midlands and used for breeding.
They stand about 16-18 hands high. They always have a straight
profiled head and are never Roman-nosed like many heavy breeds.
It's neck is quite long for a draft horse, and it's shoulders are very
powerful. Together with it's high set withers, this equals great pulling
power. They have deep bodies with long legs, which have silky
feathering around the lower limbs. They come in many colors,
usually bay, brown, black or roan, with a white face, underbelly
and stockings. They are very strong, steady cooperative and friendly.
Perhaps this is why they are known as the gentle giants.
