Emblems of both strength and beauty, draft horses were once a mainstay of highly productive societies. They were powerful engines of war, agriculture, and transportation, without which civilization as we know it wouldn’t have been possible.
Today these elegant yet strong steeds serve more often as show horses or pulling carriages—like the ones seen in Central Park in Manhattan. The romance and allure of these horses was famously encapsulated in Budweiser commercials, featuring draft horses hauling beer through snow, their elegant manes and feather-laden hooves complimenting their imposing raw power.
But with the introduction of mechanization in the 20th century, many of these breeds have fallen by the wayside, their calling to serve man no longer deemed essential. Some breeders, nevertheless, have sought to preserve their existence.
1. Ardennes
This breed is one of the oldest heavy horses still in existence today, tracing its roots all the way back to ancient Roman times. They were also used as warhorses during the Crusades. They originate from Ardennes, a region spanning parts of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.
These massive horses measure 15.3 to 16 hands in height (a hand being the unit of measurement used in sizing up horses, equal to 4 inches in length). They feature thickly feathered fetlocks and bay- or roan-colored coats.
2. Friesian
Another large draft horse, Friesians originate from Friesland in the Netherlands. They possess a strong, compact build but are nimble for their size. In the past, they were used as warhorses by knights in armor in the Early and High Middle Ages. This breed typically measures 15 hands high and is usually solid black in color.
They are known for their long, arced necks and powerful build. They have a calm temperament and exhibit a high-stepping action, facilitating maneuverability in movement. Like many other breeds of draft horse, Friesians are adorned with abundant flowing feathers around their hooves.
What is So Special about Friesian Horses?
Friesian horses are named after the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. They are not originally from there, but they are bred by the original inhabitants of Friesland. Friesian horses are calm, steady, gentle, docile, and at the same time strong, energetic, and fearless.3. Clydesdale
Clydesdale horses hark from the River Clyde area in Scotland from around the early 1800s. These are the same horses featured in said Budweiser commercial, presenting beautifully featured fetlocks with a towering height of up to 16.2 hands. They were bred, in part, to look impressive in shows and parades.
Clydesdales were once tasked with the prominent role of tilling millions of hectares of land for agriculture in the days of colonial Australia and New Zealand. Today, the breed serves mainly as a carriage horse. It may also be ridden in parades or processions.
This gentle giant is now a vulnerable breed, which has been kept in existence thanks to the efforts of horse conservationists.
What Horse is Bigger than a Clydesdale?
Although Clydesdales are tall, they are in second place in size. The shire, with a height of 17-19 hands and weight of 1,800-2,400 pounds, is in first place. We discussed Shires’ characteristics later in this article.4. Shire
The Shire horse is an immensely tall animal, with some standing over 18 hands high. They also sport long hair around their hooves and are typically black, bay, or gray in color. They possess an immense capacity for hauling and, in the past, were regularly used in farm work.
Shire horses were also used as cart-pulling delivery animals throughout England and, like Clydesdales, delivering beer to taverns and inns was one of the tasks they facilitated.
The tallest horse ever known was a Shire horse named Sampson, who stood a jaw-dropping 21.25 hands in height.
Are Shire Horses Bigger than Clydesdale?
Shire horses are the biggest among draft Horse Breeds, and yes, they are bigger than Clydesdales. However, Clydesdale is in second place. Actually, they are powerful and tall and bred for hard work.5. Gypsy Vanner
As the name suggests, this horse was bred by Romani travelers in Britain and Ireland. They employed this solidly-built breed to pull their mobile living quarters, called vardos.
These show-stopping horses come in an assortment of colors, or black and white. They are known for being piebald, but their coats are sometimes of a solid color. In the days when colored horses became unfashionable, the Romani were happy to use them to compliment their colorful wagons.
How Much does Gypsy Vanner Horses Cost?
The price of a Gypsy vanner horse depends on its age, bloodline, subtype, and training. The most expensive one is a trained, male, uncastrated adult (age between 7 to 14) Gypsy horse which costs you about $60,000. Typically, top Gypsy horses cost over $30,000.6. Fell Ponies
From the northwest of England originally, Fell ponies are a hairy breed known for their versatility in utility. They were used as riding or driving horses and could perform light agricultural work. Like Ardennes, Fell ponies trace back to as early as Roman times, when soldiers still patrolled Hadrian’s Wall.
These ponies were bred for their self-sustaining, rugged traits fostered by the unforgiving mountainous environment of Cumbria that they are adapted to. They are closely related to another workhorse: the Dales pony.
7. Dales Pony
Dales ponies are a mountain and moorland breed from northern England, harking from Yorkshire Dales originally, and they are known for being reliable work animals.
Although larger than the Fell pony, Dales also hauled metals, such as lead and iron ore used in smelting. Trains of 20 pack ponies sometimes worked “loose”—not led—following one mounted, trained lead horse. They were used by the British Army in World War I and II.
How Big is a Dale Pony?
Dales ponies are similar to Fell Pony in terms of the physical structure and build. While Dales are a little larger than Fells.8. Swedish Northern Horse
As the name suggests, this breed originates from Sweden, but they can now be found in Finland, Norway, and Estonia. They were traditionally used as workhorses in forestry and agriculture.
Although smaller than other draft horses, measuring 15 hands high, these animals were also more maneuverable traveling through tightly forested areas. They also required less feed to sustain them.
Swedish northern horses have extremely thick winter coats, which helped them survive harsh, cold weather conditions. Their docile temperament allows them to live indoors during the colder months.
9. Australian Draft Horse
The Australian draft horse is an extremely hardy breed known for its sheer strength. They were typically used for farm work and riding in the past, though some farmers still use them today.
This breed was developed through extensive crossbreeding and features a range of colors and body types. White markings are undesirable anywhere on the body of this steed except below the knee.
The Australian draft horse saw its numbers dwindle significantly in the 20th century as a result of mechanization. However, in 1979, the Australian Draft Horse Society was established to preserve this robust, domesticated mammal.
