Draft Horse Breeds still Popular?

by yorkgentlegiants on May 26, 2009

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The word “draft” originally comes from “draught,” an old word that means “to pull something.”  From early times the draft horse was used as a source of “power” for farming, hauling freight and moving people around the country.    Before the shift in the early 20th century to the tractor and increasing use of motor transport these stunning horses were to be found everywhere.  The draft horse is well known as a hose of  enormous bulk, huge  muscular strength, patience and docility . . . and even though we lost a great number to the point in some cases of near extinction, due to the efforts of some very dedicated people the draft Horse was saved, we are still building up the numbers of these horses and in line with that they have over the lst few years enjoyed a renewed interest in this particular type of horse.

With this renewed interest we are seeing them back on the streets where they belong,  and to many to actually see them under saddle is appealing to a whole new generation of horses lovers.  We have a long way to go before we even come close to the numbers but the encouraging news is that the numbers are growing worldwide.

Most draft horse breeds are bred for the region in which they were developed. For example, the Clydesdale draft horse breed came to being in Clydesdale, the Irish Draught in Ireland and the Belgian was born in Belgium where it was more suited to the climate and soil. The French draft horse breed is known as the Percheron, while the ever popular Shires hail from England.

To be considered a true draft horse, they must be of a solid build usually weigh around 1,400 to 2,000 lb (910 kg).  And depending on if they are classed as a Modern Draft or Traditional Draft  range from approximately 16 hands high to 19hh.  The draft horse has decended from a mixture  of sources and also with some natural selections and man’s intervention into what we see today.

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The Great Yorkshire Show

by yorkgentlegiants on May 23, 2009

History

The first show of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) was held in 1838 with the intention of exhibiting farm animals, machinery etc. The show was judged a success despite the requirement for the police to restore order after people tried to force their way in the show which was held in Fulford on the outskirts of York.

In following years the show was moved around Yorkshire returning only periodically to York, it took on the name Great Yorkshire Show in 1843. This peripatetic existence continued until 1950 when the costs of moving the show around every year became prohibitive. In that year the YAS purchased a permanent site at Harrogate and the first show at the new Great Yorkshire Showground was held in 1951.

The show has only rarely not been held, it was canceled between 1915 and 1919 due to WW1, between 1940 and 1948 due to WW2 and in 2001 due to Foot and Mouth. The show has now become very popular attracting well over 100,000 visitors each year.

Modern Times

The Great Yorkshire Show of recent times is very different from the early shows, with many stalls devoted to food, leisure, clothes, fashion and crafts as well as farm implements, in the main arena the working displays of Shires and Clydesdales always attracts a crowd and I belive this year will be no diffferent.

The show is held every July across 3 days and one of the first events which I do hope will show off the coaching skills of the heavies [and no doubt there will be the lighter horses] in the main ring on Tuesday 3.30 to 5.00.  I do hope that the Heavy Horses will steal the day.  On Wednesday it starts at 7.30am to 11.00am in the main ring, where you will see the magnificent Clydesdale and Shires who no doubt will be looking their very best.   In the past we have also been privileged to see the ladies mounted on hunters [ a cross of the heavy and the lighter horse]  And in addition as we now have occassionally the ridden class of the heavies you may be surprised to see the Shire or Clydesdale in this event.

Continuing on in the afternoon you may see some heavies in the coaching event, but the main event in my opinion will be on Thursday from 1.00 pm to 2.40 which is The Heavy Horse Teams, where you will see these gentle giants really showing off there skills, anything from logging competiton to wagon and team work will be on show it will be worth the look.

Last year the attendance at the 150th show was attended by the Queen was oustanding and this year will continue on the tradition.  Opening times are 7.30am and 7.30pm except the last day when the show closes at 4.00pm, parking is free and there is lots of transport from York, Leeds and other towns with shuttle buses from Harrogate rail and bus stations.

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Draft Horse Breeds

by yorkgentlegiants on May 15, 2009

For centuries, horses have been one of the most popular domesticated animals. While today, people enjoy riding and racing them, in the past they were domesticated because they were the primary mode of transportation for many.

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People from almost every corner of the globe have owned horses for one reason or another, and I hope to bring you some stories of one particular breed of  Horse which is the main categoriy of  this article.

HEAVY HORSES – Or sometimes called The Gentle Giant

History shows these magnificent horses carrying the knights with all there armour into battle, in addition they were the primary mode of transport both as ridden and as working power in the fields.  We see them ploughing from dawn to dusk seven days a week.  In and around the towns and travel from city to city we see them pulling carriages, stagecoachs laden with goods and people, the strength of these horses is to be admired .

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In my opinion as my first love is the Magnificent English Shire  dating back to the great wars.  We do have its cousin for want of a better word the equally magnificent Clydesdale.  This attractive horse has been bred for hard work, but it also has a friendly nature, so it makes for a good horse to ride on, too.

Other popular draft breeds include the Belgian commonly used by the Amish, Irish Draft, Percheron and the Suffolk Punch breeds just to name a few.

There are many Draft Horse breeds to choose from and I hope I can provide you with some valuable information about this particular breed of Horse.  Some of this information was provided by Katya Coen who is a regular contributor to All Horses, where you can find a wealth of information on everything pertaining to horses and you can even browse our gallery of horse pictures.

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Healthy Horse Feeding

by yorkgentlegiants on May 13, 2009

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Most adult horses need three to four flakes of hay a day when they are stabled and moderately used and exercised. A flake of hay is a section of a square bale that weighs about four pounds. This hay should be provided in three or four smaller meals per day so the horse has something to munch on throughout the day, more like natural grazing. Fresh water should be supplied at every feeding throughout the day and the water needs to be freely available at all times. The best hay for horses is first or second cut hay that is a mixture of alfalfa and timothy and is sold as horse quality. Avoid third and fourth cut hay if at all possible as it has a much lower nutritional value. Hay that has a moldy smell or appearance or that is dusty should not be fed to horses under any conditions. Improperly cured hay or moldy, dirty hay can lead to fatal conditions in horses.

Cubed and pelleted hay is available through feed stores, however it is not recommended for horses. It tends to cause colic and digestive problems as horses gulp it down then drink, causing swelling in the stomach. Likewise, grains can also cause the same problem, so talk to your vet or horse nutritionalist before starting any specialized feeding that includes more than the recommended daily ration of oats, sweetfeed or other grain supplement.

In addition to hay, some grain and lots of fresh water your horse should have turn out time on grass when available and should also have access to a mineral salt block. In some areas the vet may recommend additional mineral or vitamin supplements to make up for deficiencies in grass and hay content. Always check with your vet first, too much of a particular mineral can cause toxicity problems and various health reactions in horses.

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Clydesdales

by yorkgentlegiants on May 6, 2009

Clydesdales featured in a Budweiser Commercial.

The Clydesdale horse is a draft horse bred and “developed” in Scotland.
Dail Chluaidh – Gaelic for Clydesdale is said to be the origin of this heavy horse breed. It is a district in the Strathclyde region in Southern Scotland.

This breed has been on the edge of extinction in the 1960 – 70, but thanks to dedicated horse breeders, its population is slowly and steadily increasing in numbers. It is classified as a rare breed. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust considers it as a “vulnerable” breed.

The Clydesdale horse in his modern appearance is slightly different compared to his ancestors from the 19th century: through well-planned and cautious use of new blood lines the hair coat contains now more white hair.
Clydesdale and Shire horse have been used to mutually improve some of each others breed characteristics:
The big Scott increased in size and got white hair on the whole length of the leg;
The Shire breed became finer, improved skin health of the fetlocks and would develop a silkier feathering.
The modern “Gentle Giant” has increased in height and his body is still well proportioned, showing quality.
Beside all this he preserves a kind and gentle temperament, which makes him a reliable and easy to handle horse.

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These versatile horses are bred by farmers and horse enthusiasts who have to invest heavily into this kind of hobby and to ensure the survival of the breed.
The horse does not have to “earn” its living any more with hard farm work.

Exports of horses in the late 19th century to North America and strict breeding programs to maintain quality of the breed helped to increase the population considerably with now annually over 600 new registrations.
The Clydesdale Breeders of the USA are a respectable association with the sole aim to preserve and grow this breed of horses.

Modern use is for showing and advertising of breweries and other, various businesses by pulling brewery wagons and various and colorful types of tradesmen carts.
Also it gains more and more friends amongst horse back riders: show jumping, dressage, endurance rides, recreational riding and driving etc. Crossbreeds perform very well in various equestrian disciplines.

Some Scottish City Councils help to preserve the breed whilst using Clydesdale horses for PR reasons and for work within urban council departments.

This horse breed is gaining more and more interest from companies offering wedding carriage hire services to provide weddings with an impressive framework.

Like in continental Europe, where working horses in the forest industry have been re-established for a long time, the Clydesdale pays also its contribution to the protection of our environment: it is used during wood harvesting for pulling logs out of woods.
It has been proved that a horse does not cause devastating damage to trees and forest grounds.

Dr.med.vet. Ellen Schmidt
She is a veterinary surgeon living and working in Scotland, United Kingdom. Her passion are horses and horse driving for recreation. Visit her website and sign up for the free e-zine “The Cart Wheel” on http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com. This is an “Infoport” for hobby drivers and horse lovers who would like to get expert information about most aspects of equine driving, horse care and horse health issues.

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Horse Grooming – Brushing Basics

by yorkgentlegiants on April 28, 2009

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There are two major components to grooming a horse and they are brushing the coat and cleaning the hooves. There is no right or wrong way to groom your horse, but it is a good idea to get into a routine and always do the process the same way, either feet or grooming first, so the horse can anticipate what you are going to do next.

Start with your horse secured in crossties that are attached to the halter. This ensures that the horse cannot move suddenly one way or the other, plus it frees up both of your hands to work with the grooming. If you are trying to both groom and hold the horse, you are likely going to find this much more difficult and there is a greater chance of injury. With the horse secured, start either on the grooming or on the hooves, whichever you prefer.

Many owners prefer to start by cleaning the hooves, then the horse can relax and enjoy the rest of the routine. To correctly position yourself, stand next to the horses left front shoulder, just to the front of the body. Run your hand, the hand you don’t normally hold the pick in, down the front of the leg until you reach the hoof. Most horses that have had their feet cleaned will pick up their foot, but if they don’t gently press your shoulder and upper body against the outside of the shoulder, which will slightly move the horse off balance and he or she will shift weight to the other front foot. When this happens pick the left foot up, bending the leg as it would naturally bend back towards the center of the horse’s body. Hold the hoof firmly in your hand and use the pick to remove all the debris. Be very careful not to dig into the frog, the soft, triangular shaped center part of the hoof as this can be very sensitive. Repeat this process with the other feet until completed. Be sure to give a treat to the horse between feet to let him know he is doing a great job.

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When grooming you can either start with the mane and tail or end with them, whichever suits you and your grooming style best. If the horse is dirty, muddy or has a winter coat, start with the curry comb and groom the entire body using gentle, circular shaped motions that follow the direction of hair growth. Work from the neck to the chest, over the shoulders, down the back along the sides and down the legs. Remember the curry comb is not flexible so be very gentle on the sides and down the legs. If your horse is flinching and twitching away, switch to the dandy brush over the sensitive areas. After the curry comb, follow with the same pattern with the dandy brush, this will flick away all the dust and dead hair. Follow up with the body brush for that shiny, sleek look, and also use the body brush on the face, but not near the eyes. A soft cloth that has been moistened with warm, clear water or a piece of sponge can be used to clean around the eyes and inside the nostrils.

Susanne Malloy is an avid equestrian and an editor for http://www.EnglishSaddleShop.com, your complete resource for new and used English saddles, riding apparel, and tack.

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War Horses at Training School

by yorkgentlegiants on April 21, 2009

How the Four-Legged Recruits of a Nation’s Army are prepared for Battle.

It rarely occurs to the average person what an important part the horse plays in the economy of war. For without well-trained, trustowrthy horses even the magnificent cavalry and artillery of France and Germany would collapse, and the wole war machine come to a full stop. Thus it is little wonder that France spends $1,100,000 a year on her tropp horses, Germany $970,000 and Great Britain $100,000.

The great military Nations, too, maintain State breeding establishments as well they may, seeing that on a war footing Imperial Germany is supposed to put 201,100 horses on the battlefield, France 202,040, Austria 105,196, Great Britain 100,000 and Russia the enormous number of 548,400. The Czar’s vast Asiatic dominions yield an inexhaustible supply of hardy animals for the imperial army.

No doubt one of these days the horse will have disappeared from the battlefield altogether in favor of the motor. Already inventors and general staffs are discussing the feasibility of gigantic armored cars, powerful enough to cross any kind of country-land Dreadnoughts, in fact capable of blowing towns out of their path.

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Joan, A War Horse ( Part III)

by yorkgentlegiants on April 8, 2009

Joan worked badly that day and ate hardly anything. Next day she stayed in and fed out of my hand. The next she seemed well again, but Darby’s place had been hard to fill. Through that Winter and a Summer of denfesive warfare of rations were seldome late, though often delivered under fire, and Joan maintained her old gait, apparently caring little about the going or whether she drew more than her share of the load. Perhaps you’ll say that she was hungry too.

The Winter of 17-18 found us at Potijza and the horses in a ruin at Ypres, a lot of hard work but no action. One day Joan’s mate and her driver were struck down by her side at feeding time, and she was the only one left of the old seventy-five.

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This made no difference to Joan, and all through the criticical Spring days of ‘18 no extra work could change her spirit, no long, hot days of marching with short halts and quick watering and feeding could alter her condition. SHe had become the company’s pride, the personal friend of the oldest driver and the Seargeant himself, but those days allowed no proper care of men or horses.

And then the tide turned and we began to advance–Arras to Cambral in a week. For two or three hours each day men slept in ditches and horses were picketed in fields, and then up again and on. Ten of our poorest animals were lost from sheer fatigue, and some of our best were wounded and killed. Gradually half our transport was left behind, first all the pontoons, then some tool carts and limbers.

The rations lived a charmed existence. Each night, when we had rolled into our blankets, those who were still awake could hear the same cockney voice from the wagon calling a strange horse stranger names becayse he lagged behind his ‘Joan : but it meant to each a pleasant dream of bacon, bread and tea.

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Save your Dog’s Life

by yorkgentlegiants on March 31, 2009


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The Fire Horse ( Thirty Days Trial )

by yorkgentlegiants on March 25, 2009

But, with the test of the eyes, even if an animal is satisfactory in all other respects, the examination has only begun. Thirty days’ trial we require before deciding whether we are going to accept or reject a beast. A horse’s disposition, his aptness to lean, his grit and his nerve, his common sense and his habits must all be taken into consideration.

The engine we use for breaking the horses is one of the three-abreast kind, now commonly used to throughout the department. Bi hitching a new horse between two veterans we not only steady him and get the aid of the older animals, but we have the candidate where the dead weight of the four and a half tons pulls heaviest and where he will have to show his mettle. As the engine starts the frightened animal springs forward to get away from the dreadful thing behind. But the other horses throw the full weight of the engine right on him and steady him. Up and down the block the three horses are driven, two, even three hours at a time. Until gradually the stranger gets exhausted and finds himself, and doesn’t try to pull the entire load by himself.

When a horse is broken to pulling the engine he is tested for a number of qualifications. For instance, an engine may depend upon the willingness of the horses to try to pull it out. A horse that balks, for instance, is out of question. Therefore, as the team drives along the engine driver jams his brake down hard, almost locking the wheels. A balky horse will object at once to the added load. The kind of a beast we want will dig his toes into the asphalt and make fire fly before he gives up.

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