Heavy and Draft Horses
NewsFlash: Animal Friends Equine Insurance launches 4 January 2010 with horse insurance, pony insurance and rider only insurance policies. As with Animal Friends Pet Insurance our new horse insurance business will also cover both young and older horses.
Coldblood horses are large horses with a gentle and placid character. They are usually the descendants of the ancient European breeds that were used for farming, hauling and other types of heavy work. They can weigh up to 2 tonnes, made of strong, large bones and sturdy legs. These breeds more widely recognised in the UK are Percherons, Shire, Clydesdale and the Suffolk. Albeit that they are not used as much for working, their popularity is still great & are often used in many equestrian sectors.
The Percheron
The Percheron is a smaller heavy horse, but very powerful. They are intelligent and friendly. They are very easy to train so they are adaptable for either the family or for working. Their name is from the Perche valley in the North of France. They have a strong square forehead with a straight profile. Their neck is muscular, long and heavy. Their chest is broad, the back short and they have a deep girth. The hindquarters are very muscular and powerful, with round hips and a long croup. Their manes are thick; and they are either grey or black. They stand between 15-19 hands, weigh up to a ton and more & they can live up to 40 years. A sleeker and longer modern day version of the Percheron is now used for showing competitions.
The Shire Horse
The Shire horse is the largest of England's native horses. The Shire horse was bred from the medieval Great Horse, which William the Conqueror brought in 1066 to the British Islands. By improving the Black horse or later the Bakewell Black, the Shire horse breed was produced. The number of Shire Horses decreased considerably after the Second World War, due to agriculture and haulage businesses turning to more mechanical methods. They are increasing in numbers again, because they are used for crossbreeding and showing. They are the tallest of the modern heavy horse breeds, up to 18 hands and sometimes taller. They weigh about a ton. The world's tallest horse "Sampson", born in 1846 in Bedfordshire in England, was 21.2 hands (2.20m) at the whither & he weighed 1.5 tonnes. They are still used as brewery horses and still pull the delivery carts
If you own horses or even if you just rider horses as your hobby you may wish to visit our UK horse insurance site at www.animalfriendsequine.co.uk
The Clydesdale
This breed originated from the Clydesdale in Scotland, where it has been bred & developed over the last 300 years. The Clydesdale suffered the same fate as the Shire horse, victims of the motorization. It almost disappeared but it has regained its popularity & its biggest population is now in the United States with yearly 600 new foal registrations. Anheuser-Busch brewery (Budweiser) use them as their symbol.
There were 2 original stallions Lord Darney & The Prince of Wales & all Clydesdales now originate from these two bloodlines. They are widely used in competitions & performing shows, in halter & performance classes where they are judged on how they behave in harness, how it moves in the ring & its capability to work in a team, its responsiveness to the driver & on the quality of the horse & the equipment.
Clydesdales are graceful & versatile. They stand 16-17 hands & weigh up to a ton. They have elegant heads, with a straight profile, small ears, large, dark eyes & a heavy forelock. Their neck is long & very slightly arched. Their chest is deep, with shoulders that are well rounded & muscular. Their withers are well defined. Their legs are long & strong with a large hoof size. The most widely recognised characteristic of the Clydesdale is the plentiful amount of feather.
The Clydesdale is bay, chestnut or black. They have a range of white markings, including distinctive four white feet & a blaze, most often a full blaze or large, white bald face marking which ranges to the lips & chin & possibly to the eyes. Another characteristic of the Clydesdale is that they have one or more dark legs, either mixed with white hairs, or a solid shade of black or brownish-red. Their hooves will match that leg. Horses with white muzzles often have distinctive black spots around the lips & chin.
The Suffolk Punch
The Suffolk is a descendant of the medieval Great Horse. The Suffolk Punch was developed in Norfolk & Suffolk & is one of the oldest heavy horse breeds. They have stamina & are very powerful. They are also docile & are very easy to handle. They stand 15-17 hands. They have very muscular, arched necks, short strong backs & strong, upright shoulders. Their hips are broad & the tail is high. Their legs look short without feathers. They are usually chestnut in various shades. Their white markings are rare & limited to small areas on the face & lower legs. The Suffolk Punch tends to be shorter but stockier in build. In the past, the Suffolk was often criticised for its poor feet, having hooves that are too small for its body, however this has been corrected.
For more information about Horses, their welfare and news visit our equine site at www.animalfriendsequine.co.uk
