![]() You will need to provide them with regular veterinary care and be aware of various potential health issues, too. Work horses require only feed and clean drinking water. Like all other horses, work horses are not complicated creatures to care for – in fact, if you already have horses on your homestead, there’s not a lot that you will need to do to adjust, except check that your stalls are big enough, doors wide enough, and in some instances – the ceiling is high enough. ![]() A typical Haflinger will stand about 15 hands tall and weigh roughly 1,000 lbs, making it one of the smaller work horse breeds. They are sturdy and eager to please and are frequently used in show competitions for umping, far work, and endurance. HaflingersĪ strikingly beautiful horse, Haflingers are large, mild-mannered horses that love to ride. They are excellent at pulling carts and for recreational driving. With their striking black colour, high-stepping action, and flowing wavey manes and feathers, this is a useful horse to have around the homestead.Īlthough we are not referring to the Friesian Sporthorse here, which has similar traits, it can also be used under saddle and in harness, as well as in dressage. Native to the Netherlands, the Friesian horse is a graceful, nimble light work horse that has been used as a warhorse in the Middle Ages. It’s not a super common breed of work horse, yet it is a strong, leggy horse that’s perfect for work around the homestead, as can be seen above. Bred in Europe after World War II, Brabant is a thick-bodied Belgian with heavy leg feathering. Suffolk Punchīrabants are technically Belgian work horses – but not all Belgians are Brabants. Yet despite their size and stature, has a wonderful temperament and grabs attention everywhere they go, plus they make a beautiful tourist attraction when used to pull wagons. They have a natural tendency to showiness with their plumed feathers and lively action. A black horse with white markings, the Shire is becoming more popular on the farm as well as in the show arena. Gorgeous horses that are native to England, these horses came to the United States during the mid-1800s. The largest draft breed, Shire horses can grow up to 19 hands. Due to their slimmer size than other work horses, they are still an excellent option to use on a farm. One of the original and most popular show animals, the Irish Draught is a medium-sized work horse.Ĭurrently, they are very popular for cross-breeding with warmbloods, to create magnificent sporting horses. ![]() Irish Draught horses were originally bred as dual-purpose horses, participating in weekend hunts and farm work during the week. ![]() Gentle giants, they are the perfect breed to build confidence in young learner riders. They’re easy to ride, exceptionally laid back, and very quick learners. There are plenty of other niche roles that work horses fill, too. Many small farms are turning to work horses to provide an agritourism component, giving your farm an educational edge that can attract new visitors. Plus, work horses are more nimble than these pieces of equipment, allowing you to work in harder-to-reach or muddy areas without getting stuck.ĭepending on how many work horses you have and how you intend to work with them, you could also use them as an additional income stream. Because horses have better weight distribution than heavy machinery, they can work more efficiently and with less long term impact on the land. Work horses are ideal for people who want to log the forest or till the field without completely tearing it up and compacting the soil. Although most people think of Clydesdales when they think of work horses – these breeds reach 18 hands (one hand equals 4 inches, and hands are measured from the ground to the top of the withers) – there are smaller breeds like Norwegian Fjords that are much smaller, yet still capable of hard labor. They are perfect when it comes to tilling and plowing, as well as pulling carts, logs and tractors stuck in mud. These powerful creatures can pull more than twice their own weight, something almost unheard of. Most can be ridden in either Western or English style too.īut the real attraction of work horses is their size. One of the greatest things about work horses is that they aren’t just for work – they can also be ridden! Quite a few work horses are found in show rings, with the ability to compete in dressage, halter, conformation, and even hunter/jumper classes.
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