GENTLE GIANTS

Draft horses are a blending of power and self-restraint in one super-sized package. These extra-large horses emerged in Europe during the ice age and were known to exist at the time of Caesar. By the early medieval period, when they toted iron clad knights; the breed was a deciding factor in many battles. Those same traits, massive, yet good natured, rendered Drafts indispensable in both town and country, whether pulling a plow, a wagon, or a carriage.

They helped settle the new world, hauling families across the frontier and tilling their land. From the tallest shire, who is just as comfortable pulling a wagon as ridden in fine gear, to the compact and mighty Suffolk Punch, a horse developed in England for farming in small quarters (and is nearly extinct), the presence of Clydesdales and Percherons commands attention. Thus the reason why they have become a great marketing tool for companies like Budweiser, Express Ranches and Jackson Fork Lodge.

The symmetry, teamwork and control with which the large hitches must be maneuvered are feats to be admired. Draft horses have found their place in movies, most recently Warhorse, Elf, The Mask of Zorro and Dracula. Their widebacks make a perfect platform for circus acts and cavalla or ballet on horseback.

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