LaPorte County Draft Horse Association
Did you know?
Belgian Draft Horse
Belgians are the direct lineal descendants or the "Great Horse" of medieval times. The Belgian, as the name implies is native to the county of
Belgium. It is the area of Western Europe that gave rise to the large black horses known as Flemish horses and they were known to exist in that
part of Europe in the time Caesar. Stallions from Belgium were exported to many other parts of Europe as the need to produce larger animals
of draft type for industrial and farm use was recognized. The government of Belgium played a very energetic role in helping to refine the
breed. The Draft horse of Belgium became regarded as a national heritage. By 1891 Belgium was exporting stallions for use in the
government stables of Russia, Italy, Germany, France, and the old Austria-Hungary Empire.
Percheron Draft Horse
The exact origins of the Percheron have been lost over time. Some believe they are descendants of the original horses found in the Ice Age,
while others believe that the Percheron is closely related to the Boulonnais horse used in the Roman invasion of Brittany. The modern
Percheron originated in the area of La Perche , a district of Normandy. The Breed developed from the local heavy Flemish Breeds.
Percherons are primarily noted for their heavy draft work, but in the 8th century Arabian and other oriental horses were mated with the heavy
native horses and cob stock. This breeding lightened up the Percheron for riding and light draft work. Around the Middle ages Spanish blood
was introduced by the Comte de Perche and later the Comte de Rotrou who imported Andalusian Stallions, which were bred with Perchon
Mares. In 1820 two gray Arabian stallions were imported into the Le Perche area and used extensively on the existing stock. It is from these
two that the present day gray colour on the Percheron stems. In 1823, a horse named Jean Le Blanc was foaled in Le Perche and all of
today's Percheron bloodlines trace directly to this horse.
Clydesdale Draft Horse
This Draft breed developed in Scotland. It closely resembles the Shire breed although it is not as heavy. The Clydesdale is characterized by
its graceful, springy step, initially imported the United States from Canada, the breed became widely popular owing to its good disposition. It
was particularly favored by merchants, who used it transportation of commercial goods. Clydesdale horses average about 16 hands high, weigh
around 1,800 lbs and are characteristically colored rich brown or bay. It has white markings on the face and on the legs which are heavily
feathered.
The Shire Draft Horse
This Draft breed is native to central England. It is equal in weight to the Clydesdale and is usually slightly taller. Widely used as a war horse
during the Middle Ages, it was well adapted to carry the excessive weight of armor worn by both horse and rider. The shire was introduced the
United States in the late 1800s, but was never as popular as the other Draft breeds. It is similar in appearance to the Clydesdale, with feathery
fetlocks. It stands 17 hands high and normally exceeds 2,000 lbs.
Mules
The mule has greater endurance and is stronger and less excitable than a horse. Depending on the need, different breeds of horses can be
used to produce fine riding mules, heavy draft mules or medium-sized pack animals. In Medieval Europe, when horses were bred large to carry
armored knights, mules were the preferred riding animal of gentlemen and clergy. In 1495, Christopher Columbus brought four jacks and two
jennies to the New World. They would produce mules for the conquistadors' expeditions onto the American mainland. Ten years after the
conquest of the Aztecs, the first shipment of twelve jennies and three jacks arrived from Cuba to begin breeding mules in Mexico. Female
mules were preferred as riding animals, whereas the males were used as pack animals along the trails that tied the Spanish Empire together.
Both mules and hinnies were used in the silver mines. Along the frontier each Spanish outpost had to breed its own supply of mules, and each
hacienda or mission maintained as least one stud jack.
Mules were once used to pull fire-fighting equipment and were often employed by armies to pull artillery and to remove the wounded from the
battlefield. The twenty-mule team that hauled borax from Death Valley and other mining centers in the West has become part of American
legend. Indeed, some western towns were originally laid out with extremely wide streets to allow the mule teams to turn around.
The main mule-breeding centers in the United States developed in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri to provide work animals for the cotton
fields of the Old South. After the American Civil War and the development of tenant farming throughout the South, the mule continued as the
major draft animal in American agriculture. "Forty acres and a mule" was all one needed for self-sufficiency. The importance of the mule
declined rapidly in the 1940s and 1950s, however, as gasoline-driven tractors became widespread, and mules all but disappeared from the
American scene.
Haflinger
The history of the Haflinger horse can be traced to medieval times when writings told of an Oriental race of horse found in the Southern
Tyrolean Mountains of present day Austria and northern Italy. Many of the villages and farms in the Tyrol were accessible only by narrow paths
requiring agile and sure-footed horses for transportation and packing. Artwork from the region from the early 1800's depicts a small noble
chestnut horse with packs and riders traversing steep mountain trails.
The first official documentation of the present day Haflinger (named for the Tyrolean village of Hafling) was in 1874 when the foundation
stallion 249 Folie was born of the half-Arab stallion 133 El' Bedavi XXII crossed with a refined native Tyrolean mare. All modern purebred
Haflingers must trace their ancestry directly to Folie through seven different stallion lines: A, B, M, N, S, ST, and W.
During the years of World War II, there was a significant shift in breeding practices, as pack horses were needed by the military and a shorter
draftier Haflinger fit the bill. Following the war, the height and refinement of the breed has returned, with an emphasis on developing a small
horse that was versatile for both riding and driving, with a strong constitution, a solid conformation with substantial bone, and an
uncomplicated personality.
The uniqueness of the Haflinger lies, of course, in its golden chestnut coloring and long flowing white mane and tail. But more unique is the
people-loving, willing and forgiving temperament that was established over centuries of living alongside and working with the mountain
peasants, serving all purposes for all family members. Haflingers very simply became part of the family.
The majority of Haflingers are still imported from Austria even today. State studs own the stallions in Austria, carefully maintaining the quality
of the breed. The first Haflingers arrive in the United States in 1958 when Tempel Smith of Tempel Farm, Wadsworth, Illinois imported them
from Austria to begin a breeding program along with his imported Lipizzan horses.
The modern Haflinger is now found all over the world, active in such varied uses as draft work, packing, light harness and combined driving,
western and trail riding, endurance riding, dressage and jumping, vaulting and therapeutic riding programs. Haflingers hold their own in
competition with other breeds, often showing surprising athleticism and strength for their size.
Belgian Draft Horse
Belgians are the direct lineal descendants or the "Great Horse" of medieval times. The Belgian, as the name implies is native to the county of
Belgium. It is the area of Western Europe that gave rise to the large black horses known as Flemish horses and they were known to exist in that
part of Europe in the time Caesar. Stallions from Belgium were exported to many other parts of Europe as the need to produce larger animals
of draft type for industrial and farm use was recognized. The government of Belgium played a very energetic role in helping to refine the
breed. The Draft horse of Belgium became regarded as a national heritage. By 1891 Belgium was exporting stallions for use in the
government stables of Russia, Italy, Germany, France, and the old Austria-Hungary Empire.
Percheron Draft Horse
The exact origins of the Percheron have been lost over time. Some believe they are descendants of the original horses found in the Ice Age,
while others believe that the Percheron is closely related to the Boulonnais horse used in the Roman invasion of Brittany. The modern
Percheron originated in the area of La Perche , a district of Normandy. The Breed developed from the local heavy Flemish Breeds.
Percherons are primarily noted for their heavy draft work, but in the 8th century Arabian and other oriental horses were mated with the heavy
native horses and cob stock. This breeding lightened up the Percheron for riding and light draft work. Around the Middle ages Spanish blood
was introduced by the Comte de Perche and later the Comte de Rotrou who imported Andalusian Stallions, which were bred with Perchon
Mares. In 1820 two gray Arabian stallions were imported into the Le Perche area and used extensively on the existing stock. It is from these
two that the present day gray colour on the Percheron stems. In 1823, a horse named Jean Le Blanc was foaled in Le Perche and all of
today's Percheron bloodlines trace directly to this horse.
Clydesdale Draft Horse
This Draft breed developed in Scotland. It closely resembles the Shire breed although it is not as heavy. The Clydesdale is characterized by
its graceful, springy step, initially imported the United States from Canada, the breed became widely popular owing to its good disposition. It
was particularly favored by merchants, who used it transportation of commercial goods. Clydesdale horses average about 16 hands high, weigh
around 1,800 lbs and are characteristically colored rich brown or bay. It has white markings on the face and on the legs which are heavily
feathered.
The Shire Draft Horse
This Draft breed is native to central England. It is equal in weight to the Clydesdale and is usually slightly taller. Widely used as a war horse
during the Middle Ages, it was well adapted to carry the excessive weight of armor worn by both horse and rider. The shire was introduced the
United States in the late 1800s, but was never as popular as the other Draft breeds. It is similar in appearance to the Clydesdale, with feathery
fetlocks. It stands 17 hands high and normally exceeds 2,000 lbs.
Mules
The mule has greater endurance and is stronger and less excitable than a horse. Depending on the need, different breeds of horses can be
used to produce fine riding mules, heavy draft mules or medium-sized pack animals. In Medieval Europe, when horses were bred large to carry
armored knights, mules were the preferred riding animal of gentlemen and clergy. In 1495, Christopher Columbus brought four jacks and two
jennies to the New World. They would produce mules for the conquistadors' expeditions onto the American mainland. Ten years after the
conquest of the Aztecs, the first shipment of twelve jennies and three jacks arrived from Cuba to begin breeding mules in Mexico. Female
mules were preferred as riding animals, whereas the males were used as pack animals along the trails that tied the Spanish Empire together.
Both mules and hinnies were used in the silver mines. Along the frontier each Spanish outpost had to breed its own supply of mules, and each
hacienda or mission maintained as least one stud jack.
Mules were once used to pull fire-fighting equipment and were often employed by armies to pull artillery and to remove the wounded from the
battlefield. The twenty-mule team that hauled borax from Death Valley and other mining centers in the West has become part of American
legend. Indeed, some western towns were originally laid out with extremely wide streets to allow the mule teams to turn around.
The main mule-breeding centers in the United States developed in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri to provide work animals for the cotton
fields of the Old South. After the American Civil War and the development of tenant farming throughout the South, the mule continued as the
major draft animal in American agriculture. "Forty acres and a mule" was all one needed for self-sufficiency. The importance of the mule
declined rapidly in the 1940s and 1950s, however, as gasoline-driven tractors became widespread, and mules all but disappeared from the
American scene.
Haflinger
The history of the Haflinger horse can be traced to medieval times when writings told of an Oriental race of horse found in the Southern
Tyrolean Mountains of present day Austria and northern Italy. Many of the villages and farms in the Tyrol were accessible only by narrow paths
requiring agile and sure-footed horses for transportation and packing. Artwork from the region from the early 1800's depicts a small noble
chestnut horse with packs and riders traversing steep mountain trails.
The first official documentation of the present day Haflinger (named for the Tyrolean village of Hafling) was in 1874 when the foundation
stallion 249 Folie was born of the half-Arab stallion 133 El' Bedavi XXII crossed with a refined native Tyrolean mare. All modern purebred
Haflingers must trace their ancestry directly to Folie through seven different stallion lines: A, B, M, N, S, ST, and W.
During the years of World War II, there was a significant shift in breeding practices, as pack horses were needed by the military and a shorter
draftier Haflinger fit the bill. Following the war, the height and refinement of the breed has returned, with an emphasis on developing a small
horse that was versatile for both riding and driving, with a strong constitution, a solid conformation with substantial bone, and an
uncomplicated personality.
The uniqueness of the Haflinger lies, of course, in its golden chestnut coloring and long flowing white mane and tail. But more unique is the
people-loving, willing and forgiving temperament that was established over centuries of living alongside and working with the mountain
peasants, serving all purposes for all family members. Haflingers very simply became part of the family.
The majority of Haflingers are still imported from Austria even today. State studs own the stallions in Austria, carefully maintaining the quality
of the breed. The first Haflingers arrive in the United States in 1958 when Tempel Smith of Tempel Farm, Wadsworth, Illinois imported them
from Austria to begin a breeding program along with his imported Lipizzan horses.
The modern Haflinger is now found all over the world, active in such varied uses as draft work, packing, light harness and combined driving,
western and trail riding, endurance riding, dressage and jumping, vaulting and therapeutic riding programs. Haflingers hold their own in
competition with other breeds, often showing surprising athleticism and strength for their size.
| Teamsters Page |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |