The Horse Encyclopedia for Kids

The Horse Encyclopedia for Kids — page 9
HORSE TYPES AND BREEDS Draft Horses Draft horses are heavy muscular and large They were bred to pull weighty loads They can weigh between 1,400 to 2,200 pounds 635 to 1,000 kg or more and stand 16 to 19 hands high Starting in the 1830s draft horses were brought from Europe to North America to help with agriculture These strong well-built horses pulled heavy equipment to help farmers with their harvests Sometimes more than 40 of these horses would be harnessed to one machine Today draft horses can still be found on farms They are used for many tasks such as pulling carriages in parades helping clear fallen trees in forests and carrying riders Clydesdale horses are one type of draft horse Belgian Horses Belgian horses have short legs and large muscles They stand 16 to 17 hands high and can weigh between 1,800 and 2,200 pounds 820 to 1,000 kg Belgians can be many colors including roan bay sorrel or chestnut Belgian horse