The term "draft" in draft horses comes from the word draught, which means to pull. Draft horses have been used to pull everything from farm implements to fire engines. Their contributions to civilization cannot be overstated for without them, this country could not have been settled. Draft horses and draft mules were used to pull long before tractors were on the drawing board and were probably the single most useful tool in the development of this country. Not only were they the "work horse" of the farm but they were practically the only source of transportation prior to the completion of the railroads across America. Although tractors, vehicles, and

Ken dragging logs with Percheron draft horse

machines of every kind have long since replaced the draft horse, they are no less useful today. In spite of a drastic decline in their numbers after WWII, draft horses are making a comeback, and with good reason.

There are numerous breeds of draft horses, each developed in a different country adapted to work in their particular soil and climate. The draft horse breeds include the ever famous Clydesdales of Budweiser fame, Percherons, Belgians, Shires, and the only draft horse still in existence that was developed in the United States, the American Cream Draft. The true drafts are huge horses reaching 19 hands (6.5 feet) at the withers (the very top of the shoulders) and weighing in excess of 2,600 pounds. There are also a few breeds of what are known as draft ponies. Draft ponies are similar in height to regular saddle horses but are built stronger and generally weigh more. These would include the Halflingers, Fjords, gypsies and a few lesser-known breeds.

Although the sheer size of a draft horse can be intimidating to the novice horseman, drafts are among the most docile and easily handled horses. Travel to any Amish community in the summer and you will see small boys driving teams of draft horses as skillfully as any man. Drafts have rightly earned the name "gentle giants." Since most drafts were created hundreds if not thousands of years ago in Europe, where horse meat is still a delicacy, any draft with a bad temperament soon found himself on a plate. When you work

Jerry Peck plowing with a team of Percheron mares. There is still a lot of horse-drawn equipment available, both new and used.

with an animal that weighs a ton, you just cannot tolerate bad behavior. As a result of their strict culling and selective breeding, we have inherited an animal that is both strong and gentle.

Draft horses are very versatile and have so many uses even today. I remember the stories my dad told of the early 1930s when he worked at a lumber camp in the virgin hardwood forests of the Arkansas delta. They moved thousands of acres of timber with the aid of huge draft horses and draft mules. My dad loved and admired those animals for their strength, intelligence, obedience, and gentleness. Here in Missouri, there are currently professional loggers who still use draft horses to remove selected timber. Unlike expensive skidders that need roads and cut huge ruts through the forest, a team of horses and an experienced logger can get in between the trees and remove selected ones without leaving much more than a hoof print. Unless you want your timber clear cut, a team will do far less damage to the forest, while harvesting only the trees that are ready to be harvested. If you are interested in harvesting your own timber or want to go into the timber business as a profession, you will have a lot less invested in a team of drafts than in commercial logging equipment.

Draft horses can be used almost anywhere you would use a tractor on the farm. Mowing with a team of draft horses is a tranquil, relaxing experience compared to the deafening noise of a brush hog and tractor. There's plowing, planting, spreading fertilizer, and pulling a stone boat or wagon while you pick up rocks or hay bales on the open field. The uses are endless. Contrary to what you see at the local implement store, there is still lots of horse-drawn equipment available, some new and some used. There are numerous draft horse sales and auctions across this nation where you can find inexpensive used equipment or new and refurbished implements. Whatever your need, there is a piece of machinery that will do the job.

Crystal Wolfe rides 'King,' a registered Percheron stallion.

I think the number one reason that more people don't use draft horses is because they simply don't know how. After years of owning "saddle horses," we decided to try these majestic beasts when my husband inherited his grandfather's old horse-drawn farming equipment. We knew nothing about hitching up a team or how to drive and didn't know where to turn for information. We looked into the various driving schools across the country but it seemed they offered such little time to learn something that appeared to be very complicated. Fortunately, a friend introduced us to a local teamster that enjoyed sharing his passion for draft horses and driving, Jerry Peck of West Plains, Missouri.

Jerry is the president of a local draft horse club called Ozarks Draft Horse Association and he and his wife Judy care for an ever-changing number of beautiful registered Percheron draft horses. I called Jerry to see what he would charge to give us driving lessons and he said "nothing." I figured the price was right so we showed up at his house one weekend just to watch. We climbed up on the wagon and sat beside Jerry as he took the lines in his hands and explained what he was doing and why. Within minutes, he was handing the lines to us. Remarkably, it was much easier than we imagined.

Months went by as we continued to show up at the monthly meetings and wagon rides before we were ready for our own team of draft horses. We settled on a team of gray Percheron mares that were well broke and experienced. We fell in love with the girls. They are extremely obedient and very loving. Almost nothing excites or spooks them and they perform for us flawlessly every time. We have yet to do any farming with them (our land is in pasture) but have found the wagon rides to be the hit of the neighborhood.

Fortunately, draft horses are making a come-back with more people buying small acreage and looking to own a few horses. Retirement is the perfect time to fulfill your dream of owning and driving your own team. This sport is not limited to young men but is enjoyed by women and men of all ages. You can spend as much or as little as you desire since there is a team and equipment for nearly every budget. The key to finding the right team for you is getting the assistance of a local teamster who can help you select a

Jerry Peck giving rides at a family reunion.

well-broke, experienced team. Learning is not the time to experiment with green broke or challenging horses.

A well-trained, experienced team does not mean that you need one with an impressive pedigree. It does not take a world-class show horse to make a wonderful farm horse as long as he is sound, healthy, and has a good temperament. Many people look for a horse of a particular color first. Although it costs no more to feed a pretty horse, personality and confirmation are far more important than color. Go to a few meetings or draft events and see who has well-behaved horses. Talk to that person and see who others trust. Let those teamsters be your portal into the world of draft horses.

Draft horse events are now a staple at most larger county fairs, and many states have local Plow Days, Draft Pulls, Draft Shows, and Draft Sales scheduled through out the year. Websites such as Rural Heritage (www.ruralheritage.com) and others provide calendars of events and a host of books and videos to get you familiar with the world of drafts. Even if you don't want to own a horse, you are always welcome at horse events and it's a wonderful way to educate your children about how our ancestors settled this country.

Just because a draft can weigh twice as much as a regular horse, it does not mean it costs twice as much to keep. A mature draft will eat more than a standard size horse but not much more. When it comes to other costs, a vet visit is a vet visit no matter how big or small your horse. Considering the horse can work to help pay for himself, it's a better deal in the long run. The benefits and joys of owning and using a draft horse just can't be put into monetary terms.

Although drafts were used mostly for work in times past, they are now just as likely to be used as riding horses. Their gait is

Members of Ozarks Draft Horse Association with a team of black Percheron geldings.

very comfortable and has been described as a big rocking chair. Drafts can be used for dressage, trail riding, or just riding them back to the barn from the field. Draft size saddles of every discipline are now available including English and Western.

The modern day draft horses are our heritage and a legacy handed to us by our forefathers. These gentle giants have much to offer today's small farmer or hobbyist. Their sheer power is awesome but what's more amazing is their willingness to love and obey us. Once you stand beside one of these beasts and feel their velvet nose on your cheek, you will understand the connection your great grandfather had with his animals. Contact your local club and go experience the majesty of a two thousand pound animal who dedicates his life to serving man. It will certainly be a day to remember!