That's a Clydesdale! - Or is it?

When you hear someone say "draft horse," what's the first thing that comes to mind? (Besides big!) I would guess that you probably thought of the Clydesdale, more likely than not, the Budweiser Clydesdales. The Clydesdale is probably the breed most recognized by the general public in the U.S. today, due in part to those world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. What most average citizens don't know however, is that the Clyde is not the only breed of draft horse out there, and not every draft horse is a Clydesdale. Showing draft horses has opened my eyes to the widespread lack of knowledge on this topic, and to the public's lack of "horse sense" in general. This hub will showcase the popular breeds of draft horses that are bred and shown, that you might see at your local or state fair, in the U.S. today.

Clydesdales originated in Scotland and are usually bay, with four white, feathered legs and a white blaze. However they can also be black, chestnut, gray or roan, have fewer than all four legs white, one or more black legs, body spotting and/or extensive white markings on the body, usually on the lower belly. Most buyers and breeders prefer bay or black horses, with four white legs and white head markings with few or no white marks on the body. Modern Clydesdales are bigger and taller than their original counterparts. They stand from 16 to 18+ hands, weigh from 1,800 to 2,200+ pounds and they are usually relatively docile in nature. The Budweiser Clydesdales are the "equine ambassadors" of the breed and arguably the draft horse world in general. There are several eight-horse "hitches," or teams, that travel the country making appearances and doing exhibitions for the public.

Shires have been called "the English equivalent of the Clydesdale," but they are most definitely a breed all their own. A Shire can be black, brown, bay, grey or chestnut/sorrel (rare, undesirable by most and the breed standard), with roaning and excessive white markings being undesirable as well. Shires are another feathered breed, feathers being the long hair on the lower legs, and their feathers are to be fine, straight and silky. They average 17 hands, 1,500 to 2,000 pounds and are usually mild-tempered. The unofficial 2011 world record holder for the world's tallest horse is a Shire in Austrailia, nicknamed Noddy.

Percherons originated in Le Perche, France. They are usually black, or grey, but can come in shades of brown (bay, sorrel, roan, etc) though it is not common to see in the show circuit. Percherons often have white markings on the head and feet, but excessive white is undesirable by breed standards. They can be anywhere from 15 to 19 hands, with the average being between 16.2 and 17.3 hands, and weigh around 1,900 pounds on average. Percherons are a "heads-up" breed, as they are typically a bit more spirited and animated than some of their Clyde, Shire and Belgian counter parts, though there are always exceptions. For nearly 10 years, the Percherons of Priefert Ranch Equipment's Texas Thunder hitch were the ambassadors of the breed. However, in October, 2011, they made what may be their "last stop" if they do not find new corporate sponsorship by March, 2012.

Belgians, did in fact originate in Belgium. Belgians are descendants of the Brabant, and today the two breeds are distinguishable from one another. Belgians are commonly sorrel or roan with a flaxen mane and tail, though chestnut, red roan and other colors are also seen. They are typically between 16.2 and 18+ hands and weigh about 2,000 pounds on average. Belgians are typically a laid-back, but very hard working breed, with plenty of action. Most of the draft horses in the U.S. today are Belgians, and they are popular work horses with people who still do work with horsepower and the Amish. A few of the "world's tallest horses" have been Belgians, namely Radar and Big Jake.

The Brabant is often called the foundation breed of America's Belgian draft horse. The two breeds resembled each other closely until the 1940's when European Brabants were bred to be more drafty with heavy feathering, and American Belgians were bred to be clean legged, lighter bodied, and taller. Today's Brabant horses average from 15.2 to 17 hands and can be many different colors. The most common colors being red bay and bay roan, but also seen are brown, blue roan, sorrel, strawberry roan and rarely black or grey. This breed along with the Suffolk, American Cream Draft, Spotted Draft and Pinto Draft are registered in the U.S., but are seen less often in the show ring than the Clydesdale, Shire, Percheron and Belgian.

The Suffolk horse, also known as the Suffolk Punch, is an ancient breed of horse that originated in Europe. Suffolks today are few in numbers in the U.S. and Europe. They average from 16.1 to 17.2 hands, weigh 2,000 pounds on average and are always chestnut. There are seven acceptable shades of chestnut, they are: bright, red, golden, yellow, light, dark and dull dark, mane and tail colors vary as well. They are well-tempered and hard working horses whose numbers have dropped since the Industrial Revolution but are still used today by some for draft work.

The American Cream Draft is the only draft breed that originated in America. It was in 1905 that the breed stemmed from "Old Granny," a mare of draft breeding with pink skin, a cream-colored coat, and amber eyes. These three traits are a result of the Champagne gene. Today's Creams, as they are called, stand from 15-16.3 hands, weigh 1,900 pounds on average and are a typically calm and willing breed.

The North American Spotted Draft Horse and Pinto Draft are also registered by people in the U.S. Both breeds are created by breeding draft horses with other breeds to create the pinto coloring that is characteristic of the breeds.