Types of Drafts

The members of Leeds County Draft Horse Club have a variety of teams made up of breeds from around the world. Any draft breeds and mixes are welcome at our events

Belgians

Draft Horse Originating in Belgium

Belgian horses are known for their kind temperament and for being easy to handle. Currently the Guinness Book of Records has a Belgian as the world tallest horse and another as the worlds biggest horse

Canadians

Draft Horse Originating in Canada

Canadian horses are a hardy breed, strong and well muscled and usually black or bay coloured. Their nick name is the little iron horse. The breed is considered "at risk" by Rare Breeds Canada

Clydesdales

Draft Horse Originating from Scotland

The Clydesdale is perhaps the most famous of all the draft horses thanks to the Budweiser beer commercials! They are recognizable for the flowing feathers on their legs.

Haflinger

Draft Horse Originating from Austria

A small but hardy draft horse. They are always chestnut in colour with white or flaxen manes and tails. They are versatile enough to be ridden and used for draft, forestry and carriage work. A breed requirement is that they are quiet and kind natured.

Mixed Breed

A Custom Made Draft

Some people find that mixing breeds of drafts gives them more of what they are personally looking for in a horse, the best of both worlds.

Percherons

Draft Horse Originating from France

The Percheron is a French breed known for their intelligence and willingness to work. They come in mostly black or grey, with the grey's transitioning to white as they age. They were originally bred as a war horse but over time they pulled stagecoaches and then were used in farming.

Shire

Originating from England

A Shire is an English breed of draft horse. Black, bay and grey are the most common colours. They are very similar to a Clydesdale in appearance but have silkier feathering on their legs.

Suffolk Punch

Draft Horse Originating from England

A heavy draft horse that is always chestnut in colour. Bred for farm work they almost became extinct due to mechanization, they are still listed as critical by Rare Breeds Canada and other organizations.