Raising Draft Horses

Raising Draft Horses

Raising Draft Horses

Raising draft horses—such as Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales, or Shires—requires understanding their unique needs as large, powerful, and often gentle giants. While they share core equine requirements with lighter breeds, their size, strength, metabolism, and historical role as working animals mean special considerations in feeding, housing, health, and training.

1. Understand Draft Horse Traits

• Size: 16–19 hands tall; weigh 1,600–2,400+ lbs.

• Temperament: Generally calm, willing, and intelligent—bred for steady work, not speed.

• Lifespan: 20–25+ years with good care.

• Uses: Farm work (plowing, logging), driving, riding (yes—they can be ridden!), breeding, or pasture companions.

💡 Despite their size, many drafts are “easy keepers”—they gain weight easily and need careful feeding.

2. Shelter & Space Requirements

• Shelter: A sturdy run-in shed (minimum 14' x 16' per horse) with high clearance (8–10 ft) for their height.

• Stalls (if used): At least 14' x 14' with reinforced walls and extra-wide doors (5+ ft).

• Pasture: 2–3+ acres per draft horse due to higher forage intake. Rotate paddocks to maintain grass and reduce mud.

• Mud management: Drafts are prone to scratches (mud fever) and stocking up (leg swelling)—provide dry lots or well-drained areas.

3. Fencing & Safety

• Height: 5.5–6 feet (they may not jump, but can lean or push through weak fences).

• Materials: Heavy-duty wood, pipe, or vinyl. Avoid electric-only fencing—drafts may not respect it.

• Gates: Use extra-wide (6+ ft), heavy-duty gates with secure latches.

• Remove hazards: Fill holes, remove protruding nails, and avoid toxic plants (e.g., black walnut shavings are deadly).

4. Feeding: Quantity AND Quality Matter

Draft horses eat more volume but are often efficient converters—many are prone to obesity, laminitis, and EPSM (Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy).

Key Feeding Guidelines:

• Forage: 1.5–2.5% of body weight daily (e.g., 30–50 lbs of hay for a 2,000-lb horse).

  • Use mature grass hay—avoid rich alfalfa unless under vet guidance.

• Concentrates: Only if working heavily or underweight. Choose fat- and fiber-based feeds over high-starch grains.

• EPSM Management: Feed high-fat, low-starch diets (e.g., added stabilized rice bran or oil) + consistent daily exercise.

• Water: 10–20+ gallons/day—more in heat or when working.

• Salt & Minerals: Provide loose salt and a balanced trace mineral supplement (avoid “horse” blocks meant for lighter breeds).

⚠️ Never let a draft horse go 24 hours without forage—they’re at high risk for gastric ulcers and colic.

5. Health & Hoof Care

• Hooves: Massive feet grow fast but can crack or flare. Schedule farrier every 6–8 weeks—specialized draft farriers are ideal.

• Leg care: Keep feathered legs (on Clydesdales, etc.) clean and dry to prevent scratches or mites.

• Vaccinations & deworming: Standard equine protocols, but adjust doses by weight.

• EPSM screening: If your draft shows muscle stiffness, reluctance to move, or sweating without work, ask your vet about EPSM testing.

• Dental care: Annual floats—large mouths can develop sharp points or wave mouths.

6. Exercise & Mental Wellbeing

• Daily movement: Essential! Turnout 12+ hours/day prevents stiffness, colic, and EPSM flare-ups.

• Work training: Start ground driving at 2–3 years; under saddle or in harness at 4+ years (bones mature late).

• Consistency: Drafts thrive on routine. Sudden inactivity (e.g., after working season) can trigger health issues—keep them moving!

• Companionship: Keep with other horses or calm livestock—loneliness causes stress.

7. Training & Handling

• Start slow: Use patience and positive reinforcement. Their size means poor habits are hard to correct later.

• Groundwork first: Teach voice commands, backing, side-passing, and standing tied.

• Harness training: Work with an experienced trainer if using for farm work or driving.

• Respect their power: A scared or startled draft can unintentionally cause serious injury—build trust early.

8. Special Considerations

• Heat sensitivity: Thick coats and mass make them prone to overheating—provide shade, fans, or clipping in summer.

• Winter coats: Many grow dense, insulating coats—blanket only if body-clipped or in extreme cold/wet.

• Breeding: Requires experienced management—foals are large (180–220 lbs at birth) and can cause complications.

9. Homestead Integration

Draft horses shine on self-sufficient farms:

• Plow gardens or fields

• Haul firewood or hay

• Power equipment via forecart

• Fertilize fields with manure (composted)

• Serve as gentle 4-H or family project animals

🌾 Tip: One well-trained draft can replace a small tractor—on a renewable, manure-producing, solar-powered (via hay!) system.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfeeding grain “because they’re big”

• Keeping them stalled or inactive for long periods

• Using ill-fitting tack or harnesses (leads to sores and resistance)

• Ignoring early signs of EPSM or laminitis

Draft horses are a long-term investment in sustainability, strength, and serenity. With proper care, they become dependable partners for decades—gentle enough for children (when trained), strong enough to shape a homestead.

“A draft horse doesn’t just work the land—it connects you to it.”

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