|
Coldblood Horse Breeds
Large horses with a gentle disposition and a placid interaction style
are usually referred to as cold bloods. Cold blooded horses are
descendants of the ancient European breeds used for farming, hauling
and other types of heavy work.
Early cold blooded horses were also used for war: Medieval knights
needed heavy, strong mounts that could be armored and carry a heavily
armored man. Charging with a lance also required a horse with weight,
and the heavy cold blooded horses proved equal to the task.
Draft horses are considered coldbloods; they tend to be larger than
warm and hot blooded horses by a couple of hands and may weigh two
hundred pounds more than warm blooded horses. Examples of cold
blooded horses include the Clydesdale, the Shire and the Belgian. Cold
blooded horses, because of their stolid demeanor and great weight are
not suitable for sports other than hauling or pulling competitions at
farm shows.
Some people love the look of draft horses, who have thicker coats and
manes to enable them to endure rough weather more readily than sleeker
horses. Their heads and eyes are large, their legs and shoulders
massive, for pulling wagons filled with hay or dung or for being in
harness. The horses that once drew wagons of kegged beer or produce
through the streets of the major cities of the western world were draft
horses. Today, you're most likely to encounter them at working historic
farms, in the Amish towns of the Midwest, or at country farm shows.
If you want a horse to work plowing or hauling on your farm or for
occasional riding, a cold-blooded horse is a fine choice. Their easy
manner makes them gentle with children, and it takes a lot to spook
them. Some people mistake their easy going temperament for
thick-headedness, but in fact draft horses are very intelligent. Built
for endurance, these horses tend to have stronger limbs, often with
long, thick hair around their lower legs and hooves for added warmth.
These most ancient breeds were used in Europe for all kinds of work and
are still bred and worked by enthusiasts.
Breeds considered cold bloods:
American Cream Draft
Belgian Heavy Draft
Black Forest Chestnut
Clydesdale
Friesian
Haflinger
Noriker
Percheron
Poitevin
Shire
Suffolk Punch
Swedish Ardennes
|
|