Abbie and Katie are full sisters. They are registered Percherons. Katie was foaled April 6, 2002 and Abbie was born April 6, 2000. They both have the same birthday!
They were born in West Liberty, Ohio where breeders Roy and Patsy Bragg had a 10-mare breeding operation. I was able to track them down, and they were delighted to find out where their "girls" were and what they were doing.
The Braggs ended their breeding operation and in 2006 the girls were sold at auction. Since that time, the girls have lived and worked in Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and New York. When I started looking for a team, I saw dealer Erin Lundy's advertisement, went up to see the girls, and knew they were a perfect match for our operation.
They are now Jersey Girls!
Draft Horses
Draft horses are the gentle giants of the horse world. Most riding horses range from 14.3 hands at the shoulder to 16.2 hands. A hand = 4 inches. So that translates to 5 feet to 5 1/2 feet at the shoulder. A racehorse, bred for speed can gallop at 25 m.p.h. Most weight 1200 lbs. A draft horse -- most are 6 feet at the shoulder, have massive feet, typically weight 1700-200 lbs, and top speed? 12 m.p.h. Draft horses are made to carry and pull heavy loads.
There are many draft breeds, but the most prevalant are the Clydesdale (the Budweiser horses), Belgians, and Percherons.
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| Belgian |
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| Percheron |
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| Clydesdale |
Percherons
In the early part of the 1900s, when people spoke about draft horses -- they usually meant Percherons. Percherons were the most numerous draft horses in the US at that time -- they outnumbered other breeds 3 to 1.
Percherons were originally imported into the U.S. from Perche region in France, starting in the late 1800s. The breed evolved from the breeding of captured Arabian horses to native French draft horses.
From late 1800-early 1900, the U.S. was dependant on imported horses. Early in World War I, the U.S. breeding started in earnest. The war demanded agricultural products, so Percherons were vital in the war effort, since at that time only horses were used in farming.
Percherons were also used in the war on the front lines. While there were motorized war vehicles, horses were more reliable to pull men and artillery into fighting positions.
Now, we don't realize how dependant the American economy was on the use of horses. Horses were used for circuses, delivery of ice, milk, coal, oil, furniture and other househood goods, as well as farming.
But, the rise of tractors and trucks pushed out the use of horses. By 1948 the days of horsedrawn agriculture were over.
Some interesting numbers:
- In Chicago, 1916, there were 49,682 licensed horse-drawn vehicles and 7,384 licensed trucks.
- In 1930, there were 33,033 registered Percherons, 8,841 registered Belgians, 1,454 registered Clydesdales and 1,506 registered Shires.
About the Breed
The Arabian influence gives Percheron horses an elegance not found in other draft breeds. They are smart, hardy animals. About 30% of Percherons will turn gray as they age, the rest are black. Here is a picture of Abbie and Katie in 2006 when they were much darker.
Ellis McFarland in 1937 said of Percherons: "The Percheron has the widest appeal of any of the draft breeds as an all-around farm horse. The expression, attitude and action of this strong and diligent draft horse suggest strength, energy, activity, robustness and endurance. ... He is naturally an up-headed horse with a great deal of sense. His disposition has no equal. A study of his head is enough to indicate to any horseman his unusual intelligence."
Abbie and Katie are considered to be "old style" or farm-type Percherons. Most Percheron breeders work now towards a show horse, more of a strong, more elegant carriage type horse.
The Urban Horse
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| Urban Horses - Abbie and Katie coming back to the plant |
Horses can be well-kept in urban areas. When I was in my 20s, I worked for the famed Claremont Riding Academy in New York City. The Claremont had about 100 horses on the West Side, close to Central Park. People could rent horses to ride in Central Park as well as take riding lessons. I worked there as a groom (tacking and caring for the horses), and I learned to jump in their small ring. Originally the Claremont was a hack stable -- the carriages were kept on the main level and the horses kept upstairs and downstairs.
Many draft horse owners, such as Amish farmers, keep their horses in tie or straight stalls. The horses are tied, can lie down. If horses work all day, they are happy to stand and lie down in one spot. It also is more efficient for bedding and stall cleanup.
I like horses to be able to move around in their stalls, so Abbie and Katie have 12x16 stalls. They can lie down to nap (haven't gotten a picture of that yet). Their stalls connect, so they can touch and nuzzle each other. We use pine shavings for bedding and have rubber mats on the concrete in the stalls, as well as where we harness them. We feed them NJ timothy hay, and use a 12% protein pelleted feed. They eat a lot! Each eats at least a bale of hay a day.
Abbie and Katie's Home
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| Abbie in her Stall |
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| Abbie getting harnessed |
We also lease a 1/4 acre plot of land just up the street from our main plant. The girls get turned out to do horsey stuff. Their favorite thing to do is roll. After about two hours, they are ready to come back to their stalls. The neighbors I've talked to, enjoy having horses in their front yard.
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| The paddock |
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| Enjoying a good roll |
Most horses in the U.S. are pets - occasionally ridden for pleasure. Some horses have show careers, others are breeding animals. A small number are used commercially.
My mother and I had a riding school and trail ride business in Havre de Grace, Maryland for 15 years, as well as a saddlery. Our horses worked for a living (maybe 2 hours a day). I learned alot during that time, from managing my own animals, taking lessons, as well as learning from others.
I believe if you own an animal, whether it is a cat, dog, snake, or horse -- a responsibile owner educates themselves about the needs of the animal, takes care of the animal, and trains the animal to do it's job (whatever that is).
The girls wear steel shoes with borium studs, to help them grip the road. Our farrier is Whitney Richards.
Whitney Pulling Katie's Shoe
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| Whitney fitting a shoe on Katie |
Our vets are Town and Country Veterminary Service, who specialize in horses. Horses need to have yearly vaccinations, get a Coggins test, as well as have their teeth cared for.
Horses are large animals. If not shown what they want, if not managed properly; they can hurt themselves or hurt someone. Horses are social animals. They like to be around others. If you establish yourself as the herd leader, they will do your bidding, and are content knowing what is expected of them. Routine is good. Exercise is good. Work is good.
Abbie and Katie have been farm horses as well as carriage horses. They know when their harness goes on, it is work time. They like to work. When we take them out to the street, they are eager to get out and about. They enjoy seeing the sights (although they don't like floating plastic bags!!) and enjoy attention from people.
In their stalls, they love to be groomed, have their bellies and behinds scratched. They are affectionate and kind. They nicker to us in greeting in the morning.
The longest we let the girls work is four hours. We've been taking them out 3-4 times a week, usually for 2-3 hours at a time. They are very capable of working 8 hours a day as they get fitter -- just like you and I. Right now pulling a carriage is not hard work for them. They usually are walking, with some trotting in between to build up their wind and stamina.
