Hosting groups on sleigh rides is one of the Sharps’ favorite ways to introduce people to the exciting world of horses. The Sharp family purchased their land in 2018, moved into their farmhouse in 2020, and have been running a year-round horsemanship program ever since. Noel, age 17, is an integral part of the business alongside her younger brother and sister.

“I grew up giving wagon and sleigh rides with my family within the horse program that my dad managed,” says Erin. “I loved it as a kid. Jonathan and I wanted our kids to be able to learn and enjoy the world of farming and horsemanship, while making the world of harness horses available for everyone to enjoy!”

A Day in the Life at Haven Pines

Managing a farm and horsemanship business in all seasons is no small feat. The Northwoods region regularly experiences low temperatures in the negative teens, feet of snow, heat waves, and plenty of rain. Maintaining healthy horses in dynamic weather takes the entire family to be successful.

During a typical day of sleigh rides, Erin and Noel manage the driving horses while the rest of the Sharp family works to prepare the campfire, hot chocolate, warm blankets, and guest check-in process.

“We want guests to feel like they get to experience our farm as if they’re a member of our family,” says Erin. “Letting guests get to know the horses is a top priority for us. First, because our teams love the people, and secondly, because it’s so cool to get to know the horses that are the power behind the whole experience.”

Meet the Horses

In addition to their horses that are used for traditional English and western riding lessons, they have a string of driving horses.

“Oak and Maple, 5- and 6-year-old Belgian mares, are the stars of our 12-person sleigh,” says Noel. “Their kind and friendly personalities make them easy to love.”

Driving horses of all sizes call Haven Pines home, including a Shetland Pony gelding named Sampson, a Pony of the Americas gelding named Jack, and a Haflinger/Belgian cross named Randy.

Finding horses suitable for the work of sleigh rides is critical at Haven Pines. Pulling sleighs through snow is physically and mentally demanding work.

“The horse’s mind is the first thing I look at [when horse shopping],” Erin says. “Can the horse mentally live and work safely and happily in the environment I know will be waiting in my program? If the answer is yes, the second thing I look at is physical soundness. If the horse can pass a pre-purchase exam by a veterinarian, the third component is financial. Our equine programs must be self-sustaining. Ultimately, a prospective horse must be friendly, curious, forgiving, and healthy.”

Young Entrepreneur

Noel loves spending time with her family in the horsemanship business. She grew up working with horses alongside her mom, and now often drives Oak and Maple on sleigh routes.

“We always like to have two people with the draft team to make sure we can tackle anything that needs to be done while always having a driver at the lines,” Erin explains.

Since she’s still in school, Noel must balance learning and homework with farm work.

“The balance isn’t easy, but it’s worth it to do it for the guests,” she says. “Because I’m homeschooled, my education can support learning how to operate a business.”

On top of sleigh rides, Noel is involved in teaching riding lessons, doing chores, and managing her own herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats.

“One of my favorite parts of sleigh rides is working with the horses, and seeing how meaningful being around the horses is to our guests,” she says.

Keeping it Safe

Even when faced with challenges such as a record low snowfall in the winter of 2023-2024, the Sharps continue to invest in relationships with people and animals.

“Every sleigh ride business is unique, and learning what the exact perfect fit is has been a learning process,” says Erin. “We’ve had to deal with icy conditions, equipment breaking down, and other common issues that come with the territory of running a farm and managing livestock. Safety is a top priority for humans and horses. Our horses wear shoes with Borium cleats in the winter to ensure they can maintain good footing. We also conduct regular safety checks on harnesses, wagons, sleighs, and trails.”

Only rarely do the Sharps have to cancel sleigh rides due to inclement weather. The Northwoods is known for long, cold winters. As long as there is quality snow, sleigh ride trails can be maintained to be beautiful and safe, and caring for people and horses goes hand in hand at Haven Pines.

Learn more on the Havens Pine website.

This article about Haven Pines family sleigh rides appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Haven Pines: A Family Sleigh Ride Business appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“To help preserve the breed, individuals should prioritize continuing to register purebred livestock,” says Stacie Lynch, PHAOA executive director. “This investment is crucial for maintaining the breed’s integrity and ensuring the ability to trace pedigree and breeder information.

“It’s important for breeders to recognize the broader impact of registration, extending beyond just mares and stallions to include geldings,” she continues. “By registering all horses, regardless of their roles, breeders contribute to the breed’s welfare, support the registry, and safeguard the legacies of exceptional horses. This proactive approach ensures that each remarkable individual is duly recognized and remembered for generations to come.”

And the Percheron is definitely a breed worth remembering. Not many breeds can go from energetic high-stepping show horses to calm, quiet stable ponies, but the Percheron can. It’s one of the reasons lovers of the breed are so dedicated to them.

The Ames Percherons

“I grew up with draft horses,” says Jacqui Shaw, manager at Ames Percheron Farm, Inc., in Minnesota. “My dad, Jim Westbrook, bred Percherons when I was young and then became a professional hitch driver. It’s a family tradition. It just gets in your blood.” Jacqui’s husband Travis is also hitch driver for Ames Percheron Farm. He got his start in middle school with his neighbor’s draft horses.

The Ames family has a long history with the breed, starting with John and Eliza Ames, who immigrated to America from England in 1874 and farmed with Percherons. In the early 1900s, they began to show them.

As time went on, showing became their focus. In the early 1990s, brothers Dick, Butch, John and Ron Ames decided to invest in a team of driving Percherons to be sponsored by their company, Ames Construction. It was a way to keep their family tradition alive, and Dick had a real passion for the horses.

Showing a Big Hitch

Today, the Ames Percherons show in six- and eight-horse hitch configurations year-round, attending between 10 and 15 shows annually. And they have it down to a science. A team of five to six people can get the team ready in as little as 45 minutes, though the average is 90—still a speedy time!

And getting to the show? That takes two 53-foot big rigs: One that holds the harnesses and cart, and one that hauls the 10 horses. The trailer has space for 15 horses, but Jacqui says they never take that many.

Ames used to show teams of dapple grays, but Jacqui says the color is getting harder to find as it fell out of fashion, and some of the main breeders of gray Percherons were PMU farms in Canada that are now closed. So, they switched to an all-black team, for the most part.

“We still have a couple grays that get dyed to match the blacks for shows,” says Jacqui. (They use animal-safe cattle dye, and it’s legal at the shows they compete at.) “It’s all about appearance at these shows, and we even dye the blacks to make sure their coats really shine. Some get bleached by the sun, so we need to cover the brown. Almost every team at our level dyes their horses, in all breeds.”

A Dual Personality

Since 2000, Ames Percheron Farm has won the North American Classic Series six-horse Championship four times, and has multiple national titles in both the six- and eight-horse hitch. But Jacqui says that even if they couldn’t show, she and her husband would be content to just take care of the horses.

“These guys, the big horses, have a real gentle demeanor in the barn,” she says. “We train them to be flashy when they are showing, so you hook them up and they have a whole different personality. They are a powerful athlete that gives their all.

“But then you take them back to the barn and they put their heads down and just want to be petted,” she continues. “I’ve had a lot of riding horses, but they don’t have that split personality, where they can turn off the ‘hot’ when they aren’t showing.”

This sweet personality makes them a fan favorite, as crowds of people gather around to meet and pet them at shows.

“We get people saying they want one when they are ready for retirement, because they are so sweet and gentle,” Jacqui says.

This article about the Percheron appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Percheron appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Draft Horse Hoof Care

Gentle Giants Draft Rescue is a 300-plus acre facility in Mt. Airy, Md., that rehabilitates and re-homes draft horses. They are currently home to more than 150 drafts. Executive Director and founder Christine Hajek says the most common problem seen in draft breeds is hoof neglect.

One misconception about drafts is that due to their size, they wear down their feet on their own. This is not true; as with other horse breeds, drafts require regular hoof trims. However, given their size, “Expect to pay more for the farrier,” she says.

Drafts can have a reputation for being stubborn about picking up and holding up their feet. This is in large part due to their background. Many drafts come from Amish and Mennonite farms, says Hajek. There, feet are trimmed in wooden restraints called stocks, so many drafts haven’t been taught to stand while having their feet held by a person.

However, this can be overcome by patient, consistent training. Staff at Gentle Giants use clicker training to accustom drafts to having their feet handled.

Skin Beneath the Feathers

Along with the beautiful feathers some draft breeds have comes extra work in keeping the skin underneath healthy. Long hair on the lower legs can create an environment that is ideal for bacteria and parasite proliferation. Many drafts that arrive at Gentle Giants have a skin condition called scratches, mite infestations, or both, says Hajek.

Scratches, also called mud fever, is a dermatitis of the pastern and heel. Overgrowth of microorganisms on the skin’s surface results in localized inflammation, causing these areas to appear greasy. The skin will be red, thickened, and scabby, and may be sensitive to touch.

Mange mites, specifically chorioptic mites (Chorioptes species), commonly take up residence along a draft horse’s lower legs. Infestations result in intense itching that can cause a horse to stomp and yank his foot away when held. Some owners may misinterpret this as a behavioral issue; however, when the underlying condition is treated, this issue resolves.

Managing these skin conditions involves a delicate balance between moisture and dryness. Yes, those beautiful feathers will likely have to be shaved off (but they grow back!) in order to expose the mites and dry out any bacteria present. Initially, regular leg bathing will help fight these infections, followed by thorough drying.

Keeping the horse’s legs clean and dry then is key in keeping these skin issues at bay. Work with your veterinarian to determine the best shampoo for your draft and any other medications needed, such as an antiparasitic or antibiotic for severe infections.

Belgians, specifically, are at risk for a different type of condition in the legs called chronic progressive lymphedema, or CPL. Belgians with this condition develop swelling in their lower legs, which can lead to thickened skin and lesions. Not much is currently understood about this disease, but it is progressive and there is no treatment. Anyone interested in a Belgian should carefully inquire about the horse’s background and lineage, if known.

Feeding Fat

Most adult draft horses in little to light work and general good health are relatively easy keepers, meaning they can maintain a good body condition on quality forage, such as hay or pasture. In fact, if fed according to the guidelines on many feed bags based on body weight, owners may accidentally over-feed their draft, leading to obesity and associated metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance and laminitis.

Inappropriate diet is a common issue in many of the draft rescues rehabilitated at Gentle Giants.

“They were fed based on light breed horse guidelines,” Hajek explains.

When a draft horse does require a higher level of nutrition than what simple forage can provide, they may need more fat as opposed to the high starch seen in grain mixes.

“A lot of people don’t realize drafts may need a higher-fat diet,” says Hajek.

If your draft horse requires a high-calorie concentrate in addition to good quality forage, work with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to ensure he is getting a balanced diet appropriate for his metabolic needs, age, and workload.

Possible PSSM

One serious nutrition issue common in draft horses is a metabolic disorder called equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM or EPSM). Horses with PSSM are unable to properly metabolize and store carbohydrates, which becomes an issue when a horse is fed a high-carbohydrate diet (such as grain) and then exercised.

Mild signs of PSSM include muscle weakness, twitches, and gait abnormalities, but severity of the condition varies, and can escalate to colic-like signs, refusal to move, severe muscle cramping, and kidney issues due to muscle cell death.

PSSM is diagnosed via bloodwork, muscle biopsy, and, more recently, genetic testing. While there is no cure, PSSM can be managed successfully by switching to a diet high in fat instead of carbohydrates and a consistent exercise regimen. Careful management should be overseen by a veterinarian.

Neurologic Conditions

Draft horses are also more prone to some neuromuscular disorders than can look like PSSM.

Shivers and stringhalt are two neurologic conditions that typically result in an abnormal gait, most notably in the hind legs. These conditions aren’t lethal, but they can make a horse reluctant to lift his feet for a farrier.

Some horses with shivers or stringhalt can still be ridden or driven. Severity and management of these conditions varies by horse.

Eye Health

Some breeds of drafts with wide white markings on their faces, such as Belgians, Clydesdales and Haflingers, are predisposed to a locally invasive type of cancer in the eye called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

SCC can range in severity. A small lesion on the third eyelid can be relatively straightforward to remove. But in extreme cases, removal of the eye may be necessary, or possibly euthanasia if the underlying bone is involved.

Owners of Belgians and any breed with excessive white on the face should regularly monitor their horse’s eyes for any unusual coloration, irregularity, or signs of irritation. If something is abnormal, have your veterinarian conduct a closer examination. The earlier SCC is diagnosed, the better the prognosis.

Heat & Humidity

Due to their larger frames and associated musculature, draft horses can struggle to dissipate heat, which can lead to heat stress. When you add to this the challenges of keeping heavily feathered legs dry in humidity, it can be difficult to keep a draft breed comfortable in the summer.

For this reason, if you live in the southeastern United States, Hajek cautions against getting a draft. At the very least, she advises, avoid getting a draft horse from a northern climate and transporting him south, where he isn’t acclimated to the heat and humidity.

Key Takeaway

At the end of the day, a draft horse is still a horse, with the same training needs, personality quirks, and general care requirements.

“They train the same way [as a lighter breed],” says Hajek. “People tend to treat them like they’re different. The worst stereotype of drafts is that they’re dull and slow. That’s not the case at all.”

With proper care and consistent training, just like their smaller counterparts, draft horses make excellent mounts and companions. There’s just a bit more of them to love.

This article about draft horse health and care appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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An original American breed, the Sugarbush Harlequin Draft is a composite breed hailing from both the Appaloosa and the Percheron.

The opposite of “random” breeding, the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft was the well thought-out brainchild of Everett Smith, who sought to create a versatile horse that was well-built, smart, easily trainable, good- moving, kind and agile.

The Beginning of a Breed

Born at the end of the Great Depression, Smith witnessed the country’s transition from draft horsepower to mechanized horsepower as World War II ended. Though the jobs of many draft horses became obsolete, some draft horse fans transitioned them from corn field to carriage in an attempt to keep them relevant.

In love with the original mode of horsepower, Smith owned The Sugarbush Hitch Company in Willow Wood, Ohio, where he used purebred Percherons to pull his carriages and wagons. Dedicated to breeding the best Percherons he could, it wasn’t until he met Mike Muir that Smith began to reconsider his breeding strategy.

Muir was selectively breeding for a heavy warmblood Appaloosa sport horse he called the Stonewall Sport Horse, and Smith was intrigued with the idea that flashier horses might bring in more business.

In 1998, Smith used artificial insemination to breed a Percheron mare, Sugarbush Felina del Noche, to Muir’s Stonewall Rascal, who was 3/4 Percheron. The next year, the first Sugarbush Harlequin Draft horse was born and named Sugarbush Harley Quinne.

The 7/8 Percheron colt boasted a loud, leopard-spotted coat and embodied everything Smith had sought: he was patient, kind, athletic, beautifully conformed and had an incredible coat pattern.

Smith then bred Felina to another of Muir’s stallions, Stonewall Domino, and produced Sugarbush O Rosamunde. The beginning of an incredible breed was born, with Felina del Noche as matriarch.

Smith continued to carefully choose breeding stock to retain the loud coat patterns and quality draft horse conformation, and soon people began requesting his company—and his horses—by name. The Sugarbush breed was born.

The American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Association

As the breed began to grow in popularity, it became apparent that the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft needed an association that would oversee the purity of breed’s lineage.

In 2013, a group of passionate Sugarbush Harlequin breeders and enthusiasts gathered to create the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Association (ASHDA). Governed by a Board of Directors, the ASHDA is dedicated to diversifying the breed’s gene pool to limit the risk of genetic defects while maintaining the qualities and characteristics that have made the breed so beloved.

The Board ensures that each horse accepted into the Association meets a breed standard and adheres to strict genetic and conformational requirements.

A Versatile Horse

Though Smith’s personal passion was driving, the breed he created excels in any arena. Sugarbush Harlequin drafts are fantastic riding and driving horses. They compete in eventing, dressage, foxhunting and myriad other events, and are incredible lesson mounts and therapy horses.

The breed is gentle enough to give courage to the most timid rider and sturdy enough for the stoutest of riders to feel safe.

American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Fast Facts

As the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft is a new breed, the ASHDA Board of Directors is quite specific in what genetics they want to see.

To be registered with the ASHDA, all horses must be approved by the ASHDA Board of Directors. To ensure that a healthy, conformationally correct and quality animal is promoted and reproduces, the ASHDA has taken a proactive stance on genetic defects, requiring testing for all breeding stock animals in addition to the pedigree assessment and conformation analysis.

◆ Height: Typically 15.2 to 16 hands

◆ Color: Any base, with leopard pattern preferred. Solid-colored horses are acceptable. Unacceptable colors include pinto-type, excessive white markings, frame overo, tobiano, splash, and dominant white.

◆ Conformation: The chest should be wide and deep; hips should be wide with a rounded croup. The tail should be attached high, and the horse should have short, heavily muscled gaskins. Feathering is apparent but is not as long or thick as in other draft breeds.

◆ Movement: American Sugarbush Harlequin Drafts should have suspension and extension, with no pacing or gaited movement.

This article about the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft appeared in the July 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The oldest of all draft breeds, the European Brabant has been known by many names over the centuries. Once called the Flanders Horse, Dutch Draft and Brabander, the horse known today as the European Brabant has the same basic personality and physical characteristics as it did 2,000 years ago when Julius Caesar mentioned the breed in his diaries and when King John of England imported 100 studs to his private livery in 1199 AD.

Thanks to the efforts of those who cherish this breed, the European Brabant is still part of the horse world. Though rare (the Livestock Conservancy is currently studying them for possible inclusion on its critical list), the breed is still valued by those who appreciate its massive strength, kind disposition and fascinating history.

U.S. Preservation

Known in Europe as the Belgian Draft Horse, the European Brabant was first imported to America in the 1880s. Over time, American breeders began breeding for a lighter draft horse, and the American Belgian became distinctly different from the European strain. Today in the U.S., the Belgian and the European Brabant are two completely separate breeds.

In an effort to preserve the ancient European Brabant, breeders and enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada recently banded together to form the European Brabant Registry of America (EBRA). Since its founding in October 2021, the EBRA has concentrated its efforts on preservation by establishing the European Brabant and Brabant Stock Studbooks, as well as the critical “Breed Up”  Program, which is designed to expand the breed’s gene pool.

The EBRA also offers draft horse educational clinics to the general public as a means of promoting the positive attributes of all heavy horse breeds. Ultimately, the EBRA wants to ensure the original gentle giant—the European Brabant—and its descendants remain intact for future generations. 

Across the globe, European Brabants are still hard at work in a myriad of jobs. Because they are such strong and tractable work horses, they are still active in the timber and farming industries. They also work chest-deep in water, dragging fishing nets and pulling barges next to canals in Europe. 

In the U.S., European Brabants are often ridden. They are used in equine therapy programs, backcountry packing and trekking outfits, as school horses, and in dressage and show jumping. They also compete in single and teams driving, vaulting and circus acts.

European Brabant Breed Facts

◆ Height: 15 to 18 hands; average is 16.2 hands

◆ Color: Chestnut, bay, black, blue roan, red roan, strawberry roan, bay roan and gray. Some white markings on the face and legs are permitted. 

◆ Overall Appearance: Balanced and slightly rectangular in shape; ample, robust leg bone and a double-muscled hindquarter with a wide, long, slightly sloped croup. Well-muscled neck and a straight profile with a proud head carriage. The head should appear slightly smaller and refined for a horse of such large proportions. The eye is large and kind.

◆ Association: European Brabant Registry of America

Key Takeaway

According to those who love this breed, European Brabants are much more than draft animals; they are loving companions who want nothing more than to be with their humans, whether it’s on the trail under saddle or cuddling in the pasture.

This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Sam and Kellie have a singular purpose: to introduce and promote the Percheron, demonstrating up close the versatility, grace, and beauty of the gentle giants. Their six-horse hitch and wagon performances have made them fan favorites at Equine Affaire and Road to the Horse. Of course, it’s a monumental task to bring the Whispery Pines Percherons to a four-day event like Equine Affaire, but Sam and Kellie live for these moments.

“We want to share our horses with the world and show people how amazing they are,” Kellie says.

Growing Up With Percherons

Percherons have always been a part of Sam’s family. “My grandfather grew up on a dairy farm with draft horses,” Sam says. “And in 1976, my grandparents, Dick and Dottie Stasiak, established Whispery Pines Percherons. My grandmother came up with the name.”

Sam loved being with his grandfather—plowing and logging with the Percherons. “Grandpa made me his little sidekick,” Sam says. “And my grandmother always knew this would be my life; [she] told me I’ve got something special with these horses.”

At age nine, Sam wanted to play with the Percherons but couldn’t harness them without his grandfather’s help. Undeterred, Sam installed a pulley in the barn rafters, hoisted the harness up and tied it off, walked the horse underneath, and gently lowered it down onto the horse. Sam’s fascination with Percherons has never wavered.

At Whispery Pines, It’s a Family Affair

Kellie grew up riding Quarter Horses, watched Sam and his grandfather show the Percherons at local fairs, and attended the same high school as Sam.

“I’ve always loved draft horses. I was drawn to them, and loved Sam and his grandfather since I was little,” Kellie says.

When Sam was about 16, he was with his grandfather at a show when he realized a Percheron was missing. “I asked Grandpa where Rex was,” Sam recalls. “And he said some young blonde took him. I found Kellie running barrels on my horse, and realized this might just work out.”

Twenty years later, Sam and Kellie are going strong—happily married and running a multifaceted business. “My biggest passion is Kellie and the horses,” Sam says.

Kellie adds, “I get to be with Sam, doing what we love every single day. The biggest challenge is the huge workload. There’s a lot of moving pieces.”

Whispery Pines Percherons offers carriage rides throughout the year for special occasions, including weddings and funerals. “A horse-drawn hearse—it’s an honor to be able to do that,” Kellie says.

In the winter, Whispery Pines also hosts sleigh rides through the woods to a little log cabin. Kellie also does photoshoots with the Percherons—complete with unique costumes she creates. “This business has taken me in all different directions—ways I never would have imagined—but all to involve the horse,” Kellie says.

Logging With Percherons

For over 22 years, Whispery Pines Percherons has specialized in horse logging and harvesting hardwood timber for private landowners in an eco-friendly manner. Sam explains, “Logging with horses is the lowest impact you can do to remove timber. It’s more of a selective process to regenerate the forest… We lay the tree down in the forest, with as minimal damage as possible, and then cut it into 10- or 12-foot pieces. We remove those logs using a two-horse team and only need a 6-foot-wide 4-wheeler trail.”

Although it’s possible to pull a log with a single horse, draft horses work best as a team. “They have a partner,” Sam says. “And they can handle their body weight times two. A pair of horses is about 2 tons—or 4,000 pounds—so they can handle about 8,000 pounds.”

Harnessing a draft horse requires strength. The collar alone weighs 30 to 40 pounds; the bigger the horse, the bigger the collar. Sam and Kellie can get a pair of horses tacked up and ready to go in about fifteen minutes if the harnessing tack is already fitted to the horse.

Gentle Giants

Percherons are undeniably impressive due to their massive size. Flash, one of the Whispery Pines Percherons, towers at 19.2 hands. Despite their size, Percherons are agile, have high energy, and possess great endurance. Their personality is steady, calm, and easygoing. And their charm is matched by their stunning beauty.

“We call them the classiest of the draft horses,” Sam says. “When we bring them to an event and shine them up, they are the coolest looking horse.”

But Percherons are more than just eye candy to horse lovers. “The love they have for us and what we do is just outstanding. They have the biggest hearts,” Kellie says.

“I love their passion back to us,” Sam says. “The respect you put into them you get back from them… They are ready for the job before we even ask, whether to plow, spread manure, or travel off-site. They are stepping on our toes saying, ‘Let’s go.'”

The gentle personality of these horses attracts attention wherever they go. “They just love people so much,” Kellie says.

Percherons excel at learning. “Usually, if you teach the horse one time, let them think it through, you don’t ever have to go back to it,” Sam says.

Kellie adds, “They are so smart. Sometimes, I swear they know what we’re going to do before we even ask.”

Carrying On the Whispery Pines Legacy

Sam and Kellie’s love of horses and respect for one another is the glue to their relationship, as they joyfully carry on the legacy of Sam’s grandparents.

“It’s really hard work. There’s not a lot of us around that still do this type of family business,” Kellie says.

“These horses are our kids,” Sam says.

The rewards of bringing the Percherons to the public make all the sacrifices worthwhile. “People are just drawn to these horses,” Kellie says. “When we’re performing, I look at the crowd and see that one little girl or boy and watch their face light up.”

Sam adds, “When I was a kid, draft horses were a lot more common. They were in every farm or neighborhood, but not anymore. So the fairs and shows we go to allow kids to meet the breed.”

Whatever your age, it’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with a Percheron!

To learn more about Whispery Pines Percherons, visit whisperypines.com and follow them on Facebook. Then, discover how the Percheron Horse Association of America Education and Charitable Fund supports Percheron clinics and education.

This article about Whispery Pines Percherons is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Developed in North America from Brabant stock, they were bred to be an all-round farm horse. Today, The Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America remains the largest register for draft horses in America, according to Michelle Keaffaber, Belgian Draft Horse Corporation chief operating officer.

“Our office process approximately 3,500 registrations and 3,000 transfers per year, which has been consistent for the past five years,” says Keaffaber.

Belgian Horse Events and Highlights

The Corporation includes the Belgian Draft Horse Alliance, whose mission is to help foster continuous growth of the Belgian Draft Horse with programs, including a Hall of Fame, Merit program and a National Belgian Futurity and show.

The Belgian Expo is held annually on the second Saturday in July, rotating between Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania. The National Belgian Show, happening the third week in August, celebrated its 101st year in 2023.

To promote youth involvement, the Corporation also has youth ambassadors that receive yearly training in social media conduct and how to run the Corporation booth at shows and sales. They also offer a Youth Merit Program and college scholarships.

The breed seems to enjoying a bit of a renaissance, with a 3-year-old Belgian gelding named Pleasant Country Supersonic selling for $137,500 at the Mid-America Draft horse Sale in February 2023, setting a world record.

The Belgian as a Therapy Horse

Danielle Scott of Stewartstown, Pa., has a passion for community service, so she decided to travel to assisted living facilities with therapy horses. But not just any therapy horses: Her team includes a 30-year-old Belgian Draft Horse named Clyde and a 20-year-old Belgian Draft mule named Everett.

Scott adopted Clyde from Gentle Giants Horse Rescue. Originally, her two equines were just family pets.

“But they both enjoy spreading this type of joy,” she says. “And getting snacks and scratches is good, too! Clyde was a plow horse for 28 years. He’s known nothing but being a hard worker, and he has no desire to quit. He’s a prideful horse, and I think he loves living his life with purpose.”

While such a large therapy horse may seem strange, Scott says it works well.

“Belgians are incredibly sensitive and sweet-natured,” she explains. “I think they really connect with the elderly. They are so patient, even when pats are heavy, and they take treats so gently, especially when hands can’t straighten all the way out to hold flat.”

Scott says hearing the people they visit talk about the horses and get excited is a huge reward. One woman with dementia started sharing stories of horses she used to ride. And a World War II vet told her about the horses they used during the war.

Clyde, a retired Amish plow horse, also does paper chases and shows. Paper chases are where riders follow a trail and are judged on obstacles and tasks along the route.

Preserving Their Past

Meanwhile, Brent Brophy from Arcadia, Mich., still uses Belgian Draft Horses for logging. He has been using them for six years, and currently has three on his team.

“Horses are a lot more environmentally friendly than machines,” he says of why he still logs the old-fashioned way.

“I have the big pulling-bred Belgians,” says Scott. “I chose them because of their size and attitude toward work. They love it.”

Like Scott, Brophy has found the Belgian to be a happy worker, enjoying whatever job they are doing. And these are no small pullers: Brophy’s large boy is 19.1 hands and weighs 2,780 pounds. His others are 19.2 and 18.2 hands.

Key Takeaway

While the breed may have been developed out of necessity for the early American farmer, it has become a whole lot more. Whether pulling logs, providing therapy, enjoying a trail ride, running barrels at a fair or stepping out in front of a cart, one thing is for sure: the Belgian Draft Horse does it all willingly and sweetly. If you’re looking for something with lots of power, don’t let their size frighten you from giving them a try.

This article about the Belgian Draft Horse appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Bred for farm work and heavy carriage deliveries, Belgium’s native Belgian draft horse is more commonly seen in show and recreational pursuits today: weight-pulling competitions, in-hand performance or carriage driving. However, some agriculturalists are returning to horses like the Belgian as a more ecologically friendly method of cultivation.

The Belgian is a descendant of a medieval war mount, the Flemish horse, also known as the Great Horse. Later, stallions were exported to countries throughout Europe to add height and substance to other draft-type breeds for industrial and farm work.

American Story

The United States imported the first Belgians in the 1860s, and the Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses was established in 1887 to promote the breed. The Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America grew from this organization in 1937 and remains the registry for the breed today.

In 1903, the Belgian’s powerful look and skills garnered much positive attention at the St. Louis World’s Fair and International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Despite declines in numbers during World War II and the switch to mechanized farm equipment, the Belgian survived to become one of most popular draft breeds. Besides their strength, Belgians are loved for being docile, hard-working and hardy.

Belgian Draft Horse Fast Facts

Height: 16 to 18 hands high

Weight: Belgians can weigh more than 1 ton (2,000 pounds).

Color: Acceptable colors include blonde, sorrel and roan with light points, and chestnut. White manes and tails, as well as a white stripe on the face, are preferred.

Overall Appearance: Belgians have well-defined musculature, a level back, large hooves and a deep girth.

To learn more about the Belgian, visit the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America website.

Further Reading:
The 10 Biggest Horses: Giants of the Equine World

This article about the Belgian draft horse originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Belgian Draft Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Clydesdale Breed History

The Clydesdale originated in the Clyde Valley, Scotland, and is the youngest of all the United Kingdom heavy breeds, finding its full development in the last 150 years. In the late 1700s, Native horses of Lanarkshire were put to Flemish horses, imported by the Duke of Hamilton, to increase their height and bulk.

Clydesdales were imported throughout the world and helped build the cities and towns of Canada, Australia and America. Today, they are extremely familiar in the United States because of their use in advertisements by Anheuser Busch. Teams of ‘Budweiser’ horses are kept and displayed at Anheuser Busch theme parks throughout the United States.

Breed Characteristics

Clydesdales stand from 16 to 18 hands and can be bay, brown, roan, black or gray, with white feathers and white markings. The Clydesdale is a flashy, high-stepping horse with strong, large feet. In fact, their feet were so big that in days past farmers couldn’t fit them in plow furrows. Therefore, Clydesdales were often worked in towns rather than farms.

For more information on the breed, check out the Clydesdale Breeders of the U.S.A. (CBUSA). The organization is the member organization for the breed, and is open not only to breeders and owners but to all those with a love for the Clydesdale horse that are interested in its advancement.

Further Reading:
10 Biggest Horses: Giants of the Equine World

This article originally appeared in Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Many people have this romanticized image of the Romani people, in large part because of Hollywood, which has portrayed them in films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and From Russia With Love. In reality, the Romani are an ethnic group that has traveled the world for generations, migrating through the Middle East and Northern Africa, eventually ending up in Western Europe. While some of their migration was by choice, much of it was forced as they were pushed out of one country after another over the centuries.

The culture of the Romani people is rich with music, food and art, and has been handed down through the generations. An important part of that culture was, and still is, the horse. While the Romani no longer need horses to help them travel from one place to another, their horses are still treasured as a link to the past.

Late in the last century, Americans discovered something the Romani people of Great Britain had been quietly keeping to themselves: the Gypsy Vanner. By carefully breeding Shires, Friesians and Clydesdales to the native Dale Pony, they had created a beautiful, compact draft horse to pull their vardos—brightly painted and intricately carved traditional Romani wagons.

Vanners in America

The Gypsy Vanner was first brought to the U.S. in 1996. People fell in love with its heavy bone and broad body, all in a compact package. Though originally bred to pull wagons, the Gypsy proved to be a great riding horse, versatile in many disciplines.

Much of the Gypsy Vanner’s appeal lies in its striking appearance. The breed’s long, flowing mane, thick tail and heavy leg feathering are unmistakable, especially when combined with the Vanner’s small body. Although many Vanners come with pinto markings—often black and white tobiano—every horse color and pattern is seen in the breed.

The Gypsy Vanner—also known as the Gypsy Horse and Gypsy Cob—once numbered only a few individuals in the U.S. Today, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society alone counts 8,500 registered Gypsy Vanners. The group also has registered horses in 17 other countries.

Since the Gypsy Vanner arrived on American shores, the breed has proven to be successful in dressage, competitive driving, jumping, ranch work and on the trail. They also compete in Gypsy Vanner breed shows in a variety of classes, including western pleasure, English, hunter hack, halter and ranch riding.

Dressage is becoming particularly popular for Gypsy Vanner riders, and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) recognizes the breed in its All-Breed Awards program, which is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. In 2017, a Gypsy Vanner stallion named Starfire’s The Five Card Stud was named USDF All-Breeds Reserve Champion, beating warmbloods in the dressage arena.

This year, the Gypsy Vanner is celebrating 25 years since the breed arrived in America. To commemorate, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society is holding its 25th Anniversary Gala in November 2021. Because the organization was established in Ocala, Fla., when the first Vanners arrived in North America, Ocala was chosen as the location for the event.

A stunning breed with an exotic history, the Gypsy Vanner is an eye-catching horse whose popularity is growing in leaps and bounds. Although somewhat rare compared to breeds that have been in the U.S. for many decades, the Gypsy Vanner is becoming so well known, it’s hard to find a horse lover who hasn’t seen or heard of it.

This article about the Gypsy Vanner appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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