Australian Draught Horse

Australian Draught Horse : The Australian Draught Horse presents a crossbreed between four worldwide famous purebred draught horse breed. Although they were brought in Australia from all around the world, the name itself tells us that their country of origin is Australia.

The Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire and Suffolk Punch are the four horse breeds that had great importance for developing of the Australian Draught. Sometimes light bloodlines that had part draughts, as well as the Belgian Heavy Horse also had influence. The first imports of heavy, draft horses were in the middle of the 19th century. Each horse breed from the above mentioned had its popularity spread through the continent.

The most important breeding and farm horses were in Tasmania, formerly known as Van Diemen`s Land. Van Diemen`s Land Company had a big role and imported the Shire horse, which later was exported throughout the other states of the continent. A need for a draught horse was increased in the period of a gold rush when European settlers promote their draught horses being familiarity with the agriculture development, as well as working animals in the forest, civilian transport and pulling wagons.

The physical characteristics of the Australian Draught Horse are a combination of the four pure breeds and occasionally some light horse blood. Their head is with average size and broad forehead. Eyes are clear and reflect their gentle character. The ears are very alert. Other common features include a neck of medium length muscled shoulders that blend into the withers, chest and back a wide chest, hip and hindquarters and feathers on the legs which can be light to medium.