THE DRAFT HORSE IN AMERICA

Power For An Emerging Nation




THE GROWTH OF AMERICAN CITIES:
The Draft Horse In Urban America

Horse Powered Mass Transportation Opens The Suburbs

The Draft Horse played a significant role in the growth of urban America. From the end of the Civil War to the beginning of World War I, the United States was in transition from an agrarian to an urban society. As cities, grew, so did the need for mass transportation. The luxury of a private carriage or the regular use of cabs was beyond the means of the average city dweller. Therefore, prior to reasonably priced and effective horse powered mass transit systems, most people were forced to live within walking distance of their work. This severely restricted the ability of the cities to grow.

The development of draft horse powered mass transit systems allowed the cities to expand into the new suburbs. In 1880, horse-car lines were operating in every city in America with a population of 50,000. By 1886, over 100,000 horses and mules were in use on more than 500 street railways in more than 300 American cities.



As Cities Grew, So Did The Demand For Powerful Horses

Heavy horses conveyed the mountains of cargo unloaded at city terminals by railroads, steamships, and canal boats; and distributed the goods produced in urban factories. The vans used for cartage were fifteen to twenty feet long and often carried loads of over ten tons. For the most part, strength and endurance were the prime considerations in selecting the horses used to haul the goods. Some businesses, on the other hand, used brightly painted delivery wagons pulled by handsomely matched teams, to advertise their products. Breweries, meat packers, and dairies were particularly fond of this practice, assembling elaborate wagons, powered by four or six regally harnessed draft horses which, by 1890, averaged 2,000 pounds apiece.

These show hitches soon began to compete in the show ring, especially at the annual International Livestock Show held at the Chicago Stock Yards. Their legacy can be seen today with the famous Budweiser Clydesdales and countless other show hitches performing in American show rings.

The Horse Became an Essential Part of Urban Fire Protection During the 1850's
Since the total destruction of Jamestown in 1608, one of the greatest dangers faced by urban Americans has been fire. As cities grew, the magnitude of destruction from urban fires became even greater. With the introduction of heavier and more efficient steam pumpers and ladder trucks in the 1850's, horses became an integral part of urban fire departments. Then as now, speed was essential in fire fighting. Intricate systems were developed to hasten the harnessing of the fire horse teams. When an alarm sounded, stall doors were automatically opened and the horses were moved below their suspended harness. The harness, complete with hinged collars, was then dropped onto their backs and quickly secured by the driver. With a good crew, the entire operation could be completed in around two or three minutes. Fire horses were most always draft crosses selected for speed and strength. In New York City, the first fire horse was purchased in 1832. By 1906, their number had grown to nearly 1500.




THE DECLINE OF THE DRAFT HORSE

The Urban Horse Faced New Competition With The Coming of the 20th Century

By the turn of the century, at least half of the 13,500,000 horses in the United States carried between 10% and 50% draft horse blood. More than 3 million of these were in use in non-farm capacities by 1910. With the continued growth of heavy industry, and increased European immigration, American cities were experiencing unprecedented growth. New interest in public health, rising real estate values, and improvements in electric and gasoline powered alternatives to horse power combined to mark the rapid decline of the horse's significance in the city.

Within a decade, the horse was replaced in public transportation by motorized taxies, electric streetcars, and subways. Large new gasoline powered trucks had a similar impact on transportation of goods. The new trucks were three times faster (ten miles an hour) than the horse powered drays, took less room to store, and eliminated the problem of manure disposal. One of the last urban uses of the horse to succumb to mechanization was the horse-drawn hearse, which continued to be utilized into the 1930's.



World War I

The Horse in Trench Warfare
World War I provided a tragic chapter in the history of the draft horse. In 1913, the year prior to the war, less than one thousand horses were exported to France and England from America. Over the next five years, total exportation rose to more than one million. As the conflict was essentially one of trench warfare, light cavalry horses, which numbered over one million, were virtually useless. The primary demand was for heavier horses, which could pack supplies and ammunition, and haul artillery to the front.

When the American Expeditionary Force entered the war in 1917, they took with them an additional 182,000 horses, Of these, over 60,000 were killed, and many thousands were wounded. Only 200 returned to America after the war. From 1914 to 1918, British veterinary hospitals in France treated 2,564,549 horses and mules for war inflicted injuries.



New Machines Replace The Work Horse

Farmers Look For Smaller, More Economical Horses
The market for heavy horses went into a steady decline after World War I. The reduction in the number of domestic draft horses, an increased demand for American grain exports, and the improvements in the gasoline powered tractors combined to hasten the replacement of the draft horse by machines. This was especially true of pure-bred draft stock. In 1920, there were 95,000 registered draft horses in America. By 1945, this figure dropped to under 2,000.

Particularly hard hit were the Clydesdale and the Shire. Both breeds had been used primarily in the city, and were affected earlier than other draft breeds. The heavy feathering on the feet of the Shire and Clydesdale was considered a maintenance problem on the farm, therefore diminishing their popularity. What remained of the draft horse market was centered primarily on the farms of the Midwest. The American farmer looked for a smaller, more economical animal. Belgian breeders responded by breeding a more compact horse, resulting in the Belgian becoming the most numerous draft breed in the U.S. by 1937.

By the early 1950s, registrations for all draft breeds dropped dramatically, with many breeders going out of business. The numbers of Shires and Suffolks dropped so low that in 1985 they were listed as "rare" by the American Minor Breeds Conservancy.




THE DRAFT HORSE TODAY

Heavy Horses Compete In Show Ring

The modern draft horse is making a strong comeback as a pleasure animal. Registration figures have risen steadily for all draft breeds over the past two decades. Today, they are found in show rings throughout the country in halter, conformation, and hitch classes. 1988 marked the inauguration of the North American Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series. The best of U.S. and Canadian show hitches compete in 33 qualifying shows leading to four final competitions.

Hundreds of horse pulls are held across the country each year. The best horses from local competitions meet each year in Michigan at the Hilldale County Fair, home of the world championship horse pull, competing in light and heavyweight categories.



Still A Willing Worker

The Draft Horse Continues To Play A Role In Modern Agriculture
The draft horse has again found a limited place in American agriculture, especially since the oil shortages of the 1970's. While not competitive with a tractor in large scale farming, the draft horse can be a practical alternative in small scale and specialty operations.

Grade draft horses can be purchased more reasonably than mechanized equipment, have the distinct advantages of reproducing themselves, and of providing a ready source of fertilizer.

Draft horses continue to play a role in logging. In selective tree harvesting, horses are much more practical than tractors or other heavy equipment for removing the downed trees. Ecologically, they do considerably less damage to forest floors, work quietly, and don't pollute the air.

Above and beyond practical considerations, working with draft horses, either for pleasure or profit, offers men and women the intangible experience of working with a thinking, breathing animal who has served them faithfully for hundreds of years.




Major American Draft Breeds
Draft Horse: Table of Contents
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