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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.