Fact or Fiction: Draft Horse Edition

Draft horses have long captured horse-crazy little girls' imaginations as magical feathered giant beasts. But you might be surprised–it's not all foofy hairdos and carriage rides.

(top image from Kathy's Korral)

Myth: Those feathers stay clean, right?

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Reality: Ha. Ha. Ha.

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Myth: All draft horses are slow.

Reality: Not on barrel racing day! They'll turn and burn…okay, turn and thunderously canter or turbo-trot away.

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Myth: All draft horses are quiet.

Reality: Draft horses weigh about 2000 lbs. and if they haven't been trained correctly, some of them are well aware of that fact!

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Myth: Draft horses will accept you no matter what, even if you Prancercise up and down the barn aisles before every ride.

Reality: A horse can only put up with so much.

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Myth: Draft horses are only used for plowing and driving.

Reality: Well, they're not exactly what your typical hunter/jumper judge expects to see in the ring…but they don't do half bad!

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Myth: Draft horses are gentle giants.

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Photo by Helene Ambrosio

That one's true…it's the ponies you have to watch out for!

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Unless otherwise noted, all photos came from Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue and talented photographer Chris Lama-Hickey's Horsin' Around Facebook page where she chronicles her adventures volunteering in the draft horse world. If you're in the Maryland area, be sure to check them out since they always need a helping hand!

Go Volunteering.

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