With an av
erage height of 16 hands (about 5.3 feet), and weighing in around 2,000 pounds; this horse is a favorite amongst those that breed draft horses. Thought to be descended from the “Great Horse” brought to England by William the Conqueror, these horses were prized by peasants who used them in farm work. In Suffolk, the ground is made up of a heavy clay soil, and the Suffolk Punch was perfect for plowing these fields because of their inherent power, stamina, and longevity.
If you ever wonder if the chestnut (chesnut as it would appear on the papers) horse in front of you is a Suffolk Punch, there are a few characteristics which stand out. Suffolk Punches have a powerful arching neck, strong upright shoulders, a short strong back, wide hipbones, and a high tail. The legs will appear short, whih is part of the reason they have so much power as a draft horse.
Special thanks Ev for inquiring about this remarkable breed.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Malok // Sep 4, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I had never heard of that breed. Wow, that is quite a stocky horse. Looks like a weight lifter. Still a darling though!
2 Health and Fitness » Blog Archive » History Of Horse Breeds // Oct 4, 2007 at 3:08 pm
[…] own. The planned mating of horses that is directed by humans has given rise to a number of special breeds of horses. Breeders, the persons who help facilitate healthy horse breeding, seek to bring about an […]
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