These Top Workhorse Breeds Take Their Jobs Seriously

From the popular Clydesdale to the rare Vladimir heavy draft, get to know these 25 workhorse breeds.

There is something awe-inspiring about big, heavy horses. Bred to help till the soil, pull carriages and wagons, or carry soldiers into war, these workhorse breeds have hearts as big as their bodies.

Developed in different parts of the world to suit cultural needs, each breed is unique. But they all have one thing in common, they excel at their job. Get to know these 25 workhorse breeds.

Clydesdale

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Physical characteristics: Large-boned, tall, feathered feet

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 18 hands (72 inches)

Excels at: Driving, agriculture work

Bottom Line: Clydesdale

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The Clydesdale is an iconic workhorse. Best known in modern times for pulling the Budweiser wagons, these big draft horses hail from Scotland where they were used for farm work as well as driving.

The Livestock Conversancy estimates there are only about 5,000 Clydesdales left in the world.

Shire

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Physical characteristics: Large-boned, thick neck, feathered feet

Height: 16.2 hands (66 inches) and over

Excels at: Driving, agriculture work

Bottom Line: Shire

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The Shire is another well-known workhorse breed. Developed in England, they were used to carry knights in full armor — often weighing 400 pounds or more — and still move swiftly.

Shires were also used for pulling heavy wagons and other equipment.

Belgian

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Physical characteristics: Chestnut in color with white markings, short powerful neck, large feet

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 18 hands (72 inches)

Excels at: Driving, agriculture work

Bottom Line: Belgian

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The Belgian, touted as “America’s Favorite Draft Horse,” was a workhorse developed in Belgium. They are known for being one of the biggest, if not the biggest, draft horses.

Their ability to pull heavy loads is legendary. While not many farms use horsepower today, people still hold pulling contests to test a horse’s strength.

Drum

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Physical characteristics: Large-bodied, long legs, come in a variety of colors in solid or pinto

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) and over

Excels at: Riding, driving

Bottom Line: Drum

Drum horses for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee state procession

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The Drum is a unique workhorse breed that was developed for a specific purpose: to carry drums for the British Royal Household Cavalry.

They are a mix of Shire, Clydesdale and Gypsy horses, with the amount of Gypsy blood falling between 6.25 percent and 50 percent.

Percheron

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Physical characteristics: Dinner-plate-sized hoofs, nice neck, big shoulders

Height: 16.2 hands (66 inches) – 17.3 hands (71 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving, jumping

Bottom Line: Percheron

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The Percheron is another big workhorse that many are familiar with that got its start near Paris, France.

According to the Percheron Horse Association of America, “They have the strength to pull heavy loads and the graceful style to pull a fine carriage. Percherons can be ridden, and some have been known to make fine jumpers.”

Suffolk Punch

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Physical characteristics: Nice head shape, with an arching neck, chestnut in color with minimal white

Height: 16.1 hands (65 inches) and over

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Suffolk Punch

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The Suffolk Punch hails from Eastern England, and with most of the breed reaching a height of just 16 hands, it’s one of the shorter workhorses. Their shoulders are upright, bred for power instead of movement.

They have long been used for logging and pulling heavy equipment on farms.

Ardennes

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Physical characteristics: Thick broad chest, short legs, feathered legs, pretty head

Height: 15.3 hands (63 inches) – 16.2 (66 inches)

Excels at: Driving, therapy

Bottom Line: Ardennes

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A lighter workhorse, the Ardennes has gained favor not just as a driving horse but also as a riding horse. Their gentle temperament makes them an ideal match for therapy work.

The Riding for the Disabled Association in the U.K. uses several in its program.

Vladimir Heavy Draft

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Physical characteristics: Lighter-boned draft, with an athletic build, Roman nose

Height: 15.1 hands (61 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, riding

Bottom Line: Vladimir Heavy Draft

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The Vladamir heavy draft was developed in Russia to be a strong workhorse with speed.

According to the Oklahoma State University, “The 1968 record for the 2000-meter trot was 4 minutes and 21 seconds with a pull of 1.5 tons.”

Jutland

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Physical characteristics: Wide chest, arched neck, feathered feet

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) – 16.1 hands (65 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Jutland

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The Jutland is a very old breed, believed to have been used by the Vikings.

They are Denmark’s only workhorse breed, built for driving and agriculture work such as pulling logs or tilling the fields, though their docile temperament makes them good mounts as well.

South German Coldblood

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Physical characteristics: Light draft horse with medium-sized neck and deep chest

Height: 15.3 hands (63 inches) –16.1 hands (65 inches)

Excels at: Driving, agriculture work, riding (dressage)

Bottom Line: South German Coldblood

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A breed you may not have heard of much, the South German Coldblood was developed out of the Norikier, a light workhorse from Austria, and a few other breeds, including the Thoroughbred.

The South German Coldblood is an agile breed that excels not just at agriculture work and driving but riding as well. In Germany, they can be found in the dressage ring.

North Swedish Horse

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Physical characteristics: Deep chest, short neck, fine head

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) –15.3 hands (63 inches)

Excels at: Driving, agriculture work

Bottom Line: North Swedish Horse

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The North Swedish horse shares its roots with the Dole horse. There are two types, one of which is a working horse, used to work the farms in Sweden.

They have incredible endurance as well as good action.

Dutch Draft

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Physical characteristics: Thick, short back and neck with feathered legs

Height: 15.1 hands (61 inches) – 15.3 hands (63 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Dutch Draft

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The Dutch draft was created by crossing Holland’s Zeeland horse with the Ardennes and Brabant.

The result is a calm workhorse with good stamina that’s able to pull through Holland’s heavy clay soil.

Irish Draught

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Physical characteristics: Light draft with strong legs, short neck and pretty head

Height: 15.1 hands (61 inches) – 16.3 hands (67 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving, riding

Bottom Line: Irish Draught

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The Irish draught (pronounced “draft”) was developed in Ireland as an all-around horse. According to the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America, “In the early part of the 20th century, the Irish farmer needed a more versatile horse than the popular heavy draft. He needed an animal that could work the land throughout the week, go fox-hunting all day Saturday (jumping anything he faced) and then be ready to bring the family trap to church on Sunday morning.”

Today, they are used to create Irish sport horses when bred to a thoroughbred.

Dole

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Physical characteristics: Short, compact body with light feathering on legs

Height: 14.1 hands (57 inches) – 15.3 hands (63 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Dole

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This lightweight workhorse may be short in stature, but it is strong in heart.

The Dole horse, called Dolahest in his native home of Norway, is a small workhorse used to work the fields and is known for its strength.

Russian Heavy Draft

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Physical characteristics: Short, powerful cob–like build, with an upright neck carriage

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 14.3 (59 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving, and milk production

Bottom Line: Russian Heavy Draft

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The Russian heavy draft has an interesting use other than just working the farm or carriage driving. In Russia, they are used for milk production.

According to the International Museum of the Horse, “Fermented mare’s milk (in Russian kumys) has enjoyed a long tradition as a medicinal tonic in southern Russia and the steppes of Central Asia.”

American Cream Draft

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Physical characteristics: Short back with strong thick legs, known for their cream coat

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) – 16.3 hands (67 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving, riding

Bottom Line: American Cream Draft

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The American cream draft is the only working horse breed developed in the United States.

Known for their unique color and wonderful temperament, they are on the critical list, but avid breeders work to keep the breed alive.

Boulonnais

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Physical characteristics: Thick shoulders and neck with a large head

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) – 16.3 hands (67 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Boulonnais

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The Boulonnais is a workhorse from France. It was originally several different types, including a lighter draft that pulled fish carts.

Today, there is just one type: a thick, muscular workhorse that does well whether it’s put to work plowing the field or for carriage driving.

Breton

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Physical characteristics: Deep chest, short back and neck; most are chestnut, though other colors exist

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, riding

Bottom Line: Breton

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The Breton horse was developed in France and named after the Breton Mountains. They were popular among the military for their easy-to-ride gaits, a rarity among drafts.

Today, the breed is bred mainly for meat in its native country.

North American Spotted Draft

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Physical characteristics: Short back, strong shoulders and wide chest

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) and over

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving, riding

Bottom Line: North American Spotted Draft

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The North American spotted draft is a fairly new breed, developed by blending several draft breeds in the late 1900s. The breed was recognized in 1990, and the North American Spotted Draft Horse Association was created in 1995.

According to the NASDHA, “These horses are used for agricultural work, pleasure driving, parades, commercial carriages, showing, logging and riding.”

Italian Heavy Draft

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Physical characteristics: Wide chest, short thick neck and large head

Height: 14.2 hands (58 inches) – 15.3 hands (63 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Italian Heavy Draft

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Originally created for farm and military work, the Italian Heavy Draft is a thick workhorse breed that was known for strength and speed.

Similar to the Breton, they are now bred mainly for meat in their native country.

Brabant

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Physical characteristics: Shorter draft with thick bone, nice head and a kind eye

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 16.2 hands (66 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work, driving

Bottom Line: Brabant

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From pulling a plow and logs to driving the family on an outing, the Brabant was bred to do it all.

Later on, the American Brabant breed branched off from the European Brabant. There was even a separate association created for it when it was decided the two breeds had bred in isolation for long enough to have differing genetics.

Friesian

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Physical characteristics: Powerful and athletic body, big bones, feathered feet

Height: 14.2 hands (58 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)

Excels at: Driving, riding

Bottom Line: Friesian

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The stunning Friesian is known best for its pitch-black coat — though chestnuts do exist — and beautiful action under harness. A light draft, they were used for military work in the past.

Today, they are still enjoyed as incredible carriage horses as well as riding in a variety of disciplines.

Norwegian Fjord

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Physical Characteristics: Compact but powerful body with thick bones, short thick neck and a large head; known for their black-and-white-striped mane

Height: 13 hands (52 inches) – 15.2 hands (62 inches)

Excels at: Driving, riding, therapy

Bottom Line: Norwegian Fjord

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The Norwegian Fjord is a small but mighty workhorse. In its native home of Norway, they are an all-around horse that plows the fields, pulls the trap and teaches the kids to ride.

They are known for having a docile temperament that makes them excel as therapy horses.

Australian Draught

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Physical Characteristics: Large-boned, nice head, long back

Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 17.2 hands (70 inches)

Excels at: Agriculture work

Bottom Line: Australian Draught

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The Australian Draught was developed by mixing several draft breeds that were commonly used in Australia, including the Percheron, Clydesdale, Belgian, Shire and Suffolk Punch. The Australia Draught is still used for heavy pulling and farming, including draught competitions. Some ride their draughts as well.

The Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Society was created to help preserve the breed and to promote the breeding and working of draught horses in Australia.

Noriker

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Physical characteristics: Strong, thick legs, muscular neck and a spotted coat, though they can also be other colors

Height: 15.2 hands (62 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)

Excels at: Driving, riding

Bottom Line: Noriker

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Originally used as cart horses carrying goods through the Alps, the Noriker is a strong workhorse that was developed in Austria.

They are sure-footed and also make great riding horses.