THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE

THE DRAFT HORSE IN AMERICA

Power For An Emerging Nation

Table of Contents

• THE ORIGIN OF THE DRAFT HORSE
  • The Ice Age Leads to the Heavy Type Horse
• DRAFT ANIMALS IN EARLY AMERICA
  • Oxen Provide Power for 18th Century American Farms
  • The Revolution of Agricultural Technology
  • Larger Farms Need Greater Horsepower
• THE HEAVY HORSE HELPS OPEN THE AMERICAN WEST
  • The Iron Horse was Dependant on the Draft Horse
    • Horsepower was Essential for Remote Mining Camps of the West
• THE GROWTH OF AMERICAN CITIES
  • Horse Powered Mass Transportation Opens the Suburbs
  • Hauling the Goods
  • As the Cities Grew, so did the Demand for Powerful Horses
• THE DECLINE OF THE DRAFT HORSE
  • World War I - The Horse in Trench Warfare
  • New Machines Replace the Work Horse
    • Farmers Look for Smaller, More Economical Horses
• THE DRAFT HORSE TODAY
  • Heavy Horses Compete in Show Ring
  • Still a Willing Worker
  • The Draft Horse Continues to Play a Role in Modern Agriculture
• MAJOR AMERICAN DRAFT HORSE BREEDS
  • Shire - The Elegant Urban Work Horse
  • Percheron - The First Important American Work Horse
  • Belgian - The Most Numerous Draft Breed in America
  • Clydesdale - Best Known Draft Breed In America
  • Suffolk - The Heavy Horse Bred To Work The Farm
• ENGLISH HARNESS DECORATION
  • Brasses, Bells, and Fly Terrets

The Draft Horse in America exhibit is housed in the Francis W. Eustis Gallery of the Draft Horse. Mr. Eustis, a renown sculptor and painter, was one of the Museum's staunchest supporters, and donated most of the artifacts and art used in the exhibit. To see examples of Mr. eustis' work, visit the Francis Eustis Gallery.

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