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I can speak to temperament and general upkeep but not tow capacity.

I have always been partial to Belgians, and their mini-me's, the  
Halflinger.  I've had good experiences with Cleveland Bays, and some  
very very nice half draughts, mostly TB/Clydesdales.

The thing is, you really don't need something that's papered, so I  
wouldn't get hung up on a specific breed. It's all about the  
individual's attitude.  Right now, it appears spotted draughts are the  
"in" thing. Bluck.

A really good place to start might be the Virginia Draft Horse  
Club...   http://www.vdhma.org/
If they have an auction of anything coming up, it can be a real  
education just to sit there and watch, particularly if it's a good  
sale, where the Amish and Mennonites are buying and selling actual  
WORK horses.

In general, the bigger they are, the more generous. Squirrelly little  
beasts can really be a pain in the bottom. Horses get Napolean  
complexes, just like people. ; )

I have a dealer just south of Orange that I'd trust to do the right  
thing by you, if you'd like to ring her up. She's not fancy or fru  
fru, I promise. She's good people. (But, like me, she doesn't  
specialize in draughts or farm work horses, she does field hunters and  
pleasure horses mostly. )

Celia




On Oct 10, 2008, at 3:19 PM, Robert Walton wrote:

> Any thoughts on breeds of draft horses? Are some more practical?
> Anyone have any experience in this.
>
> I joined a draft horse email group, but that's mainly show people and
> lots of fufu stuff. I'm more interested in an easy keeping, hard
> working animal.
>
> Rob - Va
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