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Belgian
The Belgian, as the name implies, is native to the
country of Belgium. This little country is blessed with a fertile soil and abundant rainfall providing the
thrifty farmers of Belgium with the excellent pastures and the hay and grain necessary to develop a heavy, powerful breed
of horse.
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale is a breed of heavy draft horse developed in and deriving its name from the district in Scotland where it
was founded. Its type was evolved by the farmers of Lanarkshire, through which the River Clyde flows. The old name for Lanarkshire
is Clydesdale.
It was bred to meet not only the agricultural needs of these farmers, but the demands of commerce for the coal fields of
Lanarkshire and for all the types of heavy haulage on the streets of Glasgow. The breed soon acquired more than a local reputation,
and in time, the breed spread throughout the whole of Scotland and northern England.
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Irish Draught
 The name Irish Draught may be misleading in that many people are surprised to find that the breed is a lighter free-moving
animal than the traditional image of the heavy draught horse. Nevertheless, the ancestry of the breed goes back to the small
Irish farm where the farm horse doubled up as a hunter, as well as, taking the trap or dogcart into the town. However, today
the Irish Draught is more sought after for its breeding qualities.
Percheron
Except for the recent past, the history of the Percheron breed is not exactly clear. The Percheron Horse did originate
in the province of Le Perche, near Normandy, France. The ancestors of the modern day Percheron served as war horses carrying
knights into battle instead as draft animals in the field. Those horses were light, sure-footed and spirited. As agricultural
pursuits began to take precedence over battles, these horses were bred more for size, weight and strength. The French, however,
kept very few records regarding breeding which allows for speculation on the breeds true origins.The Percheron of this time
showed less scale and easily adapted to pulling the heavy mail coaches of France. They stood from 15 to 16 hands high at this
time.
Akhal-Teke
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