The History of the Draft Horse Journal

The post WW II years were not kind to the draft horse and mule. Both horse numbers and horse use plummeted. The number of animals being exhibited dwindled and many shows dropped heavy horses altogether. The industry needed a boost and it got one when the first issue of The Draft Horse Journal was published in May 1964. New interest was stimulated and the heavy horse has since made a convincing resurgence. From the 28 pages in the first issue to over 300 in recent ones, The Journal has grown, evolved and progressed right along with the draft horse trade.

In addition to the magazine's traditional content, covering breeding, raising, showing, selling and using all breeds of heavy horses, the modern version includes veterinary advice from "America's Draft Horse Vet," Dr. A.J. Neumann; historical accounts by the publication's founder, Maurice Telleen; legal advice from Ken Sandoe; and witty columns from humorist Baxter Black. Feature articles address horse and mule logging, PMU ranching, horsemanship clinics, modern equipment, bloodline profiles and more, written by some of the best in the business. The Journal's sale and show coverage is unequalled and it's All-American Contest, unprecedented.

The Draft Horse Journal continues to serve as a central clearinghouse for buyers and sellers and prides itself on possessing the largest, most comprehensive base of advertisers related to heavy horses and mules anywhere, anytime. If you can't find it in The Journal, chances are you don't need it. If you're into heavy horses, there's no better value for your advertising dollar.

Though most content pertains to North America, The Journal also occasionally includes features from overseas, import and export news, tours, etc. The Journal's circulation base includes subscribers from over 20 foreign countries in addition to all 50 states and all provinces of Canada and constitutes the largest heavy horse audience in the world.

From the dark years of the '50s and '60s to the booming years of the present, The Draft Horse Journal has been keeping horse people united, informed, educated, entertained and interested. The industry will, no doubt, continue to evolve and you can count on The Journal to be there to record it...and evolve right along with it. If you work, breed, exhibit, pull, log, trade or simply admire heavy horses, The Journal should be coming to your mail box.