WAKING UP AT THE UU BAR

Every couple of years, Express Clydesdales of Yukon, Oklahoma, makes the one-day trek to the UU Bar Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, for a photo shoot. Serving as their photographer, I join the capable renown of Josh Minshull, Jim Westbrook, Don Langille and Evan Wall, along with eight black clydesdales and their bright blue stagecoach to an enthralling spread of southwest history. Upon our arrival, amidst a plethora of wildlife, we are instantly plunged into the old west’s memoirs of gunslingers, gambling and gallantry... Read more

Letter to the Editor

I would like to take this opportunity: the Draft Horse Journal’s fiftieth year in publication: to acknowledge and bestow gratitude upon, not only the founders of this fine magazine, but the current editor and his team who relentlessly strive to unify our industry through their quality quarterly publication.

The draft horse industry is not a product-driven industry. We do not yield an item that humans willingly wish to consume; like milk, meat, feathers or fur. Except for a rare sliver of history, when naturally-synthesized premarin was of value, the draft horse has contributed little in the last 75 years... Read more

Skijoring
Say Goodbye to Cabin Fever

Leave it to humans to come up with creative and challenging ways to maneuver across the snowy and icy terrain of winter. It could be as simple as strapping on a pair of snowshoes to go out and get the mail, or attempting the likes of alpine skiing, snowboarding, skating or skibobbing, a daredevil downhill sport where one hops on a bicycle-type frame mounted on skis. Other brave souls wax up shovels and take to the slopes, clocking in at 70 mph on a typical run. Talk about an adrenalin rush!... Read more

2014 World Percheron Congress
WE HARNESSED THE EXCITEMENT ALRIGHT!

Another one for the books. How three-and-a-half years-plus of planning, organizing, fund-raising and scrambling can appear in the rearview mirror so quickly is a question without an answer. But here we are once again, another World Percheron Congress (WPC) behind us. Like the last one held in the U.S., it was clearly a great success with positive ramifications reaching around the globe. Read the results in the Winter issue starting on page 140

Letter to the Editor

I would like to take this opportunity: the Draft Horse Journal’s fiftieth year in publication: to acknowledge and bestow gratitude upon, not only the founders of this fine magazine, but the current editor and his team who relentlessly strive to unify our industry through their quality quarterly publication.

The draft horse industry is not a product-driven industry. We do not yield an item that humans willingly wish to consume; like milk, meat, feathers or fur. Except for a rare sliver of history, when naturally-synthesized premarin was of value, the draft horse has contributed little in the last 75 years... Read more

History of Draft Horses

The Industrial Revolution proved to be responsible for both the rise and collapse of the heavy horse in America. Demand for draft animals was spurred on by the growing transportation, construction and agricultural needs of the nation. The last half of the 19th century made draft horse breeding both essential and profitable. Massive importations from Europe took place. The period also ushered in the development of the present day breeds of heavy horses. The number of horses and mules in The United States peaked in 1920, at about 26 million. The groundwork for today’s agriculture had been laid. The horse lost the battle of the streets to the automotive industry rather quickly. As for the battle of the agricultural fields, it fought very tenaciously, but eventually yielded in most cases to greatly improved tractor power. By 1950, it was indeed, on thin ice... Read more

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;... Read more