Jack and Joe are Belgian Draft Horses. Their job on the farm is to mow and rake the alfalfa hay field. They are also hitched to the manure spreader to fertilize the hay field and pastures. We use Jack and Joe on the old farm wagon and when there is snow on the ground, they are hitched to the bobsled!	Draft teams do not 'pull' a load, rather they 'push' it. How can this be, you ask, if the draft animals are in front of the vehicle? Draft animals lean into their collars or yoke, pushing against it. The power from this pushing is transferred through the harness or chains to the vehicle.
Mules are also used as draft animals. The mule is a cross between a Jack (a male donkey) and a mare (a female horse). A cross between a Jenny (a female donkey) and a stallion (a male horse) is called a Hinny. Hinnies are not as common as Mules.	Gus (on the left) is our registered dun Quarter Horse. Quarter horses are a very versatile animal on a homestead. He can be used not only to ride, but can pull a light buggy. Gus still needs to be schooled as a buggy horse.
Handsome Jack
Horse drawn farm implements
"The Bronze Shadow" (aka Gus) Registered American Quarter Horse Gus is for sale SOLD!