General Description

Draft crosses come in many sizes, colors, and configurations. A cross is generally the progeny of any draft breed mare, such as a Blegian or Percheron, bred with a light breed stud, such as a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse. The crosses are generally lighter boned and more spirited than the pure draft, and are often used for riding, jumping, dressage, and "light" harness work, such as showing and eventing.

Romance (and history) have it that all of our draft breeds descended from the age of knights in armor. They needed heavy, powerful mounts and the Great Horse of Flanders (a common ancestor to several breeds) provided the genetic material. The knights, encased in heavy armor on horseback, became the tanks of their time. They were later rendered obsolete by gunpowder, another element of the industrial revolution.

Be it for whatever reason - public appeal, versatility, practicality or economy - what was once regarded as an artifact of history has today become a tool of choice for many. The breed registries in this country confirm that it is growing. Any genome that has survived first gunpowder and then industrialization, can survive darn near anything. And survive is what the draft horse industry has done.