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HISTORY

The Australian Draught Horse was developed in the 1800s from the four main draught breeds brought to Australia with the early settlers: Clydesdale, Shire, Percheron and Suffolk Punch. With the boom of agriculture after the gold rush period, heavy horses were in high demand as a faster alternative to bullocks.

Different breeds were popular in different states, but gradually, a type began to develop that was unique to Australia. They were used for everything from logging to ploughing to transporting goods to pulling rail wagons. It wasn’t uncommon for Australian Draught Horses to be a family’s primary means of transport, as well.

While heavy horses around the world were largely replaced by machinery during the industrial revolution, their value was rediscovered during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This meant that even when draught horses were no longer needed as working animals, passionate breeders continued to develop the Australian Draught Horse breed. Aside from the four main draught horse breeds, some Belgian and light horse bloodlines were introduced.

The Australian Draught Horse and Stud Book Society (ADHSBS) was formed at TAREE in 1978 by a group of like minded people interested in promoting the Australian Draught Horse, a horse breed developed as a composition of all heavy horse breeds used widely in Australia.

The breed has attributes that made it suitable for Australian working conditions e.g., less pink skin. One of the main objectives of the ADHSBS is to promote the breeding and working of draught horses throughout Australia and preserve the identity of the Australian Draught Horse.

Members of the society enjoy field days throughout the year to enhance their knowledge and preserve the skills involved in working not only the draught breed but other breeds of heavy horses and, attend local and major show events.

It is not necessary to own a draught horse but, any other heavy horse breed and owner are most welcome to join the ADHSBS.

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