Breed of the Week

The breed of the week is the Suffolk Punch! Check out the American Suffolk Horse Association at http://www.suffolkpunch.com/. The Suffolk is on the critically endangered horse breeds list. These horses are a draft breed originally in the Norfolk and Suffolk counties. While they are one of the least known draft breeds in the United States, they have more desirable qualities draft horse breeders look for than any of the better known breeds. The were bred not only to have the power of plow horses, but to also have longevity, stamina, docility, and health. They are one of the oldest recognized draft breeds dating back to 1880 with the foundation stallion born in 1768. The average Suffolk is 16.1 hh, but it isn't uncommon for them to get above 17 hh. Every aspect of their build is for power, not elegance or movement. Even their legs were bred to be free of feathers (the long hairs you see around Clydesdale legs) to help keep them clean and maintained in mud. Suffolk horses have super level heads and are very laid back, but they have a trait that makes them wish to push on and work hard.

The Suffolk is always a shade of chestnut, never any other color. They generally have no white markings, but when they do, the markings are small and less pronounced than in other breeds. This is the ideal farm/work horse. Some random facts include: they drink 15-25 gallons of water a day. There are only about 800-1200 in the United States and only about 150 in England, and, when fully grown, they can weigh between 1400 and 2100 lbs.