THE DRAFT HORSE 
S IZE and power, not speed, are required of draft 
horses. For centuries they have been the workers, 
tilling the soil and pulling heavy loads. The early 
horses of this type were probably not as large and 
powerful as those of today. Nevertheless they were 
strong, heavy animals. 
In the olden days, these drafters played an impor¬ 
tant part in warfare. After mail and chain armor had 
been used for a long time, heavy plate armor for both 
man and beast became popular, and mounts of great 
size and strength were needed to carry the fighting 
men into battle. The total weight of knight and armor 
was often three hundred pounds and more, so no light, 
fancy-stepping charger would do. It was then that the 
draft horse was in his glory; he was the important and 
aristocratic horse of the day. 
With the later change in military tactics, which 
called for long marches and rapid movement of armies, 
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