Amish work horses relax in the field cover photo - 122638474

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The Amish do not use tractors or other machines in their fields. Instead, they rely on a draft horse or a team of draft horses to pull plows and other farm equipment. The most common draft-horse breeds are the Percheron and the Belgian draft horse. Both are powerful, hardworking, docile breeds. In Pennsylvania, donkeys sometimes are bred to Belgians, with the resulting foal being a strong, large mule popular with the Amish in the Lancaster County area. Mules are not used by Amish in Ohio and some other Midwestern states because they once were forbidden by the Amish Ministers` Conference for being an inappropriate mixing of donkey and horse blood, and thus being a creature not originally created by God. Haflingers are stocky, muscular horses that resemble Belgians but are much smaller, standing between 13 and 15 hands. Belgian draft horses stand between 17 and 18 hands. The Haflinger, which originated in Austria is an easy keeper, works hard and has the ability to pull a buggy or be teamed to pull a large plow or other heavy vehicle. It is a gentle breed, and its compact size makes it easier for a small adult or child to work with than some of the large draft horses. While most large draft horses are uncomfortable to ride, the Haflinger is well suited to being a mount.

agriculture amish belgian buggy drafthorse equine farm haflinger horse horses plow religion rest sunday team

$Ohio\'s Amish Country- Amish Transportation$