A draft horse, draught horse or dray horse (from the Anglo-Saxon dragan meaning to draw or haul) is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour. Draught horses are versatile breeds used today for a multitude of purposes, including draft horse showing, farming, and for pleasure, but all share the traits of strength, stamina, health, longevity, patience and a docile temperament which made them indispensable to generations of pre-industrial farmers. They are also commonly used for cross-breeding, especially to breeds such as the Thoroughbred. For more information about the Draft Horse breed please see our Draft Horse Breed page.