The Suffolk Punch is one of the most famous of the western world’s rare draft horse breeds. Unlike many other breeds of draft horses, Suffolk Punches generally come in one color – chestnut, and lack the dramatic leg feature. From the tradition of the Suffolk horsemen and owners they express the color of their horses by “chesnut”, because that word was long ago suppressed.
A renewal of interest in draft horses may ensure the survival of the Suffolk Punch beyond the twenty-first century, especially in America, to the approximately 1,000,000 recipients of these special drafts. England only has about 150, the American Suffolk Horse Association notes.
A brief history
As the name suggests, Suffolk Punch originated in the county of Suffolk, England. The name “Punch” is the more difficult part to explain. Although now the word “iron” is associated with drinking or the action of boxing, back in the seventeenth century it refers to a well-rounded (or well-rounded muscular) body. Also first in 1586, but changed to the name of the catcher in Suffolk Sorrel, before being in Suffolk Punch in the 1700s.
Many horse breeds can be traced back to the basics and the Suffolk Punch is no exception. The foundation of his stable was a stable born in 1760 known for the horse Crisp Ufford. It is not known whether the admissar was also called to his face. The Suffolk Equestrian Society, formed in 1877, is one of the oldest equestrian registers in England.
Everything seemed fine until the two World Wars and the mechanization of agriculture almost wiped out the breed. Some countries are allowed to register the breed from extinction. Other breeds are thought to have been introduced into Suffolk at one time or another, the Cat Pony, the Dales Pony, the Haflinger, and the now extinct Norfolk Trotter and Norfolk Cob breed.
General view
This horse has an enormous amount of pulling power. Unlike many other draft breeds, Suffolk breeders have generally resisted the trend to produce thinner animals for the laughing horse market. A Suffolk can weigh up to 2,100 pounds when fully matured with most of that muscle and not fat weight. Horses are generally larger and heavier than mares. Suffolks can grow to a whopping 17 hands high, but average 15.2 to 16 hands.
Their color is always chestnut, of various shades. The hands and tail can be the same color as the body. Stripes, stars, snips and flames are common, although traditionalists warn of conspicuous white markings. Their shaggy legs lack the hair of many other draft breeds because it was a more difficult feature for Suffolk farmers to clean. This is a long-lived breed, often working well into their 20s.
Additional References
International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. Bonnie Hendricks. University of Oklahoma Press; 1995
Encyclopaedia of Horses & You will put it. Tasmin Pickeral. Paragon Publishing; 1999
Storey’s Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America. Judith Dutson. Storey Publishing; 2005
Official Horse Breeds Standard Book. Fran Lynghaug. Voyageur; 2009
