Most draft horses breeds were developed during the Middle Ages for warfare. The Suffolk Punch was solely developed for farm work. It had been developed by 1506, probably by crossing English mares with French-Norman horses, Flanders horses, and Norfolk trotters.
The Suffolk Punch Draft horse’s name comes from its short-legged, compact, “punchy” appearance. The typical horse of the breed stands about 16 to 17 hands (64 to 68 inches) high, but may weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.
The Suffolk Punch is noted for being able to work long hours with little rest or water. It's also very docile and easy to train. Their gentle personality and willingness to work are considered breed characteristics.
All Suffolk Punches are chestnuts, which is a reddish-brown horse with a mane and tail that are the same color or lighter Small white markings are often seen on the face, ankles or fetlocks.
The Suffolk Punch Draft horse breed is still used today in fields where tractors or other equipment cannot manage because of deep mud and forest logging.It's also the longest-lived of the draft horses, living as long as 30 years.