Suffolk Punch Draft Horses Becoming Even More Rare
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Suffolk Punch draft horses are one of the most rare and endangered breeds in the country. There are only 1,500 registered animals in the U.S. and Canada, and the number is dropping. Pam Christoffersen and her husband Greg have been raising Suffolks for more than 10 years. They have more than 20 in their herd and have had as many as 35.
“We’ve always had horses and started breeding the Suffolks in part because they are endangered,” says Christoffersen. “They like to work. They’re a quiet gentle horse and about the perfect size. I can’t believe how friendly they are.”
The Suffolks average 16.1 hands tall, but can go to 17 or more. Most are full-grown at 5 years, but can mature to 7 or 8 years of age. Average weight is around 1,800 lbs., but a 17-hand stallion can reach a ton or more. The chestnut colored horses have white markings. The breed is known for its hardiness and longevity, and mares will foal into their 20’s. Big horses take a lot of feed, and that has been hard on the breed. “Breed numbers have fallen due to the economy and the price of hay,” says Christoffersen.
Suffolks are working animals, suggests Christoffersen. “We use them a lot for plowing, disking and dragging fields as well as in the woods,” she says. Attitude may be one reason Christoffersen is starting to see a rebirth of interest in the Suffolks from market gardeners. “We are getting a lot of calls from market gardeners looking for a quiet and good all-around horse,” she says. “They are looking for broke teams and young ones. I hope this turns the decline around.”
Christoffersen says they have horses for sale that are priced from $2,500 to $7,000, depending on bloodlines and whether they are broke to drive or not.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Greg and Pam Christoffersen, 563 South Stone Rd.; Fremont, Mich. 49412 (ph 231 924-6249; christoffersensuffolk@hotmail.com; www.christoffersensuffolkfarm.webs.com); or American Suffolk Horse Association, 4240 Goehring Rd., Ledbetter, Texas 78946 (ph 979 249-5795; www.suffolkpunch.com).
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Suffolk Punch Draft Horses Becoming Even More Rare LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Suffolk Punch draft horses are one of the most rare and endangered breeds in the country There are only 1 500 registered animals in the U S and Canada and the number is dropping Pam Christoffersen and her husband Greg have been raising Suffolks for more than 10 years They have more than 20 in their herd and have had as many as 35 “We’ve always had horses and started breeding the Suffolks in part because they are endangered ” says Christoffersen “They like to work They’re a quiet gentle horse and about the perfect size I can’t believe how friendly they are ” The Suffolks average 16 1 hands tall but can go to 17 or more Most are full-grown at 5 years but can mature to 7 or 8 years of age Average weight is around 1 800 lbs but a 17-hand stallion can reach a ton or more The chestnut colored horses have white markings The breed is known for its hardiness and longevity and mares will foal into their 20’s Big horses take a lot of feed and that has been hard on the breed “Breed numbers have fallen due to the economy and the price of hay ” says Christoffersen Suffolks are working animals suggests Christoffersen “We use them a lot for plowing disking and dragging fields as well as in the woods ” she says Attitude may be one reason Christoffersen is starting to see a rebirth of interest in the Suffolks from market gardeners “We are getting a lot of calls from market gardeners looking for a quiet and good all-around horse ” she says “They are looking for broke teams and young ones I hope this turns the decline around ” Christoffersen says they have horses for sale that are priced from $2 500 to $7 000 depending on bloodlines and whether they are broke to drive or not Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Greg and Pam Christoffersen 563 South Stone Rd ; Fremont Mich 49412 ph 231 924-6249; christoffersensuffolk@hotmail com; www christoffersensuffolkfarm webs com ; or American Suffolk Horse Association 4240 Goehring Rd Ledbetter Texas 78946 ph 979 249-5795; www suffolkpunch com
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