Horsepower

Read the most by: boys and girls

The Wonder of Draft Horses Less than a century ago, draft horses were one of the main sources of power in the United States. They helped plow fields, haul wood, deliver milk, and carry people wherever they needed to go. There were some twenty-seven million draft horses working then; today their numbers are in the thousands. But a handful of people remain devoted to the care and use of these enormous creatures. With hooves the size of dinner plates, standing nearly seven feet tall and weighing some 2,000 pounds, these powerful horses are an amazing sight. In dramatically detailed close-up shots, as well as long views of fields and farms, Alvis Upitis has captured both the stature and dignity of draft horses. Cris Peterson writes in a simple, lucid style about Percherons, Clydesdales, and Belgians and about the people who are devoted to keeping "horsepower" alive. Together, the author and photographer have created a photo-essay that will delight readers and pique their sense of wonder at an incredible source of natural power.