Size
1.52–1.72 meters.
Physical Attributes
The Suffolk Punch is little but very robust, with a large head, thick neck, short muscular body, and relatively short, clean legs. They have strong bodies that make them good workers, and they walk with energy.
Colors
Just Chesnut. Although breeding stallions are never allowed to have white markings on the fetlocks, some Suffolk Punch horses may have white markings on the head or foot.
Characteristics and Genetics
One of the oldest heavy horse breeds in Britain is the majestic and strong Suffolk Punch, whose modern lines can all be linked to Crisp’s horse of Ufford, which was born in 1768. They were exceptional at pulling competitions and were typically utilized as draught horses. They are still used today to haul or display brewery drays. They are renowned to be diligent workers and are gentle and agile.
The breed’s phenotype still resembles that of its foundation stock despite being developed in the early 16th century. A thorough genetic analysis reveals that the European Haflinger and the British Fell and Dales ponies are both closely related genetically to the Suffolk Punch. They were created in the comparatively remote eastern English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The local farmers for farm work, which required a horse with strength, endurance, health, longevity, and docility, created the Suffolk Punch. The Suffolk Punch was bred to meet these requirements.
How long does a Suffolk Punch survive?
A Suffolk Punch horse often lives 25 to 30 years.
Uses
Both as a work horse and a show horse, the Suffolk Punch is employed.
As Pet
Nutrients and Diet
Quality hay, grain, vegetables, and fruits make up the staples of a Suffolk Punch horse’s diet, and they like it. They are more cost-effective to maintain than their draught horse cousins since they can survive on less food.
Behavior and Temperament
The Suffolk Punch has developed a reputation as a draughts horse with a strong work ethic, a desire to please, and exceptional gentleness and calmness.
They are tenacious and excellent workers because they were raised for farm work.
Health Concerns
There aren’t many typical health problems to be on the lookout for in the Suffolk Punch breed. However, the breed is sometimes prone to health issues that strike many draught horses. These include chronic progressive lymphedema, which affects particular breeds of draught horses and causes swelling in the lower legs, equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM), which inhibits horses from adequately metabolizing carbohydrates and sugars, chills, and shivers.
The Suffolk Horse Society and The Animal Health Trust are working together on a project to assist Suffolk Punch breeders in lowering the danger of genetic issues in an effort to secure the breed’s survival due to the low number of breeding mares of the Suffolk Punch breed.
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