Meet the original horse power! Prized for their great endurance, splendid disposition, willingness to work, impressive stature, and versatility, draft horses and mules are making a strong comeback. Today, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of America's 3.5 million horses are draft breeds.<br> <br> It's no wonder: these powerful animals can accomplish an astounding array of tasks. They pull carriages, assist with heavy logging, serve as a vital educational link to the past, and are increasingly popular for showing and competing. Many small-scale farmers appreciate that these animals offer a clean-energy alternative to modern farm machinery; a team of two draft horses can cultivate several acres of land in a single day, enriching the soil as they work. Unlike mechanical equipment, a good team actually appreciates in value over time.<br> <br> <i>Draft Horses and Mules</i>, by Gail Damerow and Alina Rice, distills the great tradition of these impressive animals into a definitive guide. Designed for new or intermediate owners, the book shows readers how to choose an ideal team, feed and house them, maintain their health, ensure effective equine–human communication, select and use equipment properly, and employ the animals in a variety of agricultural, logging, and demonstration tasks.<br> <br> The book is enhanced with color photos, numerous illustrations, and profiles of real-life individuals who work with draft horses and mules. The fresh design makes the information leap off the page and ensures that the book is as fun to read as it is informative.