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LOLOL!!
Wasnt there a time during the westward expansion when draft mules were highly sought after? Something about their disposition and health was better than a full on draft, and their basic needs were simpler to supply- likely it was just a bit cheaper all around!
More nimble footed and had a better mind for packing and plowing... lol. Something like that.
As I remember reading somewhere, horses were not commonly used for hauling wagons going westward, oxen were preferred than horses and mules.
In the 1800's plowing was done mostly by mules in the South as you see pics of slaves with their mules. I am certain the Northerners used Percherons, Belgians more often to plow and pull heavy wagons.
Light horses were mainly used for riding or doing light plowing or pulling buggies in town.
I dont think Clydesdales didnt become popular in the US until after the Civil War and they were used for heavy stuff and liquor and milk haulings.
Horses just before the Civil War and after that, were in high demand. Alot of them were rejected because of some reason or another, they were too high strung (like the KY TBs), Trotters (didnt have the stamina for long trips), or hard mouth or pure stubborn that it can not be trained to have the nerves of steel of gunshots or cannons going off. The draft horses were put to use for the caissons, ambulance and supplies to the troops. For the light riding horses, they were used for calvary troops, generals, and light work. Deaths in horses were very high at that time and it was not all that unusual to find many of them dead out on the fields. I do remember seeing a picture of a grey horse in his harness, just dead on his feet acted like he was sleeping! I can not remember where or who took the picture!
Mules were used in all types of work during the Civil War and many of them were retired right out from battles to farm work without batting an eye.
I think the Draft breeds got popular after the Civil War and many of them were famous horses at that time.