Holmes, Matilda
Draft Animals in the Past, Present and Future
For millennia, draft animals played a key role in the survival of many cultures. Even today, they still secure the livelihood of millions of people around the globe. Be it in transportation, agriculture, or forestry: draft animals can offer sustainable, eco-friendly and economically valuable ways of land use. Nevertheless, there are a lot of challenges, be it the pressure of high-profit markets or politics, in animal welfare, breeding and harnessing. Furthermore, the total number of draft animals is declining. In 2021, an international, virtual conference has addressed these challenges. Participants from around the globe discussed the history, preservation, education and future of draft animals. The conference proceedings represent a comprehensive result of these efforts.
