Sharon Ostrow, age 7, of Kansas City, ran., for her question:

HOW MUCH DOES A CLYDESDALE HORSE WEIGH?

The Clydesdale is a draft horse that originated in Scotland. An adult male will weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds and stand between16 and 17 hands in height. One hand equals four inches. The Clydesdale is considered by many to be the handsomest of all draft horses.

Largest of the draft horses is the Belgian. A male will weigh between 1,700 and 2,200 pounds and he will stand between 16 and 19 hands tall.

Also a bit bigger than the Clydesdale is the Pervheron from France which weighs between 1,600 and 2,100 pounds and the Shire from England which weighs between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds. The Shire is the heaviest of all draft horses.

Just a bit smaller than the Clydesdale is the Suffolk from England which weighs between 1,500 and 1,900 pounds.

Draft horses are descended from the great war horses that armored knights rode into battle.