Joseph R. Burtard

Joseph R. Burtard, Percheron horses, Grand Junction, Colorado, on the Western Slope near Denver, offers thoughtfully bred draft horses with solid pedigrees. He has worked with the breed for many years, registers all foals with the American Percheron Horse Association, and follows industry-standard health testing protocols, including EIA screening and routine vaccinations.

His mares and foals graze on irrigated pasture and receive daily handling from foaling through training stages. Stable quarters feature well-ventilated barns and comfortable stalls. This approach helps develop steady temperaments and sound structure suited to both farm work and riding. A number of his horses have placed well at regional agricultural fairs and trail trials, reflecting careful selection for temperament as well as strength. His farm in Mesa County emphasizes open spaces and individualized attention to each animal, and he often hosts educational visits from local 4-H chapters with informal demonstrations of driving basics.