Its origin is more than explicit, the Belgian Draft Horse comes from Belgium and is therefore a European breed, but what do we still know about it? For example, that it is one of the largest horses that we can find around and that since ancient times it was used as a draft horse to pull objects of various types . How is it made? What character does it have? And what is it used for today? Let’s find out right away.
Belgian Draft Horse: Origins
Also called Bramantino, the Belgian horse made its first official appearance in the Middle Ages, but with a different name, namely the Flemish horse . We then find it talked about in the following centuries, also for its role in the formation and development of other breeds. Over time, this horse was increasingly bred and considered and for this reason three different types of specimens were defined, depending on the breed. There was the small one, bred especially in the north-western part of Belgium, then the medium one, not very well known, and the “large Belgian” which is the one we will end up talking about.
The official registration of the breed took place in 1886 and from that moment on, work began with greater commitment to its improvement, arriving at defining a suitable standard to spread the breed throughout the world.
Today we can say that the Belgian horse was born from the cross between the English Shire , also known as the “war horse”, and the Ardennes horse , from which its nature as a draft animal derives. This mix of different characters and physical structures has given rise to a very resistant and robust horse, very dedicated to work, constant and docile.
Belgian Draft Horse: Characteristics
The height at the withers can vary from 150 to 170 cm , so we are clearly dealing with a large animal. The head is small compared to the rest of the body and is characterized by a square and wide jaw, a straight profile and a neck that connects it to the body with a slightly arched shape. The eyes and ears are barely visible, the eye falls mainly on the body’s muscles which are considerable. The Belgian horse has decidedly powerful legs as well as glutes, which allow it to maintain a firm, regular and energetic step and a proud gait. The shins are shorter than those of other horses, but decidedly more resistant.
As for the coat, there are more common colors such as roan and bay but there can also be some chestnut specimens. In general it is a long and very thick coat, therefore suitable for resisting the cold and humid climate of its areas of origin. Even when it rains these horses manage to stay dry because only the upper layer of the coat gets wet and as if that were not enough during the winter the hair becomes even “thicker” to easily withstand temperatures that drop well below 0.
Belgian Horse: character
As we have already mentioned a moment ago, we are dealing with a very determined animal with a strong character, strong and resistant, capable of withstanding fatigue even in extreme situations. This characteristic should not lead us to think that it is a grumpy horse because it has gentle attitudes and is well disposed towards other horses and humans. It is an intelligent and very active horse , brave and obedient, but there is a but. It requires a lot of attention and immense dedication because it wants us to show it that it is important and loved.
Belgian Draft Horse: Diseases and Pathologies
Also because of its health, this horse needs to be very well cared for , starting with its diet, which must be regulated and regular, since it tends to have too much appetite. If it does not do heavy work, it must be fed a hay-based diet , but if it makes a lot of effort during the day, for example with farm work, an additional diet of at least 2 kg per day is essential. In any case, the basic diet must be corrected by integrating vitamins and mineral salts.
Belgian Draft Horse: Aptitudes
Courageous, strong and robust, and also resistant, in ancient times these animals were also highly appreciated for the hardness of their legs and therefore used to give rise to large-sized animals, such as the rapid Italian heavy draft farm horse.
During the Middle Ages it was used to carry out work in the fields given its constitution, but it was also used in battle, especially for military purposes.
Today there is no longer much need for him in the fields given the equipment that exists, but we can still find him in the forestry sector, while he supports the man and obeys his commands perfectly. Here, without reins and equipped only with a collar, they are used to move the logs and are called “gamin” (gamine if female) by the loggers. It is not so automatic to train a Belgian horse for this task, it takes several years but it is worth it. It is a custom not very widespread in Italy, it is more so in France, Germany, the Netherlands and obviously in Belgium itself.