Bred for farm work and heavy carriage deliveries, Belgium’s native Belgian draft horse is more commonly seen in show and recreational pursuits today: weight-pulling competitions, in-hand performance or carriage driving. However, some agriculturalists are returning to horses like the Belgian as a more ecologically friendly method of cultivation.Photo by Matthew Bellemare on flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
The Belgian is a descendant of a medieval war mount, the Flemish horse, also known as the Great Horse. Later, stallions were exported to countries throughout Europe to add height and substance to other draft-type breeds for industrial and farm work.
The United States imported the first Belgians in the 1860s, and the Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses was established in 1887 to promote the breed. The Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America grew from this organization in 1937 and remains the registry for the breed today.
In 1903, the Belgian’s powerful look and skills garnered much positive attention at the St. Louis World’s Fair and International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Despite declines in numbers during World War II and the switch to mechanized farm equipment, the Belgian survived to become one of most popular draft breeds. Besides their strength, Belgians are loved for being docile, hard-working and hardy.
Height: 16 to 18 hands high
Weight: Belgians can weigh more than 1 ton (2,000 pounds).
Color: Acceptable colors include blonde, sorrel and roan with light points, and chestnut. White manes and tails, as well as a white stripe on the face, are preferred.
Overall Appearance: Belgians have well-defined musculature, a level back, large hooves and a deep girth.
To learn more about the Belgian, visit the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America website.
Further Reading: The 10 Biggest Horses: Giants of the Equine World
This article about the Belgian draft horse originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
Kim Abbott Klimek first got involved with horses as a junior in high school, then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies with a concentration in communications from Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., in 2005. After college, Kim worked for model horse company Breyer Animal Creations, writing copy for products and helping to write and edit for Just About Horses magazine. In the fall of 2007, she joined the Horse Illustrated team.
Animals have always held a special place in Kara Lawson's heart. Whether cats, dogs, rabbits,…
Stamford, Conn. — Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, on November 18…
It’s holiday shopping season and I’ve spent the last few months searching for unique or…
Tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts lined up at the gates of the Eastern States…
Horse people are typically made from hardy stock, but that doesn’t negate the need for equestrian wellness—especially during winter. Self-care…
When a blanket of snow covers the lush green landscape surrounding Vista Verde Ranch, that is when Georgie gets to…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Animals have always held a special place in Kara Lawson's heart. Whether cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, or horses, Lawson's connection…
Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 38, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…
Stamford, Conn. — Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, on November 18 highlighted its nearly two-decade partnership…