Belgian Draught
A massive Belgian draught horse with roan coat predominance.
The Belgian Draught is a breed of draught horse from Belgium, originating in the region of the Low Countries that is now central Belgium. It shares historical roots with the Brabant, but is a distinct breed with different breed standards in America compared to the European Belgian Heavy Draft or the American Belgian Draught.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Belgium
- Use
- farm work, heavy haulage
Facts from the source article.
History
The Belgian Draught horse comes from three heavy farm horse types bred in what is now central Belgium: the Colosse de la Méhaigne, the Gris de Nivelles et du Hainaut, and the Gros de la Dendre. Its documented breeding started in the 1600s, and the first herdbook was established in 1886. The breed first reached America in the late 1800s. Close relatives include the Ardennais, Flemish Horse, Nederlands Trekpaard, and Trait du Nord.
Characteristics
The Belgian Draught is tall, powerful, and massive, with heights usually between 163 and 173 cm. Roan coat colour accounts for about 80% of horses, with bay at 12% and the remainder chestnut, black, or grey. The breed shows intermediate genetic diversity and low inbreeding levels, but low founder diversity may compromise future genetic diversity.
More in Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced