Welcome To The UK Home Of Belgian Draft Horses
My first encounter with this amazing breed was over 10yrs ago on a Warmblood buying trip to Holland. A horsebox arrived and 2 Stallions were led off by a small girl as if she was leading 2 lambs. I have never been more impressed by the stamp and presence of a horse in my life, if not a little intimidated at first. I’ve bought and sold Shires in the past but these 2 chaps made shires look purely anorexic. Since that day my love and respect has only grown and after bringing over many many fine examples I’ve learnt to appreciate this breeds undoubted qualities even more and work with the not so good. The most outstanding general feature is their temperament and the term gentle giant has never been more appropriate. They do have there issues like all breeds but overall if your looking for a family pet as well as a working horse you will not find more suitable candidates than the Belgian Draft. I’ve imported every type from totally unhandled unbroken types to the very accomplished riding horses suitable for all-round pursuits and disciplines. No your not going to win Wembley or score highly in a dressage test but if you goal is to return on the horse you left the stables on, then I can not recommend this breed enough. They are a true pleasure to own and work with.
The Belgian Draft Horse, which also goes by the name Belgian horse or Brabant, is a work horse developed in the Brabant region of Belgium. One of the strongest and heaviest breeds of draft horse, the Belgian is often brown in color with mane that is typically lighter than the color of the horse, caused by the Flaxen gene. Belgians are cool-blooded, which means they are docile, hard workers, that excel in a number of industries such as forestry and agriculture and are often used for riding
Is the Belgian Draft the Right Breed for You?
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Suitable for Novice Owners: As a cold-blooded equine, like their European ancestors, they have a gentle disposition and tend to be larger than their hot-blooded and warm-blooded peers. Their easygoing demeanor makes them great for children. Typically they are meant to perform heavy work and are not suitable for sports besides hauling or pulling competitions at farm shows. Prone to Health Issues: This breed is subject to more health issues than other breeds. With 4 known breed-specific health issues, owners have to watch out for azoturia, junctional epidermolysis bullosa (epitheliogenesis imperfecto), mud fever, and shivers. Multi-Talented: The Belgian Draft is capable of performing various tasks very well. The most common ones are endurance riding, general riding, hunting, jumping, and work. With a diverse set of abilities, this breed can accommodate the various needs of horse owners.
History. Created using the Brabant, the Belgian Draft Horse and Brabant were the same breed up until about 1940, when they were selectively bred for different purposes in different countries. In Europe, the Brabant was engineered to be stronger and heavier, while in the United States, it was bred to be taller with a lighter frame. In both regions, the Belgian was designed to be a working horse and was primarily bred for draft work. Today, the Belgian and its ancestor the Brabant are still used in farming and forestry, and are also bred for food in certain countries. The official Belgian Draft Horse Registry was formed in 1887 in Indiana, and it is currently the most popular draft horse in the United States. Able to pull extreme amounts of weight, Belgian Draft Horses are often featured at horse shows worldwide.
The Belgian Draft has 2 common coat colors, which is less diverse than other horse breeds. Other possible colors for this horse breed include sorrel with white and black
