Benefits of Owning a Belgian Draught Horse

A Belgian draught horse is a large, sturdy horse that is very easy to ride. These horses are renowned for their gentle temperaments, and they are extremely quiet and docile under saddle. Their docile nature means that they are easy to handle, and their friendly natures make them excellent companions. Read on for more information about these lovely creatures! Here are the benefits of owning a Belgian draught horse.

Breeds

The breed of Belgian draft horses dates back to the early seventeenth century. They were once highly respected around the world, regularly being exported to distant parts of the globe. However, their popularity began to wane in the wake of the Second World War. While the breed is still highly regarded in North America, it is most well-known for its docile nature and willingness to work. Today, the Belgian Draft horse is also popular as a riding horse, often competing in the show ring and ridden in the arena.

The Belgian Draught Horse is a large, stout, and very versatile horse. They are capable of weighing over 2,000 pounds as adults. Brooklyn “Brookie” Supreme, who weighed 3,200 pounds, is one of the most famous Belgian draught horses. Although they are ideal for working, they are also excellent leisure horses. The breed’s increased versatility means that they can work in a variety of situations, from light to heavy work. Regardless of the purpose of the Belgian Draught Horse, they are prone to many of the same problems that big draft horses face.

A Belgian Draft horse typically stands 17 hands tall, and can weigh between 900 and 1,100 kilograms. Mares weigh slightly less than stallions. Big Jake, a Belgian stallion from 1928 to 1948, stands 2600 pounds and is the tallest horse in the world. He is also smaller than a Clydesdale draft horse, which weighs about 3,000 pounds. They are a sturdy breed and have a smooth, easy-to-ride quality.

Colors

The most desirable color of a Belgian draught horse is chestnut. Other colors include bay, sorrel, and roan. The coat is medium in length, and the horses have short legs and short croups. The colors vary considerably in appearance from individual to individual, but the two most common colours are chestnut and sorrel. The coat of a Belgian draught horse is usually a mix of chestnut and sorrel. They also have long, flaxen manes and tails. They have large, strong hooves and are generally easy to care for.

The breed is named for the country it hails from. The Belgian Draught Horse is a draft horse, and is known as the Brabant. This breed is also known as a Trekpaard, and is a descendant of the great war horses of the Middle Ages. In the early seventeenth century, breeding began in Belgium, and the Belgian government took a very active role in developing the breed. The country also established inspection committees for stallions used for public services.

The breed originated in the country of Brabant, which is now part of Belgium. It has gone by many names since then, and has been called the Cheval de trait Belge, the Brabancon, and the Trait Belge. In the United States, the Belgian is a popular breed for farming. In addition to being an ideal draft horse for farming, the Belgian draught horse is a contributing factor in the development of other popular heavy draft breeds, such as the Percheron, Suffolk Punch, and the Shire.

Size

A Belgian draft horse is taller and slightly finer in appearance than their European counterparts. This is due to the type of breeding they undergo. Belgian draft horses average between 16 and 17 hands in height, and weigh between two and three hundred pounds. In comparison, Clydesdales are around 18 hands and weigh around two thousand pounds. One famous Belgian horse, Big Jake, was 20.3 hands tall and weighed more than three thousand pounds.

Before the onset of mechanization, the Belgian draft horse was a necessity for heavy draft work. Many considered them the ideal draft horse for land work. Nevertheless, their popularity declined after the Second World War. Today, they are appreciated both in North America and in their native country of Belgium for their kind disposition and willingness to work. Unlike their historic origins, today they are primarily used for meat. While the Belgian draft horse is one of the largest breeds of draft horses, its sauntering disposition makes it a good choice for riding.

The Belgian breed has been bred for more than eight hundred years. While this is not the earliest horse breed to be developed in America, it is relatively consistent with the Brabants. Old Billy is a legendary draft horse, who lived to the age of 62! The average Belgian draft horse stands at around 16 hands. Its long legs, short legs, and thick muscles make them an excellent choice for equestrian work.

Diet

The diet of a Belgian draft horse is surprisingly easy. It should consist of roughly 1.5 to two pounds of forage per 100 pounds of body weight. The horse also needs about 0.3 to 0.5 pounds of grain per 100 pounds of body weight. Grain is a popular choice, since it targets specific nutritional needs. Some grains to try include oats, corn, wheat, milo, and barley. However, consult an expert when choosing a specific grain for your Belgian.

The diet of a Belgian draft horse is largely similar to that of other breeds. It needs routine bathing, daily grooming, and clipping of excess feathers. The Belgian breed is prone to mud fever, which is caused by bacteria on its lower legs. Another issue is azoturia. Additionally, the Belgian is at risk for a disease known as chronic progressive lymphedema, which can result in laminitis or colic.

Another important factor in the diet of a Belgian draught horse is its caloric intake. It needs at least ten thousand calories per day. That number increases with the amount of heavy work a horse does. A diet high in fat, such as EPSM, can provide as much as 16,000 calories per day. Vegetable oil can contribute up to twenty-five percent of the daily caloric intake, a mere two cups of which can provide 4,000 calories. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that cutting calories should come before reducing fat.

Training

A Belgian draught horse is a large and imposing breed. Despite its size, it is quite gentle under saddle, making it an excellent choice for horse training. This breed is also known for its intelligence. These gentle giants are loyal, quiet, and docile. This makes them a great choice for horseback riding, as they respond well to human interaction. Training a Belgian draught horse should include several steps to ensure its safety and well-being.

First, handle the horse frequently. Start by picking the horse’s legs up from birth. This will encourage it to listen and be quiet, which will make it easier to train. Next, start introducing training equipment gradually. You can start with a small piece of equipment, like a saddle. Once the horse has a few trials, try introducing it to bigger equipment one by one. Keep in mind that draught horses are exceptionally large and heavy, so they should not be approached impulsively.

When training a Belgian draught horse, make sure to keep in mind the breed’s temperament and history. Many Belgians have been bred for meat in Belgium. However, their origins may have been different than those of their American counterparts. In America, Belgians are primarily used for agricultural purposes, with a few notable exceptions. In the United States, Belgians have outnumbered all other heavy draft breeds.

Characteristics

The Belgian Draught Horse has been around for more than five centuries and was a very important working animal before mechanization. Some considered it the ideal draft horse for land work, and even during the Middle Ages, this breed was the workhorse of choice. Today, the Belgian draught horse is still admired for its hardworking nature and docile nature. These horses are used in pulling competitions, pleasure mounts, and show ring.

The Belgian draft horse is one of the largest draft breeds in the United States. The one-colour coat makes breeding easier, and the large numbers of Belgians on the market make it easier to sell. In the past, the Belgian was criticized for being too round-boned, thick-headed, and low-headed. However, as the breed developed, its affable disposition and easy-to-keep nature won over critics and led to its widespread adoption.

The Belgian horse has a drafty chest, heavy legs, and a deep, wide foot. Despite the breed’s low set, it still retains the drafty appearance of earlier horses. The Belgian also has smaller hooves than most heavy draft breeds. The Belgian draught horse is also known for its powerful stride and confident gait. The coat of this breed is typically sorrel, but roan and bay colors are sometimes found.