Belgian Horse
Everything You Want To Know About The Amazing Belgian Horse
The Belgian Horse most generally strikes awe and sheer respect with those lucky enough to give him an audience. Referred to as the Horse of Flanders during the 15th century, the Belgian Horse is immediately derived from the Brabant Heavy Draught Horse of Belgium. None of the strength and determination of the breed has been lost on this secondary strain, but merely a slight amount of the sheer mass indicative of the ancient Brabant. There is so much to say, and so little room on this page, so perhaps we should get started.
The Belgian Horse was widely migrated throughout the European continent toward the late 15th century, and his excellent reputation for brute strength and kind amiability proceeded him. He was an easy breeder, his blood line strong, and his improvements upon existing breeds eminent. He is single handedly responsible for such fine breeds as the Clydesdale, the Shire, and the Suffolk Punch. He never complained, he never faltered. He was an exemplary horse in form, strength, endurance, and temperament. His journeys abroad began in the 16th century, where again he was highly respected and quickly began to rebuild the working stock wherever he roamed.
In the America’s, the rumor of this super horse were running rampant, but the only ones with enough clout to ship horses to the mainland were the rich. Unfortunately, being rich during this time period also meant being haughty, judgmental, and vain. The Belgian was rumored to have an unsightly, bulky build, short legs, and a barrel-shaped, undignified head. This was unacceptable to high society, who was famous for breaking the winds and backs of gorgeous horses in order to keep their heads fashionably high. An ugly horse, no matter how useful, had no place in the barn of an influential.
The Belgian Horse did not find his way to North America until the early 1800’s, where he quickly proved himself worthy of the praise that proceeded him. His blood began to influence every breed from mules to mustangs. Anything that needed calming or bulk or strength was supplemented by the Belgian. Today, strains are being created for pleasure and trail riding, incorporating longer legs and less bulk with the perfectly cooperative and intelligent personality of this beautiful breed.
The largest horse in the world, Radar, is a Belgian who stands 6 feet 7 ½ inches (19.3 hands) at the withers and weighs in at a remarkable 2,472 pounds. He eats about 18 pounds of grain per day, along with his common 40 pounds of hay and 20 gallons of water. What’s most astonishing about him is that he, along with the rest of his dignified breed, is as gentle as a sleepy kitten. There are recorded stories from as early as the 1700’s, one recalling a mother finding her lost child sleeping in the stall of their Belgian Horse, curled up at his belly between his legs, as he lay quietly still for her. What a truly wonderful creature.