BREED PROFILE
BIG BEAUTIFUL BELGIANS Proving themselves to be “gentle giants,” Belgians have secured their place in people’s hearts – both in the harness and under saddle. B Y MON I QU E N OB L E , PH OT O S C OU RT E SY OF R OB BAY E R L E
There are few things as head-turning as a team of Belgians with their burnished chestnut coats and polished flaxen manes glowing alongside the flash and jingle of harness. Their power is unmistakeable, as is their gentle demeanour as people flock to them to ask their drivers questions. If they are lucky, they are allowed to pet and even offer these gentle giants a carrot. While it seems discordant that these amiable and kind creatures are descended from the fierce war horses of old, it is the Belgian’s versatility and unflappability that has ensured its place in both the old world and new. It is widely accepted that, similar to most draft breeds, Belgians are direct descendants of the “Great Horse” – or Destrier from the Middle Ages. However, recent research has shown that Destriers were not the giants as once depicted and were closer to the 14.2 to 15 hands high of an average riding horse. This newfound information does not discredit the Belgian’s connection to the historic war horse though, as the Belgian has been bred and crossbred for different purposes throughout its history. Its impressive size is a result of selective breeding. Originating from the Brabant region of Belgium, the Belgian’s foundation stock were known as Brabants. Brabants are an extremely well-built, muscular breed with immense pulling power, widely used in farming. The fertile soil and heavy rainfall of the Brabant region easily supported breeding programs that encouraged the bulk and size of heavy horse breeds, and Belgians are 22
ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2022
just one of the heavy horse breeds that originated in the region. For centuries, the term Brabant and Belgian were often used interchangeably, and they were in fact the same horse when the first of the breed were brought to North America in 1886, after the end of the civil war. The breed quickly became known to American breeders as the easiest keeper, best shipper and quietest of draft horse breeds. The Belgian/Brabant gained further popularity after Belgium sent an exhibit of the horses to appear at the St. Louis World Fair in 1903, where they were met with great interest not only for their impressive stature and work ethic, but also their gentle nature and trainability.
“Belgians of today are still among the largest of the draft breeds.” Imports of these early Belgians from Belgium were quite frequent until 1914 when World War I and post-war depression prevented further horses from crossing “the Pond” until the 1920s. Imports increased again until 1940 when the last major import of Belgiumbred horses came to America, just four months before Germany invaded the country during World War II. American breeders once again sought out “landed” horses that suited their needs and breed preferences, which led to a different style of Belgian being
developed. It was at this point in the Belgian’s breeding history that they truly started to become a breed apart from the Brabant. The Brabant breed today still displays its typical, thick outline and round bone structure. They have a coarser shoulder and head than the modern North American Belgian. Selective breeding of North American Belgian lines has created a taller and lighter horse with more refined features, including an elegantly sloped shoulder, flatter boned limbs with less “feathering” and larger feet. Breeders were very careful to retain the steadfast personality, power, and work ethic of the breed while creating the Belgian we see in North America today. When first imported to North America, Belgians came in a variety of coat colours including gray, black, bay, and blue roan. Most of the horses had black points and dark manes, rather than the typical flaxen mane and tails seen in today’s Belgian. Through selective breeding, the preference for chestnut and roan colouring became apparent and have led to most North American Belgians having a stunning chestnut coat with flaxen mane and tail, with or without roaning throughout their coats. “Chrome” is often quite common with many Belgians having white socks and stars or blazes on their faces. OPPOSITE PAGE: More refined than their Brabant
kin, the Belgians of today are still among the largest of the draft breeds and hold spots in the Guinness Book of World Records for both the heaviest and tallest horses in the world.
