Belgian Draught

The Belgian Draught, French: Trait belge, Dutch: Belgisch Trekpaard, is a Belgian breed of draught horse. It originates from the Brabant region of modern Belgium, and is one of the strongest of the heavy breeds. The breed associations are the Société Royale Le Cheval de Trait Belge/ Koninklijke Maatschappij van het Belgisch Trekpaard and the Eleveurs Wallons du Cheval de Trait Belge/ Vlaamse Fokkers van het Belgisch Trekpaard.

For the Belgian horse breed in America, see American Belgian Draft.
Belgian Draught
Other names
  • Belgisch trekpaard
  • Brabants trekpaard
  • Brabander
  • Cheval de trait belge
  • Brabançon
  • Brabant
Country of originBelgium
Usefarm work, heavy haulage
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    900 kg[1]
  • Female:
    700 kg[1]
Height
  • Male:
    168 cm[1]
  • Female:
    164 cm[1]

History
Brabant horses, painting by Henry Schouten (1857–1927)

Closely related breeds include the Trait du Nord and Nederlands Trekpaard.

Characteristics

Genetic Diversity

The Belgian Draught horse has been identified as having an intermediate level of genetic diversity, and found to have relatively low levels of inbreeding. However due to low founder diversity, the breed is identified as likely to have a potential compromise of genetic diversity in future generations.[2]

Uses
Carrying shrimping gear in Oostduinkerke

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belgian Draught.
  1. Breed data sheet: Cheval de Trait Belge/Belgium. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.
  2. Janssens, S.; Stinckens, A.; Schroyen, M.; Peeters, L.; De Keyser, K.; De Wael, R.; Lamberigts, C.; Luyten, T.; Ons, E.; Buys, N. (December 2010). "Genetic diversity in the Belgian Draught Horse breed as revealed by pedigree analysis and molecular marker data: Brief Note". Animal Genetics. 41: 205–206. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02114.x.


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