Belgian (horse)

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Belgian draft horse from the Maryland State Fair

The Belgian horse, Belgian Heavy Horse, or Brabant is a horse breed comes from the West-Brabantian region of Belgium. They are one of the strongest of the heavy breeds. The world's largest Belgian Horse was named Brooklyn Supreme, who weighed 3,200 pounds, and stood at 19.2 hands. On average the Belgian will grow to be slightly over 1 ton or 2,000 pounds. Colors normally are a type of light chestnut sometimes called a "sorrel," with a flaxen mane. They are considered a draft horse. Historicaly, though it is possible they may have had ancestors who were destriers in the Middle Ages, their main use was as a farm horse. They are still used as working animals, but have also become popular as show horses, gaming horses, and even as trail riding horses. Although the overall percentage of draft breeds among American horses has declined, the number of Belgians has increased.^[1]

The world's tallest living horse is a Belgian Draft named Radar. Radar is a gelding, born in 1998 in Iowa. He stands at 19.35 hands, which means he is approximately 6 foot 7 inches tall at the withers. He weighs over 2,400 lbs. He is currently used by Priefert Ranch Equipment for promotions.^[2]

Importation of Belgians ended in bulk after the beginning of the Second World War with Erwin F. Dygert transporting the last Belgians out of Europe as the war was beginning.^[3]

They are able to pull tremendous amounts of weight. At the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, a team of two horses in the Heavyweight class pulled 17,000 pounds 7'2". The team of Belgians weighed 4,800 pounds. At the Iowa State fair, the heavyweight champions in the pulling contest pulled 14,600 pounds the complete distance of 15'. The team consisted of one Belgian and one Percheron weighed 3600 pounds.