24 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



what more than is desired. The loins are wide, short and 

 very thick. The flank is low and full. The hind-quarters 

 are inclined to be short, very wide and muscular, and the 

 tail is attached somewhat low and not well carried. The 

 lower thighs are usually very wide and well muscled. 

 The hocks are round, not clearly defined and too " meaty." 

 One of the serious faults the American horsemen have 

 found with this breed is in the character of the bone of 

 the legs, particularly with the hock joints. The feet 

 also receive rather severe criticism, as the hoofs are in- 

 clined to be small, narrow and very high in the heels, 

 predisposing to side-bones and contracted feet. Marked 

 improvement in these respects has been noted of late, 

 however. In action, the Belgians are inclined to stumble 

 at the walk, but trot off freely and with apparent vim and 

 spirit. In color, the chestnut and roan are most common, 

 although brown and bay are frequently found. The grays 

 are not in favor, although occasionally one is seen. 



In Belgium, these draft horses are classified somewhat 

 according to the sections of the country in which they 

 have been bred. Those from Flanders are the largest 

 and those from Ardennais district the smallest, while 

 those from Brabant are of medium size and weight. 



17. Uses of the Belgian horse. These horses are 

 bred entirely for draft purposes, and they rank well 

 among the heavy breeds, especially in Europe. The 

 short, stocky legs, and low-set, blocky body make them 

 very useful for slow, heavy hauling over city streets. 



Belgian draft horses are especially adapted for crossing 

 on grade draft mares lacking in weight and substance, for 

 the production of heavy draft horses. When crossed on 

 grade Percheron or Clydesdale mares, they impart an 

 increased depth of body with a comparative shortening 



