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Effective Farming 



and thighs. The head of many of the animals is inclined to 

 be a little plain with a slight lack in width of forehead and 

 a coarseness about the muzzle. The nose is apt to be Roman 

 which, if not too pronounced, is a feature desired by the 

 breeders. In action the gait is a little sluggish, especially in 

 the trot. Usually, however, the animals are good at the walk 



and the stride is 

 long and straight. 



Belgian. -- The 

 native home of this 

 horse (Fig. 122), as 

 the name implies, 

 is Belgium. The 

 animals are the re- 

 sult of the selection 

 and mating of the 

 native horses of 

 Flanders, no out- 

 siders having been 

 used in the im- 

 provement. Bel- 

 gian horses are the 

 heaviest of the draft 

 breeds, the stallions 

 ranging in weight 

 from 1800 to 2500 

 pounds and stand- 

 ing from 16 to 17 hands high. The animals have deep, thick 

 bodies, and short legs that are free from feather. The neck is 

 short and thick and carries a high crest, the latter being a pro- 

 nounced feature. In action some judges criticize the animals 

 as being slow and sluggish in the walk with too short a stride. 

 They are, however, usually good at the trot, going true and 

 straight. Chestnut, bay, and roan are the prevailing colors; 

 sometimes black or gray is seen. 



FIG. 122. Belgian mare. 



