Chapter III. 



BELGIAN DRAFT. 



A comparatively new breed to America, but one which is earning 

 marked distinction on merit alone. The Belgian Draft is a direct de- 

 scendant of the original Black Horse of Flanders, and has been devel- 

 oped in unison with his neighbor breed, the Boulonnais ; indeed, the 

 latter bids fair to become a member, part and parcel, of the former. 

 There has been more or less activity among Belgian importers to the 

 United States since about 1870. Dr. A. G. Van Hoorebeke, of Mon- 

 mouth, 111., was probably the first to import, and his early importations 

 in 1866 and next succeeding years were called Boulonnais. Of late 

 years, however, Belgium has insisted, and rightly, on giving her name 

 to her peculiar horse stock, and the Doctor's later importations, as well 

 as those of Messers. Massion & Son, of Minonk, 111., and other reliable 

 importers, have been under the name by which they are now recognized. 



The American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian 

 Draft Horses was organized in 1877, with J. D. Conner, Jr., of Wabash, 

 Ind., secretary. All draft horses imported from Belgium prior to Jan- 

 uary ist, 1888, on satisfactory proof of same, are eligible to registry. 

 Any horse imported from Belgium after January ist, 1888, is not eli- 

 gible to registry unless previously registered in the Government Reg- 

 ister of Belgium, known as the Society of Belgian Stock Farmers. 

 Animals bred in the United States from registered sires and dams are 

 eligible to registry under the rather peculiar caption: "Native Full- 

 Bloods." 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color generally bay or brown-black, but sorrel, roan and other 

 colors are occasionally found. In size they are about equal to the Per- 

 cheron, perhaps somewhat larger, say an average of from 1,650 to 

 2,200 Ibs. for mature stallions. The head is small and close fleshed; 

 the neck, short and very powerful ; chest, wide and deep ; back short 

 and broad, full over kidneys ; hips long ; legs short, with wide, flat 

 bone, heavy muscle, and feet of proverbial soundness. As compared 

 with the Percheron, they are more compact "blocky" and more nearly 

 round in the body, but withal, resemble them so closely in many points 

 as to warrant a second look, even from an expert, before passing judg- 

 ment as to breed of the animal in question. 



19 



