148 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. ^ 



XIX. The Belgian Horse. 



The Belgian horse takes his name from the country of his nativity — 

 Belgium. That country was famous for producing horses at the begin- 

 ning of the Christian era. The man and the horse seem to have had 

 close relationship in that country in pre-historic times. They have bred 

 and raised horses not only for their own use but for export to all civilized 

 countries. Their inability to meet demand is a matter of record and 

 accounts for good prices always maintained. It was one of the leading 

 industries in that country at every period of its history. The industry 

 of that country' has received special recognition from the government 

 w^hich established a stud for stallions by way of encouragement and 

 assistance in that industry. Much attention has been given to the im- 

 provement of the draft horse. That is the only horse receiving special 

 recognition and assistance from the government. 



The methods employed by the Belgium government to encourage 

 horse breeding are interesting. State regulations concerning the breed- 

 ing of draft horses are subject to constant supervision. The government 

 expends annually 350,000 francs, equal to $70,000, in behalf of that 

 work. The money is used to meet the expenses of shows, of foals and 

 mares, which are fixed by provincial regulations and which occur in 

 some 44 different places. Stallions are submitted for examination at 

 these times and places. At these shows large monetary prizes are offered 

 for first and second prizes for the best specimens of the horse of different 

 ages. Careful records are kept of the horse winning premiums and two 

 or three successive premiums entitle the winner to compete for a bounty 

 of about $1,200 payable annually as long as the horse remains approved 

 by a commission of examination and retains its value. At the end of 

 five years the owner of such a stallion, if it remains approved, may con- 

 tinue to enjoy an annual maintenance of from 600 to 800 francs. In 

 case a stallion that has received the 600 francs bounty is sold to leave 

 Belgium the premiums received must be returned to the treasury of the 

 state. There is an annual competition in each province for stallions 

 four years old or over that have won the above special prizes at which 

 they may compete for a first prize of 900 francs and a second prize of 

 700 francs. The government encouragement and government aid have 

 been great factors in the development and in the world supply of this 

 noted horse. 



The history of the Belgian draft horse in America is comprised within 

 fifty years. The breed was especially promoted in this country in 1888 

 by a citizen of that country, by name Mr. E. Lefebure, who settled in 

 Iowa. From 1888 until his death in 1905 he was active in promoting 

 the breed of the Belgian horse in this country. 



