BREEDS OF HORSES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 149 



XX. Characteristics of the Belgian Horse. 



The general conformation is of the most compact form, this breed 

 having a maximum of weight within a given space. The body is very 

 full in the breast and unusually broad and deep in the back, no breed 

 in proportion to its size showing so much body girth. Symmetry of 

 form is not os frequent as in some other breeds, or as should be wished, 

 owing to a rather characteristic steepness and shortness of rump ex- 

 tremely common with Belgians, with the tail set rather low. The head 

 shows considerable refinement and is carried with spirit on a short, 

 symmetrical neck. The head, neck and rump rather suggest the 

 French breeds in style and carriage. The legs of the Belgians are devoid 

 of long hair and are notably short. Compared with an ordinary draft 

 horse one is impressed by the closeness ^dth which the body comes to the 

 ground. While the legs may not be open to objection, frequently there 

 is a tendency to too much lightness of bone and lack of substance to 

 support the body weight and withstand the most severe labor. The 

 hocks do not show great depth and strength as frequently as might be 

 desirable. The feet has been an important criticism of the breed h^ 

 Americans. These tend to be small and lack in circumference at the 

 crown besides being high and narrow at the heel. Probably no class of 

 draft hoi*se brought to America has had the feet so severely criticised 

 as does the Belgian. There is reason in this objection if the specimens 

 exhibited in America are a fair basis of judgment. The Belgian is 

 somewhat slow in action though some remarkable actors have been seen 

 in our shows. In a recent International Live Stock Show there was one 

 exhibit of a Belgian with stride and style most unusual in a draft horse 

 of any breed. 



The chestnut is the most popular in color though they are frequently 

 found in bays, bay-browns and roans. The gray Belgian is not in favor 

 either here or in his native country. Height and weight vary. 



At the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, there was a special 

 commission from Belgium in charge of the exhibit of Belgian draft 

 horses. The exhibit was especially representative of which three types 

 were distinct and noted. These three types represented three different 

 sections of the country from which they came. Those from Flanders 

 ranged in height from 16% to 17 hands or more and the weight of the 

 stallion about 2,000 pounds. Those from Brabant, another section, 

 stand 15% to 16% hands and the stallions weigh about 1,600 pounds, 

 while those of the Ardenais stand from 15 to ISYo hands in height and 

 weigh about 1,200 pounds. 



The Belgian draft horse stands without a superior in temperament. 

 This is due, no doubt, to the fact of being raised in a country having 



