CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BELGIAN 171 



Horses imported since 1888 must be registered in 

 the Government Register of Belgium (Society of Bel- 

 gia Stock Farmers), to be eligible for registration in 

 the American Register. 



Description. Color usually bay, dark and light 

 browns all good colors. They are somewhat larger 

 than the Percherons. Selected mature stallions, such as 

 are usually imported, weigh from 1,700 to 2,20*) pounds, 

 and mature mares from 1,5 JO to 1,900 pounds. The 

 head is reasonably small; neck short and very power- 

 ful; chest wide and deep; back short and broad; close- 

 ribbed, and full over kidneys; hips fairly long, broad, 

 smooth and symmetrical; legs short, flat, arm heavy- 

 muscled, with the usual open, rather low heel of the 

 draft breeds. This breed has not been as popular as 

 the Percherons and the Clydes. Probably this is due 

 to its build, which indicates a breed of less activity 

 than the two great leading draft breeds adopted by 

 the Americans. As seen in his native country he does 

 not strike one as having the long, elastic, quick stride 

 of the Scotch or French draft -horse. 



THE FLEMISH HORSE 



The modern Flemish and Belgian horses are the 

 giants of their race. Springing from a common ances- 

 try, bred under similar conditions, put to common 

 uses, it is no wonder that the two breeds are very simi- 

 lar. They are tall with heavy bodies, but sometimes the 

 true muscular development is not in harmony with the 

 bone structure. The color is usually bay or brown, both 



