24 THE BREEDS OF LIV E-STOCK 
what more than is desired. The loins are wide, short and 
very thick. The flank is low and full. The hind-quarters 
are inclined to be short, very wide and muscular, and the 
tail is attached somewhat low and not well carried. The 
lower thighs are usually very wide and well muscled. 
The hocks are round, not clearly defined and too “ meaty.” 
One of the serious faults the American horsemen have 
found with this breed is in the character of the bone of 
the legs, particularly with the hock joints. The feet 
also receive rather severe criticism, as the hoofs are in- 
clined to be small, narrow and very high in the heels, 
predisposing to side-bones and contracted feet. Marked 
improvement in these respects has been noted of late, 
however. In action, the Belgians are inclined to stumble 
at the walk, but trot off freely and with apparent vim and 
spirit. In color, the chestnut and roan are most common, 
although brown and bay are frequently found. The grays 
are not in favor, although occasionally one is seen. 
In Belgium, these draft horses are classified somewhat 
according to the sections of the country in which they 
have been bred. Those from Flanders are the largest 
and those from Ardennais district the smallest, while 
those from Brabant are of medium size and weight. 
17. Uses of the Belgian horse. — These horses are 
bred entirely for draft purposes, and they rank well 
among the heavy breeds, especially in Europe. The 
short, stocky legs, and low-set, blocky body make them 
very useful for slow, heavy hauling over city streets. 
Belgian draft horses are especially adapted for crossing 
on grade draft mares lacking in weight and substance, for 
the production of heavy draft horses. When crossed on 
grade Percheron or Clydesdale mares, they impart an 
increased depth of body with a comparative shortening 
