THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 



209 



almost entirely the product of its environment. Further, 

 many, if not all, the draft breeds of Great Britain and 

 France were greatly improved during their formative 

 period by the use of the heavy Flemish horse, the early 

 progenitor of the Belgian. While this country has long 

 been famous for its ponderous horses, yet modern 

 horse breeding, in its greatest activity, is comparatively 

 recent. 



Early types of Belgian horses. — In the early develop- 

 ment of the breed, with each district trying to produce 

 the highest type of draft horse, several types, more or 

 less distinct, sprang into existence. Thus we find rcfer- 



FIG. 109.— BELGIAN STALLION "MELON" 



ence to the Flanders horse, the Brabancon horse, the 

 horse of Hageland, the horse of Hesbaye, the horse of 

 Hainaut, the horse of Condroz and the horse of Ardennais. 

 These types have very largely disappeared, although in 

 western Flanders horses having the characteristics of the 

 Frisonne-Flemish are sometimes found, but they are be- 

 coming more and more rare. 



The Belgian methods for improving the horse. — In 

 1850 interest in horse breeding was greatly stimulated 



