126 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



somewhat small for the weight they support, and they have been 

 criticized in the past for lack of fullness at the crown and as 

 being rather high and narrow at the heel. In action the Belgian 

 is somewhat slow, especially at a walk, though some remarkable 

 actors have been exhibited at the shows. In 1909 A. H. Thompson 

 attended the Brussels show, after which he contributed a report 

 on the show to the Breeders' Gazette} Commenting on the 

 characteristics of the Belgian, he writes : 



There is a great improvement in the breed since I first knew them from 

 the importation into Ohio in the sixties. Their necks are longer, the ears set 

 higher on the head, the eyes larger ; they are not so thick in the throat-latch, 

 and finer in the jaw and muzzle. They are doing away with the dip in the 

 back, and have lengthened out and rounded their quarters, which has set up 

 their tails where they ought to be. They still could do with a little more bone 

 and length of pastern. They have excellent traits for a draft horse, and kind 

 temper, easily kept, not taking a great deal of grain to fill up their short, deep 

 bodies. They have their faults, which will in time be corrected. Many of 

 them turn their toes in and paddle badly at the walk and trot. 



He also calls attention to the fact that as a rule these horses are 

 very sound and that at the show not a single horse was turned 

 down by the veterinary surgeons during the entire week. 



M. Duchateau states in the Breeders' Gazette^ relative to con- 

 formation, that the two main qualities sought in the Belgian are 

 wealth of muscular development and a correct setting of feet 

 and legs. While strong, dense bone is required to support the 

 thick, heavy muscles, they do not look for exaggeration in this 

 respect, as disproportionate size of bone would militate against 

 style and action. " We like to see a large, expressive eye, but 

 Belgian breeders' ideals concerning the head and neck are not 

 quite in concordance with American notions, notwithstanding 

 the fact that we cater largely to the American trade." 



The color of the Belgian horse is variable, ranging through 

 bay, chestnut, roan, "auburn," black, gray, and dun. The degree 

 of popularity is expressed in the order given. On this subject 

 E. Mueleman of Belgium has given a valuable contribution .^ He 

 directs attention to the fact that the paintings of the early masters 



1 July 21, 1909. 2 December i8, 1912. 



2 Breeders' Gazette, May 10, 191 1, p. 1168. 



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