Video: Belgian Heavy Truck (Brabancon)
2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49
The Belgian draft horse (Brabançon) belongs to one of the best and historically important heavy horses, as well as one of the oldest breeds in the world, close in origin to the Ardennes.
In the Middle Ages, the ancestors of this breed were called "big horses". They carried heavily armed knights into battle. It is known that similar horses existed in this part of Europe even during the time of Caesar. They were the source of the genetic material from which practically all modern heavy trucks are descended. Stallions from Belgium were imported to many European countries in order to produce heavy horses for production and agricultural needs.
The Belgian government played a significant role in the development of this breed. So, in Brussels, a big National Show was held where these horses were demonstrated. The prizes were truly enormous. In addition, special committees were established to monitor the purity of the breed.
As a result, this breed has been declared a national treasure. For example, in 1891 Belgium exported stallions to the state stables of Russia, Italy, Germany, France and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
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The Flanders horse, as it was called in the Middle Ages, influenced the development of several subsequent heavy draft breeds, including the Shire, Suffolk, and especially the Clydesdale horse. Today Belgian Brabancon is also known as Brabancon - after the area of its breeding of the same name in the center of Belgium - Brabant.
At the end of the 19th century, there were three types of Brabançon, each descended from three different lineages. The first line of mostly chestnut horses - Gros de la Dendre - was founded by the stallion Orange I, the second - Gris du Hainaut - was founded by the stallion Bayard, these were mainly white and golden-brown horses, and the third - Colosses de la Mehaigne - came from the chestnut stallion Jeana I. Today, all the descendants of these three lines are united under the name Belgian Draft Truck or Brabancon.
The high mechanization of agricultural labor has somewhat reduced the demand for this giant, known for his affectionate disposition and great desire to work. The Belgian heavy truck is in demand in several areas of Belgium and North America.
Brabancons are distinguished by early maturity and at the same time sufficient durability. Already at the age of 2.5 years, young animals are included in the work; from the age of three, horses go to the brood.
Over the centuries, horse breeders have managed to achieve perfection in breeding this breed through strict selection and crossbreeding within the same breed. The result is a horse with a short neck, strong shoulder, short legs, deep body and powerful croup combined with a peaceful character, making it the ideal heavy horse for field work. And there is no more beautiful sight than the sight of these wonderful horses harnessed to a cart loaded with kegs of beer.
Height of the Belgian heavy truck: 168-173 cm, chest girth 200-220, cannon girth 25-26. Live weight 700-900 kg. The color of the horses is red, bay and roan, less often gray and black.
Currently, the tallest horse in the world is considered to be a Belgian draft horse named Big Jake, a gelding born in 2000. His height is 210 cm. The largest Brabancon in the world was the Brooklyn Supreme - his height was 198 cm and his weight was 1451 kg!
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Body structure: small, rustic head with intelligent eyes; short muscular neck; massive shoulder; short deep compact body; muscular strong croup; short strong legs; firm hooves of medium size.
Today, the Brabancon is the most numerous breed of draft horse in the United States of America. Brabancon meat is very tender and is considered a delicacy.
It is one of the strongest horse breeds in the world. Belgian heavy trucks are capable of carrying huge weights. At a show in Denver, Colorado, a team of two Brabancons in the heavyweight division pulled 7,700 kg at a distance of 2.18 m. The horses themselves weighed 2,200 kg.
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