Belgian heavy truck
History of the breed
Brabancon (Brabant, Belgian horse, Belgian heavy truck) is one of the oldest European heavy truck breeds, known in the Middle Ages as the “Flander horse”. Brabancon was used to select European breeds such as Suffolk, Shire, and also, presumably, to improve the growth qualities of the Irish heavy truck. It is believed that the Brabancon breed originally came from local Belgian breeds, which were notable for their small stature: they were up to 140 centimeters at the withers, but they were distinguished by endurance, mobility and strong bones.
The main breeding region of the breed was the Belgian province of Brabant (Brabant), from whose name the name of the breed already came, but it is important to note that the Belgian horse was also bred in Flanders. Due to their endurance and diligence, the Brabancons, despite being used as a cavalry horse, still remained predominantly a draft, draft breed.
The Belgian heavy horse belongs to one of the best and historically most important breeds of heavy horses, as well as one of the oldest breeds in the world.
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 in the time of Caesar. Greek and Roman literature is replete with references to Belgian horses. But the fame of the Belgian breed, also called the Flemish horse, was truly enormous in the Middle Ages (armored Belgian warriors used it in the crusades to the Holy Land).
Since the end of the XNUMXth century, the breed has been divided into three main lines, which exist to this day, differing from each other both in appearance and in origin. The first line – Gros de la Dendre (Gros de la Dendre), was founded by the stallion Orange I (Orange I), the horses of this line are distinguished by their powerful physique, bay color. The second line – Greysof Hainault (Grace of Einau), was founded by the stallion Bayard (Bayard), and is known for roans (gray with an admixture of another color), gray, tan (red with black or dark brown tail and mane) and red horses. The third line – Collossesde la Mehaigne (Colos de la Maine), was founded by a bay stallion, Jean I (Jean I), and the horses that went from him are famous for their extreme endurance, strength and unusual leg strength.
In Belgium, this breed has been declared a national heritage, or even a national treasure. For example, in 1891 Belgium exported stallions to the state stables of Russia, Italy, Germany, France and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The high mechanization of agricultural labor somewhat reduced the demand for this giant, known for his gentle disposition and great desire to work. The Belgian heavy truck is in demand in a number of areas of Belgium and in North America.
Features of the exterior of the breed
Modern Brabancon is a strong, tall and strong horse. The height at the withers is on average 160-170 centimeters, however, there are also horses with a height of 180 centimeters and above. The average weight of a horse of this breed is from 800 to 1000 kilograms. Body structure: small rustic head with intelligent eyes; short muscular neck; massive shoulder; short deep compact body; muscular strong croup; short strong legs; hard medium-sized hooves.
The color is predominantly red and golden red with black markings. You can meet bay and white horses.
Applications and achievements
The Brabancon is a hugely popular farm horse and is still used as a draft horse today. Animals are undemanding to feed and care and are not prone to colds. They have a calm disposition.
Stallions from Belgium were imported to many European countries in order to breed heavy horses for industrial and agricultural needs.
At the end of the 1878th century, the demand for this breed increased. This happened after several successful victories of the Belgian heavy trucks in major international competitions. The son of Orange I, the stallion Brilliant, won the victory in 1900 at the international championship in Paris, and also shone for the next few years in Lille, London, Hanover. And the grandson of the founder of the Gros de la Dendre line, the stallion Reve D’Orme became the world champion in XNUMX, and another representative of this line became a super champion.
By the way, one of the heaviest horses in the world belongs to the Brabancon breed – this is Brooklyn Supreme from the city of Ogden, Iowa (the State of Iowa) – a bay-roan stallion, whose weight was 1440 kilograms, and the height at the withers reached almost two meters – 198 centimeters.
In addition, in the same state, at the beginning of the 47th century, another Brabancon was sold for a record amount – a seven-year-old stallion Balagur (Farceur). It sold for $500 at auction.
