The Flemish Horse originated in Belgium.
It is a heavy draft horse that contributed to creation of many other draft breeds.
To learn more about this interesting and massive breed, keep reading!
Flemish Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Flemish horse:
Height (size) | 16.0 – 17.0 hands high |
Colors | Chestnut or roan with white mane and tail |
Country of Origin | Belgium |
Common Uses | Carriage and sleigh pulling, logging and forestry, draft work |
Flemish Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
During the Middle Ages, Flemish horses gained a lot of popularity, and they were among the presents Charlemagne sent to Harūn al-Rashīd (also Aaron the Just or Aaron the Rightly-Guided), the fifth caliph of Abbasid Dynasty, in 807.
The Flanders Horse, as it was known in the Middle Ages, contributed greatly to the evolution of the Clydesdale, the Shire, and the Suffolk Punch.
Furthermore, it was most likely used centuries ago to increase the size of the ancestors of the Irish Draft.
Dutch contractors hired to drain the English Fenlands in the late 16th and early 17th century brought with them their strong horses that were then crossed with the native English stock.
Also, breeders crossed the Flemish Horse with various breeds to produce what is now known as the Belgian Draft.
In the 1900s, these horses regrettably became extinct, but around 1993, it was recreated using stock owned by Amish people in the United States.
In 1999, a breed association was established.
The breed was given formal approval by the Flemish government in 2005, and the same year, the breed association was given the authority to oversee the stud-book.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Flanders Horse”
Temperament/Personality
Gentle, easy to train
Physical Characteristics
The head is well-shaped and elegant, and the body is muscular, robust, and somewhat heavy.
The back is strong, and there is light feathering on the legs.
Colors
Chestnut or roan with white mane and tail
Height (size)
16.0 – 17.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
1,800 – 2,200 lbs (820 – 1000 kg)
Blood Type
Cold
Common Uses
Carriage and sleigh pulling, logging and forestry, draft work
Health
May be affected by Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) – a hereditary genetic condition that causes fragile skin, and may be fatal in its severe form
Popular Traits
n/a
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Belgium
Ancestors
n/a