European Draft Breeds

Ardennais

Ardennais, also known as the Belgian Ardennais or Ardennes, is a heavy-boned yet agile breed from the Ardennes region of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is one of the earliest heavy breeds, with a recent strong influsion of Brabant blood for size and strength. It has a compact body, short back, and massive legs that are often covered with feathering. The Ardennais is easy to handle and, having developed in a harsh environment, is naturally hardy and economical to keep.

Comtois

Comtois from the Jura region of France has its origins in German horses imported by French royalty during the 5th century, influenced by stallions brought by Spaniards occupying the Franche-Comte region. Earlier this century, when the breed was seriously in danger of becoming extinct, the population was built up by crossbreeding mares with small bay Ardennais stallions—a practice that was discontinued in 1925. This is an active horse with a square head, straight and muscular neck, wide and deep chest, wide croup, and strong legs. It has been bred for hardiness, endurance, and agility in rugged mountain areas.

Rhineland

Rhineland heavy draft—also known as Rhenisch-Deutsches Kaltblut, Rhenish-Belgian, Rhenish-German, or German Coldblood—was once the most common horse in Germany but is now quite rare with a total population of some 2,000. Related to both the Brabant Belgian and the Ardennais, the modern Rhenish-German is a medium to large multi-purpose draft horse with a small head, short and strong neck, short and wide back, deep and broad chest, and short, powerful, lightly feathered legs. Each region of Germany has its own variation—Westphalian draft, Altmarker draft, Saxon-Thuringian draft, Renish draft, Mecklenburg draft, etc.

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