Brabançon (horse)

History of the Belgian draft horse or brabançon

The breeding of the race “Belgian horse draft” dates from the beginning of the 17th century. Postal diligences were introduced. One needed energetic and powerful horses for the long voyages with these rather heavy vehicles.

Charles-Alexandre of Lorraine, then governor of the Austrian Netherlands, created the deposits of standards with Saint Nicolas's Day, Ghent and Alost in order to improve the type of the draft horse towards a horse of agriculture extremely coveted. This is why it imported standard S Holstein, Berber, Norman, Neapolitan, Spanish, Arab and English. The results however were extremely disappointing and the deposits were abandoned after ten years. An exception: the deposit of Alost imported a score of Shires coming from the English stockbreeder named Blakewell. These horses proved to be excellent raceurs and thus form part of the remote ancestors of the Belgian feature. In addition to the attempts of the authorities to improve the Horse draft, there were also some private initiatives.

Under the French reign and the First Empire of Napoleon I {{er}} (1796), many horses was used for the cavalry and artillery of Napoleon. In 1806, it created for this purpose the imperial Haras. The deposit of Tervuren was set up with 65 standards of different races: thorough-breds English and Arab, Norman, Percherons, bolted, Shires and even Ukrainians.

During the Dutch period of 1814-1830, the breeding was not encouraged any more. For this reason in 1830, Belgium recently declared independent, did not have any more horses of quality. The new government took measures immediately in order to stimulate the national breeding. The Ministry for agriculture introduced the obligatory expertise for the standards and invests 30.000 francs gold. This annually granted budget was divided into premiums shared between the 9 provinces. This policy had success and soon one saw excellent young people horses in the fields. But the introduction of the railroad in 1835 constituted a new threat. Postal diligences disappeared and of the hundreds of horses of quality found themselves on the market. Agriculture opened a new outlet because one needed powerful horses for the agricultural work. It is this economic sector which will be at the base of the international success of our Belgian draft horse. The deposit of Tervuren was closed definitively and one put thus fine at the crossings with the other races. From this moment, the Belgian draft horse was raised and improved for and by the race even. By a ministerial decree dating of April 6th, 1854 a commission was created, responsible for the improvement of the race. On its order, a project was presented to the governors of the provinces to grant premiums to the best raceurs. Eight provinces accepted immediately. Liege gave its agreement only in 1877 and it is besides in the province of Liege that in 1879 the company of the Belgian Stockbreeders was created which will be at the base of the national company of the Belgian draft horse.

Well quickly the Belgian draft horse is made a world reputation. Export beats full sound towards the the United States, the Germany, the Italy, the Russia, the France etc

The First World War of 1914-1918 was a heavy test for our stockbreeders. The Germans requisitioned the best horses, as well with fine soldiers as for their breeding; on the whole 110.138 horses would have thus left.

After the Release, the equine livestock was restored rather quickly and the period of the Entre-deux-guerres knew the apogee of the Belgian draft horse which was regarded as the best equine race of the world. Belgium then counted 230.000 to 250.000 listed draft horses. Annually approximately 30.000 standards and mares were exported. Each year more than 15.000 foalta were recorded. Shortly after the end of the Second world war, motorized traction carried out an inexorable fight against the equine traction which was beaten without same the hope of revenge. The number of horses fell to lead nowadays to approximately 6.000 horses, brabançons and of the Ardennes confused. The agricultural large companies were modernized with the tractor.

Today, the royal Company “the Belgian Draft Horse” counts some 1.350 members and records approximately 1.000 foalta. Annual national competition is always a great success.

Source: the Belgian Draft Horse, our national pride , P. Wolfs and L. De Greeff

See too

Horse draft

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The draft horse

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Brabançon (horse)

History of the Belgian draft horse or brabançon

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