The Belgian Horse All you need to know about them!

By:Carolyn C.

Why is the Belgian horse important?

● They can help farmers plow the ground.● They are friendly with humans.● They can help you earn money in a horse

strength contest.

The Features of the Belgian● Strong muscles● A short and strong neck● Powerful hindquarters,or back legs● A broad back● Powerful shoulders● The hooves are large and wide● The white mark on their legs are called socks● Wide girths● The mark on the nose is called a blaze

The History of the Belgian HorseTheir ancestors were the Flemish horse breed.They came from Brabant,or today known as the as the Belgian region.They grew strong due to the tall grass there. They were sent to America in the late 1800’s. Since they were good workhorses, the Belgian government called them “The National Treasure”. Before the farming, the Belgians were war horses during the middle ages.

The Belgian diet● Every day, a Belgian could eat up to 40 pounds of grass, grain, and hay

like 2 20 pound rice bags.● They can drink up to 20 gallons of water in one day like 20 1 gallons of

milk.● Back in Brabant, the grass grew very tall and very lush, which the Belgians

ate and that gave them their tremendous strength and size. (rice)

The Belgian CoatDo you know the color of their coat?They all can be…..● Most have copper coats● Gray● Roan● BlackDo you know the tail colors? They all can be….● Blond● Red

Idioms on Horses● Straight from the horse’s mouth: good information from

someone● Hold your horses: don’t be in a hurry● Don’t put the cart before the horse: do not do things in

the wrong order● Every horse thinks it’s own pack heaviest: you think that

your job is harder than anyone else.● Don’t beat a dead horse: to overuse or overdo

something

More to see on the Belgian

Quiz time!(You may also look back in the text!)

1.Which horse breed was the Belgian ancestors? A: The Flemish B:The Friesian C:The Arabian2.What are the neck features? ( For the Belgian horse)

A: Strong B: Thin C:Sleek3. What is one of the coat colors on the Belgian? A: Chesnut B: Red C: Roan

Conclusions

What did you learn?Are you interested in buying one? If you want one, go galloping away to this website!(www.equine.com/belgiumdraft.html)

Belgian horse Paint horse Friesian horse

Strong neck Slick neck Smooth neck

Wide hoof Thin legs Has hair on the lower part of the leg

Horsing around with words!1. Girth. It’s like a waist near the neck2.Blaze.The mark on the nose3. Flemish horse breed.The Belgian ancestors4.Coat. The short hair on the horse5. Roan.The color on a Belgian horse

Sources

● Belgian horses: Pilot company● belgiancorp.com