History of the Belgian draught horse

Origin of the draught horse

The horse, later followed by the donkey and the zebra, developed from a common ancestor (the Eohippus) about four million years ago.

The horse (Equus caballus) further developed into four types. These "prototypes" were the forefathers of our present-day horses. Depending on the environment in which they ended up, they evolved into the primitive pony, the steppe horse, the Arabian horse or the Tundra horse. The draught horse developed from the Tundra horse.

Origin of the Belgian draught horse

The Belgian draught horse originated from four local types: the Flemish horse, the "Big Horse of the Dender", the "Grey of Hainaut" and the "Colossal Horse of Méhaigne".

The ROYAL SOCIETY OF THE BELGIAN DRAUGHT HORSE (KMBT) studbook turned one breed into Belgium's leading export.

Gallery of champion stallions

The studbook for the Belgian draught horse is organised by the Koninklijke Maatschappij het Belgisch trekpaard (KMBT - Royal Society of the Belgian Draught Horse).

Since 1886 the studbook has organised the annual championship inspection for draught stallions and mares. All the champion stallions and mares can be admired at Diepensteyn Castle. It is very easy to track the evolution from workhorse to show horse and for meat. Here you will find a taster of the gallery of champion draught stallions.

Use of draught horses in the past & today

The draught horse was never a product of nature, but rather of man. The practical value of draught horses for the economy disappeared with the arrival of the internal-combustion engine. A new direction is undoubtedly recreational and competitive use.

The horse, later followed by the donkey and the zebra, developed from a common ancestor (the Eohippus) about four million years ago.

The horse (Equus caballus) further developed into four types. These "prototypes" were the forefathers of our present-day horses. Depending on the environment in which they ended up, they evolved into the primitive pony, the steppe horse, the Arabian horse or the Tundra horse. The draught horse developed from the Tundra horse.

The draught horse developed from the Tundra horse. At that time stallions and mares lived close to each other in large herds. Their mutual tolerance is great, their build strong and heavy. We can trace various characteristics displayed by our present-day draught horse back to this primitive ancestor: a round rib cage and a large stomach and intestinal volume (necessary in order to obtain sufficient energy from an overly poor diet), their gigantism, their muzzle with small, high-positioned nostrils, heavy weight on the legs and so on. The present-day draught horse is not however a primitive pony but rather the result of breeding by man.

The Belgian draught horse originated from four local types: the Flemish horse (1), the "Big Horse of the Dendre" (2), the "Grey of Hainaut" (3) and the "Colossal Horse of Méhaigne" (4).

Belgium was once in a very strong economic position in Europe, the leading export item being horses, primarily to Germany and Russia. In those days many countries used Belgian stallions to cross with the local stock. The Belgian draught horse was thus one of the country's main exports.

The horse had to meet industrial requirements. In 1886 the "LE CHEVAL DE TRAIT BELGE" studbook was set up, with the aim of breeding strong, uniform stock. Indeed, Belgian draught horses won prizes at shows and exhibitions all over the world.

1863

Gugusse-Orange I

All current studbook horses in Begium are descended from this remarkable stallion.

Brin d'Or (brown), son of Jupiter and national champion 1900.

Jupiter (chestnut) national champion (1889), father of the famous sons from the Jules Hazard stable.

Following the invention of the internal-combustion engine, transport was mechanised while a few years later the army chose tanks over horses. A whole generation of young farmers had lost their lives by the end of World War I. The draught horse market changed as a result, becoming very small. The only market for the horses was transport over short distances and agriculture. The heavy loads that had to be drawn called for a heavier type of horse: "kilos to move kilos". Speed was less important as the travelling distance was shorter. This dramatically altered the breed.

1914

Indigène de Wisbecq

Sold to the Netherlands for fear it would be claimed by the German occupiers.

Formed the basis of the Dutch Draught Horse Stud Farm.

Albion d'Or

(champion 1923), grandson of Indigène du Fosteau. Forefather of the present-day "black type".

Espoir de Quaregnon

(champion 1929). Son of Avenir d'Herse, sold for a record BFr 1,000,000.

Matador de Buvrinnes

(champion 1954) Bred massive and very agile foals. Sold to Germany too early.

Ensor d'Elewijt

(champion 1991) Is the prominent stud for current breeding.

Brillant won first prize at the Paris International Horse Show in 1878.

International Belgian draught horse triumphs in the 19th century.

Brillant international champion in Paris in 1878. Father: Gugusse-Orange I. Mother: Blonde

Bella de Plançenoit

(champion 1909-1910-1911) (brown) top mare, mixed the blood of Flemish and Hainaut horses.

Rêve d'Or (chestnut), son of Jupiter and champion of all draught horse stock, at the Paris International Show in 1900.

Indigène du Fosteau

(champion 1906-1907-1908-1909), outcome of an intensive inbreeding policy adopted by Jules Hazard. Forefather of all present-day stud horses.

Within a few years we can see how the champion stallions became heavier and the dominance of the Albion d'Hor line got under way. This stallion dominates the breed to this day through his son Avenir de Herse and mainly through his grandson Espoir de Quaregnon!

Avenir d'Herse

(kampioen 1925) Zoon van Albion d'Or.

Between 1918 and 1930, not only the colour but also the type of horse changed. The work athlete of World War I, which had a broad colour variation, dry legs and could walk and trot all day long, changed into the strong draught horse of the 1920s and 1930s. When hydraulics and tractors emerged in the 1920s, the horse's role in agriculture was as good as finished.

Between 1920 and 1950 we see the breed getting heavier and heavier. The only selection takes place in the "showring".

When studying the types of mare and stallion, we see a clear difference in development between 1918 and 1950-55. The mare continues to look like the original Belgian type for much longer. In the meantime the stallions are becoming much heavier.

When eventually the small farmer bought a tractor in the 1950s, the type of mare changed from the "working" to the "show" type (i.e. heavy type) over the course of 10 years. The only remaining selection was in the "showring".

1886

Name:
Sultan

Breeder:
Boden L.

Owner:
Boden L.

1887

Name:
Mercure

Breeder:
Chevalier L.

Owner:
Dumont de Chassart E.

1888

Name:
Mouton

Breeder:
Corbusier N.

Owner:
Orban G.

1889

Name:
Jupiter

Breeder:
Staquet M.

Owner:
Boucqueau L.

1890

Name:
Brillant

Breeder:
Depercenère L.

Owner:
MM. Reginster Frères

1891

Name:
Gerfaut II

Breeder:
Vanderschueren C.

Owner:
Vanderschueren C.

1892

Name:
Pierrot

Breeder:
Neunez A.

Owner:
Neunez A.

1893

Name:
Blanqui

Breeder:
Peten C.

Owner:
Peten C.

1894

Name:
Mont d'or

Breeder:
Jourez L.

Owner:
Jourez L.

1895

Name:
Mont d'or

Breeder:
Jourez L.

Owner:
Jourez L.

1896

Name:
Olympien

Breeder:
Hautier J.

Owner:
Hautier J.

1897

Name:
Favori

Breeder:
Vve Mathieu

Owner:
Mathieu Frères et Soeurs

1898

Name:
Rêve d'or

Breeder:
Nerinckx-Cloquet E.

Owner:
Guyaux S.

1899

Name:
Pirate

Breeder:
Duvieusart A.

Owner:
Meeus H.

1900

Name:
Brin d'Or

Breeder:
Mme Vve Francotte, Pont à Celles

Owner:
Hazard J. - Leers et Fosteau

1901

Name:
Bienvenu

Breeder:
D'Hauwer T.

Owner:
D'Hauwer T.

1902

Name:
Bourgogne

Breeder:
Depauw Frères et Soeurs

Owner:
Tirtiaux F.

1903

Name:
Marquis de Rosseignies

Breeder:
Vve Baude J.B.

Owner:
Vve Baude J.B.

1904

Name:
Marquis de Ruyen

Breeder:
Vve Van Enis

Owner:
Vandenhende M.

1905

Name:
Gambrinus du Fosteau

Breeder:
Hazard J.

Owner:
Cobbaut C.

1906

Name:
Indigène du Fosteau

Breeder:
Hazard J.

Owner:
Van Landuyt J.

1907

Name:
Indigène du Fosteau

Breeder:
Hazard J.

Owner:
D'Hauwer T.

1908

Name:
indigène du Fosteau

Breeder:
Hazard J.

Owner:
D'Hauwer T.

1909

Name:
Indigène du Fosteau

Breeder:
Hazard J.

Owner:
D'Hauwer T.

1910

Name:
Bienfait de Masnuy

Breeder:
Poulet L.

Owner:
Dumont de Chassart G.

1911

Name:
Paul

Breeder:
Plovier G.

Owner:
Vandenhende H.

1912

Name:
Moustique de Grandglise

Breeder:
Duchateau G.

Owner:
Semal G.

1913

Name:
Infernal du Bois

Breeder:
Bury D.

Owner:
Bouvier P.

1914

Name:
Indigène de Wisbecq

Breeder:
Temmerman C.

Owner:
Temmerman C.

1919

Name:
Drinker D'Hondzocht

Breeder:
Deleener A.

Owner:
Deleener A.

1920

Name:
Prince Léopold

Breeder:
Verderschueren A.

Owner:
Verderschueren A.

1921

Name:
Piot de Corroy

Breeder:
Vandenhende H.

Owner:
Vive Saint-Bavon

1922

Name:
Bourgogne de Saint-Martin

Breeder:
Carlier J.

Owner:
Maricq F.

1923

Name:
Albion d'Hor

Breeder:
Demarbaix Frères

Owner:
Delepine A.

1924

Name:
Idéal de Boneffe

Breeder:
Beguin J.

Owner:
Beguin J.

1925

Name:
Avenir d'Herse

Breeder:
Bourdiau Frères et Soeurs

Owner:
Bourdiau Frères et Soeurs

1926

Name:
Gaulois du Monceau

Breeder:
Bourdiau Frères et Soeurs

Owner:
Bourdiau Frères et Soeurs

1927

Name:
Successeur d'Herse

Breeder:
Bourdiau V.

Owner:
Delepine A.

1928

Name:
Carlo de la Maladrée

Breeder:
Fournier V.

Owner:
Fournier V.

1929

Name:
Espoir de Quaregnon

Breeder:
Vve Descamps A.

Owner:
Hazard Mme

1930

Name:
Favori de Neusart

Breeder:
Blondeau G.

Owner:
De Donder Frères

1931

Name:
Avenir de Solmonsart

Breeder:
Demeuldre V.

Owner:
Deleener

1932

Name:
Cocktail de Velm

Breeder:
Peten Cl.

Owner:
Peten Cl.

1933

Name:
Avare d'Emptinne

Breeder:
Baron Janssen L.

Owner:
Baron Janssen L.

1934

Name:
Idéal de l'Hove

Breeder:
Sacré Ed.

Owner:
Desenepart O.

1935

Name:
Royal de Salmonsart

Breeder:
Demeuldre V.

Owner:
Wilmots Frères

1936

Name:
Horizon de Bogaerden

Breeder:
Galmart A.

Owner:
Blampain E.

1937

Name:
Indigoli Delmotte

Breeder:
Vandercappellen M.

Owner:
Deleener G.

1938

Name:
Avenir de Promelles

Breeder:
Ponsar J.

Owner:
Paquet J.

1939

Name:
Vengeur de Vraimont

Breeder:
Van Cutsem V.

Owner:
Snyers C.

1946

Name:
Julien de Longpont

Breeder:
Vanderplasken E.

Owner:
Ancion A.

1947

Name:
Fiat de Montifaut

Breeder:
Buys P.

Owner:
Philips

1948

Name:
Costaud de Marche

Breeder:
Petit G.

Owner:
Fosseur A.

1949

Name:
Quo-Vadis de Houtaing

Breeder:
Deroissart E. Vve.

Owner:
Hautier M.

1950

Name:
Vadrouille d'Enée

Breeder:
Dubois J. en Malbecq E.

Owner:
Dubois J.

1951

Name:
Wallon de Libenne

Breeder:
Fosseur A.

Owner:
Descamp P., Desmet V., Boutiau M.

1952

Name:
Mastoc du Bois Maillet

Breeder:
Lecomte M.

Owner:
Rigo F.

1953

Name:
Monty des Bruyères

Breeder:
Maton A.

Owner:
Reintjes A. et Fils, Desmet V.

1954

Name:
Matador de Buvrinnes

Breeder:
François N.

Owner:
Pier X., Bayot A. Reintjens A. et Fils

1955

Name:
Fifils du Château

Breeder:
Langhendries L.

Owner:
Brasseur Ch., Firme d'Haens, Malbecq E.

1956

Name:
Gamin de l'Eaugrenée

Breeder:
Clerbois Frères

Owner:
Simoens Frères

1957

Name:
Super de Pierreux

Breeder:
Pauwels G.

Owner:
Derue R.

1958

Name:
Toto de Teignies

Breeder:
Bayot Ch.

Owner:
De Baene Al, Beguin V.

1959

Name:
Lucifer de Beauvoir

Breeder:
Brasseur Ch.

Owner:
Brasseur Ch.

1960

Name:
Diogène de Denville

Breeder:
Beauvois L.

Owner:
Louis P.

1961

Name:
Bijou de Bois

Breeder:
Vanneste G.

Owner:
Van Hollebeke M., Vandemeulebroeke U.

1962

Name:
Expo de la Sille

Breeder:
Beguin V., Ramskapelle

Owner:
De Baene A., St. Pieters-Brugge

1963

Name:
Emir de Salmonsart

Breeder:
Demeulder F.

Owner:
Demeulder F.

1964

Name:
Wisky de Bertinchamps

Breeder:
Paquet J.

Owner:
Paquet J.

1965

Name:
Costaud d'Impde

Breeder:
Van Doorslaer Fr. en Zoon

Owner:
Van Doorslaer Fr. en Zoon

1966

Name:
Buffalo de Romiée

Breeder:
Pesleux A.

Owner:
Simoens A.

1967

Name:
Marquis du Coq

Breeder:
De Saint Martin A.

Owner:
Simoens A.

1968

Name:
Barnum van 't Geushof

Breeder:
Debandt M.

Owner:
Simoens A.

1969

Name:
Tom van Sint-Kruis

Breeder:
Roels G.

Owner:
Leenaerts L., Debaene A.

1970

Name:
Hardi van 't Ooievaarnest

Breeder:
Simoens A.

Owner:
Simoens A., Carron E.

1971

Name:
Barnum II van't Geushof

Breeder:
Debandt M.

Owner:
Simoens A., Voet M., Verkest Ch.

1972

Name:
Barnum van 't Ooievaarnest

Breeder:
Simoens A.

Owner:
Simoens A., M. et Mme Raemdonck

1973

Name:
Matador de Salmonsart

Breeder:
Demeuldre F.

Owner:
De Baecker Gebr.

1974

Name:
Matador van't Hof van Nieuwe

Breeder:
Devos M.

Owner:
De Baene A.

1975

Name:
Yser de Behoute

Breeder:
Hanoulle A., Paquet R.

Owner:
Hanoulle A., Paquet R.

1976

Name:
Lutteur van't Ooievaarnest

Breeder:
Simoens A.

Owner:
Carron E.

1977

Name:
Hardi van't Geushof

Breeder:
Debandt M.

Owner:
Decroly C. en A.

1978

Name:
Baron van't Brouwerijhof

Breeder:
Van Overschelde O.

Owner:
De Backer Gebr.

1979

Name:
Marco Van Wilde

Breeder:
Muys F.

Owner:
Verkest Ch.

1980

Name:
Codex de Wolvertem

Breeder:
Van Doorslaer G.

Owner:
Van Doorslaer G.

1981

Name:
Sackx de Wolvertem

Breeder:
Van Doorslaer G.

Owner:
Van Doorslaer G.

1982

Name:
Matador van't Eendenhof

Breeder:
Cobbaert R.

Owner:
Verkest Ch.

1983

Name:
Carlo van Elversele

Breeder:
Colmant F.

Owner:
De Baene A., Ersyck H.

1984

Name:
Rivaal van de Merodedreefe

Breeder:
Colmant F.

Owner:
De Baene A., Versyck H.

1985

Name:
Costaud van Wolvertem

Breeder:
van Doorslaer G.

Owner:
Van Doorslaer G.

1986

Name:
Bloc van Oombergen

Breeder:
Van Winghen L. en J.

Owner:
Van Melckebeke Gebr., Van langenhove A.

1987

Name:
Hardi van de Rooker

Breeder:
Devooght P.

Owner:
De Schepper R.

1988

Name:
Bruno van de Merodedreef

Breeder:
Van Dingen K.

Owner:
Buts J.

1989

Name:
Albion de Pontailles

Breeder:
Van Langenhove A.

Owner:
Van Melckebeke Gebr.

1990

Name:
Barron van op den Dijck

Breeder:
De Schepper R.

Owner:
De Schepper R.

1991

Name:
Ensor d'Elewijt

Breeder:
Mevr J. De Greef

Owner:
De Greef Stal, Lefebvre G.

1992

Name:
Expo van de Noorweegsekaai

Breeder:
Dullaert L.

Owner:
Peeters L., Marbaix A.

1993

Name:
Emir van Terbekenhof

Breeder:
De Backer A.

Owner:
De Backer Gebr.

1994

Name:
Star van't Bloemenhof

Breeder:
Bollen-Goris

Owner:
Van Langehove A.

1995

Name:
Sam van den Oudenbos

Breeder:
Verstrepen J.

Owner:
Cortvrindt M.

1996

Name:
Klepper van Conterscherp

Breeder:
Luyten J.

Owner:
Crijnen en zonen

1997

Name:
Sultan van Wooldink

Breeder:
Manders Th.

Owner:
Van Brempt H.

1998

Name:
Jonas d'Elewijt

Breeder:
Stal De Greeff

Owner:
Kaaksmetehoeve n.v.

1999

Name:
Charmeur van de Paashoef

Breeder:
Brouwers R. en zoon

Owner:
Crijnen P.

2000

Name:
Jim van Niesenhof

Breeder:
Peeters J.

Owner:
Van Langehove A. en E.

2001

Name:
Hepper Sam

Breeder:
Tilmans Mathieu

Owner:
Cocquyt Julien

2002

Name:
Igor van Gaasbeek

Breeder:
Het Baljuwhuis n.v.

Owner:
Van Brempt H. - Meeusen

2003

Name:
Pim van de Pijp

Breeder:
Jasperes J.

Owner:
Verkest Ch. en G.

2004

Name:
Buffalo van't Camillenhof

Breeder:
Vergauwen E.

Owner:
Van Langehove A. en E.

2005

Name:
Carlos van de Begijnbos

Breeder:
Agneessens Bob

Owner:
Cocquyt Julien

2006

Name:
Maxx van den Egelenberg

Breeder:
Sterck Romain en Dirk

Owner:
Van Langehove A. en E.

2007

Name:
Pol van Hansevelde

Breeder:
Baert Eric

Owner:
Van Langehove A. en E.

2008

Name:
Baron van't Camillenhof

Breeder:
Vergauwen E.

Owner:
Moreels A. en E.

2009

Name:
Junior van't hof ter Vaalt

Breeder:
Verwilst E.

Owner:
Verkest Ch. en Verwilst E.

2010

Name:
Gaston van de Bouwhoeve

Breeder:
Asbreuk M.B.J., Diepenheim NL

Owner:
Moreels E. en J. Duisburg Tervuren

2011

Name:
Tijn van de Vliegert

Breeder:
M.J. Spreeuwenberg

Owner:
Van Langenhove Eddy

2012

Name:
Nike van het Bos 2007/316

Breeder:
Filip Joos

Owner:
Filip Joos

2013

Name:
Mathador van de Bouwhoeve 2009/2024

Breeder:
Asbreuk M.B.J.

Owner:
Swinnen Jella en Swinnen Rik

Use of the draught horse in the past & today

As a workhorse in the Middle Ages and draught horse in the mid-16th century, by Pieter Breughel. As a warhorse in the Middle Ages.

Towing horses along the canal (1900)

Moving a house using draught horses (San Francisco 1908)

Military use of horses in the mounted field artillery

Horses in the coal mines in northern France

Draught horses were used for public transport (in the early 19th century).

The Van der Goten family moving house in Brussels

Use by the fire brigade (Boston 1910)

Warehouse horses in the port of Antwerp

Horses ploughing.

Contemporary use of draught horses in forestry, tourism, folklore, sport and recreation

The Belgian draught horse in forestry

Shrimpers in Oostduinkerke

Tourism in Antwerp

Horse procession in Hakendover

Recreational and sports horse driving using traditional carriages

Tilt at the ring at Walcheren

Recreational horse driving in nature

Competitive horse driving in contemporary carriage