Documented breeding was recorded in the seventeenth century, with the first studbook founded in 1886. The first known imported Belgian to America was in the late nineteenth century.
TheAmerican Belgian Draught derives from the same original stock, but has developed differently. It is generally taller and less heavily built, and has a very different distribution of coat colours.[3]: 434 [4]: 166
The Belgian Draught is a tall, powerful and massive horse. Heights at thewithers are usually in the range 163–173 cm (64–68 in), with an average height of 164 cm (65 in) formares and 168 cm (66 in) forstallions.[4]: 166 [3]: 443 [2] Average weights are approximately 700 kg (1,500 lb) for mares and 900 kg (2,000 lb) for stallions, but weights of over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) are not uncommon.[4]: 166 [3]: 443 [2] Theroan coat colour predominates, accounting for about 80% of all of the horses; some 12% arebay, and the remainderchestnut, black orgrey.[3]: 443
The Belgian Draught horse has been identified as having an intermediate level of genetic diversity, and found to have relatively low levels of inbreeding. However, due to low founder diversity, the breed is identified as likely to have a potential compromise of genetic diversity in future generations.[9]
These are thehorse breeds considered to originate wholly or partly in Belgium and Luxembourg. Many have complex or obscure histories, so inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed is predominantly or exclusively from those countries.
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