The American Belgian Draft is a draft horse breed developed in the United States. It descends from draft horses from Belgium, but isolation and different selective breeding led it to become genetically distinct from those horses in the early twentieth century. Compared with its Belgian ancestors, it is generally taller and less heavily built, and its coat colors occur in a different distribution. The listed origin is the United States, and its family and species are both horse. These points distinguish the American breed while keeping its history straightforward: it began with Belgian draft stock and developed into a distinct breed in the United States.
Who it is for
This entry is for readers interested in draft horse breeds and the American development of Belgian-derived horses.
What is good
- Developed as a distinct breed in the United States
- Descends from Belgian draft horses
- Generally taller than its Belgian ancestors
- Has a distinct distribution of coat colors
What to know first
- Less heavily built than its Belgian ancestors
Verdict
The American Belgian Draft is a United States draft breed with Belgian ancestry and a distinct genetic identity. Its build and coat-color distribution differ from the horses it derives from.
