Horses

The heavy Ardennais was once a popular light heavy horse, used by Napoleon in his campaigns across Europe to transport equipment and men.? Its origins go much further back and it is likely the oldest of all the European heavy breeds.?

As with all the heavy breeds, the advent of machinery and vehicles removed their usefulness and without the creation of horse sports for heavy horses they declined much more than their lighter cousins.? They are still used as draft horses, but more often now they are bred as meat horses in parts of Europe where horse meat remains popular

Prior to the 1800's this breed was less massive was in fact classed only as a ?light draft horse and was even ridden. Then at the beginning of the 1800's after failed crosses with thoroughbreds, Arabs and Percherons, it was cross with the Brabant and a much larger version was developed.

Over time, breeders have selected heavier and heavier specimens so that now they are one of the largest of all the heavy breeds, a far cry from its Napoleon days when it was much more lithe.? Now, they are a relatively short, company heavy horse, willing workers with a high stamin and a kind temperament.

The preferred colors are roan, red-roan, iron gray, dark chestnut and bay. Light chestnuts, even palomino is accepted, but not black.

A straight profile head shape is distinguished by a low, flat forehead and slightly prominent eye sockets. The neck is heavy, arched and long for a compact chunky horse and is set well into powerful shoulders muscular and arches, is long for such a chunky horse.? They are huge of bone, compact with a short back comparatively and huge muscular withers.

The climate in which the Ardennais are reared is harsh with extremes of temperature and often poor fodder, thus the result was thriving specimens are hardy as well as massive. They are calm, easily handled docile creatures, ?good natured and willing.