Dutch Draught horses are massively built and believed to be one of the biggest horse breed of today.
horse pic
Also known as the Dutch Heavy Draft Horse, or Nederland Trekpaard, is a draft horse from the Netherlands.
The breed was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Holland for heavy draft and farm work and is the heaviest of all Dutch breeds.
Ardennes horses were brought over from neighbouring Belgium and crossed with the local native horses, which were to be the foundation stock that produced a very, powerful big horse.
They were developed by cross-breeding the Brabant, Zeeland-type Dutch mares and the Belgian Ardennes.
The breed stands up to 16.3hh (170cm) and typical colours being chestnut, bay, black or roan.
This breed is very quick to mature and is also known to be long- lived with active lives.
The Dutch Draft is of a quiet nature with good paces free and active, strong limbs and compact body and legs caring a lot of feather.
It has a straight profile on a short solid powerful neck,withers broad and low.
A deep chest, and the shoulder long and sloping.
The back is short and the croup sloping.
The legs are strong and muscular, with broad joints.
Despite their size, they are very active and economical to keep.
Traditionally, the Dutch Draft was used for agricultural purposes throughout Holland, especially to plow heavy clay soils which tired many other breeds out.
Before mechanisation, they were popular agricultural horses throughout Gelderland, North Brabant and Limburg due to their great strength and willing temperament.
Today the breed is mostly seen in the show ring, pulling a variety of carts.
Draught horses > > Home
Horse breeds
Pony breeds
Horse Types
