The Brabant horse: Belgium’s gentle powerhouse with global appeal
This summer, Belga English is showcasing some of Belgium’s most remarkable animals. From giant rabbits to enormous horses and dogs with the best sense of smell in the world, we look at the unique species that originate in Belgium.
Massive, muscular and surprisingly gentle: the Brabant draught horse, also known as the Brabants trekpaard, is one of Belgium’s most iconic and enduring breeds. Once the powerhouse of European agriculture, this horse has left its mark not just on Belgian farmland but around the world.
The breed can be traced back to the historic Duchy of Brabant, which is now divided between modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. Related to other heavy horses, such as the French Ardennais and the British shire, the Brabant developed into a distinct breed by the late 19th century. It became a cornerstone of Belgian farming and a sought-after export.
Stallions can weigh over a tonne; their compact, muscular frames are equipped with feathered hooves, broad shoulders and immense pulling power. Yet despite their size, Brabants are renowned for their calm and cooperative nature. It’s a trait that made them invaluable long before the advent of the tractor.
Their strength and temperament earned them a place far beyond the plough. They hauled nets for shrimp fishermen in coastal towns; they pulled coal carts in mining regions; and they towed barges on rivers. They dragged timber through forests, transported goods and carried families in carriages through mud and celebrations alike.
By the early 20th century, the Brabant had become one of the world’s most influential draught breeds.
Large numbers of Belgian stallions were shipped to North America, where they formed the basis of the American Belgian Draft: a close relative that’s often lighter in colour and slightly taller. Brabants also contributed to the genetic makeup of other cold-blooded breeds across Europe.
However, with the mechanisation of agriculture, the breed’s role diminished. By the 1960s and 70s, numbers had collapsed and extinction loomed.
Today, the breed survives thanks to a dedicated network of breeders and enthusiasts in Belgium, the Netherlands and northern France. It's celebrated at rural festivals, horse shows and traditional logging events.
In Belgium, the Brabant remains a powerful cultural symbol, featuring in parades, folklore and even beer marketing. Some are still trained for farming and for forestry work, where their minimal impact on the soil is an advantage over heavy machinery.
For many, the Brabant horse is more than just a working animal. It embodies a slower, steadier rhythm of life and is a living link to a time when muscle and patience shaped the land. In an age defined by speed and automation, seeing this calm giant at work evokes a sense of quiet reverence.
#FlandersNewsService | A shrimper on a draught horse at Oostduinkerke on the North Sea coast © PHOTO ARTERRA
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