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As implied by the name. This breed emerged from Belgium. Way back in Medievil times, central Western Europe was renound for the grand black horses called “Flemish”. These horses are the ones which carried the armour-clad knights to war. By necessity, only the largest and strongest of this breed were trained as “chargers” or “destriers”. From this stock, genetic make-up was drawn for other breeds.  At the heart of this area, Belgium was established as a country. The stallions of the region, in order to meet the demand for larger horses were exported to many parts of Europe to work in agricultural and industrial settings. 

As Belgium was the resource upon which other countries depended for these large stock horses, all that remained was for the country to establish the breed and strengthen the genetic material already at hand. The breed was refined by the Belgiun government who set up a national show, the winners of which would compete in the National Show in Brussels. The country’s inspection committee selected from the national the finest stallions for public services. The result of these efforts was that the fixed breed type rapidly improved and the Belgian was established as a national heritage, and a treasure. 

When the Belgian was first imported into the States, they were slated for being “too thick, too low-headed, straight shouldered, and round-boned”. However, the Belgian horse soon settled in with American farmers due to their good dispositions, willingness to work hard and the fact that they were easy to maintain. So the Belgian remained, and American breeders set out to keep what was right and fix what was “wrong”. This outcome is considered to be one of the most influential successes in the animal breeding world. Today’s American Belgian still has the solid middle, deep strong feet, plenty of bone and strong musculature, and that great disposition. Belgian horses are are easy to care for, ship well and are willing workers. The breeders from America produced a clean-lined horse with a greater slope to the shoulders and pasterns, and which showed an elegant appearance of the head and neck. 

Description
As far as color, while the initial Belgians to be brought into to the States were a wide mix, about half were bay and bay-brown. However, there was really no particular color which was a defining characteristic. Through breeding, shown by American preference, the ideal for a Belgian in the U.S. today is a chestnut or sorrel with a snow-white mane and tail, a white stripe on the face, and four white socks. In other parts of the world, one can still find a very wide assortment of colors. 

With regards to height, the Belgian is usually 16 hands (162.5 centimeters, or 64 inches) at the shoulder, but can exceed 18 hands (183 cm or 72 inches) to the shoulder. Belgian horses from the States typically have rather a large headsize, large hindquarters and shorter feathered legs. 

The typical weight is 1600 to 2000 pounds (113.6 to 142 stones), but Belgian stallions can exceed 2400 pounds (170.4 stones).

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