Ardennes

Ardennes Qualities

The Ardennes horses are used for harness work, in agriculture facets, as meat, and in forestry careers as well. They are generally very sweet creatures but equally as powerful. This breed can be found in Belgium, France, and in Luxembourg. In some cases, you may be able to find them in the Netherlands and in other areas all along the North Sea.

Ardennes Temperament

The temperament of the Ardennes horses is generally very calm, gentle, and kind. They can be around children and are ideal for riding purposes if you intend to use them for such a need. Usually the older draft breeds such as the Ardennes styles are very calm and well mannered creatures as a result of their excellent training.

Ardennes Appearance

The Ardennes horses stand at around fifteen hands in full grown size. They are bred in various colors such as bay, roan, chestnut, gray, palomino, but never the shade of black. They are a short breed that also bodes a straight head, muscular quarters, and short legs. Their compact bodies are ideal for carrying larger loads with very little effort needed at all. They have a sloping croup, a strong back, and also a very short but powerful neck that is usually common in a smaller horse, even a pony, though this breed is much taller for having such a strong neck.

Ardennes Upkeep

Taking care of the Ardennes horse is a cinch. This breed can be found in Europe where they can easily reside in any cold or warm climate. This style of horse can be found working in farms and fields all over the world, and their extra kind temperaments is what keeps them so commonly bred to this day. No major health issues have been reported.

Ardennes History

The Ardennes horses come from the lands of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. They have even been noted during the Commentaries on the Gallic War by none other than Julius Caesar. In his own words, they were considered to be "rustic, hard, and tireless" creatures. Considered to be the oldest and most beloved breed in all of Europe, the Ardennes is said to have roamed the area for over some two thousand years. They were utilized by knights during the middles ages as the horses could carry even the heavily armored warriors with ease. Attractive by horse standards, the Ardennes would eventually gain some additional bloodlines from various other sources. Those sources would be the Percheron, Boulonnais, and even some Thoroughbred styles to create a different type of animal. Later, they would be bred with German influences to provide a bigger and huskier shape to the breed.

Source: Horsebreeds