Ardennes Horse Size report

Ardennes or Ardennais is one of the famous heavy-drawn horse breeds and is the smallest of the heavy-drawn horses. It is named after the Ardennes plateau at the border of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Ardennes is one of the oldest horse breeds. They have thick bones and strong limbs and are mainly used for agricultural work or tasks that require lifting or transporting heavy loads.

The breeding history can be traced back to ancient Rome. In the 11th century, Ardennes horses were ridden by knights and participated in the Crusades. Belgium has two types of heavy draft horses: the large Brabant horse and the small Arden horse. Later, Ardennes horses were crossed with Brabant horses, and their offspring were collectively called Belgian heavy-drawn horses. In the middle of the 19th century, Russia also introduced a large number of Ardennes horses and crossed them with local horses, then bred Russian heavy-drawn horses.

Ardennes horses have strong body structures, stable genetics, strong adaptability, and large populations; therefore, they are widely distributed in many countries and regions and have achieved good results in improving local horse breeds. The following post will introduce more interesting facts about Ardennes.

Ardennes Horse Size And Appearance

Ardennes have relatively large heads and long faces. They have a broad, muscular, and compact bodies, with stubby legs, all of which make them powerful horses. They have long manes and thick long hair on their limbs. The coat color is variable, including bay, roan, chestnut, gray, palominousually, accompanied by light-colored spots on the body, and some have white hair in certain areas, like the head or legs. Black-coated Ardennes are very rare and are not eligible for registration. Despite all this physical strength and energy, Ardennes horses are characteristically tame and easy to train and have a lively trot.

Average Size of Ardennes Horse

Ardennes are between light and heavy draft horse breeds, with the average counterweight between 700 and 1000 kg and a standing height between 152 cm and 163 cm. Mares stand an average of 15 hands high, while stallions are slightly larger at 16 hands. The lifespan of Ardennes horses is usually 25-30 years old.

Conclusion

Ardennes are gentle in temperament and brisk in walking. This durable and easy-to-train horse is still used in agriculture and bred for food. It is still used occasionally today for work on small farms, vineyards, and forests. Ardennes horses are highly resistant and can survive harsh climatic conditions. As with all draft horses, depending on what they do, they require a certain diet and care to stay healthy and in good condition. The population of this breed is less than it used to be, but it is still popular in competitions and shows held in northern Europe.