Compared to other horses, heavy trucks are not so frisky, energetic and fast, but the advantage in endurance and strength cannot be taken away from them. They were bred specifically for the transport of large loads, and have been coping with this task for several centuries. The following describes in detail all the breeds of heavy trucks.
What is the difference between heavy horse breeds?
Heavy horses have a powerful physique, impressive strength and calm disposition. Today they are not so in demand in the transportation of goods, as it was a hundred years ago, but in some remote places without such assistants there is still nowhere. They are in demand in private households, in logging, on koumiss farms, and they are also bred as meat breeds. Often purebred heavy trucks are used to improve the quality of local livestock.
The appearance of heavy horse breeds is not as attractive as that of other horses. Their body is massive, muscular, in growth and weight they are noticeably ahead of other breeds - the height of some individuals can exceed 2 meters, and weight - 1 ton.
Heavy horses are famous for their soft gait. They can alternate a step with a gallop and a trot almost imperceptibly for the rider - there is no sensation of shaking in the saddle. Horses are great for beginner riders. In addition, a calm and balanced character, kindness and affection for the rider make the horse a true friend and assistant for a person for life.
The prospects for breeding heavy horse breeds are wide. Breeders try to preserve their gene pool and do their best to improve existing breeds. The development of optimally useful characteristics of horses in terms of resistance to various diseases, ease of maintenance, susceptibility to a wide range of feeds and the like is the desire for modern breeding, which is developing at an impressive pace.
For a more complete picture of horses of heavy breed, it is worth considering the most common and well-known of them in more detail.
Bedrock
These breeds are the oldest and are the ancestors of modern breeds of many horses. Heavy horse horses were used in ancient times and even by the new time they had retained their features.
Belgian (Brabanson)
A heavy breed of horse native to Belgium is called Brabanson. These horses have been known for a couple of dozen centuries, which makes them the ancestors of many breeds. Modern individuals practically do not differ from their medieval descendants, while many other similar breeds of horses were diluted by crossing with riding stallions. The authenticity of Brabancon is greatly appreciated, it emphasizes its proportional and harmonious exterior.
In terms of size, Belgian heavy trucks rarely exceed a height of 1.7 meters and 1.2 tons of weight. The breed is dominated by bay and red color. These horses quickly develop to a mature state and perfectly acclimatize in new conditions. Their unpretentiousness to feed, good performance and a calm, flexible character have long been known to many horse breeders.
Scottish (Clydesdale)
Today, the Clydesdale breed of heavy horse can rightly be called one of the national treasures of Scotland, although only a few decades ago these horses were threatened with extinction.
Clydesdales were bred about three centuries ago - their ancestors are the English and Belgian breeds of heavy trucks, crossed with the local livestock. As a result of painstaking selection, a hardy, strong breed was obtained that looked more like a horse than a heavy one.
During the development of agriculture, Scottish heavy trucks were in demand for work on farmland, but technological progress over time reduced their popularity, which almost led to the loss of breed. But since the eighties of the last century, active work has been carried out to restore the Clydesdale population, and today there are several thousand individuals.
By their appearance, Scottish heavy trucks are similar to shiers, they are only slightly inferior to them in weight and size. Horses have strong legs with massive hooves, large hunchbacked heads, long ears, a short neck, on which there is a pronounced cervical crest. By suit, they are usually roan, black, red and bay, on the legs, stomach and head, the presence of marks is characteristic.
Clydesdales are bred in modern realities not only for field work - they also often appear at various equestrian exhibitions in Scotland, the UK and the USA. Due to its calm disposition and good cross-country ability, this breed is great for ecotourism, which further increases its popularity among farmers and horse breeders.
Percheron
Concerning the time of breeding of heavy-duty Persheron horses, opinions among hippologists differ - some believe that it has a long history, while others adhere to a point of view attributing to it only half a century of age. But on one point, the experts agree - at the time of its breeding, not only massive heavy horses were involved, but also Arab trotters of pure blood.
In modern perchers, originally from France, eastern roots are visible: the shape of the head, grace of movement, gray suit. The average weight of an individual is 800 kg, the height at the withers reaches 1.8 m. On the neck of the percherons, which has a particularly beautiful bend, there is a pronounced crest, the chest is wide, the back is short, broad hooves stand out on dry strong legs.
This breed of heavy trucks is extremely hardy, harmoniously built, has a good disposition and a calm, gentle ride. Thanks to such qualities, perchers are very popular today among horse lovers. In France, the distribution of the breed is progressing at the state level - financial support is allocated for farmers using perchers in their farms.
Shire
Shires, also known as English heavy trucks, are considered to be representatives of the oldest breed that were used by people during the military campaigns of the Roman Empire. Also, English heavy trucks stand out for their growth and are recognized by many horse breeders as the tallest horses on the globe.
Recently, Shirehorse horses, the descendants of English mares crossed with Dutch stallions, have been especially popular. In size, these horses are quite diverse and can be suitable for various purposes, from riding a step to a harness to a wagon. Modern shires were bred about a couple of centuries ago.
Shires can be called the largest and most powerful of the entire horse kingdom. At the withers, their height can be more than 180 cm, and their weight can exceed 1.1 tons. Breeding of the breed is carried out in many countries of the world. This causes particular difficulties, because the feed for such horses needs 3 times more, which forces breeders to look for pastures of increased area for hay for winter.
Bityug
Bityug is a heavy-duty breed of horses bred specifically for horse-drawn and agricultural needs. To date, the breed is considered extinct.
Bitugi became known as an independent breed in the 18th century. There are several versions of their origin, the most popular of which is the formation of the breed on the initiative of Peter the Great. The average size of the bituki was 1.6 meters, they had a strong developed back, a long body and covered legs, the color was mostly brown. The breed was credited with a calm nature, increased stamina and unpretentiousness in the feed, which made it so popular in those days.
Bityugs were used in agricultural work, but most often these horses could be seen in the cabs. In the Russian literature of those times, a description of this breed is often found, for the most part this happened because they made up the vast majority of horses involved in industrial carriage.
Breeds from different countries
Heavy horses have been used in many countries. Over time, they improved and adapted to living conditions and climate.
Australian
Today there is a strict standard for the Australian breed, the observance of which is monitored by the Tribal Book Society of Australian Heavy Trucks, formed back in 1979. Prior to this, the breed did not differ in its purity. Its first representatives were obtained at the beginning of the nineteenth century by crossing breeds that were bred in Australia at that time, among which Perchersons, Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks and Brabansons with horses imported during colonization predominated.
The Australian breed is distinguished by a medium-sized head, a wide forehead, a medium length neck, a smooth back line, a wide croup and chest, and a well-developed fat comb in stallions.
Across Australia, these horses take part in various competitions. They are also often used during logging to transport logs in areas where technology is beyond the power. Farmers use this breed for agricultural work.
Vladimirskaya
Heavyweights of Vladimir breed come from the Gavrilovo-Posadsky stud farm. These energetic, strong and attractive horses appeared in 1886 after crossing local unpretentious and hardy females with Clydesdale native to England. Also, the formation of the breed was not without the famous English shires. This breed received official recognition only in the middle of the twentieth century.
Vladimir heavy trucks have a large physique, at the withers do not exceed 1.7 meters. The most common color is bay, less common are black and red.
Of the external characteristics of Vladimir heavy trucks stand out:
- powerful long neck;
- large head with a convex profile;
- moderately lowered croup;
- obliquely set long shoulder blade;
- strong legs covered with fur;
- thick mane and tail.
Previously, horses of this breed were harnessed to a plow, cart or harness. Today they are actively used in equestrian tourism and sport hunting.
Soviet
Horses of the Soviet breed were obtained by crossing local draft breeds, which have the most diverse roots, with brabansons. The result, when compared with his Belgian relatives, has several small sizes, harmonious physique, very mobile. The official registration of the Soviet breed took place in 1952.
From the characteristics of the horse:
- weight - up to 1 t;
- height at the withers - up to 1.7 m;
- the main colors are red and bay.
In terms of appearance, Soviet heavy trucks are not much different from standard horses of this type: medium-sized head, medium muscular neck, broad back and withers, forked drooping croup, strong legs of medium length. Mares of this breed are characterized by high milk yield.
Russian heavy truck
This breed of horses was bred for a long time, and was officially registered in 1952, like the Soviet heavy truck, but they should not be confused. The livestock is based on heavy trucks hailing from Belgium. The horses turned out to be large and perfectly suited to local conditions.
Their main characteristics include:
- weight - up to 700 kg;
- the height of the stallions at the withers is up to 1.5 m;
- suits - red, roan, bay, crow.
Russian heavy trucks have a light, dry head with a wide forehead, a wide withers, a long broad back, a muscular neck, a wide forked croup, and medium-sized slightly overgrown legs. This breed is classified as a small heavy truck. It is perfect for agricultural work, has excellent meat and dairy properties.
Recently, many farms have been breeding Russian heavy trucks. Among these farms, many specialize in the production of koumiss.
Boulogne breed
Many hippologists consider the Boulogne breed of heavy horse horses to be the most popular among French heavy trucks. These horses have been known since antiquity. The Boulogne breed was born on the territory of the north-west of modern France by crossing the Arabian horses brought from the conquered states with the local livestock. Later there was a need for more hardy horses, for which they crossed the Boulogne and Mecklenburg breeds. As a result, especially strong horses appeared, and in the 17th century the breed received official recognition.
The growth of Boulogne horses at the withers averages 1.65 m, and they can weigh up to 900 kg. The horse’s body is muscular, it has a large, thin and short head with a wide forehead, an arched neck with a short mane, a straight and wide back, strong short legs, a rounded croup and a high-set thick tail. Of the suits, the most common are gray and gray.
Today, the Boulogne breed is widely used on farms. It is also very appreciated by breeders for its excellent genotype, which allows them to be crossed with other breeds to improve their quality.
Irish
The Irish cob, which also has many other names, is a well-known breed of heavy horse. Today, representatives of this breed are popular around the world, although not so long ago few people heard about them.
Irish heavy trucks have a small height - 1.45 m on average, and body weight up to 700 kg. The color is most often spotted, the characteristic difference of the breed is the presence of white spots on the wool. The horse has a massive head, long ears, a short strong neck, a straight back and powerful croup. The body of the horse for its small size is quite wide.
In their scope of application, Irish cobs are universal. This breed is often called a gypsy harness, which says a lot about its qualities and areas of use. Kobes are also well suited for riding in the saddle, and among farmers these horses are appreciated as assistants in agricultural work and for good milk production.
Suffolk
Suffolsky breed of heavy horses hailing from England. It was named after the county where it began to be bred. These horses are excellent for heavy agricultural work related to the cultivation of clay soils, which are abundant in eastern Britain.
Suffolk founders are considered local and Norman breeds, which eventually gave them wool with an excellent chestnut hue and a massive heavy body on short legs. These horses are appreciated for their unpretentiousness in the content and low feed consumption, as evidenced by numerous hippological studies.
The height at the withers of the suffolk rarely exceeds 1.7 meters, and the weight of an adult stallion can reach tons. Horses are always distinguished by a bright red-chestnut color, which has many shades. The breed has a friendly disposition.
The strongest heavy trucks in history
In history, there are many cases of horses transporting huge loads, some of which are particularly remembered and have been documented. These horses are pride for their breeders and direct proof of the enormous potential of heavy breeds.
Among them, you can recall a couple of shires from the United States, Michigan, who in 1893 pulled a sled with a load of a total weight of just over 42 tons. Also in the sixties of the last century, the Soviet stallion Force distinguished himself, stretching a trailer with a load of 35 meters, the weight of which amounted to almost 23 tons. But the most notable achievement made in the Guinness Book of Records belongs to a shire named Vulcan, who in 1924 at the British exhibition managed to move 47 tons of cargo alone.
Horses of a heavy breed were initially bred for use in chores and transportation of goods. The creation and improvement of breeds has been and is still ongoing in many countries. To date, a large number of breeds have been bred, but the ancestors of their main part are shires and Clydesdales from England, Perchers from France and Brabansons from Belgium.