The Ardennes Draft Horse, also known as the Ardennais, is considered one of the oldest breeds of draft horse. With a history reaching back to Ancient Rome, these magnificent animals boast a lineage that could potentially connect them to the prehistoric Solutré horse.
Julius Caesar, in his famed commentaries “Commentarii de Bello Gallico,” described horses from Belgium as “rustic, hard and tireless,” recommending them for use in heavy cavalry units. This early type continued to be used by many Roman emperors for military purposes, solidifying their reputation for strength and endurance.
For over 2,000 years, ancestors of the Ardennes breed were selectively bred on the Ardennes plains, leading to the development of one of the oldest documented European heavy draft breeds. These gentle giants typically weigh between 700 and 1,000 kilograms (1,500 to 2,200 pounds), making them well-suited for pulling heavy loads and working in challenging terrain.
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