The biggest horses: what are the large breeds and famous champions

Powerful and strong horses are still in demand for agricultural work today. Especially in farms located in hard-to-reach areas. The largest horses have remarkable strength and endurance and were indispensable in the Middle Ages in a knightly environment. Today, several breeds of heavy trucks, whose pedigrees originate from medieval war horses, have retained their popularity and demand.

What are the large breeds?

The most common heavy trucks are the horses of the French, Belgian and English lines. In Russia, breeds of large horses began to be bred in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was a common practice to cross Arden heavy trucks and local draft horses.

Brabancon

The Belgian heavy truck is considered one of the oldest breeds. Thanks to its endurance and diligence, the animal was actively used both in farms and in cavalry troops. Horses have a friendly disposition, are not capricious in nutrition (but require a plentiful diet) and do not need special care. Parameters of heavy trucks: height at the withers - 160-175 cm, weight - 800-1000 kg. Structural features: compact body with a muscular torso, strong croup, short legs. There are colors: bay, white, red, golden-red with black marks.

Arden

The ancestors of the breed were forest horses, in the process of selection, the blood of Arabian horses, Brabancons was added. Features of the maintenance, poor nutrition of the pastures of the highlands of the Ardennes contributed to the development of the endurance of low horses. Today Arden is bred by meat producers (a horse weighs, on average, 1000 kg). Due to the calm, hardworking nature, animals are also used in agricultural work, for horseback riding.

Arden horses are distinguished by a massive muscular build (height at the withers - 150-165 cm), a short back and short strong legs with strong joints (there is hair growth on the fetlocks). Common colors: gray, roan, red, bay, dark bay.

Percheron

The well-known breed was bred in the French province of Perche. Powerful animals showed a good lynx, so they were used to transport heavy loads, massive mail coaches. Percherons were in demand all over the world due to their elegant exterior, extraordinary strength and endurance.

Characteristics of the breed:

• height at the withers - 1.6-1.7 m;
• body weight - 700-900 kg;
• long and strong croup, deep chest and powerful forearms, muscular legs with strong tendons, thick and luxurious mane.

The predominant color is gray, but there are roan, red. Percherons are distinguished by a complaisant and calm character. Horses are extraordinarily intelligent, and therefore show high learning abilities.

Russian heavy truck

The breed was officially registered in 1952 (the result of crossing Ardennes and draft horses of Russian breeds). Low muscular horses (height at the withers - 150-155 cm) are distinguished by a submissive temperament, they show excellent draft qualities. It is noteworthy that the Russian heavy truck is capable of pulling a load, the mass of which is several times greater than the weight of the animal.

Horses are unpretentious in maintenance, differ in milk productivity. Mares give large volumes of milk, from which rare varieties of cheese, koumiss are produced. Russian heavy trucks are resistant to cold and are indispensable when working on uneven terrain.

Vladimir heavy truck

The breed was recognized as a purebred in 1946 (the basis for selection was the English Clydesdale heavy trucks). The Vladimir heavy truck is distinguished by its massive build, high growth at the withers (165-170 cm), large head with a convex profile, strong legs, thick mane and tail. The most common colors are bay, black or red.

Balanced disposition and activity are harmoniously combined in the character of the horse. Horses excel in field work, often used as horse-drawn vehicles. Fans of long and calm horse rides appreciate these heavy trucks. Therefore, the breed is in demand from companies offering troika rides or horse rides in city parks.

Scottish Clydesdale

Despite the large dimensions (weight at the withers - 1.75-1.83 cm, weight - about 1000 kg), horses are distinguished by a harmonious physique and attractive exterior.Distinctive features: a shortened large and muscular body, massive straight legs, long and thick mane with a tail. The predominant colors are red, bay, roan. Animals tolerate harsh climatic conditions well, but are sensitive to dampness.

Horse lovers appreciate the Clydesdale breed for its accommodating disposition, ability to work, and bright exterior. Thanks to their light gait, horses are frequent participants in parade demonstrations. Endurance of horses is a sought-after quality that is valued by farmers. Strong horses are indispensable in farms located in mountainous areas.

Shire

Horses of the British breed are distinguished by their high growth - on average, 180 cm, sometimes they grow up to 219 cm. Body features: short and strong back, wide chest, long arched neck, sloping shoulders. The weight of some individuals reaches one and a half tons. There are different suits: gray, roan, bay, black, red.A special advantage of the breed is the organic combination of the working qualities of racehorses and heavy trucks. Shires are popular participants in various competitions. Active horses are easily trained to ride and tolerate long walks well. Shires need regular exercise. Due to the presence of long hair on the legs, stall animals should always be kept dry to prevent disease.

Important! Animals have a calm disposition, but do not tolerate rudeness.

Record holders famous for their large size

Massive physique and great strength are the main advantages of heavy horses. Such animals always arouse the interest of horse breeders and the public. The most famous horses in the world:

• The invincible record holder remains a Shire heavy truck named Mammoth (at birth Sampson). The unique horse had a weight of 1520 kg, height at the withers - 2.19 m;
• from the Brabancon breed, the stallion Brooklyn the Highest became famous with the parameters: weight 1451 kg, height at the withers - 1.98 m.
• among the Percherons, the stallion of Morocco (weight - 1285 kg, height at the withers - 215 cm) took the championship
• also famous Shire named Digger. The famous horse weighs 1200 kg and is 198 cm tall at the withers.

The heaviest heavy horse is the Brabancon Big Jake with a weight of 2600 kg. The giant has a height at the withers of 217 cm, yielding several centimeters to the famous Mammoth. Big Jake is a frequent talk show guest, participating in paid performances in different parts of the world.

Horses of strong and tall breeds have been reliable companions and helpers of people since ancient times. Of course, before, first of all, the working qualities of animals were valued. The horses had to endure serious physical exertion and transitions over long distances well. Today, however, the beauty and grace of strong animals are greatly admired.

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