People in the Netherlands developed the Dutch Draft horse for heavy agricultural work after the first world war. The breed had its heyday between the two wars when it was used extensively on the farms and in the forests. Although it\u2019s not as widely used today, these calm draft horses are known for their strength and stamina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breed: <\/strong>Dutch Draft horse The Dutch Draft horse characteristics harken to those of the Belgian, a breed that helped create it. The Dutch Draft horse head is somewhat coarse, but with a large, kind eye. The neck and back are both short. Their shoulder is long and sloping into a broad chest. The legs are strong with feathering around their large hooves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dutch Draft size is considered short among some of the draft breeds. The breed standard states that horses are between 15.3 and 17.1 hands (or 63 to 69 inches tall at their withers). (1) Most people commonly agree that Dutch Draft horse height averages 16 hands though. (2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Male horses tend to be slightly larger than female horses. Non-adult horses are proportionate to the adults and usually have reached most of their adult height by four years of age, and are full-grown between ages five and six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Dutch Draft horses are not the tallest draft breed, it doesn\u2019t limit their strength or stamina, two characteristics the breed is known for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch Draft horse weight is between 1,650 and 2,200 pounds, which, with their height, makes them appear shorter and heavier than other draft horse breeds. This heavier weight is supported by large, solid bones with the structure to support the extra weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, the males tend to weigh slightly more than the females. A Dutch Draft foal will weigh about 10% of what its mother weighs, so most foals are between 160 and 200 pounds at birth. By the time the foal is six months old, they are almost 50% of their adult weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The heavier weight of the Dutch Draft breed made it popular for agricultural work because it gave them their strength and stamina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary Dutch Draft horse colors are chestnut, black, brown, and variations of roan. The roan horses are all white hairs interspersed with either the chestnut, black, or brown coat colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gray is not common, and along with black are the rare Dutch Draft horse colors. The roans, chestnuts, and browns are more common because of the influence of the Belgian Draft horse breed in developing the Dutch Draft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes a beautiful Dutch Draft horse is referred to as a blue mould color, but this means roan. This is a horse with a black coat color with the interspersed white hairs, and it\u2019s also a rarer color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dutch Draft horse temperament is similar to other cold-blooded horses in that they are calm and even-tempered. A hallmark of Dutch Draft horse behavior is that they are very quiet and have slow, steady movements. This is one of the characteristics that made them most valuable as agricultural workhorses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch horse can also be sensitive and are known to be stubborn and grumpy if they don\u2019t feel they\u2019re being treated fairly. However, if the person working with them is sensitive and caring, the horses are willing workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch Draft breed follows the general rules of the United States Equestrian Federation, which states that children are not allowed to exhibit stallions. (3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch Draft horse breed is easy to care for and requires little maintenance or special attention beyond the routine care horses normally receive. Horses require shelter, veterinary care, exercise, and a diet that isn\u2019t too rich, as they maintain their weight easily. The Dutch Draft horse lifespan is between 25 and 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Draft horses require more feed than smaller-sized horses. Being an \u201ceasy keeper\u201d means that the Dutch Draft diet should actually be less than the normal energy recommendations for a draft horse if they aren\u2019t working, and the level of work increases their diet requirements. (4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Water is the most important nutrient for horses. Next is roughage, and this is usually foraging in the form of pasture and hay. Draft horses tend to be healthier if their forage consists more of hay than grass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The nutritional content of the hay varies depending on when it was harvested and the soil type where it was grown. Finally, some grain or nutritional supplementation may be needed, but grain should be minimal. (5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, no species is immune from health problems, including the Dutch Draft horse. They have a few issues that will cause issues, and owners should be aware of these and take preventative steps where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common genetic problems is Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM). This causes horses to have an inability to store glycogen, also known as sugar, in their muscles. The effect is horses tighten up and are unable to move in the worst case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Preventative measures are a strict diet, preventing the horse from becoming overweight, and exercise. Consult a veterinarian and equine nutrition specialist for specific guidance. (6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of good reasons to groom horses – it helps an owner bond with the horse, provides mental stimulation for the horse, and keeps them clean and presentable. But, there are health reasons for Dutch Draft grooming too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dirt and debris that accumulates on the horse\u2019s coat can become a place where bacteria congregate and then multiply, causing health issues for the horse. Regular grooming removes the dirt and debris and prevents these bacterial buildups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a great time to check for any cuts, scrapes, or other issues. Hooves should also be cleaned daily and checked for bruising or odor that could be symptoms of larger issues. (7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dutch Draft horse history is young – the breed developed in the 1900s, in between the world wars. The native Zeeland horse of the Netherlands was crossed with the Belgian to create a massive horse that could pull carriages, wagons, and work in agricultural fields. Mechanization after World War II threatened their population, but numbers have steadily stabilized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch Draft horse origin ties to the need for a heavy draft horse in the Zeeland and North Brabant provinces in the Netherlands. They used the Belgian draft horse and Belgian Ardennes to cross with their local horses, creating the breed after World War I. Their ancestors are the workhorses of the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The horses were bred to work in the marine clay of the Groningen province and on the arable farmland in the area. The people needed heavy horses that could withstand a full day of hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch had two other breeds of horses they developed but wanted the Dutch Draft specifically for the heavy and prolonged work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breeding focused on the three provinces where the Dutch Draft was most frequently used – Zeeland, North Brabant, and Groningen. The horses were also used in South Holland and the surrounding provinces as tug horses and were the most important breed for the Dutch people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mechanization after World War II limited the need for draft animals, and breed population numbers declined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nederlands Trekpaard, as the Dutch call the horse, was preserved by a dedicated group of breeders because it\u2019s tied so closely to the longtime traditions of ring riding and the annual beach ride that welcomes spring to the region. Of course, these breeders also still have other uses for the horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many famous Dutch Draft horses, although we rarely use their names. They are seen in iconic photos of the Holland landscape or as model horses in the playrooms of children. However, Maarten showcases his Dutch Draft horse pedigree and the reasons people love the breed in a brief yet memorable video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maarten is a Dutch Draft gelding seen cantering down a wooded trail with his rider, toward the camera in a YouTube video with over 2.8 million views. Koudbloed Kim, his rider, trots him into view to upbeat music before picking up the canter and coming towards the camera. He\u2019s a traditional-looking Dutch Draft with a white star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adult Weight<\/strong>: 1,650-2,200 pounds
Adult Height<\/strong>: 15.3-17.1 hands (63-69 inches)
Origin: <\/strong>Netherlands
Use<\/strong>: Draft horses, riding, pleasure
Colors<\/strong>: Chestnut, black, brown, and roan
Features<\/strong>: Short and heavily muscled
Lifespan<\/strong>: 25-30 years
Character<\/strong>: Calm, sensitive, good stamina, and stubborn
Gait<\/strong>: Tactful and sure-footed
Best for: <\/strong>Intermediate to experienced riders<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Dutch Draft Horse Characteristics <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Size <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Weight <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Colors <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Temperament <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dutch Draft Horse Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diet and Nutrition <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Health Problems <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Grooming <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dutch Draft Horse History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Origin <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Historic Development <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Notable Dutch Draft Horses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Maarten <\/h4>\n\n\n\n