Horse
Pronunciation:
Ah-den-ay
Breed Description:
The Ardennes breed of horse was an ancient breed that is thought to have formed the base for the great horses of the Middle Ages. It has both French and Belgian influence and is heavy boned with a short, well muscled neck and a short back. The Ardennes Horse is generally lighter than the Belgian Draught (Draft) and more like the hardy, light horses found in the north-east districts of France. A small, broad-bodied draft horse, the Ardennes was crossed with lighter Arabians in the early 19th century to increase its energy, resulting in what we now call the Ardennais breed of horse. Cross breeding with heavier draft horses also led to a bigger type of Ardennais Horse that could be used for heavy draft work. The Ardennais was used for hauling guns, ammunition and stores during the First World War, which lead to the death of many of them. This in turn leads to the importation of both Dutch and Belgian stallions to boost numbers. As a breed it is still used as a heavy draft horse, and because of its docile temperament, has become popular as for disabled driving. It is also raised for the local meat market. Today there are three distinct types of Ardennais Horse: 1. A small sort that is most like the original Ardennes, 2. The massive Ardennais du Nord (Ardennais of the north) which owes its size to cross-breeding with Belgian draft horses, and 3. The powerful Auxois which owes its size and power to Percheron and Boulonnais blood. Ardennais Horses can be various colors including bay, chestnut, grey or palomino. While bay and roan are the most common colors, roan is preferred, ideally with a pretty pale mane. Black and dappled grey are not permissible colors for the breed. White markings like stars and blazes should be small. Its legs are strong and the feet surprisingly small and heavily feathered. Its back is very broad and noticeably short. The head of the Ardennais has a distinctly squared off muzzle and a low, flat forehead. It has short little pricked ears that are spaced rather far apart. Today the basic breed of Ardennes Horse has stud books in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Temperament:
The Ardennes breed of horse is kind and calm natured, docile and willing to work. It is also a very easy horse to handle and keep.
Height:
The Ardennes breed of horse could be as little as 14.2 hands, although the modern Ardennais averages between 15 and 16 hands, or 60 to 64 inches at the withers.
Weight:
The Ardennes breed of horse has an average weight of between 1540 and 2200 pounds, or 700 to 1000 kgs.
Health Problems:
The Ardennes breed of horse is very hardy and it has a strong constitution. It does not generally suffer from any health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Ardennes breed of horse is well adapted to harsh living conditions, and can live outdoors in all weather.
Exercise:
The Ardennes breed of horse gets plenty of exercise when it is in work.
Life Expectancy:
The Ardennes breed of horse can live up to anything between 25 and 35 years.
Grooming:
The Ardennes breed of horse does not require special grooming but it will benefit from regular brushing and from having its hoofs picked out like all other breeds.
Origin:
The Ardennes breed of horse is said to be the founder of all heavy draft breeds. It is said to be a direct descendant of the ancient Solutrian Horse that roamed parts of Europe around 50,000 BC. This makes it a true cold-blooded horse. Being strong and hardy, the Ardennes Horse was used by the cavalry in ancient times. For example it is known that Julius Caesar and the Roman Emperors after him all used the Ardennes as mounts for their soldiers. Crusaders in the Middle Ages also rode them because they could easily carry the weight of men in armor. Napoleon Bonaparte also had an Ardennes cavalry. 