Trait du Nord

The Trait du Nord is a breed of heavy draft horse developed and bred in the area of Hainaut in western Belgium and in northeastern France. Originally considered a subtype of the Ardennes, it was recognized as an individual breed in 1903. The breed is large, with stallions weighing upwards of 1,000 kilograms, and is bred for traction ability and pulling power. It is considered to be endangered by the French government, with fewer than 100 new foal births a year.

About Trait du Nord in brief

The Trait du Nord is a breed of heavy draft horse developed and bred in the area of Hainaut in western Belgium and in northeastern France. Originally considered a subtype of the Ardennes, it was recognized as an individual breed with the opening of a studbook in 1903. The breed is large, with stallions weighing upwards of 1,000 kilograms, and is bred for traction ability and pulling power. It is considered to be endangered by the French government, with fewer than 100 new foal births a year. In France, the Syndicat d’élevage du cheval de trait du Nord is the national breed association recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Its mission is to promote the breed and assist in its recovery, as well as creating and executing a policy of genetic improvement through selective breeding. In the early 1930s, the breed reached the peak of its physical structure, with a physical structure that allowed it to move huge weights over short distances. Although some breeds of draft horses have declined in modern times in weight, the TraitDuNord has remained relatively large. Bay and roan are the most common colors, and is known to be gentle and easy to handle. The name has changed several times during its history. In 1913, the name of Trait Du Nord was used for the first time and French mares began to be registered as their own breed, although Belgian horses continued to be used for breeding. From 1945 to 1965 was known as the Northern Ardennes Draft.

In 1919, the horse was given the name \”Northern Ardennes\”. A centralized breeding union for the northern Ardennes was created in 1945. The average size in the breed is 16 hands for mares and 2,800 pounds for stallions, weighing 1,800 to 2,000 pounds. Foals of 30 months to 16 months must be registered at least 16 months old to become registered as Traits du Nord. The French National Stud is working with local groups in an attempt to promote this breed and bring population numbers back up. It was not until the 1990s that the breed experienced a slight revival through an increased interest in recreational riding and driving. It has a high risk of inbreeding, due to the low number of breeding stallions and is at risk of extinction. Two slightly different types of Traite du Nord are found – a larger type used for heavier pulling and a lightertype used for faster work. The horse was used extensively in mining from the late 19th century through 1920, with lesser use continuing through the 1960s. During the mid-20th century the breed was in demand for the production of horse meat, and due to this was bred to be larger and heavier. The Traitdu Nord is mentioned as the \”large horse of Hainsaut\”, but before 1903 it was not considered a separate breed and was often thought to be the same as theArdennes. The current official name of the breed has been used since 1961.

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