Ardennes

Although there is no complete records on the Ardennes breed, it is thought that they were descended from heavy draft horses that were often praised by Julius Caesar in De Bello Gallico.  Napoleon valued the breed for their endurance.  Sometime during the 18th century, Ardennes were bred with Arabian and Belgian Draft blood in order to increase their strength and size.

Essentially, the Ardennes breed is a lighter version of the Belgian Draft Horse, bred in the mountains.  Black Ardennes are rare, and cannot be registered with the Ardennes registry.  Most Ardenne horses are chestnut, palomino, bay, or gray in color.

Ardennes are not only capable of working in rough or hilly terrain, they are also calm and tolerant in disposition and are economical to feed.