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 The Byelorussian
Harness Horse breed was formed on the basis of the
native northern forest type horses improved by the Dole (from Norway), Ardennes
and Brabancon breeds. The Dole influence was the strongest,
although the result was not in a heavy horse but a light horse breed that looked
like a draft horse. Long-term interbreeding of various generations of
crosses created a breed that is very suitable for the
current requirements of Byelorussian agriculture. The horse has adapted well to
work in wooded areas and those with swampy and
sandy soils. They can also be used for milk and meat
production (although hopefully not).
Byelorussian Harness horses are medium-sized horses
with the characteristic conformation of a harness horse. They
have medium sized heads the exhibit wide foreheads, and their necks are of
average length and well-muscled. They have long, flat backs that are often
slightly dipped, and their loins are flat and short as their croups are wide,
nicely rounded and well muscled with a normal slope.
These horses have wide, deep chests, and clean, solid, well-formed limbs. Their
manes and tails are thick but they have very little feathering around the legs.
They can be dun, bay, chestnut, or light bay. In January of 1980, the
Byelorussian Harness breed numbered 93,040, including 27,560 purebred
horses.
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