- Byelorussian Harness Horse -

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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