Also called Russian Draft and Russian Ardennes, the Russian Heavy Draft is a small, sturdy and fast draft breed that was developed in Imperial Russia. Unlike most draft breeds, the Russian isn’t overly large, but they are quite muscled.
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The Russian Heavy Draft was introduced at the Paris Exhibition in 1900 and quickly the two World Wars almost wiped the breed out. However, by 1937 a small stock of purebreds were isolated and kept safe. <\/p>\n
Systematic breeding began in the mid 19th century crossing native animals with Ardennes<\/a>, Belgian Draft<\/a> and Orlov Trotter<\/a>. Called the Heavy Draft until the Russian Revolution, after which they renamed them Russian Ardennes. They were among several heavy breeds being developed in the area, including the Lithuanian and Vladimir. The Russian Ardennes being the oldest and smallest of them, with a cob type conformation. <\/p>\n There are three types found within the breed, along with another group that is not as uniform and generally comprised of trotter types. <\/p>\n Novoaleksandrov type –<\/strong> Smaller with a massive body.<\/p>\n Ural type –<\/strong> Larger with a shorter body, longer legs with more feathering.<\/p>\n Massive type –<\/strong> Largest of the types and coarser in conformation.<\/p>\n Average height 14.1 – 15 hands<\/p>\n Head is average in size and clean with a straight profile Generally chestnut<\/a>, bay<\/a>, brown<\/a> or roan<\/a><\/p>\n DraftFeatures<\/h3>\n
Physique<\/h3>\n
\nNeck is short, broad, fleshy and highly crested in studs
\nBack is long, broad and can be soft
\nChest is deep and broad
\nLegs are short<\/p>\nTraditional Colors<\/h3>\n
Use<\/h3>\n
\nAgriculture
\nTransportation
\nMilk production<\/p>\nVideo<\/h3>\n