Arden horses are a unique breed of heavy horses. Despite their large size, they are very mobile and active. This allows the racers to carry heavy loads where it is not possible to do this with the help of special equipment, for example, on narrow mountain paths. The history of the breed dates back to ancient times - Julius Caesar also mentioned the Arden horses. In our material we will tell about the features of the maintenance and care of massive ardenes.
Breed history
Ardens - representatives of one of the oldest breeds of heavy horses, which were first used for work in the Ardennes Mountains in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. Later, strong and hardy Ardens were used as cavalry horses and for the transportation of artillery during military operations.
Important! Arden's hooves are subject to inflammatory processes, so after walking they must be washed and dried, removing excess moisture.The first official mention of the breed can be found in the stud book of 1929. In the entire history of their existence, the horses of the Ardenian breed were crossed many times with others: a thoroughbred riding horse, a Bois de Boulogne, a Percheron, and a massive Brabant. It was the latter that had the greatest impact on how the ardens look today.
Description and Features
Externally, the representatives of this breed seem to be quite harsh, the reason for which is their large figure and large weight. Although modern ardens are significantly different from how they looked originally - the racers were shorter and not so massive. 
External features
Horse Arden breed has the following characteristics:
- height at withers - up to 170 cm;
- chest girth - from 190 to 220 cm;
- circular circumference of the horse's metacarpus - from 22 to 35 cm;
- average weight - 700-800 kg;
- the mane is thick;
- strongly developed musculature;
- the croup is massive and rounded;
- strong shoulders;
- legs are short, thick and muscular;
- hooves small and flattened;
- short back and deep chest;
- the neck is not long with a beautiful bend;
- the profile is straight, the eyes are large, the forehead is low and flat.
Learn more about such hard horse breeds of horses as Vladimir, Altai, Trakehner, Friesian, Tinker and Soviet heavy truck.
There is a tradition according to which a mature racer is cut off the tail along the most mobile vertebra. 
Suits
The race horses of Arden can be bay, red, gray and roan.
Character
These horses are owners of an incredibly calm and humble disposition. Despite their large size, they are nimble and nimble. At the same time they are able to withstand the performance of even the most difficult jobs. Ardens are very intelligent and well-trained.
Did you know? Horses can distinguish human emotions by voice.
Advantages and disadvantages
The benefits of Arden horses include:
- high meat productivity;
- endurance;
- large load capacity;
- calm character;
- unpretentiousness.
The breed has no obvious shortcomings, therefore its representatives are highly valued both in private farms and among professional breeders on horse breeders.
Scope of application
Arden horse is designed to perform various work in agriculture, as well as for heavy traffic. The horses, among other things, are a source of horse meat. Representatives of this breed participate in horse racing and are used to create new breeds.
Important! Ardenskie horses successfully used for hippotherapy, due to its endurance and gentle temper.
Maintenance and care
Arden horses are quite unpretentious animals, but to preserve the working ability, strength and health of these horses, you must follow the basic rules of care.
Stable
To keep the horses fit a spacious room in which large Arden horses will feel as comfortable as possible. The stable must be equipped with good ventilation and lighting. 
These animals, despite their massive size, are very sensitive to cold and moisture: the temperature in the barn should not be below +18 ° C. Feeding troughs and troughs for the Arden horse must be installed at the chest level of the animal.
Thus, he will not have to strain his cervical vertebrae to reach for food and water. As a drinker, you can use a regular bucket or a special automatic drinker. The stall should be spacious so that the horse can safely lie down and rest.
You will be useful to read about how to properly bathe and clean the horse.
Cleaning the barn
Stables with Arden horses should be regularly cleaned, as horses often cope with their needs. During the cleaning of horses you need to take a walk to the fresh air. When there are no animals in the room, the stall and the entire stable are cleaned of manure, the feeders and drinkers are washed. 
Feeding and watering
The massive Arden horse needs a lot of quality feed, as it spends a lot of energy during the day. His diet should include both fresh vegetation and hay. Full development will provide an introduction to the diet of vitamins and mineral supplements.
Their lack leads to a decrease in the horse’s performance and improper development of the animal. An important part of the horse's menu is the roots. They will help the horse of Ardene to preserve the health of the digestive tract and work capacity. Drinking water for horses must be of high quality.
Did you know? The purest and unique breed of horses - Arab.Arden - one of the most unpretentious and hardy breeds of horses. But despite the large number of its advantages, it is losing its popularity, and the number of horses around the world is decreasing.
To preserve and improve the quality of the breed, in the UK even a special horse society of the Ardenian breed was created. And this means that the power, strength and endurance of the Ardenes will bring help to a person for a long time.
