Trait Du Nord

The Trait du Nord is distributed in the northeastern region of France, and is of regional importance. "Trait" is the French word for "draft," and "nord" refers to north, which is the region in France where this horse comes from. The Stud Book has been kept since 1919, but its numbers are in decline. The breed is found in the area around Lille, and in the Pas-de-Calais, the Aisne, the Somme and Seine-et-Marne departments.

A horse of the brachymorphic type, the Trait du Nord inherits its heavy build and calm temperament from the Ardennais, the Belgian Draft, and the Boulonnais. All three of these heavy breeds contributed to its conformation. In addition to these inherited characteristics, the Trait du Nord also show remarkable hardiness. It has strength such that is able to pull carts having exceptional weight, doing so even over steep, hilly terrain. With its strong and hardy qualities, it has an aptitude for heavy draft and farm work.

The Trait du Nord stands at 15.3 to 16.1 hands high at the withers, and weighs 1,320 to 1,760 pounds. The coat color may be bay, roan or red roan. It has a heavy head with a straight profile, pronounced jaws and small ears and eyes. The neck is muscular, short and broad. the Wide withers are not very prominent, and the back is short and straight. It has broad loins and a wide and muscular croup, which is lightly sloping. It has a wide and deep chest and a well-developed abdomen. The shoulder is muscular and nicely sloping. Its legs are short and strong, well-muscled and feathered below the knee and hock. The leg joints are broad, and the foot is well-formed. The horse's natural stance is correct. It has an energetic, but quiet temperament.

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Published June 1997 North West Breyer Horse Club newsletter. (em)
© 1997-2019 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations
Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 1/27/2019
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