> The only Belgians I have seen
 > around here are the very tank-like, cream-colored chestnuts
 > that are used in log pulling contests. They are extremely
 >    powerful, but lacking in style. 
 
 
 JM> Or could it be that in the log-pulling contests, you've seen stallions
 JM> and geldings, while the carriage horses Jean saw were mares?
 
    Nope. 
    I mean, it may be possible that Jean saw mares, but I have
    seen Belgian foals, mares, geldings, even entire herds on a
    local farm AND at the fairs. They all have very short necks,
    very short, heavy legs, massive shoulders (even at birth, the
    ratio is noticeable!) and haunches. Hooves the size of dinner
    plates!
 
    As I said, all were an almost identical golden creamy chestnut
    out here. Never saw a white one. I understand that there are
    roans in this breed, so maybe that was what she meant. I am
    surprised that she thought they had style, though. The ones
    out here are workers, and they plod. They look impressive, but
    if you see them, and compare them to a Percheron, for example,
    "style" is not something you would associate with their way of
    going.
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