The Byelorussian Harness Horse bears a strong resemblance to the Dole horse of Norway. The Dole, as well as the Brabancon (Belgium heavy draft) and the Ardennes formed the foundation of the breed.
As with many of the medium to heavy draft breeds in Europe, the Byelorussian Harness Horse is also used for milk production, although this is not as common has it was several years ago. A Byelorussian Harness Horse mare can produce about 9 litres of milk per day, most of which is used to produce koumiss, a rich liqueur that is a traditional drink of much of the area.
The Byelorussian Harness Horse is a very late maturing horse with many not reaching their full adult size until three to four years of age. They are a very long lived horse as well and many mares will continue to have foals well into their mid twenties. It is not uncommon for a Byelorussian Harness Horse to live to be over 30 years of age.
Byelorussian Harness Horse foals are typically left with the mares until they are six to seven months of age, at which time they usually already weigh just under 200 kg or 440 pounds, almost the size of a larger pony.
There are two different types within the breed and they are distinguished by their overall body size. The large Byelorussian Harness Horse is both heavier and taller with a longer stride than the medium sized line.
A total of six different bloodlines are recognized in the breed with the major breeding farms being the Zarechye stud and the stud on Pobeda State Farm. There are many Byelorussian Harness Horse in private ownership and privately bred both in Russia as well in surrounding areas. There are four major mare groups and breeding often is interchanged between the large and medium sized Byelorussian Harness Horses.
The fastest record for a Byelorussian Harness Horse walking a 2 km course pulling 150 kg is 14 minutes, 42 seconds. The Byelorussian Harness Horse has been recorded pulling a weight of 660 kg or almost 1500 pounds.
The Byelorussian Harness Horse makes a wonderful and very elegant looking carriage horse. While they are a heavy horse they are more streamlined and athletic looking than many of the heavy horses and their wonderful dappled gray color, bay, dun, or chestnut makes a striking looking carriage presentation.
The Byelorussian Harness Horse is ideally suited to working in the wet, sandy, and muddy land typically seen in the agricultural areas around Byelorussia. They do not have the heavy feathering seen in many of the draft breeds which is seen as a benefit for keeping the feet and legs clean and well cared for even in wet areas.
The Byelorussian Harness Horse can be used as a riding horse as well as a harness horse. The increasing demand for the larger breeds for showing, trekking, and even pleasure riding has had a positive impact on the number of Byelorussian Harness Horses.
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