Russian Heavy Draft

The Russian Heavy Draft, or Russian Heavy Draught, is a compact Soviet-era draft horse developed from imported Ardennes and related heavy breeds crossed with local mares. It was bred for farm and transport work where a smaller, economical horse could pull hard, mature early, and stay useful in cold continental conditions. Most are short-legged, broad, deep through the body, and strongly muscled. Chestnut and roan shades are common in the breed, with bay and other solid colors seen in some lines.

On farms it can still be used for logging, wagon work, small-scale cultivation, and milk or meat production in regions where draft horses remain part of rural systems. Its moderate height does not remove the need for draft-specific care: harness must fit a wide shoulder, hooves need regular balancing, and rations should support work without making easy keepers too fat. Breeding programs usually select for fertility, calm handling, pulling ability, and sound legs, while trying to retain enough genetic diversity in a breed less common internationally than Belgian or Percheron horses.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White