History of Belgian Acres

 Belgian Acres

Belgian Acres is a 30 acre horse farm on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Belgian Acres is run by Don and Melissa, two long time Vero Beach residents.  Don and Melissa currently house 6-8 horses at the Belgian Acres stables. The number of horses can vary depending on how many foals will be delivered during the season.

Belgian Acres Horses

Belgian Acres owns  two breeds of horses, Belgians and Clydesdales. Both of these breeds are well suited to pulling our beautiful  Cinderella carriage. They are sturdy, well trained and majestic. Both Don and Melissa too are well qualified as drivers.  They learned to drive draft horses from some of the best teamsters in the country. Interesting fact; Don’s grandfather was a blacksmith in western New York, and it was through his grandfather, that Don got his first exposure to draft horses.

The Clydesdale Horse

Most people know of Clydesdale horses from watching them pull the Budweiser wagons in various events and parades throughout the country. The Clydesdale breed originated in Scotland and the first Clydesdale was imported to North America in 1840. These horses are known for their long flowing white feathers on their legs and their grand size. If you have never seen one up close, they are big, magnificent creatures. At Belgian Acres, even though we could have Clydesdales from the American line, we are quite proud to own only Clydesdales from the Scottish line in their carriage service.

The Belgian Draft Horse

The Belgian draft horse breed has been the United States since last 1800’s.  They were known of the “great horse’ of medieval times.  The knights rode this beautiful, but sturdy breed of Belgian horses in battle.

Over time, as knights and battles went by the wayside, the breed has become well known as the work horse breed.  They were used by Coors Brewery draft horse hitch in competition of the Budweiser Clydesdales.  The Belgians are known to be powerful, strong, and yet beautiful all in one horse.  Many Belgian horses can still be seen in the North and Midwest plowing fields and pulling hay wagons.

Both of these breeds, the Belgians and Clydesdales, are what is known as draft horses. Since the advancements of modern motorized farm equipment, draft horse utilization is our society has dwindled.  But in more recent times, the interest in the draft horse breeds has been awakened.  At our farm, we love to display the magnificence of the Belgian and Clydesdale breeds that helped to develop our grand county.

 

Don and Melissa

Vero Beach Horse and Carriage Rides

Cinderella Carriage rides for your wedding, birthday party, charity event, anniversary parties