The Lithuanian Heavy Draft is a heavy draft breed.

Development:
Until the last decade of the 19th century, Lithuanian farmers relied on Zhemaichu horses for farm work. However, as agricultural methods progressed, stronger horses were required. Therefore, farmers imported Percherons, Brabants (Belgian Heavy Drafts), and Ardennais horses, and crossed them with their Zhemaichu horses to produce a new type of heavy draft horse.

This new type of draft was better acclimated to the Lithuanian climate and environment than the imported horses. Therefore, breeders continued developing this breed well into the early 20th century, by crossing it with imported Swedish Ardennais horses who improved it greatly.

Decline:
The Lithuanian Heavy Draft became popular among Lithuanian farmers, and was officially recognized in 1963. However, as agriculture was mechanized, and as tractors replaced horses, Lithuanian breeders quit breeding Lithuanian Heavy Drafts, and the number of these horses began to drop.

Lithuanian Heavy Drafts still exist in Lithuania in low numbers, and are used for both draft work and riding.

Conformation:
Lithuanian Heavy Drafts have a large head of medium length, a short and muscular neck, a wide body, and short, thick legs with wide hooves and light feathering. The mane and tail grow long and can be wavy.

Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered Lithuanian Heavy Drafts in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.

Speed: 14.6-15.7, 15.2 (0.2), 0.05.
Sprint: 51-64, 57 (3), 0.53.

Accel: 0.87-1.10, 0.98 (0.05), 0.01.
Decel: 1.10-1.26, 1.19 (0.04), 0.01.

Jump: 4.71-5.01, 4.85 (0.06), 0.01.
Pull: 4.15-4.78, 4.46 (0.15), 0.03.

Turning: 52.58-66.69, 60.60 (2.76), 0.54.
Reverse: 2.5-3.0, 2.7 (0.1), 0.02.

Stamina: 56.45-60.97, 58.36 (0.94), 0.18.
Reaction: 0.80-0.88, 0.84 (0.02), 0.00.

Coats & Height:
Colors: primarily bay or chestnut in color, the latter is often flaxen. Black and grey exist but are rare.

Additionals: flaxen, roan, sooty, mealy, dark mane-and-tail, grey mane-and-tail. The coat is always solid.

Height: 15.1hh to 16.1hh.