It originates in – and is named for – Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, where its history goes back to Mediaeval times.

In the late nineteenth century it was merged with the other heavy horses of Belgium into the Belgian Draught.

In the twenty-first century it is an endangered breed, with fewer than a hundred living animals.

[3]: 23 The breed became extinct in the nineteenth century, when it was merged with the Brabant to create the Belgian Draught.

[7]: 124  Unlike the Belgian Draught, it is not susceptible to chronic progressive lymphoedema.