The Nonius Horse is both large and strong. It's a stout and brawny breed. Though compact, the Nonius' chest is impressively deep and muscular. Their legs are powerful with big joints and are ideal for draft work. Aesthetically, they are almost always bay or brown, but can also be seen in a champagne or chestnut. Sometimes, the Nonius will display markings of white on either side of the head.

This powerful breed is known to be a good work horse. It also has plenty of stamina and is easy to handle. Because of their strength and their easygoing nature, the Nonius, though rare, is still used a draft horse for both agriculture and transport. If properly trained, they are comfortable in saddle and under harness or yoke.

The Nonius breed was developed in Hungary throughout the nineteenth century. The breed's namesake, Nonius Senior, was foaled in 1810 in Normandy (France) and captured by the Hungarians during the Napoleonic Wars. The Nonius eventually found a home at the prestigious Mezohegyes Stud Farm in Hungary where he went on to sire just over two hundred horse. To this day, the breed has matured and refined itself.

Today, the breed has two types; a heavier, draft horse and a smaller, lighter strain that is more suited to work in the saddle. They are also being crossbred with Thoroughbreds to create calmer sport horses that are strong and fast but also patient. Outside Hungary, purebreds can be found in Romania and Serbia.

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