The Mérens, Cheval de Mérens or Caballo de Merens, still occasionally referred to by the older name of Ariégeois pony, is a small, rustic horse native to the Pyrenees and Ariégeois mountains of southern France, where the river Ariège flows, and northern Spain, near Andorra. Two general types, a small, light traditional mountain horse and a taller, sportier modern type, are found. Always black in color, Mérens must meet strict physical standards in order to be registered in the stud book. The breed is known for its sure-footedness on mountain terrain, as well as for its endurance, hardiness and docility. The French breed registry organizes regional offices, and partners with other national organizations in Europe to preserve and promote the breed. The organization enforces rigorous selection of breeding stock, with a goal of increasing quality in the breed. In the past, the Mérens was used for farm work, draft work and as pack horses. Today it is mainly used as a saddle horse, although some members of the breed have been successful in carriage driving. Many Mérens are taken on an annual transhumance, in which they are moved higher in the mountains during the summer and into the valleys for the winter. An old practice, it fell into disfavor, but has recently re-emerged.
The Gayoe, also known as the kuda-Gayo, is a pony from the island of Sumatra, found near Aceh. The name is derived from the Gayoe hills in the north of the island.
The Anglo-Norman horse is a warmblood horse breed developed in Lower Normandy in northern France. A major center of horse breeding, the area had numerous regional types that were bred to one another and then crossed with Thoroughbreds to form the Anglo-Norman. Various body types developed within the Anglo-Norman breed, two of which were split off to form the Norman Cob and French Trotter. The remaining types were eventually standardized, although there remained some criticism of the "hybrid" nature of the breed's conformation. However, it is successful as an international sport horse, especially in the sport of show jumping. The Anglo-Norman also contributed to the development of several other breeds in Europe and Asia.
The Norman Cob or Cob Normand is a breed of light draught horse that originated in the region of Normandy in northern France. It is of medium size, with a range of heights and weights, due to selective breeding for a wide range of uses. Its conformation is similar to a robust Thoroughbred, and it more closely resembles a Thoroughbred cross than other French draught breeds. The breed is known for its lively, long-striding trot. Common colours include chestnut, bay and seal brown. There are three general subsets within the breed: horses used under saddle, those used in harness, and those destined for meat production. It is popular for recreational and competitive driving, representing France internationally in the latter, and is also used for several riding disciplines.
The Henson horse, or cheval de Henson, is a modern horse breed from northeast France. It was created by the selective breeding of light saddle horses with the smaller, heavier Norwegian Fjord horse to create small horses suitable for the equestrian vacation industry. The breeders' association, Association du Cheval Henson, was formed in 1983. In 1995 the studbook was closed to horses not born from Henson parents, and in 2003 the breed was officially recognised by the French government agencies for horse breeding. A hardy breed of horse, each winter the broodmares and youngstock from several breeders are let loose together to graze freely in the wetland reserves in France.
Marine Oussedik, is a painter, sculptor and an illustrator specialized in horses. In 1990, she graduated from ESAG Penninghen, the Higher College of Graphic Arts, and started exhibiting in Parisian galleries the following year. Immediately afterwards she was commissioned paintings by the Living Museum of the Horse in Chantilly to be permanently displayed in two rooms. At the same time she published a book, Les chevaux d'encre. Many art books would follow including Les chevaux du Sahara in 1998, Les chevaux du vent in 2002 and Les chevaux de rois in 2003. She would be rewarded by Prix Pégase for those last two books which testify to her passion for illustrations of all kind of horses, Arabians being her favorite. In 2014, she illustrated an art book dedicated to classical French riding with texts by Guillaume Henry.
Horse cloning is the process of obtaining a horse with genes identical to that of another horse, using an artificial fertilization technique. Interest in this technique began in the 1980s. The Haflinger foal Prometea, the first living cloned horse, was obtained in 2003 in an Italian laboratory. Over the years, the technique has improved. It is mainly used on high-performance but castrated or infertile animals, for reproductive cloning. These horses are then used as breeding stock. Horse cloning is only mastered by a handful of laboratories worldwide, notably in France, Argentina, North America and China. The technique is limited by the fact that some differences remain between the original and its clone, due to the influence of mitochondrial DNA.
The Miquelon horse is a horse breed in the process of being characterized, established on the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago (France), near the east coast of North America. It is similar in origin to the Newfoundland pony, and is probably descended from imported French horses, later influenced by the Clydesdale, Quarter Horse and Appaloosa. Moreover, it is closely related to the Canadian horse, from which it differs in size. The Miquelon, only having been studied since 2007, lives in semi-freedom outdoors during the warm season, and is mainly used as a trail riding horse.
Haguard horse, also known as the Hague pony or bidet de la Hague, is a breed of bidet horse native to the natural region of La Hague, in the Manche in Normandy.
The Barraquand horse is a French mountain horse breed that emerged from an ancient selection process in the Vercors Massif. It is believed to have originated from a small herd of animals cultivated by Christian monastic communities, particularly those associated with the Léoncel Abbey. Named after the Barraquand family, who developed their breeding practices from the late 19th century until the 1950s, primarily through the practice of transhumance. Following the bankruptcy of the original Barraquand breeding operation and the sale of a portion of their land in 1963, the breed was considered lost. However, it has been reconstituted since the 1990s through the efforts of various breeders and local institutions, notably the Barraquand family, the Vercors Regional Natural Park, and the Annecy National Stud.
The Chinese Mongolian is a breed of horse, corresponding to the population of Mongolian horses that remained in China after Mongolia's independence in 1910. Possibly descended from Przewalski's horse, it has been domesticated since ancient times. As of 1982, Chinese Mongolian horses comprised about one-third of all horses in China. However, their numbers have declined sharply in recent decades, largely due to the rise of mechanized transport and changing lifestyles.
The presence of horses in Russia is evidenced by prehistoric fossils and has remained consistent throughout its history, particularly during the Soviet era, due to the integration of territories with a strong equestrian tradition. Trick riding has its origins in the military practices of the Russian Cossacks. Russian equestrian culture is characterized by the exclusive use of the "duga" yoke, known in particular through the troika.
Horses in Normandy have a clear economic importance, particularly through breeding. Present since the Bronze Age, horse breeding developed with the establishment of the Haras du Pin stud farm. Horses are still a very much alive tradition in this region. Normandy boasts a number of renowned racecourses, in particular the one in Deauville, where events take place regularly, including international ones such as the 2014 World Equestrian Games.
Equine ethics is a field of ethical and philosophical reflection around the horse, aimed at questioning human behavior towards this animal, and modifying it in the event of unethical practices. It includes questions about breeding, keeping, use and end of life, in close relation to the notion of respect and well-being of the horse. In particular, this debate crystallizes around sensitive subjects such as the slaughter of horses, the consumption of their meat, their legal status, zoophilia, doping in sport, their possible retirement after exploitation by humans, the choice of euthanasia and the destination of the animal's body after death. Societal demands include recognition of the horse as a pet, and greater consideration for its sensitivity.
Leisure horses are intended for pleasure riding, and in particular for trail riding by private individuals. Difficult to define, it is above all an animal endowed with particular qualities, rather than a precise breed. It must be versatile and calm in character, with a willing and courageous mind. As early as the 1970s, breeders such as those of the Swiss Freiberger or Franches-Montagnes were breeding animals for this then-new use. The market for leisure horses is now buoyant. France has created "leisure qualifications" for this purpose.
The Ujumqin is a type of Chinese Mongolian horse. Larger and reputedly better conformed than other horses of this breed, it is mainly ridden, the mares being milked for their milk.
The Amourski, also known as Amur horse or Manchurian pony, is an extinct breed of small Siberian and Manchurian horses. Formed in the early 19th century, it originated from the area around the Amur River in northeast Asia, in Russia and China. These small horses, more refined than other Siberian breeds, were usually ridden or driven, and were known for their hardiness.
Horses in Morocco are an ancient tradition, linked to the history of the Berber cavalry. The Barb and Arab-Barb breeds are considered a national heritage in Morocco, having been bred by numerous local tribes. Tbourida, the most popular Moroccan equestrian sport, showcases the military use of the Barb or Arab-Barb horse. The country boasts five national stud farms in Marrakesh, Meknes, Bouznika, Oujda and El Jadida. It organizes major international equestrian events, such as the El Jadida International Horse Show and the Morocco Royal Tour, as well as national sporting events, such as the Rabat Horse Week.
Equestrianism is the third most popular Olympic sport inFrance, and the leading sport for women.
