Breton (horse)
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The Breton is a horse breed, which are very common as draft horses in France.
[edit] History
The Breton originates from a province called Bretagne in northwest France. Bretagne, which has a very demanding climate, had the need for a horse with great strength and durability. Horses have been present in the Breton mountains for thousands of years, but nobody knows how the first arrived. In the Middle Ages, the Breton horse was sought by military leaders, partly because of its comfortable gait. Around the seventeenth, the Breton horse was sent to New France (Canada) by the king, and the Canadian horse still shows the Breton's influence.
Throughout centuries the Breton was crossbreed with various horses, both native and foreign, including Boulonnais, Percheron and Ardennais. In the nineteenth century it was crossbreed with the Norfolk Trotter, which resulted in the most distinguished type of Breton, the Postier Breton. Later, in 1930, crossbreeding was abandoned. Crossbreeding reduced the unique qualities of the Breton, and therefore crossbreeding with the Breton is usually used to improve and create another breed like the Freiberger.
The Breton was originally breed in the four districts of Bretagne, but now has spread all over France, especially to the lower mountains of the Central Mountains and Pyreness. The Breton are the most numerouse of the draft horses in France, and are widely exported around the world.
[edit] Physical characteristics
There are three types of the Breton, coming from different districts of Bretagne.
- The Corlay Breton, also called Central Mountain Breton
- The Postier Breton
- The Heavy Draft Breton
The Corlay Breton is derived from crossbreeding with the Arabian and Thoroughbred. It is about 14.3 hands to 15.1 hands. The Corlay are considered the real descendant of the original Breton. It has the same general features as the draft type, but are smaller with a more dished face.
The Postier Breton are derived from the Norfolk Trotter and the Hackney during the nineteenth century. It has a very attractive gait, and are about 15.1 hands. It are breed mainly in the central Bretagne, and is a good coach horse and capable of light farming work.
The Heavy Draft Breton are derived from Ardennes and Percheron. It is very strong relative to its size. It is breed in the northern coastal area of Bretagne. It stands about 15.2 hands to 16.2 hands, and has short but muscular legs.
The Breton can be bay, grey, chestnut, red and roan blue. It has a large head, straigth profile, short bulky neck, a compact stocky body, broad square quarters, short strong legs and small, but hard feet. The Breton are easy-going and typically very social
