The Camargue horse
The Camargue or Camarguais, which resembles the horses in prehistoric cave paintings, is thought to be one of the world’s oldest breeds. Of Arabian, Asian, or Celtic origin, descended from Przewalski’s horse or the prehistoric Solutré horse? It was already known to the Phoenicians and its breeding was encouraged by the Romans. Napoleon used it for his army, and it took part in the construction of the Suez Canal. In the 19th century, crossbreeding was carried out with the Arab, the Thoroughbred, the Anglo-Arabe and the Postier Breton.
It is bred in total freedom and in the open air in the Camargue and within the limits of a triangle whose vertices are represented by Montpellier, Tarascon and Fos. It is extensively bred in “manades”, i.e., “free-range breeding with at least four breeding mares, stationed all year round in the cradle of the breed, on a territory comprising no more than two livestock units per hectare with a minimum of twenty hectares in a single block”. The breed was officially recognized in 1978 with the opening of a Studbook.
Caractère et aptitudes du cheval
This small, gentle horse is docile and easy to handle. It is lively, agile, energetic, very hardy, and very resistant. Its feet are sure-footed. The walk is long and upright. Canter and canter are ample. The trot is not very comfortable.
Utilisations du cheval
First, the horse is a workhorse, the indispensable tool of the cowherd (“gardian”) for sorting, rounding up and watching over herds of bulls. It is also used in equestrian tourism, for trail riding.
Morphologie du cheval
Large, square head. Flat forehead, straight muzzle. Nasal bridge often obliterated. Large girth. Ears short, set wide apart, broad-based. Small eyes flush with head. Medium-line body type. Short neck. Well defined withers. Shoulder straight, short. Deep chest. Back of medium length. Loin short, broad. Strong, fleshy thigh. Croup short, full, and slightly sloping. Strong, good-natured limbs. Joints strong. Muscular thigh. Wide knee. Wide foot, very hard horn. Tail set low. Coat: light gray, sometimes speckled. Foals are born dark gray or black. They only turn white between 5 and 7 years of age. The mane is often shaggy and the hair system abundant. Height: 1.35 to 1.48 m. Weight: 300 to 400 kg.
